Nutrient intake, body weight changes, apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation of West African Dwarf goats fed four phytogenic browse plant parts in their diets

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient intake, body weight changes, apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation of West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed four phytogenic browse plant (Mangifera indica, Nauclea latifolia, Gmelina arborea and Alchonea cordifolia) leaf meals. Four diets T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄, were formulated such that 20% each of Mangifera Indica, Nauclea latifolia, Gmelina arborea and Alchonea cordifolia leaf meals was included to each of the four diets respectively. Four WAD bucks of about 6 – 8 months old were used for this experiment. Each of the goats received one of the four treatment diets in a 4 x 4 Latin Square arrangement. Data obtained from the study were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) applicable to a 4 x 4 Latin Square experimental design. The results showed that supplement DM intake, basal DM intake, total DM intake, CP intake and ash were significantly (P<0.05) higher for the goats fed T₁, T₂ and T₃. The goats fed T₂ had significantly improved (P<0.05) daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The DM, CP, ash were better digested (P<0.05) in T₂ than in any other treatment. ADL was however better digested (P<0.05) in T₁. The nitrogen intake, N-balance, N-retention and N-absorbed values were significantly (P<0.05) higher for goats fed T₂. T₂ was recommended among the other diets for feeding goats, as it had better performance with respect to nutrient intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility and utilisation.