Evaluating the Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Dietary Levels of Rice Milling Waste

This study evaluated the performance and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf goats (WADG) fed dietary levels of rice milling waste (RMW). Twenty-four West African dwarf bucks (average weight 5.49 kg and aged 6–8 months) were used for the study. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4. T1 was the control and contained 0% of RMW while T2 contained 10%, T3 20% and T4 30% of RMW. The experimental goats were randomly assigned to four the dietary treatments: T1, T2, T3 and T4 in a completely randomized design. The trial lasted 90 days. Nutrient intake, body weight changes, haematology, serum biochemistry and nutrient digestibility were studied. Supplement dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3, while DMI as a percentage of body weight was higher in T1 and T4. Crude protein intake was lower (p<0.05) in T4. Neutral detergent fibre intake was higher (p<0.05) in T4. Acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin intakes were high (p<0.05) in T3 and T4. Daily weight gain was highest (p<0.05) in T2. The feed conversion ratio were better (p<0.05) in T1, T2 and T3. Packed cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were improved (p<0.05) in T1 and T2, while haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and mean cell volume were lower (p<0.05) in T4. Crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin digestibility were high (p<0.05) in T1. The study concludes that rice milling waste can be incorporated into the diets of WAD goats at levels up to 30% without adverse effects on performance, or digestibility. Better results in weight gain, feed conversion, haematology and nutrient utilization were observed at 10% inclusion and hence recommended for enhanced goat production.