Abstract:
A sixty three day study was conducted at the small ruminants unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State to evaluate the response of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed differently treated cassava starch residue silage meal-based diets. Five diets were formulated to contain 50% of the cassava starch residues meals treated with 5% urea solution, 5% molasses solution, rumen liquor and poultry litter ensiled under anaerobic condition for 21 days except the control diet. Twenty West African Dwarf (WAD) does age ranged 21/2 – 3years with an average live-weight of 12.72±0.12 kg were allotted to the five dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design experiment. Parameters assessed included; nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen and mineral utilization, haematological and serum biochemical indices. Results showed that the diets were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments. The pH of the experimental diets ranged from 3.5 (diet A) to 5.4 (diet E). The dry matter (DM) of the diets ranged from 81.85% (diet A) to 85.76% (diet E) and crude protein (CP) content of the diets was highest in diet D (19.62%) and least in diet A (11.87%). The DMI (446.44g/day) and CPI (101.07g/day) were highest in does fed diets E and D respectively. Does fed diet D had the best nutrients digestibility coefficient value with the exception of acid detergent lignin and hemi-cellulose in diets C and B respectively. Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium balance values were highest in does fed diet E. The haematological (PCV: 31.00%; RBC: 12.97x106ml; WBC: 3.53x103ml) and serum biochemical values (TP: 69.98g/l; Glucose: 61.25mg/dl; Albumin: 48.88g/l) were highest in does fed diet D. Does fed diet D had the best nitrogen retention (10.63g/day) and converted their feed to flesh better than other does. Conclusively, cassava starch residues treated with rumen liquor can be a good source of protein and energy to support doe production.
