Growth performance, nutrient intake and digestibility of goats fed melon husk and palm oil slurry at 30% inclusion level

Abstract

A 126- day study was conducted to determine growth, nutrient intake and digestibility of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed melon husk (MH) and palm oil slurry (POS) as replacement for maize offal at 30% in concentrate diets. Sixteen goats weighing 6.5 – 7.0kg were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments at 4 replicates of each. Dietary treatments included control (Diet 1): 0% MH 0% POS; Diet 2: 30% MH 0% POS; Diet 3: 0% MH 30% POS; and Diet 4: 30% MH 30% POS; supplemented with Panicum maximum (grass). Data collected were statistically analysed and results showed that animals on control Diet (Diet 1) had the highest (P 0.05). CF intake was highest in diet 4 (124.6g) and lowest in diet 1(64.72g). Ether extract (52.80g), Ash (21.48g), Neutral detergent fibre (222.88g), and lignin (60.64g) were highest in diet 4. Dry matter digestibility was highest in animals on diet 2 (86.31%) and lowest in those on diet 4 (72.28%). It was evident that goats could be fed MH and POS at the inclusion levels adopted in this study except at 30% POS inclusion level at which growth was poorest. Keywords: Growth Performance, Nutrient Intake, Digestibility of Goats, Fed Melon Husk and Palm Oil Slurry