EFFECT OF FEEDING VARYING LEVELS OF Leucaena leucocephala AND Gliricidia sepium ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Abstract

Sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of 8.3kg average weight were used for the study which was designed to evaluate the effect of feeding varying levels of leucaena and gliricidia on the growth rate, feed intake and digestibility of WAD goats. The animals were randomly allocated to four treatments. In the first treatment, the animals were fed 25% leucaena while in the second, third and fourth treatments they were fed 50%, 75% and 100% leucaena respectively complimented with gliricidia. Data were taken on feed intake, body weights and digestibility. Urine samples of individual animals were also collected to determine the toxicity level of the leucaena inclusion in diets. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. The results of the study showed that feed intake, body weight gain and dry matter digestibility increased with increase in % leucaena in the diet up to 75% without any deleterious mimosine effects on the animals. Animals on treatment III had the highest growth rate of 28.57+0.06g/head/day while treatment II had the lowest 15.31+0.04g/head/day). From the study, it can be concluded that WAD goats can consume up to 75% leucaena in the diet for optimal feed intake and growth rate.