Effects of formulated concentrate and palm kernel cake supplemen-tation on performance characteristics of growing West African dwarf (WAD) goat kids

Abstract

The escalating cost of commercial concentrate has worsened the irregular supply of high quality feeds for ruminants. Therefore feeding strategies to enhance the utilization of native pastures by ruminants is paramount. A 100-day study was conducted to investigate the effects of mixing palm kernel (PKC) cake with a formulated maize-based concentrate in varying proportions, for use as supplement to grass silage diet by the goat. Twenty-five male-WAD goat kids, aged between five and six months with initial body weights range of 6.0 – 8.2 were fed five different supplements (A, B, C, D and E) each prepared by mixing a maize-based concentrate with palm kernel cake in the proportions of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 respectively for 100 days. Results showed that the intake of silage, apparent nutrient digestibility, body weights gains, red blood cell (rbc) and hemoglobin (Hb) increased (P<0.5) with increase in PKC offered. Creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood levels differed (P<0.05) while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglycerides showed marginal differences (P>0.05) among treatments. It was concluded that maize-base concentrate mixed with PKC in the proportion of 50:50 can improved utilization of grass silage in WAD goat kids.

Keywords: Formulated concentrate, Palm kernel cake, supplement, silage, growth performance, Hematology