Influence of Ensiled Guinea Grass-Cassava Peels Enriched With Soybean Waste on Performance of West African Dwarf (WAd) Goats

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of ensiled guinea grass (GG)- cassava peel (CSP) enriched with soybean cheese waste (SBCW) in varying proportions into 4 treatments: T1 (GG100%), T2 (GG80% + CSP10% + SBCW10%), T3 (GG60% + CSP30% + SBCW10%) and T4 (GG40% + CSP50% + SBCW10%) on West African Dwarf goats. Twenty WAd goats were allocated into four silages of five growing WAd goats each. Daily feed intake and weekly weight gain were measured for twelve weeks of the experiment. Digestibility study was carried out using Three animals per treatment for faeces and urine collection. Blood samples were collected via jugular vein for blood profile analysis using standard measures in a completely randomized design. The Crude protein (CP) concentrations of silage increased with the increasing level of cassava peels. Crude fiber levels of the silages also followed the same trend. The group of animals fed T4 had highest feed intake among the treatment groups. Daily weight gain of goats in T4 was better enhanced than other treatments. The apparent digestibility was significantly different (PË‚0.05) among the treatment groups. There were diet effects on the parameters measured for rumen liquor of the animals fed silages. The treatments had no effects on the haematology and total protein of goats fed diets. It is therefore indicated that agro-industrial by-products ensiled with guinea grass are potential means of feed sustainability during the dry season period for goats in Nigeria without any deleterious effects on goats‘ health and performance.