Growth performance and cost-benefits of feeding West African dwarf goats groundnut haulms and cowpea husk supplemented with brewers’ dried grains

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth performance and cost benefits of feeding West African Dwarf goats rsquo groundnut haulms and cowpea husk supplemented with brewers rsquo dried grains Twelve West African Dwarf bucks were assigned to four diets treatments consisting of groundnut haulms fed at and combined with cowpea husk at and respectively designated as treatments T T T and T with Brewers dried grain BDG fed at g across treatments as supplement Parameters measured were daily feed consumption daily weight changes daily running costs in form of man hour labor charges drugs revenue transportation and other charges Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance ANOVA and net farm income NFI to carry out the cost benefit analysis Results of the research showed average daily dry matter intake DMI varying from T g to T g the highest with significant difference P lt across treatments While dry matter intake as percentage of live weight DMI LVW obtained were T the highest followed by T T and T mean average daily weight gains ADG of g for T being highest followed by T g T g and T g were obtained respectively with significant difference P lt across treatments Apparent digestibility results obtained were T being the highest followed by T T and T the lowest There was no significant P gt difference across treatments Costs benefits analysis showed that T had the highest revenue N followed by T N T N and T N in that order Gross margin obtained were T N the highest followed by T N T N and T N With profits per Naira invested of N for T and T and N for T and T cost per kilogram weight gained were N N N and N for treatments T T T and T respectively It is concluded that higher inclusion of groundnut haulms in combination with cowpea husk brings more efficient nutrients utilization higher rate of weight gain and hence higher profit in goat fattening