The nutritional value of Zizyphus spina-christi for goat production among the pastoralists of Kalu district, South Wello, Ethiopia

Abstract

Fifteen
yearling goats of similar weight were used to evaluate the potential
of Zizyphus spina-christi leaves as a supplement to goats
fed on Cynodon dactylon grass. Animals were randomly
assigned to five feeding regimes and individually stall-fed
for a preliminary period of 14 days, followed by 14 days of
feeding to determine dry matter intake and digestibility and
a 3-month feeding period to determine body weight changes. The
treatments were formulated based on leaf:grass ratios of 0%,
25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Z. spina-christi leaves had higher
crude protein and lower fibre content than C. dactylon
grass (P < 0.05). Dry matter intake, digestibility and body
weight changes increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the
level of supplementation increased. Thus, Z. spina-christi
foliage is a potential feed supplement in the dry season, as
the dry season grasses are deficient in the required nutrients
and cannot meet goat requirements.

African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2003, 20(3): 265–270