International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

The feed intake and growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks fed fermented orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas L.) peels meal was conducted. Sixteen bucks averaging 7.02kg live weights were randomly selected into different pens and fed four dietary treatments designated T1, T2, T3 and T4, which were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20 and 30 % of orange fleshed sweet potato peel meal (OFSPPM).The study revealed no significant differences (P >0.05) in dry matter intake in all the dietary treatments. There was significant differences (P<0.05) in the total weight gain in all the groups. Average daily Weight Gain (ADWG) differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups, 25.81 g/d, 30.65 g/d, 47.05 g/d and 58.60 g/d for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The higher weight gain observed in animals offered diet 4 (30 % OFSPPM) revealed that the bucks utilized the diet better than others, suggesting that the higher the inclusion level of orange fleshed sweet potato peels meal in diet for West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, the higher the weight gain. The study revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) in average daily feed intake though the highest intake was observed in diet 4 (253.27 g/d) and lowest in diet I (223.96 g/d).  Feed conversion ratio of goats were significantly (P<0.05) varied across the diets, 8.88, 7.52, 5.33 and 4.36 for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively with goats on diets 4 and 3 (4.36 and 5.33) lower than those on diets I (8.88) and 2 (7.52).

West African dwarf goats, fermented sweet potato peel, feed intake, growth performance.

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