EFFECT OF HYDROPONIC RICE FODDER SUPPLEMENTED DIETS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND RUMEN ECOLOGY OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS

This study assessed the effect of hydroponic rice fodder supplemented diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen ecology of Red Sokoto bucks. A total number of sixteen (16) Red Sokoto bucks of average of 10kg were randomly allocated into four treatments comprising four (4) replicates in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The Animals were given basal diets with hydroponic fodder supplement at 0g, 250,500g, and 750g per kg diets for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 84days after which two bucks were randomly selected from each treatment and allocated to metabolic cage for faecal and urine sample collection. Animal was allowed to acclimatize with the cage for seven days followed by feeding trial where faecal sample was collected daily and weigh. The urine sample was collected in a jarcan containing 10% concentrated sulphuric acid to prevent bacterial microbial activities and urine ammonia and nitrogen escape. Rumen fluid were collected using stomach tube for volatile fatty acids and rumen microbes’ determination. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the treatment means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The growth performance result revealed comparable weight gain across the treatments. The result further revealed significant (P<0.05) differences in nutrient digestibility. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in all rumen ecological parameters. It could be concluded that Supplementation of hydroponic rice fodder in the diets of goats is of immense benefits. It is therefore recommended hydroponic rice fodder can be to goats from 250g to 750g improved performance.