Title: Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Hematology, and Rumen Characteristics of West African Dwarf Goat Fed Plantain Pseudo-Stem Supplemented with Groundnut Foliage.
Authors: Ade Samson, E.P. Irikefe-Ekeke, and Abado C.A
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 9-20
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
The study evaluated the effects of four dietary treatments on the nutritional digestibility, rumen fermentation, hematological changes, growth performance, and economic returns of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed with different treatment level of groundnut foliage and plantain pseudo-stem: T1 (control), T2 (75% groundnut foliage + 25% plantain pseudo-stem), T3 (50% groundnut foliage + 50% plantain pseudo-stem), and T4 (25% groundnut foliage + 75% plantain pseudo-stem). T2 had the most significant crude protein content (13.57%) and dry matter content (32.72%) of all the formulated diets, which greatly improved nutritional digestibility and growth parameters. T2 goats had the highest final body weight (16.18 kg), average daily gain (101.63 g/day), and crude protein and fiber digestibility. Better erythropoiesis, immunological response, and microbial activity were indicated by T2's optimized rumen fermentation properties and hematological indices. A diet consisting of 75% groundnut leaf silage and 25% plantain pseudo-stem maximizes nutrient absorption, development, and financial gains, making it a suitable feeding strategy for small ruminant breeding. The economic study findings showed that T2 was the most cost-effective diet, with the lowest cost per kilogram of weight gain ($1.36) and the highest benefit-cost ratio (3.24). In contrast, the over-inclusion of plantain pseudo-stem (T4) resulted in weight gain, less protein digestibility, higher fiber content, and lower economic efficiency.