Studies on Comparative Utilization of Urea and Groundnut Cake Rations by West African Dwarf Goats

Twelve West African dwarf castrated goats, 6-8 months old and 7 to 15 kg liveweight, were used. Two sources of N, urea and groundnut cake, were used at three levels of crude protein (N x 6.25), viz., 10, 17 and 24%, in cassava flour-based rations. These rations were then used as supplements to dry, poor quality Cynodon nlemfuensis forage. Six animals, two on each level of protein were maintained on the urea-based rations in 3x3 Latin Square Design while the other six animals were similarly maintained on the groundnut cake-based rations. Each experiment consisted of three trials and each trial lasted three weeks. During these periods, liveweight changes, daily intake of the forage and of the concentrates were recorded. N-balance studies were also carried out at the end of the series of these experiments. The results indicated that the urea-fed goats tended to grow faster than those goats fed on the groundnut cake-based rations with the overall mean live weight gains of 35.7 and 31.4 g per day respectively although the differences were not significant (P>0.05) respectively. The former required daily 0.17g DCP per Wkg0.734 for maintenance; similarly the latter required 0.26g DCP per Wkg0.734 per g live weight gain and 1.43 g DCP per Wkg0.734 for maintenance. The N-balance studies also showed better utilization of the N content of urea than that of the groundnut cake, with the overall mean N-balance values of 6.15 and 5.54 g/day.