Effect of feeding varying levels of <i>Microdemis puberula</i> and <i>Alchornea cordifolia</i> on the body size and carcass component of West Africa Goats (WAD)

Abstract

Sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of mixed sex, averaging 8.2 kg body weight, were used in a study to determine the effects of varying levels of Microdemis puberula (Mbom) MP, and Alchornea cordifolia (Ntabit) AC on body size and carcass components. Final and slaughter weights increased (P<0.05) for animals in 75%:25%. AC:MP browse mixture group compared with others which were lower and similar. Average daily gains (g/d) were (5.89, 11.96, 15.54 and 0.89)g respectively for groups of goats on the four different levels of browse plants. Overall gains and average daily gains significantly increased (P<0.05) for goats on 75%:25% AC:MP and 50%:50% AC:MP compared with other treatment groups.

Browse mixtures of 75:25%, AC:MP and 50%:50% AC:MP resulted in breast and shoulder weight increase respectively. Growth rate of body parts and organ weights were higher for animals on TRT 2 and TRT_3. Generally, prediction analysis revealed higher levels of association between body parts and organs of animals in TRT_1 and TRT_3. Percent crude protein of these diets were 13.13 and 11.39, respectively. It could therefore be deduced that feeding mixed forages in the proper proportion motivated increase in growth rate in WAD goats as against sole forage.

KEY WORDS: Microdemis puberula (Mbom), Alchornea cordifolia (Ntabit). West African Dwarf Goats, Body weight, Carcass components, mixed sex, Models.

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 45-51