Chemical composition and acceptability of different alkali-treated Pennisetum purpureum hays by West African dwarf goats

Abstract

The dry season in the tropics is characterized by inadequate nutrition for ruminants due to poor feeds and highly fibrous forages. Alkali treatment of forages has been identified as a means of improving their utilization by ruminant animals. Pennisetum purpureum hays were subjected to four alkali treatments as follows, T1: untreated Pennisetum purpureum hay (UPPH), T2: Pennisetum purpureum hay treated with wood ash (PPHWA); T3: Pennisetum purpureum hay treated with cow dung ash (PPHCDA) and T4: Pennisetum purpureum hays treated with poultry litter ash (PPHPLA). Treated hays were assessed for their nutritive value (chemical and mineral composition) and acceptability by West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in a cafeteria experiment. Ash value ranged from 11.90 (UPPH) to 16.55g/100g DM (PPHWA). Crude fibre was (P<0.05) higher in the control (UPPH) than all the alkali treated PPH. Ether extract and Crude protein content of forages were significantly (P<0.05) improved in the PPHPLA than the control. Na content of Pennisetum purpureum hays was not affected by the alkali treatments. P (Phosphorus), Mg (Magnesium) and S (Sulphur) values of the forage were significantly (P<0.05) improved in the PPHCDA. PPHWA showed highest (P<0.05) values for Zn (Zinc), Cu (Copper) and Mn (Manganese) (57.00, 3.23 and 1.42 mg/kg respectively) while lowest (P<0.05) values were observed in the PPHCDA (3.20, 0.04 and 0.01 mg/kg respectively). UPPA and PPHWA were preferred by WAD goats while PPHCDA and PPHPLA were rejected by WAD goats. Results suggest that alkali treated PPH were improved in terms of their chemical and mineral compositions. Wood ash treated PPH was preferred by WAD goats while PPHCDA and PPHPLA were rejected by goats. Further research to improve acceptability of other forms of alkali treatment of PPH by WAD goats should be conducted.