Performance, Apparent Nutrient Digestibility and Cost Benefit of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Dietary Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal
P. C. Jiwuba *
Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, P.M.B.7008, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
K. Ikwunze
Department of Animal Production and Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Nigeria
S. I. Ume
Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, P.M.B.7008, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
N. O. Nsidinanya
Department of Animal Production and Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, P.M.B.7267, Umudike, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To determine the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and cost benefit of West African Dwarf goats fed dietary levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal diets.
Study Design: Completely randomized design and Latin square design.
Place and Duration of Study: At the Sheep and Goat unit of the Teaching and Research farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, between November 2013 and February 2014.
Methodology: 36 West African Dwarf Goats were used for this study. Four diets were formulated such that diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 contain MOLM at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. Other ingredients remained constant for the four diets. The diets were offered to matured goats, which were randomly divided into four (4) groups of 9 goats each, with three goats constituting a replicate in a completely randomized design pattern. Each animal received the designated diet on 3% body weight basis in addition to Panicum maximum.
Results: Results showed that average daily feed intake differed significantly (P<0.05) with goats fed 15% MOLM diets having the highest intake (495.19 g/d). Similarly average daily weight gain was (p<0.05) highest (46.00 g/d) for T4 animals. Average daily dry matter intake also differed significantly (P<0.05) and the values ranged between 395.14 to 448.69 g/day and increased with increasing levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal. Feed conversion ratio differed significantly (P<0.05) and was however best for T4 animals (10.77). Apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient; dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash differed significantly (P<0.05) for the treatment groups with diet T4 having relatively better values. Cost benefit was influenced (p<.0.5) with T4 animals having better income (2.05) on investment.
Conclusions: Diet T4 promoted the best relative performance among the treatment diets and is therefore recommended for production of West African Dwarf goat.
Keywords: Growth performance, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, cost benefit, West African dwarf goat, Moringa oleifera leaf meal, alternative feed stuff