Abstract
Studies on cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell meal for feeding West African dwarf goats were carried out. Four diets containing 0% (control), 10%, 15% and 20% steam-treated cashew nut shell coded as T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, were compared. Twenty growing, West African dwarf goats were randomly assigned to four (4) treatments of five (5) goats each. The goats were fed and given water ad libitum. The effects of feeding graded levels of cashew nut shell based diets on performance and, Bio-economics were evaluated. Completely randomized design was used in the experiments. Data obtained were subjected to a one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means that were significantly different were separated using least significant difference (LSD) both contained in SPSS for window, version 16. Samples of the diets and bamboo leaves were analyzed using standard procedure. Final weight gain, total weight gain daily weight gain, (5.0g, T4 – 13.00g, T4gW0.75) daily supplement intake (44.65g, T4-91.54g, T1) and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P 0.05). Cost of supplement reduced significantly (P<0.05) from T1 to T4. Cost benefit ratio ranged from 0.79 (T2-1.63 (T4) and showed significance differences. This study indicated that cashew nut shell could be fed to growing West African dwarf goats up to 10% level of inclusion without adverse effects on feed intake, growth performance, and feed conversion ratio. Diets containing graded levels of cashew nut shell could also provide a cheaper source of feed, and also help to reduce environmental pollution.
Highlights
Majority of the ruminants in tropical Africa are raised on native pastures and crop residue [1]
During the dry season the natural pastures and crop residue available for ruminants after crop harvest are usually fibrous and devoid of most essential nutrients including protein, energy, minerals and vitamins which are required for increased rumen microbial fermentation and improved performance [2]
Supplement diets containing graded levels of steam-treated cashew nut shell at 10%, levels of inclusion fed to growing West African Dwarf Goats as supplement to Bamboo leaves, had no adverse effect on supplement intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, the 10% level of inclusion produced the best cost parameters
Summary
Majority of the ruminants in tropical Africa are raised on native pastures and crop residue [1]. Supplementation with concentrate mixture including cereal bran and oil seed meal, have resulted in increased intakes in intensive production systems and have been the subject of several excellent reviews including that of Bangani [3]. These supplements are often not fed due to their scarcity and their high cost [4].
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