Effect of poultry waste and grain sorghum supplements on utilization of range hay by small East African goats

Abstract

A feeding study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels of poultry waste (Pw) and grain sorghum (Gs) on dry matter intake (OMI) and ill vivo dry matter digestibility (lVDMO) of low-quality range hay fed to Small East African goats. The study also evaluated nitrogen balance (NB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and liveweight gains (LWG) of the animals. Twenty eight goats of 14-16 kg liveweight were randomly assigned to four treatments A, B, C and 0, comprising of 0 % (Pw) and 88 % (Gs); 29% (Pw) and 59% (Gs); 59% (Pw) and 29% (Gs); and 88% (Pw) and 0% (Gs), respectively. Twelve percent of all the diets was made up of molasses to improve palatability and reduce the dustiness of the feed. Hay was offered ad libitum while the supplemental diets were offered at 170 g/d/animal for 12 weeks. One way analysis of variance was used to compare group means of OMI, IVOMO, NB, BUN and LWG. Increasing levels of Pw (0 to 88%) in the diet, increased significantly (p<0.05) hay intake from 11.8 to 12.6 g OM/kg W75/day. Digestion coefficients of the DM, CP, NDF, ADF and GE significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing levels of Pw. Nitrogen balance and BUN increased significantly with increase in Pw, i.e.. from 2.26 to 4.43 gd and 7 to 12 mgllOOml, respectively. Treatments had no significant effect on the animals' LWG. However, animals on the higher Gs levels generally exhibited higher weight gains than those on lower end. Results of this study indicate that Pw in conjunction with a suitable energy source, improve the plane of nutrition of animals on low quality natural forages. In the agropastoral range areas where farmers, in addition to domestic ruminants, keep traditional poultry, integration of poultry waste into the conventional ruminant feeding systems is feasible, particularly during the dry season. This can enhance the overall livestock productivity and the income levels of the farmers.