Browsing by Author "Odedire J.A"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    SILAGE CHARACTERISTICS AND VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF ENSILED MAIZE RESIDUE- BROWSE PLANTS MIXTURES FED RED SOKOTO GOATS AS DRY SEASON FEEDSTUFFS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
    (2016) Ogunbosoye, D. O; Odedire J.A; Akinfemi, A.
    The work was carried out to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and voluntary intake of silages made directly from the mixture of Parkia biglobosa (PB), Gliricidia sepium (GS), Ficus polita (FP), Prosopis africana (PA) and maize residue (MR). Twenty growing red Sokoto goats were allocated to the silages for acceptability study in four replicates in a completely randomized design. The maize residue was cut immediately after harvesting the cobs green and the material was ensiled with four browse trees in equal proportion. After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were opened and analyzed for chemical composition and fermentative characteristics. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 4.3 % (MR) to 18.18 % (GS). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) varied between 60.5 % and 65.76 % in Parkia-maize residue and maize residue silages respectively. The silages pH ranged between 4.2 and 4.8 with varying levels of yellowish-green colour and sour to vinegar aroma. The taste was pleasant to nice. The silages broke slowly when touched and remain in-destructible. The silages were accepted by red Sokoto goats in the following order: maize residue> Parkia > Ficus spp > Gliricidia while ensiled Prosopis was rejected. Silages from the browse trees mixed with maize residue could be considered a better feed resource for ruminant animals for their high crude protein content and good quality silages against dry season feeding. Key Words: Ensiled, Browse Trees, Acceptability Study, Fermentation Characteristics