Effects of Feeding Sun-Dried Yellow Cashew Pulp Based Diets on Performance, Dry Matter and Nutrient Digestibility of West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

A study was conducted to study the effects of feeding sun-dried cashew pulp based diets on performance, dry matter and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf goats. Twenty growing goats of about 6-7 months, having an average initial weight of 6.42kg were randomly assigned to the treatments; each treatment had five experimental units. Four diets containing 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30% dried yellow cashew pulp coded as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄, respectively, were compared. Completely randomized design was used in all the experiments. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means that were significantly different were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD). None of the performance parameter was significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of sun-dried cashew pulp meal. However, crude fibre and ether extract were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of sun-dried yellow cashew pulp. This study indicated that sun-dried cashew pulp can be fed to WAD goats up to 30% level of inclusion in diets without an adverse effect on them. Inclusion of cashew pulp sun-dried to the tone of 30% will also provide a cheaper source of feed and also help to reduce environmental pollution since the study area is known to be the highest cashew producing state in Nigeria and the pulp unlike the seed are left to waste during its season. The use of cashew pulp in livestock diet is therefore advocated.