Intake And Digestibility Of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Panicum Maximum, Alchornea Cordifolia And Manniophytum Fulvum.

ABSTRACT

Three West African Dwarf bucks aveaged 6 months of age and 6kg body weight were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square experiment to evaluate the intake and digestibility of three forage diets. The diets were 50%. Panicum maximum +Manniophytum fulvum (A), 50% Panicum maximum + 50% Aichornea cord jfolia (B) and 100% Panicum maximum (C). The crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) constituents of the diets were 13.19, 15.42, 7.30; 10.84, 13.47 and 11.27 respectively. The animals were fed adlibitum and has free access to fresh drinking water. They were also weighed at the begining of the experiment and subsequent weight taken week1y Results showed that Dry matter (DM), Nitrogen intake and feacal nitrogen were influenced by dietary treatment (P>0.05). Also affected by diets (P<0.05) was absorbed nitrogen. However, urinary nitrogen was not influenced (P><0.05) by dietary and so also nitrogen balance. All diets ensured positive nitrogen balance among the experimental animals. ><0.05) was absorbed nitrogen. However, urinary nitrogen was not influenced (P<0.05) by dietary and so also nitrogen balance. All diets ensured positive nitrogen balance among the experimental animals. (p<0.05 ) by dietary and so also nitrogen balance. All diets ensured positive nitrogen balance among the experimental animals.