ABSTRACT
The feeding value of five browse forages (Balanites aegyptiaca, Maerua angolensis, Acacia brevispica, Grewia hostii and Berchemia discolor) from semi-arid area were evaluated to check their potential as feed supplements. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay ad-libitum was used as control. The objectives of the study were to determine the feeding value of selected browses, their palatability and performance when growing goats (Small East African x Toggenburg) were offered the browse forages. Chemical composition including polyphenols and in-vitro gas production characteristics were determined. The Crude protein (CP) content ranged from 41.4gkg-1DM to Rhodes grass and 161.8 gkg-1DM in Berchemia discolor. The relative high CP content range (111.5 to 161.8 gkg-1DM) of browse forage shows the possible contribution as protein source for goats. Total extractable phenolics (TEPH) and condensed tannins (CT) contents ranged from 6.1 to 52.3 gkg-1DM and 2.0 to 43.8 gkg-1DM, respectively. Relative palatability index of local browse species and control, differed widely with the following ranking: Acacia brevispica >Balanites aegyptiaca >Grewia hostii >Berchemia discolor >Maerua angolensis >Chloris gayana. For animal performance, the intake of Rhodes grass hay (53.4, 33.0 and 37.6g/d) varied across the diets, but supplementation significantly increased total dry matter intake (53.4, 117.7 and 125.2 g/d) for those supplemented with Acacia brevispica and Berchemia discolor respectively. The apparent nutrient digestibility differed (P
KEMBOI, F (2021). Evaluation Of Nutritive Value Of Local Browses From Kenya On Performance Of Growing Goats (Small East African X Toggenburg Crosses). Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/evaluation-of-nutritive-value-of-local-browses-from-kenya-on-performance-of-growing-goats-small-east-african-x-toggenburg-crosses
KEMBOI, FRED "Evaluation Of Nutritive Value Of Local Browses From Kenya On Performance Of Growing Goats (Small East African X Toggenburg Crosses)" Afribary. Afribary, 17 May. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/evaluation-of-nutritive-value-of-local-browses-from-kenya-on-performance-of-growing-goats-small-east-african-x-toggenburg-crosses. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
KEMBOI, FRED . "Evaluation Of Nutritive Value Of Local Browses From Kenya On Performance Of Growing Goats (Small East African X Toggenburg Crosses)". Afribary, Afribary, 17 May. 2021. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/evaluation-of-nutritive-value-of-local-browses-from-kenya-on-performance-of-growing-goats-small-east-african-x-toggenburg-crosses >.
KEMBOI, FRED . "Evaluation Of Nutritive Value Of Local Browses From Kenya On Performance Of Growing Goats (Small East African X Toggenburg Crosses)" Afribary (2021). Accessed December 22, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/evaluation-of-nutritive-value-of-local-browses-from-kenya-on-performance-of-growing-goats-small-east-african-x-toggenburg-crosses