Dietary effects of urea-molasses treated maize cob on growth performance and rumen fermentation in West African Dwarf goats

This study evaluated the effects of graded inclusion levels of urea-molasses treated maize cob (UMTMC) in complete diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Fifty goats aged 5 - 7 months were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% UMTMC) and fed for 86 days. Results showed that dry matter intake significantly increased at 25% and 50% inclusion levels, peaking at 2.98 kg/day and 2.95 kg/day, respectively, compared to 2.70 kg/day in the control group (p < 0.05). Mean weight gain was highest in control (2.20 kg) and declined significantly to 50% and 75% inclusion (0.96 kg), indicating reduced growth efficiency at higher UMTMC levels. Feed conversion ratio was most efficient in the control (13.28) and poorest at 50% and 75% inclusion (22.70). Crude protein digestibility improved significantly at 25% (66%) and 50% (63%) inclusion, while nitrogen retention peaked at 25% (2.80 g/day). Rumen fermentation analysis revealed increased pH, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), and ammonia nitrogen with rising UMTMC levels. TVFA rose from 95.50mMol/L in control to 125.07mMol/L at 100% inclusion, with significant increases in acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate. These findings suggest that UMTMC inclusion up to 50% enhances feed utilization and rumen function without compromising growth, offering a sustainable feeding strategy for small ruminants in tropical regions.