GROWTH RESPONSE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS FED MICROBIAL TREATED RICE HUSK BASED DIETS

This study investigated the effects of microbial treated rice husk on growth response of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Rice husks were subjected to microbial fermentation using bacteria, fungi, and a combination of both, and subsequently incorporated into goat diets. Four experimental diets were formulated that comprises of T1; 25% Maize, T2; 25% bacterial treated Rice husk, T3; 25% fungal treated Rice husk, T4; 25% cocktail of bacteria and fungi treated Rice husk. Forty (40) weaned WAD goats with average weight of 7.0 ± 0.5 kg were randomly allotted against formulated diets in a Completely Randomized Design for an 84-day feeding trial. Proximate composition, fibre fractions, growth performance, and economics of production were evaluated. Proximate composition and Crude fibre fraction revealed that neutral detergent fibre was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 and T4. Acid detergent fibre of T1 showed significantly (P<0.05) least value. Final weight and total body weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the WAD goat fed T1 at 11.73kg and 3.69kg, respectively and T4 had significantly (P<0.05) least value. The cost of producing 100 kg of feed decreased progressively from ₦7608 in the control (T1) to ₦4876 in goats fed T4. The feed cost per kilogram weight gain (FC/WG) decreased significantly (P<0.05) from ₦746.06 in T1 to ₦587.37 in T4. It was concluded that microbial-treated rice husk diets resulted in lower growth performance compared to maize but reduced feed cost and improved economic efficiency.