Nutrient intake and digestibility of selected browse plants fed in combination with Panicum maximum to West African dwarf (WAD) bucks

A study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility of Panicum maximum fed in combination with selected browse plants to West African dwarf (WAD) bucks. Four intact West African dwarf (WAD) bucks of mean body weight 17.50kg were used to conduct digestibility study in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment. Four forage combinations, diets A, B, C and D were fed to the goats. Diet A, the control, was 100% Panicum maximuni, while diets B, C and D contained 60% Panicum maximum each plus 40% of Alchornea cordifolia, Manniophyton fulvum and Gmelina arborea, respectively. The study lasted 56 days in a 14 day x 4 change over periods. Data were collected on dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake and digestibility. Simple linear regression and correlation were used to assess the degree of relationship between some of the digestion components. The result of proximate analysis indicated that the diets (P. max + browse) B, C and D had significantly (p<0.05) higher dry matter (%DM) contents of 81.12, 81.09 and 80.68%, respectively, than the 75.71% for diet A (sole P.max). Crude protein content of 17.56, 15.62 and 17.52%, respectively were also higher (p<0.05) than the 8.38%for diet A. There was higher (p<0.05) ether extract content of 2.43, 2.38 and 2.32%, for diets B, C, and D, respectively than the 1.32% for diet A. The ash content of 10.71, 9.78 and 9.76% for diets B, C and D respectively, were also higher (p<0.05) than the 7.83% for diets A. Metabolizable energy (MJKg-1) values of 1.41, 1.42 and 1.42 for diets B, C and D were also higher (p<0.05) than the 1.31 for diet A. However, the crude fibre value of the diet A (27.26%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 18.30, 19.30 and 18.58% for diets B, C and D. respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in DMI among treatment means. Vitro significantly (p<0.05) higher for animals fed diets B(15.04). C(13.12 ) and D(14.48 ) wherein P.max was fed in combination with browse plants than in the diet A( 6.28) group fed sole Pmax. Faecal nitrogen showed no significant (p>0.05) difference among treatment means. Urinary nitrogen was significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet A group (0.39) than in diets B (0.30), C (0.34) and D (0.43) groups. There was positive nitrogen balance for all in the treatment groups. Apparent nitrogen digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in diets B (92.37). C (90.51) and D (97.63) groups than in diet A (79.49). Nitrogen intake (g/d) could not reliably predict faecal nitrogen (g/kgDM) in diets C and D groups. Absorbed nitrogen (g/d/WKg0.75) could not predict urinary nitrogen (g/d/WKg0.75) in any of the diets. Biological value (BV) of the diets were A (55), B (45), C (81) and D (97). The result of this study shows that the animals fed P. max + browse recorded higher DMI, nutrient intake and digestibility than the sole P.max diet. These evaluation indices were, however, mostly better in the diet B group (60% P.maximum + 40% Alchornea cordifolia). The combination of 60% P. maximum + 40% Alchornea cordifolia is therefore recommended for West African dwarf (WAD) goats reared in the humid tropics of Nigeria for optimum intake and improved nutrient utilization.

Evaluation of factors inducing variability of faecal nutrients in captive red deer under variable demands

Based on the assumption that dietary and faecal nitrogen correlate, the number of studies using faecal samples collected in the wild to understand diet selection by wild herbivores and other ecological patterns has been growing during the last years, especially due to the recent development of cheap tools for analysis of nutrients like Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). Within the annual reproductive cycle, cervids (members of the family Cervidae) face strong seasonal variations in nutritional demands, different for hinds (gestation and lactation) and stags (antler growth) and reflected in differential patterns of seasonal diet selection. In this study we aimed to quantify how pasture availability, season and individual factors like sex, age, reproductive status, body mass and body condition affect faecal nutrients in captive red deer with the goal of understanding how these factors may influence the interpretation of results from samples obtained in the wild with little or no information about the animals who dropped those faeces. We used NIRS for analysing nitrogen, neutral and acid detergent fibres in faeces. The relative influence of some individual factors like pregnancy was low (around 4%), while age and weight may induce a variability up to 18%. The presence or absence of pasture contributed to a variability around 13%, while the season contributed to an average variability around 17% (and up to 21% in certain situations). This high variability in faecal nutrients was observed in a controlled setting with captive animals and controlled diets. Thus, in natural situations we suspect that there would be even greater variation. According to the results, we recommend that preliminary research with captive animals of the species of interest should be conducted before collecting samples in the wild, which should help in the interpretation of results.

Nutritional evaluation of varying proportions of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii leaves in the diet of young West African dwarf goats.

Sixteen (16) male of West African dwarf goats, aged 6 to 8 months and weighing 4.85 to 6.80kg were used in protein utilization study to monitor performance. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group was fed foliages of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii mixed in varying proportions such that 0% (diet 1), 25% (diet 2), 50% (diet 3) and 75% (diet 4) of Gliricidia were replaced with Ficus. The feeding lasted 70 days during which dry matter intake, DM1, and changes in body weight were monitored. At the beginning of the last 10days of the trial animals were trans­ferred to individual metabolic cages for daily collection of faeces and urine for 7 days after the 3 days set aside for adjustment to the cages. Results showed that the mean DM1 was 185.15g day', which amounted to about 2.9% of body weight while digestibility coefficient was 65%. The daily weight gains observed for animals on diets containing 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of Gliricidia replaced with Ficus leaves were 34.30, 34.29, 37.10 and 36.79g day' respectively. The metabolic faecal nitrogen, MFN, and endogenous urinary nitrogen, ELTN, values were 9.42g kg' DM and 0.85g day­'Kg BW0.745 respectively. Regression model that described the relationship between nitrogen, N, balance and corresponding absorbed N values indicated that the combination of Gliricidia and Ficus leaves could furnish nutrient (3.68g day' kg' BW0..75 digestible crude protein, DCP) which might support young WAD goat requirement for maintenance. Data obtained suggested that all the three combinations of diets could be fed to goats but the inclusion of Gliricidiaand Ficus at equal level of 50%p produced highest weight gain (37.10g day-1) and supported better performance

Endogenous Losses of Nitrogen and Protein Requirement for Maintenance of Sheep

FOUR fistulated and four intact West African dwarf Sheep, maintained on hay and concentrate supplements were used for a study of metabolic faecal nitrogen (MEN) endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN). The composition of the faecal losses was examined. The values obtained enabled calculation of nitrogen requirement of the sheep for maintenance, as well as the value of the experimental rations in the nutrition of the sheep. Values of MFN obtained by two methods were 3.31 and 3.10 g/kg Dry matter (DM) intake. Endogenous urinary nitrogen value was 0.024 g/day per metabolic weight (Wkg0.75.) Analysis of the faeces of the sheep showed that 21.1% of faecal nitrogen (N) were present as microbial and endogenous nitrogen (MEN) and 17.3% was present as water-soluble nitrogen. The biological values (BV) of the rations ranged from 85.7% to 100.0% and the digestibility for maintenance, were 1.20 and 0.41 g/day/Wkg 0.75 during the feeding trials. Values obtained for endogenous N losses and N requirement for low maintenance were low compared with reported values and this may indicate adaptation of the dwarf sheep for survival under inadequate dietary protein supply.

A NOTE ON PROTEIN REQUIREMENT OF FRIESIAN COWS FOR MAINTENANCE IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Four dry non pregnant Friesian cows averagely weighing 376 +19.2kg were in a 4x4 Latin square design, assigned to four dietary treatments: (A) hay (Digitaria ezilis), (B) hay plus brewers dried grains, (C) brewers dried grains plus 5% molasses and (D) brewers dried grains plus 10% molasses, to assess the protein requirement for maintenance. The mean metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN) values were 0.361 0.022g/1003 DM intake and 0.079 0.024g/day /w0.75 kg respectively. The mean biological values (BV) were 53.5 72.4, 58.4 and 58.1 for treatinents A, B, C and D. These MFN EUN and BV values facilitated the use of factorial equation, which gave average daily digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement for maintenance as 1.45g/W0.75 kg (0.94 -- 2.85).

Nutrient intake and digestibility of selected browse plants fed in combination with Panicum maximum to West African dwarf (WAD) bucks

A study was conducted to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility of Panicum maximum fed in combination with selected browse plants to West African dwarf (WAD) bucks. Four intact West African dwarf (WAD) bucks of mean body weight 17.50kg were used to conduct digestibility study in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design experiment. Four forage combinations, diets A, B, C and D were fed to the goats. Diet A, the control, was 100% Panicum maximum, while diets B, C and D contained 60% Panicum maximum each plus 40% of Alchornea cordifolia, Manniophyton fulvum and Gmelina arborea, respectively. The study lasted 56 days in a 14-day x 4 change over periods. Data were collected on dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake and digestibility. Simple linear regression and correlation were used to assess the degree of relationship between some of the digestion components. The result of proximate analysis indicated that the diets (P. max + browse) B, C and D had significantly (p<0.05) higher dry matter (%DM) contents of 81.12, 81.09 and 80.68%, respectively, than the 75.71% for diet A (sole P.max). Crude protein content of 17.56, 15.62 and 17.52%, respectively were also higher (p<0.05) than the 8.38% for diet A. There was higher (p<0.05) ether extract content of 2.43, 2.38 and 2.32%, for diets B, C, and D, respectively than the 1.32% for diet A. The ash content of 10.71, 9.78 and 9.76% for diets B, C and D respectively, were also higher (p<0.05) than the 7.83% for diets A. Metabolizable energy (MJKg-1) values of 1.41, 1.42 and 1.42 for diets B, C and D were also higher (p<0.05) than the 1.31 for diet A. However, the crude fibre value of the diet A (27.26%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 18.30, 19.30 and 18.58% for diets B, C and D. respectively. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in DMI among treatment means. Nitrogen intake (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) higher for animals fed diets B(15.04), C(13.12 ) and D(14.48 ) wherein P.max was fed in combination with browse plants than in the diet A( 6.28) group fed sole P.max. Faecal nitrogen showed no significant (p>0.05) difference among treatment means. Urinary nitrogen was significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet A group (0.39) than in diets B (0.30), C (0.34) and D (0.43) groups. There was positive nitrogen balance for all in the treatment groups. Apparent nitrogen digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in diets B (92.37), C (90.51) and D (91.63) groups than in diet A (79.49). Nitrogen intake(g/d) could not reliably predict faecal nitrogen (g/kgDM) in diets C and D groups. Absorbed 0.75 0.75 nitrogen (g/d/WKg 0.75 ) could not predict urinary nitrogen (g/d/WKg 0.75 ) in any of the diets. Biological value (BV) of the diets were A (55), B (45), C (81) and D (97). The result of this study shows that the animals fed P. max + browse recorded higher DMI, nutrient intake and digestibility than the sole P.max diet. These evaluation indices were, however, mostly better in the diet B group (60% P. maximum + 40% Alchornea cordifolia). The combination of 60% P. maximum + 40% Alchornea cordifolia is therefore recommended for West African dwarf (WAD) goats reared in the humid tropics of Nigeria for optimum intake and improved nutrient utilization.

Performance of grower rabbits fed Gmelina arborea leaf meal

Forty five weaner rabbits, aged four weeks of mixed sexes were used to investigate the performance of rabbits fed Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GALM) at 0,10,20,30 and 40% inclusion level. Increasing the level of GALM had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed intake, weight gain and feed to gain ratio. There was also no treatment effect on nitrogen intake (P>0.05). Furthermore, increasing the dietary level of GALM in the diet also had no significant effect (P>0.05) on faecal nitrogen, nitrogen retained and nitrogen digestibility. However, the cost of feed declined with the corresponding increase in the GALM dietary level. The result shows that Gmelina arborea leaf meal could be fed to grower rabbits up to 40% inclusion level without any adverse effect.

The application of near infrared spectroscopy to predict faecal nitrogen and phosphorus in multiple ruminant herbivore species

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was applied to determine faecal nitrogen and phosphorus using a temporo-spatially diverse dataset derived from multiple ruminant herbivore species (i.e. cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats, and sheep). Single-species NIRS calibrations have previously been developed to predict faecal constituents. Multi-species NIRS calibrations have previously been developed for herbivore faecal nitrogen but not for faecal phosphorus. Faecal samples representing a herd or flock composite were analysed via NIRS (400–2498nm). Calibration sets for faecal nitrogen and phosphorus were developed from: (1) all samples from all six species, (2) all cattle samples only, (3) all samples except those from bison, (4) all samples except those from deer, (5) all samples except those from elk, (6) all samples except those from goats, and (7) all samples except those from sheep. Validation sample sets included: (1) each of the individual species (predicted with a cattle only-derived calibration), and (2) each of the individual species (other than cattle) predicted with a multi-species calibration constructed from all cattle samples plus those samples from the remaining four species (i.e. ‘leave-one-out’). All multiple coefficient of determination (R2) values for faecal nitrogen calibrations were ≥0.97. Corresponding standard error of cross validation (SECV) values were ≤0.13. Validation simple coefficient of determination (r2) and standard error of prediction (SEP) of each alternate species using the cattle-derived calibration ranged from 0.76 to 0.84, and 0.28 to 0.5 respectively. Similar values for the sequential species leave-one-out validation for faecal nitrogen were 0.67 to 0.89, and 0.17 to 0.47 respectively. All R2 values for faecal phosphorus calibrations were ≥0.79; corresponding SECV were ≤0.14. Validation r2 and SEP of each alternate species using the cattle-derived phosphorus calibration were ≤0.63 and ≥0.13 respectively. Similar values for the sequential species leave-one-out validation were ≤0.66 and ≥0.22 respectively for faecal phosphorus. Multi-species faecal NIRS calibrations can be developed for monitoring applications in which determination of faecal nitrogen is appropriate, e.g. free-ranging herbivore nutrition, nitrogen deposition from animal faeces on rangelands with declining forage quality, or runoff from confined animal feeding operations. Similar calibrations for faecal phosphorus require additional research to ascertain their applicability.