Growth Response and Cost-benefit of Red Sokoto Goats Feedlotted on Crop Residues during Dry Season

Abstract

Fifteen Red Sokoto bucks were assigned to five treatment diets designated as T1, T2I, T3, T4 and T5 with cowpea husk inclusion levels at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to replace cowpea haulms. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. Daily feed intake was measured by subtracting the leftover feed from the amount offered within 24 hours. Also, weight changes were measured by taking the weight of each animal at the end of the week and the weekly initial weight subtracted from it. The running cost was measured by summing all costs incurred in the production. Parameters measured were daily feed consumption, daily weight changes, daily running costs in the 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 no significant differences (p>0.05) among the treatment means for initial body weight 5.53, 5.71, 5.87, 5.93 and 5.90 for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Feed intake varied among the treatments probably due to inclusion levels of cowpea husk. T5 had the highest feed intake (0.260kg) followed by T4 (0.25kg) and T3 (0.24kg) with significant differences (p<0.05) across treatments. Similarly, bucks on T5 performed well in terms of body weight gains (4.60kg) followed by T4 (4.13kg) and T3 (3.47kg) with significant differences (p<0.05) across treatments. The feed conversion ratio was highest in bucks on T3 (6.01) where cowpea husks and haulms inclusion were 50:50 because animals can utilize nutrient pool from both feedstuffs. Bucks on T3, T4 and T5 had the highest revenue (₦3,1600.00) followed by T1 and T2 (₦25,600.00). Profits per naira invested varied across treatment groups with T1 (₦6,850.00), T2 (₦6,700.00), T3 ₦12,800.00), T4 (₦12,650.00) and T5 (₦12,150.00). Costs per kilogram weight gain were ₦2,072.00, ₦1,881.00, ₦1,808.00, ₦1,528.00 and ₦1,409.00 for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. The economic analysis of the research showed an average gross farm income of ₦3,140.00 per head of animals which implies a profitable venture using these crop residues.