Rumen Microbial Diversity and Fermentation Characteristics of West African Dwarf Does Fed Sole Pelletized Diets Containing Graded Levels of Wheat Offal Substituted with Tigernut as Concentrate Feed Ingredients

• G. A. Ibhaze

  Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• T. O. Osilaja

  Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

• T. S. Oso

  Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

  Author

Alternative feed resources has continued to gain attention due to their ability to improve feed quality and animals’ performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of tiger nut on rumen fermentation and the microbial characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) does. Pelletized diets with tiger nuts at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg/100 kg designated T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively as a substitute for wheat offal was produced. Twenty- five WAD does were randomly allotted to the diets with five does per treatment with each doe standing as a replicate in a completely randomized design. The feeding trial lasted 21 days. Chemical composition of the diets, rumen fermentation, microbial characteristics of the goats were investigated. Results revealed highest dry matter content (85.17%) in diet T4, crude protein (13.76%) in diet T3, ether extract and crude fibre contents increased with increased inclusion of tiger nuts ranging from 2.87 to 3.91% and 15.75to 18.72% respectively. Metabolizable energy ranged from 2145.56 - 2320.09 Kcal/kg. Rumen fermentation characteristics was significantly (p<0.05) influenced except for the rumen pH which varied from 5.51 - 5.71. The highest total volatile fatty acid (99.22 Mm/100ml) and the least ammonia – nitrogen (0.24 mg/100ml) were observed in goats fed diet T3. Streptococcus faecium and Penicillium oxysporium were present in the rumen liquid portion in all groups. Conclusively, tiger nuts addition in the diets of WAD does improved feed quality while substitution at 10 kg/100 kg for wheat offal showed better potential in improving volatile fatty acids production, microbial population and reducing ammonia–nitrogen production.

1. G. A. Ibhaze, Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

2. T. O. Osilaja, Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

3. T. S. Oso, Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

   Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

• PDF