ABSTRACT

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of replacing dietary maize offal with dry poultry manure on the performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of mixed sexes ( 8 males and 8 females) aged about 8 months with an average live weights of 6.5 kg were used; and quarantined for 30 days. Maize offal was included in the diets at 30, 20, 10 and 0 %, while DPM was added at 0, 10, 20 and 30 %, which replaced 0, 33.3, 66.7 and 100 % of the maize offal, respectively. The diets were designated 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The goats were randomly assigned to the four diets in a complete randomized design (CRD) with four goats per diet; each group was replicated four times with one goat per replicate. Clean water and the diets were measured and given twice a day. The daily feed intake of the goats fed diets 2, 3 and 4 (629.43 g, 615.60 g and 622.3 g ) were similar (p>O.05), and significantly (p <0.05) higher than that on diet 1 (582.63 g). Daily weight gain of the animals fed diets 3 and 4 (47.50 g and 50.8 g) were similar (p >0.05), and significantly (p <0.05) higher than those goats fed diet 1(36.25 g). However, daily weight gain of the animals fed diet 2 (45.83 g) was statistical1y similar to that of the goats on diet 3 (47.50 g) (p >0.05) and significantly (p <0.05) superior to that of goats on diet 1 (16.14). Litter condition was found non-significant (p >0.05) among the groups ( 3.55, 3.60, 3.39 and 3.59). The experiment lasted 120 days. The result of the study revealed an improve in the cost of feed / kg ( p< 0.05 ) from diets ito 4 (N23.32, N21.72, N20.12 and N18.52, respectively). Generally, the economics of production of the goats revealed significant (<0.05 ), while the cut — up carcasses showed great improvement including the dress — up percentage as revealed in the study. Though, there was non — significant noted on the cut up carcasses of the goats fed dry poultry manure. The feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and fat efficiency ratio all showed significant differences (p> 0.05 ) as related in this study. The results of this study showed a general improvement on the economic benefits and carcass characteristics of WAD goats by replacing maize offal with poultry manure in WAD goat diets and that dry poultry manure can totally replace maize offal in diets of WAD goats.

CHAPTER : MATERIALS AND METHODS 21

3 1 Period and location of the experiment 2 I

3.2 Experimental animals and adaptation 21

3.3 Preparation of poultry manure and experimental diets 22

3.4 Experimental animals and design 22

3.5 Feeding and watering schedule 24

3.6 Weight gain and feed conversion ratio 24

3.7 Protein / fat efficiency ratios 24

3.8 Litter condition 24

3.9 Chemical analysis 25

3.10 Economic analysis 25

3.11 Carcass evaluation 26

3.12 Experimental design 26

3.13 Statistical analysis 27

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Proximate analysis of the test ingredients. 28

4.2 Determined analysis of the experimental diets 29

4.2.1 Dry matter 29

4.2.2 Crude protein 29

4.2.3 Ether extracts 29

4.2.4 Crude fibre 29

4.2.5 Nitrogen free extracts 30

4.2.6 Energy value 30

4.3 Performance of WAD goats fed the trial diets 31

4.3.1 Daily feed intake 32

4.3.2 Daily weight gain 32

4.3.3 Feed conversion ratio 32

4.3.4 Proteinefficiencyratio 33

4.3.5 Fat efficiency ratio 33

4.3.6 Litter condition 33

4.4 Economics of production of WAD goats on the experimental diets 34

4.4.1 Cost per kilogram of feed 35

4.4.2 Cost of production 35

4.4.3 Cost per kilogram weight gain 35

4.4.4 Revenue 35

4.4.5 Gross margin 35

4.4.6 Relative cost benefit 36

4.4.7 Cost differential 36

4.5 Carcass weight of WAD goats Fed the experimental diets 36

4.5.1 Dressing percentage 38

4.5.2 Leg 38

4.5.3 Loin 38

4.5.4 Rack 38

4.5.5 Shoulder 39

4.5.6 Brisket 39

4.5.7 Lean 39

4.5.8 Bone 39

4.5.9 Fat 40

4.5.10 Bone: MeatRatio 40

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page Title

Acknowledgement

Recommendation

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RICOMMENDATION 41

5.1 Conclusion 41

5.2 Recommendation 41

REFERENCES 42

APPENDICES