The value of cowpea husk to the goat

Abstract

Eight Sokoto red grower goats weighing 10–12 kg, in a randomized complete block design, were used in growth and digestion studies to determine the value of cowpea husk to the goat. The experimental diet was milled cowpea husk, providing an all-concentrate diet. The control diet was a 40:60 concentrate: grass mixture. The concentrate was made up of 3 parts of ground maize to 2 parts of soybean cake. The grass forage was Pennisetum purpureum. Parameters for assessment were dry matter feed intake, live weight changes, feed conversion and nitrogen utilization. The experiment lasted 65 days, comprising 60 days of growth study and 5 days digestion trial. The performances of the goats on cowpea husk were superior ( P<0·05) to the control, with growth rate of 110 g/day, dry matter feed intake of 4·03% BW and feed conversion of 225·2 g gain/kg feed intake. The cowpea husk was well accepted by the goats, as indicated by its dry matter intake and conversion. Nitrogen utilization tests indicated a high nutritive value of the protein from the crop waste. The energy utilization was suggested to be due to the crude fibre content of the diet. These observations indicate the suitability of cowpea husk feed properties and nutrient utilization for the goat. Cowpea husk could serve as an efficient fattening ration and dry-season feed for the ruminants.