Browsing by Author "Saho, Samkelo"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effects of baobab oil seed cake on growth performance and enteric methane emissions in Savannah × Boer crossbreed yearling goats
    (University of Fort Hare, 2020-02) Saho, Samkelo; Mpendulo, C.T.; Mupangwa, J.F.
    The study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of baobab oil seed cake (BOSC) on growth performance and enteric methane emissions of Savannah × Boer goats at yearling age. A total of 24 goats weighing 16.63 ± 3.639 kg were used in a completely randomized block design. The study was conducted for 70 days, where the adaptation period was 14 days. The baobab oil seed cake was included in the diets at 0% (control diet), 15%, 30%, and 45 % on a mass basis. The experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso caloric. In experiment 1, the parameters measured include the average daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight gain (BWG), and average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and enteric methane emissions (EME). On weeks and treatment interaction, the ADG and the BWG were higher in goats fed on diets with 15%, 30%, and 45% BOSC than those fed on the control diet (0% BOSC). Highest ADG was observed on goats that fed on a diet with 30% BOSC. The inclusion of baobab oilseed cake (15%, 30%, and 45% BOSC) goats’ diets significantly increased (P<0.05) (ADFI). Females in the current study gained more weight than males. It was observed that goats fed diets with 0% baobab oil cake emitted higher methane output (P<0.05). Methane emission decreased as the baobab inclusion levels in the diet increase (P<0.05). Female Savannah × Boer goat emitted more methane than male (P<0.05). It was noted that the interaction between animal sex and baobab oil seed cake inclusion levels significantly (P<0.05) influenced methane emission. It was concluded that baobab oil seed cake can be strategically used as animal feed ingredient to influence growth performance and to modulate rumen fermentation in goats.. However, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of baobab seeds on meat quality and the fatty acid composition of goats in future research.