Authors:Aina A.B.J., Oppong D.
Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 5 No. 2, 2010
Abstract
A trial was conducted for 12 weeks to assess the use of “kau” (local potash) as a potential source of minerals for West African Dwarf goat. The trial involved the the use of milled ‘kau’ (about 0.2 –
0.02mm particle size) mixed with formulated concentrate diet, (Pito mash:25% Palm kernel cake: 25% and wheat bran: 50%) at four levels of ‘kau’ inclusion (0,4, 8 and 12g ‘kau’/animal/day), using mineral lick as control (zero ‘kau ‘). Tweleve (12) West African Dwarf billy goats, weighing between 9 and IOkg were used, grouped into dietary treaments or three goats per treatment, balanced for body weight. Each of the 4 groups was randomly assigned to a level of ‘kau ‘ and fed for 12 weeks. The zero- ‘kau ‘ group was supplied mineral lick. Results indicate all increasing body weight as ‘kau ‘ inclusion ill creased ill tile diet lip to 8g ‘kau/animal/d (23.8g/d) and then declined towards 12g ‘kau/animal/d (16. 7gld). Tile Control grolup exhibited significantly (P<O.05) slowest growth rate (8.3g/d) while 8g ‘kau/animal/d remarkably (P<0.05) encouraged average daily gain (23.8g/d) and feed conversion ratio (1.39) in goats. It is suggested, from the results of this trial, that administering ‘kau ‘ to growing goats through their diet as a source ofmlueral tuts beneficial effects Oil tile performance of the animals. Therefore, 8g ‘kau ‘Zaninutl/d is recommended ill the concentrate diet of growing goat.