Response of West African dwarf does to diets containing ammoniated cocoa pod husk meal

Abstract

Dried composite CPH were milled, soaked in 5% urea solution for 7 days, and ensiled for 28 days under anaerobic condition to upgrade its nutritive contents to make urea-treated ensiled cocoa pod husk meal (UTCPHM). The UTCPHM were used to replace cassava peels at 0, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% in diets of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat-does in a 90-day feeding trial, using 24 WAD does of four replicate per treatment in a completely randomized design. Thereafter, the nutrient compositions of UTCPHM were assessed while the nutrient and fibre fraction digestibility were evaluated. Crude protein (CP) improved by 71.84%, while Crude fibre (CF), Acid Detergent Lignin, Neutral Detergent Fibre and Theobromine of UTCPHM reduced by 29.40%, 16.75%, 17.88%, 20.04% and 47.30% respectively over the raw CPHM. The CP of the diets ranged (10.52% - 12.84%), CF (17.28% - 17.37%) from 0% UTCPHM diet to 30% UTCPHM diet; and theobromine concentration (1.47%) was highest in 30% UTCPHM diet. However, DMI, CPI, nitrogen balance and daily weight gain increased progressively as the inclusion of UTCPHM increased in the diets. Thus, UTCPHM could be incorporated in goat diets up to 30%, as it supported their growth.

Key words: Ensiled cocoa pod husk, Urea treatment, Fibre fractions, Theobromine, Doe.