Abstract:

This study investigated the impact of substituting fresh Panicum maximum with fresh mulberry (Morus alba) leaves at different levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) on feed intake, and reproductive performance of intensively managed gravid West African Dwarf (WAD) does. Twenty-five gravid WAD does were divided into five groups, each consisting of five does, and were subjected to a 150-day experiment. Feed intake results indicated that does fed on a diet containing 50% Panicum maximum and 50% mulberry (P50M50) had the highest total dry matter intake (TDMI) across three trimesters (356.63, 488.69, and 539.63 g/day). Weight gain was notably higher (p<0.05) in does on a diet of 100% mulberry (P0M100). Offspring weaned from dams fed a diet with 75% mulberry substitution exhibited higher weaning weights and daily weight gains. The study concludes that substituting mulberry in the diet of traditionally managed WAD goats enhances pregnancy development without health concerns and contributes to improved udder development and potential milk yield enhancement.