| dc.description.abstract | A feeding study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels of poultry
waste (Pw) and grain sorghum (Gs) on dry matter intake (OMI) and ill vivo dry matter
digestibility (lVDMO) of low-quality range hay fed to Small East African goats. The
study also evaluated nitrogen balance (NB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and liveweight
gains (LWG) of the animals.
Twenty eight goats of 14-16 kg liveweight were randomly assigned to four
treatments A, B, C and 0, comprising of 0 % (Pw) and 88 % (Gs); 29% (Pw) and 59%
(Gs); 59% (Pw) and 29% (Gs); and 88% (Pw) and 0% (Gs), respectively. Twelve
percent of all the diets was made up of molasses to improve palatability and reduce the
dustiness of the feed. Hay was offered ad libitum while the supplemental diets were
offered at 170 g/d/animal for 12 weeks. One way analysis of variance was used to
compare group means of OMI, IVOMO, NB, BUN and LWG.
Increasing levels of Pw (0 to 88%) in the diet, increased significantly (p<0.05)
hay intake from 11.8 to 12.6 g OM/kg W75/day. Digestion coefficients of the DM, CP,
NDF, ADF and GE significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing levels of Pw.
Nitrogen balance and BUN increased significantly with increase in Pw, i.e.. from 2.26
to 4.43 gd and 7 to 12 mgllOOml, respectively. Treatments had no significant effect
on the animals' LWG. However, animals on the higher Gs levels generally exhibited
higher weight gains than those on lower end.
Results of this study indicate that Pw in conjunction with a suitable energy source,
improve the plane of nutrition of animals on low quality natural forages. In the agropastoral
range areas where farmers, in addition to domestic ruminants, keep traditional
poultry, integration of poultry waste into the conventional ruminant feeding systems is
feasible, particularly during the dry season. This can enhance the overall livestock
productivity and the income levels of the farmers. | en |
