R. A. Olorunsola
Department of Animal Production and Health, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: ajiwale2002@yahoo.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010087
ABSTRACT
Nutritional constraints remain the foremost limitation to goat production in West Africa, particularly during the dry season when natural pastures are scarce and of poor nutritive quality. This study evaluated the influence of cowpea shaft on growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twelve growing WAD goats (average initial weight: 4.8 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments for eight-week feeding trial in a completely randomized design. Diet T1 consisted of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) while Diet T2 consisted of cowpea shaft. Proximate analysis of diets was carried out using AOAC methods. Parameters measured included body weight gain (BWG), average daily feed consumed (ADFC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate (SVR). The proximate composition showed that cowpea shaft had higher crude protein (13%) compared to elephant grass (10%). Data collected were subjected to one-way ANOVA at p< 0.05. Goats fed cowpea shaft (T2) had significantly higher BWG (7.47 ± 1.77 kg) than those fed elephant grass (6.80 ± 0.19 kg). Survival rate was also higher in T2 (1.55 ± 0.34%) compared with T1 (1.05 ± 0.05%). Although ADFC was slightly lower in T2, goats attained better growth, reflecting nutrient density of cowpea shaft. Feed conversion ratios were comparable between treatments. The findings demonstrate that cowpea shaft improved growth and survivability of WAD goats, attributable to its superior crude protein content. Cowpea shaft thus represents a protein-rich, and sustainable feedstuff for smallholder goat production. Its incorporation into dry-season feeding systems is recommended to enhance productivity and resilience of WAD goats.
Keywords:
Cowpea shaft,
Dwarf goats,
Growth performance,
Feed resources.

