NUTRIENT INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY AND RUMEN STUDIES IN GOATS FED VARYING LEVELS OF CASSAVA PEELS AND BREWER'S DRIED GRAIN

Abstract

Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and some rumen and blood metabolites were investigated in goats fed five diets composed of cassava peel and brewer's dried grains (BDG) in the ratios of approximately 82:8, 69:20, 57:33, 44:45 and 32:58. Urea and molasses were included in each diet at 2% and 7.5% respectively and the crude protein levels of the diets were approximately 8%, 11%, 14%, 17% and 20%. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in Dry matter and Organic matter intake but N intake Increased up to Diet 4. There were dietary effects on the digestibility of DM, N, crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, either extract, nitrogen free extract and energy but not 0M. The highest digestibility values were obtained on diet 4 for most of the nutrients. The concentrations of rumen ammonia and blood plasma urea increased from Diet 1 to Diet 5. There were significant (P < 0.05) dietary effect on rumen fluid ph. Rumen protozoal count increased from Diet 1 to Diet 5. The depression in digestibility of Diet 5 would indicate that BDG should not be included at up to 58% in the diet of goats.