Growth performance and nitrogen utilization by West African dwarf goats fed supplemented with varying ratios of and Panicum maximum Afzelia africana Newbouldia laevis

Afzelia africana and Newbouldia laevis have recognizable potential as important locally available forage resources but yet to be explored and exploited for ruminants in the tropics. This study was therefore investigated to determine the effect of supplementing varying ratios of Afzelia africana and Newbouldia laevis with Panicum maximum on growth performance and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf goats. Twenty female West African dwarf goats, aged between 5 and 7monhs old with an average weight of 6.62 ± 0.41kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with four goats per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets included T (100% Panicum maximum), T  (25% Afzelia africana and 75% Panicum maximum), T (50% Afzelia africana and 50% Panicum maximum), T (25% Newbouldia laevis and 75% Panicum maximum) and T (50% Newbouldia laevis and 50% Panicum maximum). A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to assess the effects of the diets on nitrogen utilization after the growth study on the goats. Results obtained showed that goats on diets T were significantly (P 0.05) effect in treatment diets with regards to initial and average live weights, faecal nitrogen output, and total nitrogen output with nitrogen retention. It was concluded that goats fed 50% Afzelia Africana and 50% Panicum maximum had better nitrogen utilization for growth performance.