Seasonal availability and physical and chemical characteristics of four major browse plants used for stall-feeding of livestock in Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Four major browse species were studied with respect to their time of availability throughout the year and some aspects of their physical and chemical characteristics. Elaeis guineensis and Ficus elasticoides were available at all times of the year for stock feeding. For the physical milling characteristics studied, the browse species compared well with those of the legume species included in the study or were intermediate between those of the legumes and grasses. The nutrient composition indicated that the browse species could be a good source of livestock feed, especially during the dry season when grass from the natural grassland is scarce.

Key words: Nutrient composition, milling characteristics, livestock, browse species.