ABSTRACTStudies were conducted to investigate the effect of mixed Gmelina arborea and Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion on the performance of Red Sokoto goats fed Digitaria smutsii hay based complete diets. Gmelina arborea and Moringa oleifera leaf meals were mixed at the ratio of 3:1 and included at 0, 10, 20 and 30% in a 40 % D. smutsii hay base. In the first growth trial, 20 intact Red Sokoto bucks between 4 and 5 months of age with a mean weight of 12.00±0.20kg were used to ascertain the effect of mixed Gmelina arborea and Moringa oleifera (GMMO) leaf meal inclusion on dry matter intake, live weight, costbenefit, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto does fed D. smutsii hay based complete diets. The bucks (20) balanced by weight, were randomly assigned to four treatments of five bucks per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. The experimental diets were offered at 4% body weight and the trial lasted for 90 days. A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to investigate the effect of inclusion levels of GMMO leaf meal on nitrogen intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance. The second experiment on growth trial was carried out to investigate the effect of GMMO leaf meal inclusion on dry matter intake, live weight, total weight gain, cost benefit, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto does fed D. smutsii hay based complete diets. Twenty-eight (28) growing Red Sokoto does aged between 6 and 7 months weighing 14.71±0.09 kg balanced by weight, were randomly assigned to four treatments of seven does per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. The third study investigated the effect of GMMO leaf meal inclusion on dry matter intake, live weight, pregnancy, birth weight, haematological and serum biochemical parameters and milk composition of Red Sokoto does fed D. smutsii hay based complete diets. Twenty-four pregnant Red Sokoto does aged between 13 and 14 months, weighing 22.50 ±0.12 kg balanced by weight, were randomly assigned to four treatments of six does (in their last trimester of pregnancy) per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. Animals were fed 4% of their body weight in all the studies. Results showed that daily feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in animals on GMMO leaf meal than 0% and this ranged from 237.79g/d to 330.17g/d. Total weight gain varied from 2.86 to 4.20 kg, while average daily weight gain ranged from 31.78 to 46.67 g/d in animals fed diets with 0% and 20% leaf meal, respectively. The optimal level of inclusion of GMMO in the diets of growing Red Sokoto bucks was 25%. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) higher in animals fed 10% (75.86%, 84.97%) and 20% (73.16%, 84.98%) respectively, compared to other treatments. Crude protein digestibility was similar and ranged from 72.60% in animals fed 30% to 77.62% in those fed 20%. Crude fibre digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) different across the treatments with highest value in animals fed 20% GMMO leaf meal (76.15%). The results of N intake was statistically similar (P>0.05) in bucks fed 10% and 20% inclusion level. Nitrogen retention was significantly (P>0.05) similar in animals fed 0%, 10% and 20% GMMO leaf meal. Animals fed 0%, 10% and 20% GMMO leaf meal had significantly (P>0.05) similar total weight gain (2.80kg, 3.30 kg and 3.38 kg), respectively. Trend analysis showed 15% inclusion as the optimum level of GMMO leaf meal in the diets of growing Red Sokoto does. The net profit and reduction in feed cost/kg gain at 20% GMMO leaf meal inclusion were highest in the first and second experiment. The inclusion of GMMO leaf meal increased dry matter intake, birth weight of kids and milk protein of the Red Sokoto does. Dry matter intake was significantly (P>0.05) similar in does fed 10%, 20% and 30% GMMO leaf meal. Birth weight was significantly higher (P<0.05) in does fed 20% and 30% GMMO leaf meal (1.58 kg and 1.68 kg) respectively. The values of haematological and serum biochemical parameters recorded were within the normal range for healthy goats. Milk protein was significantly (P<0.05) better in does fed 10% and 20% GMMO leaf meal. Lactose content in does fed 30% GMMO leaf meal was comparable to those fed the control diet. This study concluded that, by mixing Gmelina arborea and Moringa oleifera leaf meal at the ratio of 3:1 in a D. smutsii hay based diet fed to Red Sokoto bucks and does, respectively produced higher dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, weight gain and birth weight.
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