Voluntary intake of selected indigenous browse species by west african dwarf goats.

Abstract

Nine indigenous browse species were group-fed to ten West African Dwarf goats of mixed ages and sexes over a four-week experimental period to determine which of the browse plants would be the most preferred. The nine browse plants were Alchornea cordifolia, Baphia nitida, Rauwolifia vomitoria, Costus afer, Ficus capensis, Glypaea brevis, Harungana madagasoriensi,. Homalium aylmeri and Spondias mombin. On as-fed basis, Alchornea cordifolia was the most and Homolia aylmeri the least ( P < 0.05) preferred, values being 3.47 ± 0.28 and 0.50 ± 0.13 kg, respectively. On dry matter basis, Alchornea sp. was also the most preferred, with Harungana sp., Baphia sp. and again Homalium sp. the least (P < 0.05) preferred, the corresponding values being 1.23 ± 0.09, 0.24 ± 0.02, 0.21 ± 0.03 and 0.16 ± 0.04 kg, respectively. A comparison of the voluntary with chemical composition did not suggest any direct relationship of intake with the chemical composition of the browse plants.

Journal of Applied Chemistry and Agricultural Research Vol. 1 (1) 1994: pp. 30-34