Effect of browse plants’ formulated feed on rumen microbial population and growth performance of Red Sokoto goat breed (Capra aegagrus hircus)

Abstract

This research appraised the effect of browse Plants formulated feed on rumen microbial population and the animal performance of Red Sokoto goat for 14 weeks. Eight browse plants; Acacia alibido, Piliostigma thonnigi, Teminalia jigosona, Vitellaria paradoxa,  Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum, Daniellia oliveri  and Khaya senegalensis were pre-screened for its phytochemical composition out of which four Afzelia africana, Detarium microcarpum,  Daniellia oliveri and Khaya senegalensis were selected and used to formulate the animal diets. Three groups of goats were assigned to each of the  browse plant diets, while the control group was placed on a basal diet only. Rumen liquor were collected from the goats intermittently for three periods, and analyzed for microbial population. The results showed that browse plant formulated feed  have a significant effect (p > 0.05)  on the population of the rumen microbes. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in fungal count was recorded in all the formulated diets treatments except the control diets. Besides, significant (p < 0.05) higher concentration was recorded in Protozoa and Bacteria count in all treatments except the control diets. Significant growth performances of 28.2%, 28.2%, 28.0% and 26.2% were recorded for T2, T3, T1 and T4, consecutively, relative to 15.8% in the control (T5). Overall, this study demonstrated that browse plant feed  is able  to significantly improve animal performance and as well,alter the microbial popullation in ruminant animals.