Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Indices of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Graded Levels of Broiler Litter

Abstract

Background: A study was conducted to investigate effects of broiler litter (BL) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, blood haematology and serum biochemistry of West Africa Dwarf (WAD) goats. Methods: Five complete diets were formulated using BL to replace 40% composition of cottonseed cake at 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Thirty WAD bucks weighing 10.57±0.42 kg were randomly allotted to the five treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Result: The results revealed that daily feed intake (g) and final weight gain (kg) were statistically similar (p greater than 0.05), but daily feed intake cost (N) and feed cost per kg gain (N/kg) decreased (p less than 0.05) across the treatments. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility increased (p less than 0.05), while neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility decreased (p less than 0.05) across the diets. There was no statistical difference (p greater than 0.05) in N intake, faecal N, urine N and N retained (as % N intake). The serum biochemistry and haematological parameters were statistically similar (p greater than 0.05). Therefore, replacing 100% of CSC with BL maintained body growth; reduced cost of feed; improved nutrient digestibility and maintained normal blood haematology and serum biochemistry.