Authors: Fasae O.A., Adesope A.I.,Ojo V.O.A.
Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2011. Vol. 10, Issue 2: 1276- 1282.
Publication date: 30/5/20 II, http://www. bioJtienceJ.elewa.orgIJAPS; ISSN 2071 – 7024
Abstract
The maize producing areas in the south west Nigeria offers some potential for raising goatsAA
56 day feeding trial studied the effect of Leucaena leaf supplementation on maize residues on
goats. Twenty West African Dwarf goats randomly selected from a village herd were stratified
according to their weight, and then randomly allocat~d to four dietary treatments namely:
village feeding (VF) containing free ranging with crop residues supplementation, village
feeding with maize residues (VF+MR), village feeding with dried Leucaena leaves (VF+LL),
village feeding, maize residues and Leucaena leaves (VF+MR+LL) for diets 1 to 4, respectively.
Leucaena leaf supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the Dry Matter intake and
body weights of goats. Diet 4 containing (VF+MR+LL) produced the best performance for
optimum growth of goats. Leucaena leaves could therefore play a valuable role in supplying
supplemental nitrogen to goats fed maize residues under the village system of management.
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