In vivo digestibility of six selected fodder species by goats in northern Ghana

Abstract

An in vivo digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the digestibility of six forages. These were selected indigenous browse species and groundnut haulms in Lawra and Jirapa Districts of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Groundnut haulms served as a control due to its known good digestibility in small ruminants. Thirty West African Dwarf (WAD) young castrated billy goats with a mean age of 8 months were used. The average live body weight was 8.9 ± 0.1 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to the six treatments and replicated five times in a completely randomized design. They were confined in metabolism cages. The adaptation period was 3 weeks after which data was taken for 10 days. The treatments were the leaves and tiny twigs of T1 Annona senegalensis, T2 Ficus gnaphalocarpa, T3 Pericopsis laxiflora, T4 Pterocarpus erinaceus, T5 Afzelia africana, and T6 (control) Arachis hypogaea. Feed intake, faecal matter and urine output were measured. The results indicated that dry matter (DM) contents of the feedstuffs were less than 50% but crude protein (CP) contents were higher than the minimum required for sustaining ruminants. Neutral and acid detergent fibre contents were high, and F. gnaphalocarpa, in particular, contained a higher level of phosphorus (P). The amounts of feed intakes were typical of most fodder species with the exception of P. laxiflora and P. erinaceus, which were lower (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility values were also typical of most fodder species but the digestibility of A. africana fibre appeared to be lower. Nitrogen retention was positive for all test species with the exception of P. laxiflora, which was negative. Mortality was recorded in animals on P. laxiflora, and the rate was high. Pericopsis laxiflora leaves, even though morphologically similar to the leaves of P. erinaceus, were not a suitable fodder. Ficus gnaphalocarpa appeared to be the overall best fodder species in terms of nutrient uptake.

Cell-Wall Composition and Digestibility of Five Native Shrubs of the Tamaulipan Thornscrub in Northeastern Mexico

“…However, Trujillo et al (2010) demonstrated that the Daisy II method underestimated DM and neutral detergent fiber disappearance values, compared to in situ methods. The IVDMD values of the present study were higher than that reported by Avornyo et al (2019) in Ghana, and similar to those reported for Olafadehan and Okunade (2018) in Nigeria. Both studies evaluated the nutritional value of trees and shrubs consumed by goats.…”

Microbial protein synthesis, digestible nutrients, and gain weight of Bligon goats receiving total mixed ration based on sorghum silages (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

“…The study was carried out for 70 days, consisting of a 28-day adaptation period, a 42-day collection period, including 14 days of feeds, feces, and urine collection, and measuring body weight gain. In vivo digestibility tests were carried out using the total collection method, according to Avornyo et al [ 14 ].…”

Alternative Approaches to Feeding Small Ruminants and Their Potential Benefits

“…They showed that these peruse plants act as an elective feed source particularly during the long dry period in the semi-parched zone due to their high potential protein digestibility. In a study conducted by Avornyo et al [ 90 ], six fodder species ( Annona senegalensis, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, Pericopsis laxiflora, Pterocarpuserinaceus, Afzelia africana, and Arachis hypogaea ) were fed to dwarf goats in West Africa. The study found that the digestibility indices of four of the feeds had DM contents of 60 to 75%, and the digestibility indices of browse species, like groundnut haulm, were within the usual range for recommended fodder species.…”

“… * DM: dry matter, OM: organic matter, CP: crude protein, EE: ether extract, NDF: neutral detergent fiber, ADF:acid detergent fiber. Adapted from: 1 Adelusi et al [ 93 ], 2 Haruna et al [ 89 ], 3 Avornyo et al [ 90 ], 4 Ajagbe et al [ 94 ], 5 Yang et al [ 76 ], 6 Ahmed et al [ 95 ], 7 Wadhwa et al [ 70 ], 8 Khaing et al [ 85 ], 9 Sahoo et al [ 51 ], 10 Nkosi et al [ 83 ], 11 Gebremariam and Brhanu [ 67 ], 12 Hao et al [ 97 ], 13 Mengistu et al [ 98 ]. …”