Effect of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Acceptability and Nutrient Utilization of Goats Fed Mango Seed Kernels.

Twenty four growing goats with mean body weight of 8.00 ± 0.45kg were fed mango seed kernel meals with Moringa oleifera  supplementation on to asses their acceptability and energy with nitrogen utilization. Goats were assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with eight goats per treatment. The three compared treatment diets were: A (45% of raw mango seed kernel), B (45% of soaked mango seed kernel) and C (45% of parboiled mango seed kernel). Concentrate of 45% was added to each of the experimental diet, while each goat received 8 grams of Moringa oleifera as supplement in their respective diets. The results indicated that, diet A was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in gross energy intake (15.23MJ/kg), faecal energy output (4.59MJ/kg), total energy output (6.25MJ/kg) and faecal nitrogen output (4.02g/day) compared to diets B and C. Mean dry matter intake (3.09kgDM), coefficient of preference (3.98), digestible energy intake (12.22MJ/kg), metabolizable energy intake (11.01MJ/kg), nitrogen balance (12.37g/day) and nitrogen retention (81.17%) were significantly (p < 0.05) best in diet C compared to other treatment diets. Significant difference (P > 0.05) did not occur in nitrogen intake and urinary nitrogen output among the treatment diets. It was concluded that parboiled mango seed kernels and concentrate with Moringa oleifera supplementation ( diet C) has the potential to improve acceptability and enhance energy with nitrogen utilization for goats. Keywords: Mango seed, Moringa oleifera, acceptability, nutrient utilization, goats.

Replacement Value of Avocado Seeds with Orange Peels Meal for Guinea Grass on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Sheep

ABSTRACT Twenty-four growing West African Dwarf male sheep (rams) balanced for weight 8.00 ± 0.12kg were fed avocado seeds with orange peels meal as replacement for guinea grass to evaluate their growth rate and nutrient digestibility. Sheep were assigned to three treatment diets in a completely randomised design with eight sheep per treatment. The compared treatment diets were as follows: Diet A (consisted of 60% guinea grass, which serves as the control group), while diets B and C comprised combination of avocado seeds with orange peels meal in a ratio 25 : 35 and 20 : 40 respectively. Concentrate supplement of 40% was added to each of the treatment diet. The results showed that diet A was significantly (P < 0.05) best in total feed intake (8.01kg), feed conversion ratio (3.87) and digestibility of ash (40.00%) compared to other treatment diets. Final Bodyweight (13.40kg), total body weight gain (5.32kg), and digestibility of dry matter (70.13%), crude protein (68.11%) with crude fibre (70.01%) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in diet B compared to diets A and C. Digestibility of ether extract (50.03%) was highest in diet C and significantly (P < 0.05) different from the other treatment diets. Significant difference (P > 0.05) did not occur in initial body weight and average daily weight gain (kg) with average daily feed intake (kg) among the treatment diets. It is concluded that combination of avocado seeds with orange peels in a ratio of 25: 35 (diet B) has the potential to improve growth rate and nutrient digestibility of growing sheep