Authors : F.O Ahamefule, J.A. Ibeawuchi and S.N. Ibe
Abstract: Twelve weaner bucks aged 5-6 months and averaging 10 kg in weight were randomly divided into 4 groups of 3 animals each and housed individually in cement floored pens. Four experimental diets A, B, C and D were formulated and randomly allocated to the 4 animal groups in a completely randomized design. The diets, compounded from cassava peel, palm kernel cake, brewers` dry grains, bone meal and common salt, contained 0, 10, 20 and 30% pigeon Pea Seed Meal (PSM), respectively. Each group received each diet for 61 days. Parameters measured were Average Daily Gain (ADG), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), cost per kg gain and dressing percent for the respective groups. Results showed that ADG differed significantly (p>0.05) among diets. The values were 46.81, 69.17, 87.85 and 98.05 g d 1 for diets A, B, C and D, respectively. FCR was least for goats fed diet D (4.61) and this did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from values obtained for goats fed diets B (6.43) and C (4.83); it however differed significantly (p<0.05) from 7.74 which was the corresponding value for goats fed diet A. Feed cost (N) per kilogram gain was similar (p>0.05) for groups fed diets A (104.68), B (105.74) and D (107.71) and these values were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the value obtained for the group fed diet C (94.61). Dressing Percentage (DP) also differed significantly (p<0.05) among treatment groups. Goats fed diets C (52.25) and D (52.63) had comparably higher values than those fed diets A (50.40) and B (50.63). Diet C promoted the cheapest lean and the greatest return on investment. The result of this study would highlight the benefits of rearing goat intensively and encourage goat fattening programmes even among subsistent farmers in our local environments in Nigeria.
Ahamefule, F.O , J.A. Ibeawuchi and S.N. Ibe , 2005. Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) Bucks Fed Pigeon Pea-cassava Peel Based Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 1010-1015.