Feeding Quality of Fermented Maizecob Based Diets as Feed for West African Dwarf Goats

• G.A. Ibhaze

  Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Present address: Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Ondo State,

  Author

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of maizecob based silages as feeds for ruminants in a growth study and assessment of blood profile using twelve (12) West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Animals were randomly allotted to three maizecob based silage diets made from composite maizecob (MC), cassava peel (Csp) and brewers' grain (BG). Diets were (MC/Csp), (MC/BG) and (MC/Csp/BG). The completely randomized design was adopted and the study lasted for a period of ninety (90) days. Chemical composition, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and blood profile were determined using standard procedures. Results obtained revealed that the protein concentration of diets ranged from 16.18 - 22.06%, significant differences were observed in the average dry matter intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The packed cell volume, haemoglobin did not differ (P>0.05) significantly, however, other haematological indices studied showed significant (P<0.05) differences. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed in total proteins, albumin, globulin, alanine amino transferase, and creatinine. However, significant difference was observed in aspartate amino transferase and urea across the dietary treatments. These results showed that maizecob when adequately furnished with protein source can be preserved as feed for ruminants in times of feed scarcity.

1. G.A. Ibhaze, Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Present address: Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Ondo State,

   Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Present address: Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, P.M.B. 704, Ondo State,

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