| Popis: |
A twelve-week trial was conducted to determine the nutrients intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets containing graded levels of alkaline treated malted sorghum sprout (AMSP) using Panicum maximum as the basal diet. A total number of sixteen (16) WAD goats with an average live weight; 5.8 ± 0.6 kg were allotted on weight equalization into four (4) dietary treatments consisting of four goats per treatments in a completely randomized design. Four (4) diets were formulated to contain 0, 20, 40 and 60% AMSP. Data was collected on nutrients intake, digestibility and Nitrogen utilization parameters. Significant difference (P0.05) in all the nutrient digestibility parameters except the ether extract, ash, cellulose and hemicellulose. The highest Ash (66.16%), cellulose (82.47%) and hemicellulose (82.26%) contents were obtained in goats fed 40% AMSP. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the Nitrogen metabolism variables observed except total nitrogen intake and nitrogen balance. Goats fed 40% AMSP based diet recorded the highest Nitrogen retention (62.18%). It can therefore be concluded that 40% AMSP can be used as potential sources of supplements in ruminants feed most especially during dry season as it enhanced nutrient intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance. |
