Response of supplemental cassava root sievate - cassava leaf meal based diets on carcass and cost benefits of kano brown goats Capra aegagrus

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to determine the organ weight characteristics, carcass yield and cost benefits of Kano Brown goats fed cassava root sievate and cassava leaf meal (CRSCLM) based diets as supplement to (Pennisetum purpureum) using 36 Kano Brown goats of 8 to 10 months of age. Four diets T1, T2, T3, and T4, were formulated at the levels of 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% CRSCLM respectively in a completely randomized design. Each animal received a designated treatment diet in the morning for 97 days. Feed offered was based on 3.5% body weight per day; the animals in addition were fed a kg wilted chopped P. purpureum later in the day as basal diet to enhance rumination and fine chewing. Results on carcass indices showed significant (p<0.05) response on live weight at slaughter, empty carcass weight, warm carcass weight, dressing percentage, shoulder, leg, loin, end and shank with T4 having relatively best results. The dressing percentage was numerically (49.59%) best at T4. On the offal weights, head and full guts were significantly (p<0.05) improved for T4 and T1 goats. The organ characteristic proved the safety of using CRSCLM through the significantly (p<0.05) lower organ weights at T4 goats. Cost per kg feed, feed cost/weight gain and cost/benefit ratio were positively influenced (p<0.05) at T4 with expected income of 4.79 / 1 invested. It could therefore be concluded that Kano Brown goats fed 60% CRSCLM had the best carcass and organ yields at a reduced feed cost.