ABSTRACT

In two separate studies, the effect of inclusion of varying levels of dried bovine rumen digesta (DBRD) in the diets ofthe West African Dwarf goats (WAD) were evaluated. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20 and 30% BDRD designated A, B, C and D respectively. In experiment 1, the nutrient digestibility of the diets was determined while in experiment 2, the effect ol the BDRD-bascd diets on yield and composition of WAD milk was also assessed. I he dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents of the diets were 60.14, 8.51; 68.52, 8.90; 70.18, 9.36 and 70.18, 9.890 percent for A, B, C and D, respectively. 1 he nitrogen intake values were similar (P>0.05) while the urinary — N output differed significantly (P<0.05). The values for N-intake (g/d) and urinary-N output (g/d) were 6.48, 0.21; 7.31, 0.22; 6.81, 0.24 and 7.22, 0.26, respectively for A, B, C and D. The urinary - N output increased with increased levels of DBRD in the diets. The apparent nitrogen digestibility values (%) were enhanced in the DBRD diets but not significantly (P>0.05). The values were 84.14, 85.90, 83.46 and 80.61% for A, B, C and D, respectively. The nutrient contents ofthe diets were digested to the same extent (P>0.05). The DM and CP values (%) were 48.73, 34.64; 56.68, 34.20; 58.15, 38.51 and 63.91, 39.94. Similarly, yield and composition of milk of WAD goats were not affected (P>0.05) by the levels of DBRD in the diets. The milk yield (g/d) and contents oftotal solids (TS) % butter fat (BF) % and CP (N x 6.38) % of milk were 64.10, 18.91, 5.61, 5.81, 74.95, 18.71, 5.60, 5.67; 71.21, 18.64, 5.45, 5.81 and 81.08, 18.47, 5.60, 5.90 for diet A, B, C and D respectively. The relationships between milk yield (MY) (g/d) and various milk constituent (%) showed negative correlation between MY and TS, MY and BF, MY and CP as well as MY and SNF. However, the relationships were not significant (P>0.05) except MY and BF (P<0.05). The relationship between MY and milk energy (ME) and fat-corrcctcd-milk (FCM), BF and TS, ME and BF and solids - corrected - milk yield (SCM) and TS were positive and significantly correlated. Generally inclusion of DBRD in the diets for WAD goats improved but not significantly the intake and digestibility of the diets as well as yield and composition of milk. The study showed that 30% of DBRD could be incorporated in the diets of WAD goats for meat and milk production.