Effect of browse plants’ formulated feed on rumen microbial population and growth performance of Red Sokoto goat breed (Capra aegagrus hircus)
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Date
2025
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Society of Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE). Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University,
Abstract
This research appraised the effect of browse Plants formulated feed on rumen
microbial population and the animal performance of Red Sokoto goat for 14
weeks. Eight browse plants; Acacia alibido, Piliostigma thonnigi, Teminalia
jigosona, Vitellaria paradoxa, Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum,
Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis were pre-screened for its
phytochemical composition out of which four Afzelia africana, Detarium
microcarpum, Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis were selected and used
to formulate the animal diets. Three groups of goats were assigned to each of the
browse plant diets, while the control group was placed on a basal diet only.
Rumen liquor were collected from the goats intermittently for three periods, and
analyzed for microbial population. The results showed that browse plant
formulated feed have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the population of the
rumen microbes. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in fungal count was recorded
in all the formulated diets treatments except the control diets. Besides,
significant (p < 0.05) higher concentration was recorded in Protozoa and
Bacteria count in all treatments except the control diets. Significant growth
performances of 28.2%, 28.2%, 28.0% and 26.2% were recorded for T2, T3, T1
and T4, consecutively, relative to 15.8% in the control (T5). Overall, this study
demonstrated that browse plant feed is able to significantly improve animal
performance and as well,alter the microbial popullation in ruminant animals.