Abstract:
This study investigated the
effects of feeding selected farm residues on
the growth performance, nutrient
digestibility, and nitrogen balance of West
African dwarf (WAD) bucks. A total of 16
bucks aged 16–18 months and weighing
14.45 ± 0.78 kg were randomly assigned to 4
dietary treatments: control, cacao pod shells
(T1); peanut shells (T2), corn cobs (T3), and
mixed residues of cacao pod shells, peanut
shells, and corn cobs in equal proportions
(T4). This study spanned 92 days, during
which feed intake, weight gain, digestibility,
and nitrogen utilisation were evaluated. The
T2 diet significantly enhanced growth
performance, with the highest final weight
(19.8 ± 0.20 kg), weight gain (5.30 ± 0.15 kg),
and average daily gain (57.6 ± 1.2 g/day). The
nutrient intake and digestibility were also
highest in the T2 group, with a crude protein
intake of 131 g/day and crude protein
digestibility of 78.2%. Similarly, nitrogen
retention was greatest in T2 bucks (13.7 ± 0.4
g/day), reflecting efficient protein utilisation.
The findings suggest that peanut shells are a
highly digestible and nutrient-rich feed
resource, offering significant advantages over
the control and other treatments. By
improving growth rates, feed efficiency, and
nitrogen balance, peanut shells provide a
cost-effective and sustainable solution for
smallholder farmers facing feed shortages.
These results support the adoption of farm
residues as alternative feed resources to
enhance the productivity and economic
viability of small ruminant farming systems
in West Africa.
