ABSTRACT

Twelve West African dwarf (WAD) goats averaging between 6 and 8 months of age were used to study the growth performance and carcass characteristics of WAD goats fed three browse species and Panicum maximum supplemented with a concentrate diet. The leaves of Manniphyium flulvum, Aichonea cord foIia, Gmelina arborea and Panicum maximum were harvested, wilted and fed as fresh soilage to the animals. Daily feed intake and refusals were recorded, water was given ad libitum and weights of the animals were also taken at the beginning of the study and at the end of each week. The twelve WAD goats were divided into four groups of three animals each. Each group was assigned to one of the four experimental diets in a completely randomized design experiment. Each animal in a group represented a replicate. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks (56 days). Data on feed and dry matter intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and carcass characteristics were collected. Results showed average daily weight gains of 0.68, 0.81, 0.77 and 0.71 which did not differ significantly (p> 0.05) and correspond with dry matter intake of 740.11, 708.24, 698.06 and 701.46 which did not differ significantly (p> 0.05) for WAD goats on treatments 1,2,3 and 4 respectively. Dressing percentage did not differ significantly (p> 0.05) among treatment groups although there were progressive numerical increase in the values from T1 -T4. The values were 42.49, 45.45, 44.65 and 45.74% for treatments 1,2,3 and 4 respectively. Meat cut values showed that there was a significant difference (p< 0.05) for all the cut parts (legs, sets, ends and shoulder) except for loin which did not differ significantly (p> 0.05) among treatment groups. The values were 17.09, 16.00, 21.00 and 19.00 for loin. 1.54, 2.20, 1.80 and 2.40 for sets. 17,50, 17.00, 17.00 and 18.00 for ends and 29.17, 19.00, 18.00 and 15.00 for WAD goats on diets 1,2,3 and 4 respectively. There was significant differences (p< 0.05) for all the offal (head, skin, feet, full gut and empty gut) as well as for all parts that constitute the organ (liver, heart, spleen and lungs) except for kidney + pelvic fat which did not differ significantly (p< 0.05). In conclusion, it was evidenced that all the diets had positive effect on growth performance, dressing percentages, feed conversion ratio and offal weights were equally influenced by the diets.