Description
A 63-day study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and anti-nutrients utilization and weight gain by west African dwarf goats fed Theobroma cacao pod silage diets. Cocoa pod husk used was collected, crushed to 2 cm particle size, divided into 4 equal portions, and ensiled differently with synthetic and non-synthetic fertilizer for 28 days under anaerobic conditions to increase the nutrients. Thereafter the ensiled products were dried and incorporated with other convectional feed ingredients at fixed amount to make four diets to feed twenty-four goats (six goats per treatment). Nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient composition were assayed; sex effect on intake (nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient), utilization, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. From the results, the non-protein nitrogen sources proved to improve the nutritional values of the diets, and rich enough to support the growth of goats. The goat-does were observed to consume more of their feeds than the bucks. Anti-nutrients were tolerable and did not hinder utilization/depress weight gain. Goats fed diet D (5% urea ensiled CPH) had the highest weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio. Hence, it could be recommended to ruminant farmers for adoption, to improve livelihoods in sub-Sahara Africa.
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Theobroma cacao Pod Silage Diets; Effect on Mineral and Anti-Nutrients Utilization by Goats
A 63-day study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and anti-nutrients utilization and weight gain by west African dwarf goats fed Theobroma cacao pod silage diets. Cocoa pod husk used was collected, crushed to 2 cm particle size, divided into 4 equal portions, and ensiled differently with synthetic and non-synthetic fertilizer for 28 days under anaerobic conditions to increase the nutrients. Thereafter the ensiled products were dried and incorporated with other convectional feed ingredients at fixed amount to make four diets to feed twenty-four goats (six goats per treatment). Nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient composition were assayed; sex effect on intake (nutrient, mineral and anti-nutrient), utilization, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were evaluated. From the results, the non-protein nitrogen sources proved to improve the nutritional values of the diets, and rich enough to support the growth of goats. The goat-does were observed to consume more of their feeds than the bucks. Anti-nutrients were tolerable and did not hinder utilization/depress weight gain. Goats fed diet D (5% urea ensiled CPH) had the highest weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio. Hence, it could be recommended to ruminant farmers for adoption, to improve livelihoods in sub-Sahara Africa.
