title: Nutritional evaluation of ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top as a feed for goats.
abstract: Eighteen intact Red Sokoto male goats (15.4 ± 0.68 kg BW) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the inclusion of urea-treated ensiled threshed sorghum top (UTST) in their diets. The inclusion rates of UTST were 0, 350 and 700 g/kg, replacing dried brewers' grains (DBG) by 0 (control) 50 and 100%, respectively. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, total carbohydrate, hemicellulose, digestible nutrients and energy, nutrient digestibility, digestible organic matter fermented in the rumen, digestible organic matter, digestible energy/digestible crude protein (DCP) ratio, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen retention and weight gain were lower (P < 0.05; 0.01) in 700 g/kg UTST than in 0 and 350 g/kg UTST. Intakes of crude protein, non-fibre carbohydrates and DCP, nitrogen balance and volatile fatty acid decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing level of UTST in the diets, but ruminal pH, NH3-N and total nitrogen increased (P < 0.01) with increasing rate of UTST. Feed/gain ratio and urinary nitrogen were higher (P < 0.01) for 700 g/kg UTST compared to 0 and 350 g/kg UTST. A dietary inclusion level of 350 g/kg UTST (replacing 50% of DBG) in the diet was the most suitable level for goats under the current experimental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. oaolafadehan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olurotimi Ayobami
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Olafadehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwatosin Folashade
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Adebayo
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004063:Digestion; D002523:Edible Grain; D006041:Goats / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism*; D045868:Sorghum
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Ensiling; Goats; Nutritive value; Threshed sorghum top; Urea treatment