Comparisons of nutritional potentials of Terminalia catapa and Acalypha wilkesiana leaves as sole feed for goats

Abstract

This study reports experiments designed to assess the performance of goats fed Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) and Acalypha wilkesiana (Red acalypha) and an appraisal of the nutrient contents of each plant. Ten West African dwarf goats (bucks) aged 10 – 12 months weighing 5.50 to 9.25kg body weight were randomly distributed to two treatments in which air-dried (T) Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) and (R) Acalypha wilkesiana (Red acalypha) were fed as sole feed in a 35-day feeding trial. Haematological and biochemical indices were also monitored. The feed intake of goats fed treatment R was significantly higher (P<0.05) but animals depicted a reduction of 25.39% and 8.50% on treatments T and R respectively. There were negative effects on haematological and biochemical indices in these two treatments. Based on the data obtained in this study, air-dried of both treatments feeds should not be fed solely to goats.

Key words: Goats; Terminalia catappa; Acalypha wilkesiana; Sole - feed

Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol.4(2) 2003: 242-245