Values Of Microbial Population In West African Dwarf Goats Fed On Corncob-Based Concentrate Diet With Cobalt Supplementation
Publication Date: 22/08/2018
Author(s): Olajide P.O, Adeloye A.A.
Volume/Issue: Volume 1 , Issue 1 (2018)
Abstract:
Inadequate feed supply and feeding is a major challenge in animal production. Corncob, an abundant by-product of maize production is seldom utilized for feeding purpose, though promising for ruminants. In a 90-day feeding trial conducted to study the response of West African Dwarf goats to corncob-based diet supplemented with varied levels of cobalt chloride. The study examined the effect of treatment on microbial population. Twelve West African Dwarf goats of similar body weights (8.42kg-8.51kg) and body conditions were allotted to three dietary treatment groups, of four replicates each in a randomized complete block design experiment. The goats were kept on corncob concentrate based diet with unrestricted access to clean drinking water throughout the period of the feeding trial. Results from the study showed that, diets supplemented with cobalt chloride caused an improvement (P<0.05) in microbial population and protozoa content, when compared with the control. It was concluded that supplementation at 0.75mg/kg DM in the present study, would be efficacious than at lower levels of 0.00 and 0.50mg/kg DM.
