ABSTRACT

Six West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (bucks) averaging 8.0kg in weight and about 11 months of age were used, to evaluate [lie chemical composition and relative preference of ten selected browse plants. The tender stems and leaves of A'Iusa sa/nenluni 'MS) - Plantain leaves, Dialiti,, guinccnsc (DG,) - Velvet tamarind, Trcculia africana ('IA) - Afican breadfruit, Urcna lohata ((IL,) - Udo, Alc/iornca con/i/o/ia (AC7,) — Christmas bush, Elacis guinccnsis (EG,) -- Oil palm leaves, Ca/oiogoiiuiin lm(cz(llo!c/cS ('CA/I,) - Calopo, Mangi/cra indica (tvf) - Mango, Daci'yIadaiiia bar/en (Di],) - Icheku, and Persca americana ('PA) — Avocado peer, were harvested and fed as fresh soilage to the animals. The study involved two weeks adaptation and two weeks of experiment. Weights of the animals were also taken weekly thereafter. The browse Species were generally of DM (32.35-46.13%), EE (2.0-7.80%), ASI-1 (6.25-11.85%) and NFE (35.36-62.0%). The phytate levels, Tannin content Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) were also determined and ranged (0.12-1.40%), (0.16-5.6%) and 35.40-64.20%) respectively. The crude protein contents were as follows (%): MS(10.06), DG(21.64), TA(17.76), UL(18.90), AC(20.50), EG(13.78), CM(18.60), MI(l 1.70), DB(10.50), PA(22.40) whereas, crude fibre were (%): MS(22.40), DG(32.60), TA( 15.30), UL( 16.70), AC(24.60) EG(26.70), CM(20.60), MI(23 .50), DB( 15.80), PA(7 5 and Tannin contents (%): MS(1 .00), DG(3 .00), TA(1.74), UL(0.67), AC(0.65), EG(2.00), CM(0.16), MI(5.60), DB(4.30), PA(0.50) The ranking of browses based on Relative preference v/crc as follows: PA(100%) >MI(94.0%) MP(90.00%) >TA(83 .41%) >EG(82.50%) >UL(76. 14%) >AC(70.00%) >CM(67.96%) >DG('45.91%) >DB(44.09%). The feed intake data were analysed with ANOVA appropriate for Completely Randomized Design (CRD) which differed significantly (P<0.05) for preference/DM intake of browses. Group Feeding and individual feeding of goats were compared using cafeteria method. Both feeding systems differed significantly (P<0.05). Relative preference DM intake were positively related to Ash, EE, Tannin, whereas, CP, CF, NFE, NDF and phytate were negatively related to preference/DM intake. The strong negative and Positive relationships between preference and chemical constituents reveal the possibility to predict animal experience intake fro iii chemical constituents.