Evaluation of arid region browse species from north eastern Nigeria using pen fed goats.

Four 18-26 months old castrated Borno whitexSokoto Red goats were used in a 4x4 Latin square design to measure the dry matter intake (DMI), daily body weight change and dry matter digestibility (DMD) of four native Nigerian browse species, (Ziziphus spinochrist, Wild., Acacia albida, Del., Sterculia satigera, Guill. and Anogeissus licocarpus, Guill.) native to the semi-arid regions. The mean DMI of Z. spinochrist, Wild. and A. albida, Del. were similar but higher than for S. satigera, Guill. and A. licocarpus, Guill. The DMD of A. licocarpus,Guill. was lower (p<0.05) than for Z. spinochrist, Wild., Acacia licocarpus, Del. or S. satigera, Guill. The lowest body weight gain recorded was for A. licocarpus, Guill.; this was attributed to the larger amount of fibre in the forage resulting in a slow rate of cell wall degradation and rumen digestibility. Goats showed no visual signs of toxicosis. This study suggests that A. albida, Del. has the highest forage value for goats followed by Z. spinochrist, Wild., S. satigera, Guill. and A. licocarpus, Guill. Potentially the species examined can provide feed for goats as well as for other small ruminants during long dry periods when other feed is unavailable.