ABSTRACT

The performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) and Brewer Dried Grains (BDG) in cassava peel meal based diets was evaluated in three experiments. The experimental diets contained 0, 10, 20 and 30% PKC and in reverse order for BDG respectively for A, B, C and D. In experiment 1, sixteen WAD bucks aged between 5-7 months and weighing 6-7kg were randomly assigned to the four treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to determine feed intake and nutrient digestibility of the diets. Body weights of the animals were recorded while nitrogen balance values were evaluated. Also determined were the Metabolic Faecal Nitrogen (MFN), Endogenous Urinary Nitrogen (ELTN) and Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) for maintenance. The Dry matter intake (DM1), Crude Protein (CP), Nintake and absorbed-N values (g/d) increased (P<0.05) from diets A, B and C while they decreased in diet D. The values were significantly different (P><0.05). The apparent N digestibility values increased in diets A, B and C and decreased in diet D. The increases were not significant (P>0.05). The faecal-N values did not show any significant difference among the treatments. The values were 2.86, 3.15, 3.26 and 2.70 (g/d) for diets A, B, C and D respectively. All the diets promoted positive N-balance and were statistically different (P<0.05). The digestibility coefficients of DM, EE and energy were similar (P>0.05), while those of CP, CF, NFE differed significantly (P<0.05) among experimental animals. The MFN values (g/d) were 0.39, 0.2, 0.26 and 0.21 respectively for diets A, B, C and D. The EIJN and DCP values (g/d/Wkg°75) were 0.20, 1.63; 0.20, 1.21; 0.156, 1.71 and 0.261, 1.25 respectively. In the second study, sixteen weaner WAD bucks aged 5-6 months and weighing between 6.0-6.8kg were divided into 4 groups of 4, and each group randomly assigned to one of the treatment diets as in experiment 1. Parameters measured were Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed cost () per kg gain and dressing percentage. The ADWG value increased from diet A to C and decreased in D. The differences were not significant (P>0.05). The group on diet B had the least FCR (7.82) which did not differ (P>0.05) from A (8.98), C (7.95) and D (10.96). Feed cost/kg weight gain () was least for the group fed diet D (652.82) and did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the other diets. Dressing percentage differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups but the animals on treatment C had the highest dressing percentage (47.23). The haematological and biochemical components of blood were also measured. Packed Cell Volume (PCV %) and Red Blood Cell (RBC/xlo6mm3) values differed (P><0.05) among treatment groups. The values were 33.00, 6.75; 35.00, 7.75; 30.00, 6.50 and 29.00, 5.75 for diets A, B, C and D respectively. The values for White Blood Cells (WBC/x103mm3) and Haemoglobin (Hb g/l) were 12.00, 9.65; 13.00, 9.35; 13.00, 8.65 and 14.00.8.50 for diets A, B, C and D respectively. Blood Urea (mgdl') and ALT (UI') were influenced (P><0.05) by the experimental diets while, the other biochemical parameters were similar (P>0.05). In the third study, sixteen lactating WAD does were randomly grouped into four in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate milk yield and composition when fed same diets in studies 1 and 2. Daily Milk Yields (MYg/d) were analyzed for Total Solids (TS%), Butter Fat (BF%), Milk Protein (MP%), Ash%, Solids-Not-Fat (SNF%), Lactose(%) and Milk Energy (ME MJ/kg). Fat-Corrected-Milk (FCM) xi values were calculated. Except for milk yield which differed statistically (P<0.05) among treatment diets, all other milk constituents were similar (P>0.05). The group fed diet B recorded the highest milk yield (127.00 gld) while those on diet D recorded the least (114.30 g/d). Negative correlation existed between MY and TS; MY and BF; MY and SNF; MY and Lactose and MY and ME. Highly negative colTelation existed between BF and SNF. Diet B could be recommended for optimum milk production while diet C for fattening and enhanced meat production respectively.