+44 330 818 7254Belewu,M.A and Akande, B.A
This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of fungi treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake on feed intake, weight gain /loss , digestibility coefficient and blood parameters of West African dwarf goat. Five diets were formulated with diet A (control, without Jatropha curcas kernel cake); B (50% Penicillium treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake +50% Soybean cake), C (50% Aspergillus niger treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake + 50% Soybean cake), D (100%Penicillium treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake ) and E (100% Aspergillus niger treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake). The animals (n=15) were randomized against the experimental diets in a completely randomized design model for a 56 day period. The results revealed highest crude protein intake for diet A and the least for diet E. The ether extract (EE) and crude fibre (CF) consumption were significantly higher for the control diet (A) compared to the fungi treated based diets. The crude protein digestibility was highest in diet A and least in diet C. The serum and haematological values are within the normal range for goat. It was concluded that West African dwarf goat can be fed a diet consisting of 50% Aspergillus niger treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake /or 50% Penicillium treated Jatropha curcas kernel cake in a mixed ration.
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