The influence of supplements of cotton seed cake on the utilization of sorghum glume by the goat.

Abstract

The influence of supplements of cotton seed cake (CSC) on the voluntary intake and utilization of sorghum glume (SG) by the goat. was studied in a 4 x 4 Latin Square digestibility trial. The study involved a total of 12 West African dwarf goats made up of 8 dry, non-pregnant does and 4 bucks aged between 14 and 20 months with av. live weight of 13.7kg. There were four diets in all, made up of 3 experimental diets in which cotton seed cake replaced, in each case, 25, 50 and 75% of the sorghum glume. The control diet was the unsupplemented sorghum glume. The goats were fed dry matter at 4% of body weight and water and mineral salt lick were provided ad libitum. The dry matter intake (DMI) increased (P < 0.05) with CSC supplementation but the DMI value between 50 and 75% CSC levels were comparable ( P > 0.05). Weight gains in all treatments were positive being highest (6334 ± 12.7 g/d) with the 50% CSC supplementation of the sorghum glume and lowest (11.67±10.85 g/d) with the (control) unsupplemented sorghum glume. Increases in the oil seed cake supplementation of the sorghum glume resulted in increases (P < 0.05) in nitrogen intake across the treatments. Increases in the feed digestibility, nitrogen retention, digested feed energy and organic matter were significant (P < 0.05) up to 50% cotton seed supplementation of the sorghum glume. The performances of the goats on the 50% CSC and 75% CSC supplementation of sorghum glume are comparable (P < 0.05) in respect of feed intake, nitrogen retention and nutrients digestibilities. A juidicious use of the protein concentrate for optimum feed intake and feed utilization makes the 50% CSC supplementation more desireable. A 50% cotton seed cake supplementation of the sorghum glume is recommended as suitable in the dry season feeding of the goat.

Key words: Goat, sorghum glume, crop residue, nitrogen supplementation.