Abstract 39

Nouwakpo,-F; Codjo,-AB; Sekpe,-C

Universite Nationale du Benin, Faculte des Sciences Agronomiques, Departement de Production Animale et Agronutrition, Section Zootechnie, Cotonou, Benin.

Goat production in the humid tropics. Proceedings of a workshop at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 20-24 July 1987 [edited by Smith, O.B.; Bosman, H.G.]. 1988, 76-82; 3 ref. Wageningen, Netherlands; Pudoc.

For 18 weeks, 12 West African Dwarf goats were fed on natural pasture without or with supplements of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium or brewers' grains (groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Daily DM intake of supplements was 69.1 ñ 4.3, 8.7 ñ 0.4 and 163.5 ñ 0.9 g for groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Goats lost weight and then gained weight. Average daily weight gain was 8.0 ñ 0, 20.0 ñ 1.3, 12.4 ñ 0.5 and 24.4 ñ 1.5 g for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Changes in thoracic girth were 1.8 ñ 0, 5.1 ñ 0.2, 3.8 ñ 0.2 and 5.7 ñ 0.3 cm, respectively, and changes in height at withers were 1.6 ñ 0, 2.9 ñ 0.5, 2.1 ñ 0.1 and 2.5 ñ 0.4 cm. It is concluded that natural pasture alone is not adequate for growth in goats, Brewers' grains was the most effective supplement and is recommended to goat keepers living near industrial centres, and L. leucocephala is suitable in rural areas.