Impact of alfalfa and pigeon peas green fodder supplementation on the weight performance of goats and kids

Abstract

Animal feed is one of the most important constraints on livestock production systems in Niger. The aim of this study is to analyse the use of alfalfa and pigeon pea green fodder as an alternative to animal supplementation. Six milking goats with nine kids were divided into an experimental batch and a control batch with 3 females each. The control group, with 5 kids, was fed a ration made up of groundnut hulls, wheat bran and cottonseed cake, while the experimental group, which had 4 kids, was supplemented with alfalfa and pigeon pea green fodder in addition to the basic ration. The results showed that average weight gains of the kids were significantly greater for the experimental batch compared with the control, with body weights of 8.2 and 7.0 kg respectively. Principal component analysis relating changes in the quantities of ingredients in the supplemented ration to changes in biometric parameters showed that as the quantity of alfalfa and pigeon pea in the ration increased, animals gained more in biometric body indices. There was also a non-significant influence of supplementation on the barymetric relationship between body weight and breast circumference of kids. The results of this study indicate that these two legumes could well be used as supplements in goat farming systems in Niger.

Keywords: Red goat, Alfalfa, Pigeon pea, Supplementation, zootechnical performance, Extensive breeding, Niger