ABSTRACT

The experiment was designed to evaluate the nutritional potentials of fresh and preserved Enterolobium cyclocarpum (EC) leaves by West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. The fresh and preserved leaves were evaluated for their chemical composition (Experiment 1). The leaves and experimental diets were assessed for their in vitro gas and methane production potentials (Experiment 2). The acceptability of the leaves by WAD goats were monitored in Experiment 3. The best acceptable form of the leaves were incorporated (0, 7.50, 15 and 22.50%) in concentrate diets and fed to WAD goats to evaluate their growth and carcass characteristics (Experiment 4), digestibility of nutrients (Experiment 5) and lactation performance (Experiment 6). Results obtained revealed that both fresh and preserved EC leaves were rich in nutrient, with a crude protein content of 14.53 – 22.50% which was significantly different (p<0.05) across treatment. Ensiling significantly (p<0.05) reduced the concentration of tannin, phytate and HCN compared to sun drying. The phosphorus contents of the fresh and preserved leaves was 0.31 – 0.34%, while calcium concentration was 0.22 - 0.26%. The vitamin concentrations of the leaves were significantly different (p<0.05) across treatment, with higher concentrations of vitamin C (308.79 – 657.60mg/100g). The presence of tannin in EC leaves led to methane reduction of 16.67%. In the acceptability studies, bucks preferred the fresh leaves (FENT) most with a Coefficient of preference of 3.20. The CP of the four EC leaves containing experimental diets ranged from 16.45% to 17.50%. Bucks fed 15% EC leaves diet (Diet 3) recorded the best indices in average final live weight of 8.83kg compared to bucks fed the control diet (7.73kg), 7.50% EC diets (7.33kg; Diet 2) and 22.50% EC diet (5.65kg; Diet 4). Significant increases (p<0.05) in the weight of the kidney, heart and diaphragm were recorded. However, the kidney weight of bucks fed diet 3 (0.64%) compared favourably with the control (0.61%), while the heart and diaphragm weight of bucks fed diet 3 (0.99 and 0.61%) were quite lower than those fed the control diet (1.05 and 0.67). In the sensory evaluation, meat from bucks fed diet 3 was significantly (p<0.05) adjudged the most preferred, possessing the best aroma, juiciness and tenderness. Similarly, bucks fed diet 3 (15.00% EC) recorded highest values for dry matter (42.51%), crude fibre (15.48%), ether extract (86.36%), nitrogen free extracts (42.92%), organic matter (46.93%), neutral detergent fibre (58.38%) and hemicellulose (51.62%) digestibilities coefficient which were significantly different (p<0.05) across treatments. Bucks fed EC diets containing tannins partitioned more nitrogen to the feaces than urine. Bucks retained more nitrogen with increased EC in the diets. Milk yield was 101.79 – 196.10g/d with does fed Diet 2 producing significantly (p<0.05) the highest quantity. Weight of kids increased linearly with increased milk production.  In conclusion, WAD goats should be fed 15% EC leaves for better growth performance, carcass yield and sensory characteristics. Lactating does should be fed diet 7.50% EC leaves for maximal milk production and better kid growth. Thus WAD goats should be fed 7.50 – 15.00% EC leaves with no deleterious effect.