Abstract

Belewu, M. A., Fagbemi, T., Olatunde, B. J. and Otonekwu, I. P.

Effect of feeding Etanda africana seed meal on the consumption, weight gain and digestion of West African dwarf (WAD) goats (n=15) were determined in a 56 day feeding trial using a completely randomized experimental design. The E. africana seed meal replaced either 50 or 100% of the soybean meal in diets B and C respectively, while diet A (control) contained 15% soybean meal. Other ingredients in the supplement included rice husks 20%, palm kernel 10%, vitamin-mineral premix 1% and salt 1%. Total dry matter intake and ether extract intake were similar among diets; however, the ether extract intake of diet C was numerically higher compared to the other diets. Conversely, the lignin intake and crude fibre intake were higher for diet C compared to other diets (A and B). Average daily weight gain was similar across the three diets. Digestibilities of crude protein and lignin were greater for diet A (control) than for diets containing E. africana seed meal (P < 0.05). However, digestibilities of crude fibre, ether extract, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were similar (P > 0.05) in all the three diets. The results of this trial suggest that E. africana seed meal can replace soybean meal in the diet of growing WAD goats.