| dc.description.abstract | Fresh Acacia tortilis pods were mixed with low quality
native grass hay to form the following five rations: 100% hay (T1),
25% pods and 75% hay (T2), 50% pods and
50% hay (T3), 75% pods and 25% hay (T4)
and 100% pods (T5) on ‘as fed' weight basis.
Fifteen male Barka goats, approximately one year old
and 10–15kg body weight, were randomly assigned to the five rations and
fed in individual pens. Chemical composition, dry matter intake (DMI),
in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility
and body weight changes of the animals were evaluated. The average crude
protein content of the pods was about 47% higher than the 7% minimum required
for normal rumen function, while that of the hay was about 13% below.
Percent ash, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF),
hemi-cellulose (HC), cellulose (CL) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents
were higher in the hay than in the pods. The pods were, however, generally
higher in Ca, P, Mg and Na than the hay. Average DMI (g d-1
and g kg-1 LBW), percent in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility
and body weight gains (total kg and gd-1) increased with an increase in
A. tortilis pods, up to 75%
level and then begun to decline. However, despite the decrease, T5
still had significantly (P < 0.05) higher feed digestibility and body
weight gains than T2 and T3.
Thus, supplementing low quality range herbage with Acacia pods
can considerably improve the nutritive value of range livestock diets,
particularly during the dry season when other types of fodder are of extremely
low quality. | en |
