Impact of substituted mulberry (Morus alba) leaves with guinea grass (Panicum maximum) on feed intake, milk yield and composition of lactating West African Dwarf does

Abstract

This study investigated the feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of lactating West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed fresh Panicum maximum which was substituted at five levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) with fresh mulberry (Morus alba) leaves and concentrate diet was fed alongside the forages. Twenty-five lactating WAD does were used for the experiment for fifty-six days. The does were divided into five groups of five does per group in a completely randomized design and housed in individual pens. Dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and feed efficiency (FE) for milk production of the goats were measured. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake, milk yield and FE of the goats. DM intake increased from 612.44 – 676.85 g/day and milk yield from 204.96 to 454.25 g/day with the inclusion of M. alba in the diet. The feed efficiency was 0.33, 0.57, 0.69, 0.74 and 0.48 for 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % M. alba diets respectively. Milk composition was not significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the level of M. alba leaves in the diet. Total solids in milk increased from 16.23 to 17.33 %; protein from 5.94 to 7.36 %; and fat from 4.03 to 4.71 %. In conclusion, supplementation of M. alba leaves in the diet enhanced feed intake and milk production in WAD does.