Performance of West African Dwarf Goats fed microbial treated maize cob and husk diets

Abstract

A study was conducted using twenty four (24) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with an average weight of 6.57 ± 0.56 kg to evaluate the nutrient intake, weight gain and nitrogen balance of WAD goats fed microbial treated maize cob and husk diets. Chemical and mineral compositions of the diets were also determined. The goats were allotted to six dietary treatments, replicated four times in a completely randomized design. The
chopped maize cobs and husks were sterilized for 60 minutes, inoculated with mixture of 15 ml each of Neurospora crassa and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, incubated for 5 days and air dried. The treated maize cob and husk were incorporated in the diets at the rate of 0 % (Diet A), 20 % (Diet B), 30 % (Diet C) [maize cob diets], 0 % (Diet D), 20 % (Diet E), 30 % (Diet F) [maize husk diets] respectively. The experimental period lasted for 56 days excluding 2 weeks of adaptation. Result showed that the proximate compositions were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the treatment. Calcium content increased with increasing level of treated cob and husk. Phosphorus ranged from 0.05 – 0.10 % while magnesium varied from 0.07 – 0.15 % and Potassium from 0.13 – 0.50 %. Goats fed Diet E (20 %) had the highest daily weight gain (39.29 g/day), highest nitrogen balance (1.73 g/day) and best feed/gain ratio of 5.57. Conclusively, microbial treatment of maize cob and husk will help in conversion of these wastes to better quality ruminant feed for better performance.

Keywords: West African Dwarf (WAD) goat, Neurospora crassa, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Maize cob, Maize husk