Determination of the Nutritive Value of Sugar Cane Tops, Mulberry Leaves (M. Alba) and Calliandra (C. Calothyrsus) as Feed Supplements for Goats in Kenya

Abstract

A study to determine the nutritive value of fresh sugarcane tops (SCT), ensiled sugarcane tops, Mulberry (Morus Alba) and Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) in dairy goats’ diets was conducted using proximate analysis. The digestibility of the feeds was also determined using in Sacco degradation and in vitro gas production. Dry matter (DM) ranged between 93.96% – 96.37% whereby fresh SCT had the highest DM while SCT silage had the lowest DM. Crude protein (CP) ranged between 4.71% - 20.60%. The legumes had higher CP contents than the SCT. Calliandra calothyrsus had the highest CP of 20.60% and was followed by Mulberry which had 19.35%. Fresh sugarcane tops had the lowest CP of 4.71%. Mulberry leaves had the highest ash content (15.36%) while Calliandra had the lowest value (1.5%). SCT silage had a higher value (8.15%) than fresh SCT (6.94%). Mulberry leaves had the lowest NDF content (46%) while fresh SCT had the highest NDF content (87%). Likewise, Mulberry had the lowest ADF content (40%) while Calliandra had the highest ADF content (53%). Fresh SCT also had the highest CF content (41%) while Mulberry had the lowest CF content (11.51%). When comparing the forage legumes, Calliandra had a higher CF content (19.67%) than Mulberry. Mulberry had the highest potential and effective degradability of 91% and 64% respectively. Fresh SCT and SCT silage followed with potential degradabilities of 81% and 73% respectively and effective degradability of 31.2% and 28% respectively. Calliandra had the lowest potential and effective degradability of 33.9% and 17.9% respectively. It was concluded that Mulberry leaves have a high potential as a protein supplement for goats.