GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) BUCKS FED GRADED LEVELS OF TOASTED BAOBAB (ADANSONIA DIGITATA) SEED MEAL

Abstract

Dietary crude protein, fibre and carbohydrate are of great importance due to their significance in animal production. High cost of conventional feedstuff sources necessitated search for suitable alternatives to reduce cost of production. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of graded levels of processed Baobab seed meal (BSM) to replace full fat soyabean meal (FFSB) though Baobab seed not considered a conventional legume seed. A total of sixteen (16) West African dwarf (WAD) grower bucks of 5-7 months were used to investigate the growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The WAD bucks were allotted into four dietary treatments of one buck segregated into four replicates of one buck each. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Total weight gain (2.51kg/buck) was reduced (P<0.05) in bucks fed diets supplemented with 75% BSM in comparison to 0% BSM (3.84 kg/ buck). It was concluded that inclusion of 25 % and 75 % BSM did not adversely affect nutrient digestibility instead 50 % BSM improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility.