Legume hays as a supplement for dairy goats during the dry season

Abstract

The present study was conducted in a rainfed area located in Western Sudan between latitudes 9.5 and 16.7 °N and longitudes 27 and 32.5 °E. Three types of legumes (pigeon pea, cow pea and clitoria) were cultivated during the rainy season to be fed as a supplement to dairy Nubian goats during the dry season. The goats were kept under natural range management conditions. The range pasture consists of various species of trees ( Acacia seyal, Acacia potyacantha) shrubs ( Leptadenia pyrotechnia, Maerua crassifora) and grasses ( Cenchrus biflorus, Panicum tergidum). The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the grazed pasture and legume hays revealed the better quality of the hays supplement over the grazed pasture. Milk yield and plasma phosphorous levels were higher ( P < 0.01) in the supplemented group. Although the increase in body weight was not significant, kids that belonged to the supplemented group showed higher ( P < 0.05) increases in body weight. Goats are highly selective animals and so are able to maintain body weight during the dry season. Legume hays provide an excellent source of protein when quality pasture deteriorates, resulting in an increase in both milk yield and kid body weight.