Effect of Crotalaria Retusa:Concentrate Ratio Fed to Red Sokoto Goats on Intake and Digestibility

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of Crotalaria:concentrate ratio on intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance in Red Sokoto goats. Four goats with average initial weight of 15.33kg were used in a 4x4 Latin Square experiment, which lasted for 32days. The animals were allocated to 4 diets containing 20%crotalaria:80% concentrate (T₁), 40% crotalaria:60% concentrate (T₂), 60%crotalaria:40% concentrate (T₃) and 80%crotalaria:20% concentrate (T₄) diets. Feed intake was influenced (P<0.05) by dietary treatments, values were 2178.5, 2118.0, 1882.5 and 1476.0 for T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the final weight gain of goats fed T₃ (16.95) and T₄ (17.15). However, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in final weight between goats fed T₁ (14.05), T₂ (15.15) and T₃ (16.95). Total nitrogen intake differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatment diets. Apparent-N-digestibility (%) value was significantly different (p<0.05) for goats fed T₁ diet (71.97) relative to T₄ (59.91). The result of this study shows that incorporation of crotalaria retusa leaves meal in the diet of Red Sokoto goats generally improved performance in Red Sokoto goats. However, the best level of inclusion is 40% Crotalaria:60% concentrate ratio.