Performance characteristics of goats fed supplemental cocoa seed testa-based diet

An increase in goat production in the tropics have led to continuous competition with humans for food as most protein given conventional feedstuff (Groundnut cake, Palm kernel cake, Soybean) among others are becoming scarce and expensive, thus, there is need to find non conventional feeding material which can considerably substitute the conventional feed stuff without negative consequences on the animal. This research work therefore, was aimed at the performance characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed cocoa seed testa(CST) as a replacement for palm kernel cake concentrate supplement to a basal grass diet. Twelve West Africa dwarf goat of 15-16 months with an average weight of 16.5 kg were used for the experiment. They were randomly allocated to three concentrates diets such that 0%, 50%, 100% were for group A, B and C, respectively of palm kernel cake (PKC) were replaced with cocoa seed testa (CST). Each of the three groups was reared on any of the concentrate supplements fed to a basal diet of the grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). The experiment lasted for six weeks, in which two weeks were used to acclimatize the animals to the cages. Result of the experiment showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in mean overall feed intake, weight gained and feed conversion ratio among the treatments. The average daily weight gain and overall weight gain among the treatment groups were significantly difference (P<0.05). Goats fed diet B utilized the feed better with weight gain of 2539.96 g followed by those of diet C with weight gain of 1969.94 g. Inclusion of cocoa seed testa from 50 % to 100 % replacement for palm kernel cake enhance the growth of West African dwarf goat. Une augmentation de la production des chevres dans les zones tropicales a conduit à une concurrence continue avec les humains pour la nourriture car la plupart des protéines étant donné les aliments conventionnels (gâteau à l'arachide, gâteau palmiste, soja) entre autres sont de plus en plus rares et coûteux, il est donc nécessaire de trouver du matériel d'alimentation non conventionnel qui peut remplacer considérablement les aliments conventionnels sans conséquences négatives sur l'animal. Ce travail de recherche visait donc les caractéristiques de performance des chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest (le 'WAD') nourries de grainesde testaà base de cacao (le 'CST') en remplacement du supplément de concentré de gâteau au palmiste à un régime basal d'herbe. Douze chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest de 15 à 16 mois avec un poids moyen de 16.5 kg ont été utilisées pour l'expérience. Ils ont été attribués au hasard à trois régimes concentrés de telle sorte que 0%, 50%, 100% étaient pour le groupe A, B et C, respectivement du gâteau de palmiste (le 'PKC') ont été remplacés par des testicules de graines de cacao (le 'CST'). Chacun des trois groupes a été élevé sur l'un des suppléments de concentré alimentés à un régime basal de l'herbe (Cynodonnlemfuensis). L'expérience a duré six semaines, au cours de laquelle deux semaines ont été utilisées pour acclimatiser les animaux aux cages. Le résultat de l'expérience a montré une différence significative (P<0.05) dans l'apport alimentaire global moyen, le poids gagné et le ratio de conversion des aliments pour animaux parmi les traitements. Le gain de poids quotidien moyen et le gain de poids global parmi les groupes de traitement étaient significativement différence (P<0.05). Les chèvres nourries de régime B utilisé l'alimentation mieux avec un gain de poids de 2539.96 g suivie par ceux de l'alimentation C avec gain de poids de 1969.94 g. L'inclusion de graines de testa à base de cacao de 50 % à 100 % de remplacement pour le gâteau au palmiste améliore la croissance de la chèvre naine d'Afrique de l'Ouest.

Estimates Of Genetic Parameters For Economic Traits In West African Dwarf Goat

Records of 848 West African Dwarf goat kids and 220 kiddings over a period of eight years (1982-1989) were analysed. The records were used to provide heritability and repeatability estimates for litter size at birth, kidding interval (repeatability estimate alone) and body weight at birth, weaning, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year of age. Heritability estimates of 0.28±0.005, 0.18±0.003, 0.14±0.003, 0.29±0.005, 0.11±0.003 and 0.17±0.004 were obtained for litter size at birth, body weight at birth, and at weaning, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months of age respectively. Corresponding repeatability estimates were slightly higher than the heritability estimates. However, repeatability estimates of 0.04±0.030 was obtained for kidding interval.

Changes in blood and physio-clinical indices of West African Dwarf goat during road transport

The study was carried out to determine the effect of road transportation on some blood and physioclinical indices in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Nineteen (19) WAD goats aged between 6 and 8 months weighing between 4.16Kg and 5.90Kg were transported in a wagon for 3 hours 18 minutes. Collection of data on rectal temperature (RT) and heart rate (HR), and blood sampling were carried out just before loading the animals into the wagon and repeated immediately on arrival at the destination. The blood samples were analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU), lymphocyte (LYM), eosinophil (EOS), corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) concentrations were also determined. Except the reduced (P<0.05) haemoglobin (Hb) after transportation, the results showed that haematological parameters and pulse rate were comparable before departure and on arrival(P>0.05). Rectal temperature was however slightly higher(P<0.05) on arrival compared to departure in mixed sex and male goats. Serum AST, ALT and ALP were higher (P<0.05) before transportation compared to the values obtained on arrival. The findings showed no remarkable influence of transport by road on the haematological parameters and pulse rate of WAD goats except reduced HB, serum AST, ALT and ALP and increasedrectal temperature observed after transportation.

FACTORS AFFECTING LIVEWEIGHT OF GOAT AND SHEEP IN TWO LOCATION WITHIN OGUN STATE.

A study was conducted over two years With the to determine the changes in the liveweight of Yankasa sheep and Maradi goat in goats and sheep in two locations in Ogun State, South-Western Nigeria Factors found to be important included breed of goat, season, location, and sex of the animal. The Maradi goat had a greater variation in its liveweight than the West African' dwarf goat. The mean weekly gain in the liveweight of goats was 0.18±02 dry season and 0.26±0.05 kg in the wet season. Liveweight changes were greater in yearling Yankasa sheep reared in this part of the Southwestern Nigeria than in older ones; these differences were significantly greater in the dry than in the wet season.

THE ECONOMICS OF GOAT PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The West African Dwarf goat is to Southeastern Nigeria and is raised by many families under small-scale and intensive management systems. Results showed that the average households kept 6 goats, but that expansion was limited by labour and feed procurement problems. Both males females owned goats but males dominated goat marketing. Women have recently become goat meat retailer. Although the prospects for large-scale goat production appeared bleak, those for women producers integrating vertically forward into marketing appeared favourable.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT FOR CERTAIN QUALITATIVE TRAITS

Records on 1344 West African dwarf goats collected between 1982 and 1992 were used in this study. The records were used to describe determine the mode of inheritance for certain qualitative traits in the breed. All the goats have the stiff, short and straight hair coat type. The goat colour was very variable, irregular and this include white, black brown, pied and mixed colours. Nonetheless basic black colour predominate (53.3%). Basic white and brown goats account for 6.8% and 39.9% respectively. All goats studied irrespective of sex were horned. The goats also have a pair of teats observed. Possession of beard is common in all breeding bucks, nonetheless, 11.6% of the females have beard. About two-thirds of thegoats were wattled which could be bilateral (63%) or unilateral (6.2%) but no sex difference was observed. The mean lengths of body hair, ruff on bisket, wattle, beard in males and females were 2.90±0.80cm, 10.90±3,30 cm, 2.40±0.70 cm, 7.40cm±3.20cm and 9.20±2.7cm, respectively. Gene frequencies of 0.66, 0.08, 0.33and 1.0 were obtained for presence of wattle, albinism, black pigmentation and non polled respectively.