Feed intake and liveweight gain of goats fed urochloa grass

Abstract

Crude protein and digestible dry matter are the most important components of a feed and determine animal performance. The natural pastures in Kenya are prone to great seasonal and spatial fluctuation in both quality and quantity. Consequently, there was need to explore other nutritious alternative feeds. Sixteen growing male Galla goats weighing 10 - 24 kg were used in a twelve weeks feeding trial in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. They were randomly allocated four grass diets consisting of Urochloa brizantha cvs. Piata and MG4, U. hybrid cv. Mulato II and Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), which was used as the control. Regression analysis was conducted using daily weight gains as dependent variable against nutrient intake (dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, neutral detergent fiber and ash). Crude protein intake gave a better prediction of daily gain (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001). Grass diet with high CP and digestibility values are most suitable for high ADG of Galla goats.