ABSTRACT

Four West Aftican Dwarf(WAD) bucks averaging 11.5kg and 18 months of age were (Isc(l l() shl(ly Ilie iiilakc an(l (IigtstiI)ilily ol fhree brose species supplemented with a basal grass .liel. 'Fhe leaves ol Manniophyton fulvum, Unielina arbore, Alchrnea cordifolia ands Panicum maximum were harvested and fed as fresh soilage to the animals. Daily feed intake and refusals were recorded, Feacal and urinary output were also recorded daily.Weights of the animals were also taken at the beginning and at the end of each week. The result indicated that the forages contained 44.38, 46.45, 43.83 and 44.59 (10.49) percent dry matter (DM); 8.97, 6.28, 7.47 (10.47) percent crude protein (CP); 7.94, 2.37, 6.87 and 7.67 (,..l. 15) percent crude fibre (CF) Manniophyton f'ulvurn, Gmcl ma arborea, Alchornca cordi lolia and Pan icuni maxi mum respectively. Apparent DM, CP, and NFE digestibility coefficient compared favorably in all the treatments (P>0.05). The digestibility values for DM were 76.44, 77.03, 75.51 and 79.11 (3.80) percent; while that of.CP were 78.42, 74.18, 74.23 and 76.89 (,5.45) percent and that of NFE were 74.44, 77.44, 75.41 and 76.81 (i'.. 3.58) percent for Manniophyton fulvum, Gmelina arborea, Alchornea cordifolia and Panicum maximum respectively. Apparent CF digestibility coefficient of Manniophyton fulvum, Alchorriea cordifolia were similar (P>0.05) but differed significantly (P<0.05) from that of Panicum maximum and Gmelina arborea. Apparent EB digestibility coefficient of Panicum maximum and Alchornea cordifolia were similar (P>0.05) but differed significantly (P<0.05) from that of Manniophyton fulvum and Gmelina arborea. Apparent Ash digestibility coefficient of Manniophyton fulcrum and Gmelina arborea were similar (P>0.05) but differed significant (p<0.05)from that of Panicum maximum and Aichornea cordifolia. Total Nitrogen (N) intake, Retained and Absorbed N were similar in all the diets (P>O.05). The values for N- intake (g/day) rose from 13.13 in Panicum maximum to 16.46 in Manniophyton fulvum. All animals had positive N-balance. The N-digestibility values were 83.15, 78.24, 76.41 and 73.94 (,A.68) percent respectively for Panicum maximum, Manniophyton fulvum, Gmelina arborea and Alchornea cordifolia. Generally, there were i mprovemcnl on dry matter and apparent nutrient digestibility in the animals fed the browse-supplemented diet.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover Page

Title page ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of contents v

List of figures vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Objectives of the study

1.2 justification of the study

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review -

2.1 Definition and diversity of browses

2.2 Chemical Composition of browses

2.3 Ante nutritional factors in browses

2.4 Definition of Voluntary in take

2.5 Factors affecting voluntary intake of browses

2.6 Definition of digestibility

2.7 Factors affecting digestibility of browses

2.8 Preference of browses

2.8.1 Role of browses in small ruminant Nutrition and feeding

2.8.2 Role of browses in large ruminant Nutrition and feeding

CHAPTER THREE

Materials and Methods

3.1 Experimental site

3.2 Management of the animals

3.3 Feed

3.4 Digestibility trial

3.5 Analytical Procedure

CIIATER FOUR 9

Results and discussion

4. 1 Proximate composition of forages

4.2 Apparent digestibility coefficients of experimental diests

4.3 Dry matter intake, nitrogen balance and utilization of diets by

goals.

CONCLUSION 5

REFERENCE

APPENDIX