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Reproductive performance of South African indigenous goats inoculated with DHP-degrading rumen bacteria and maintained on Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture and natural pasture
Author
Akingbade, A A
Nsahlai, I V
Bonsi, M L K
Morris, C D
du Toit, L P
Publisher
Small Ruminant Research
Publication Year
2001
Body

This study examined the reproductive performance of dihydroxy pyridone (DHP)-inoculated South African indigenous (SAIG) female goats maintained on two dietary treatments: (i) Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture and (ii) natural pasture prior to conception, and during gestation. Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture was nutritionally superior (crude protein and mineral elements) than the natural pasture. The average daily gain, products of pregnancy and foetal development in gravid goats raised on leucaena/grass mixture were significantly (P 60;0.03, P 60;0.009 and P 60;0.005, respectively) higher than those raised on natural pasture. Conception rate of goats fed natural pasture was higher than the band fed Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture. Leucaena/grass mixture fed goats had kids that were heavier at birth than their counterparts on natural pasture. Pre-weaning kid mortality over the period of study was significantly (P 60;0.01) higher in the Leucaena leucocephala/grass mixture treatment. Colostrum from kidded goats fed leucaena was viscous and difficult to sample. The absence of mimosine toxicity symptoms suggests a possibility of safe use of leucaena as a feed resource to DHP-inoculated SAIG.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Volume
39
Journal Number
1
Journal Pages
73-85
Collection
Southern Africa Collection
Journal Name
Small Ruminant Research
Keywords
Leuceana
natural pasture
South African indigenous goats (SAIG)
DHP-degrading rumen bacteria
reproductive performance
animal production
nutrition
Africa