Water and feed utilization relationship in West African Dwarf (Forest) goats of Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Eight bucks weighing between 12 and 15kg liveweight-and age range or 9 -12 months  were used in a 42-day feeding and metabolism trials to study the water intake and feed utilization relationship in the West African Dwarf (forest) goats of Southern Nigeria. There was no significant difference in the average water intake between the groups but feed intake was significantly different between the groups (P<0.05). Feed efficiency was very similar· between the groups; Dry Matter  (DM) intake to water intake ratios were 0.21 and 0.27 respectively while mean daily liveweight gains were significantly different. Nitrogen utilization showed  significantly higher nitrogen intake and nitrogen loss between the groups but nitrogen retained as per cent of nitrogen intake was however not different between the groups. Results from the study established a positive correlation between water intake and feed intake in  the experimental goats with correlation (r) values of 0.47 and 0.53 for the two  groups respectively. 

Keyword: Water intake, feed utilization, West African Dwarf Goats.