Feeding Moringa olifeira Meal to Sudanese Desert Goats and its impacts on Milk Yield and Composition in North Kordofan, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in North Kordofan State, Sudan with the objective of studying impacts of feeding Moringa oleifeira meal (MOM) feed intake, milk production, composition and weight of Sudanese Desert goats and kids. Four groups at second parity, weighing 25 ±0.750 kg each with single kid were individually penned with feeding and drinking troughs. The first group was fed cut natural grazing (NG) while the second, third and forth groups were supplemented with 300, 400g MOM and 250g of a ration respectively. The milk was measured daily in the morning and evening from one teat and the kids suckled the other. Supplementation increased feed intake significantly (P<0.01). The goats consumed 1100, 1250, 1260 and 1000g DM when they were offered NG alone, supplemented with 300g, 400g MOM and 250g of the ration, respectively. Milk yield also significantly (P<0.01) increased upon supplementation. Daily production was 0.500, 1.775, 2.012 liter for NG, supplemented with 300, 400 g MOM and 250g ration, respectively. Milk had higher fat from goats supplemented with a ration; higher milk protein from consuming NG alone and higher lactose when goats were offered 300 or 400g MOM. Non-fat solids content was similar in milk from all groups. Live body weight was the highest in the group supplemented with 400g MOM followed by those on 300g MOM, 250 g ration and finally those on the NG only. The respective daily weight gain was 152.6, 145, 130 and 10g. Kids' weight gain was 23.24g in the group of NG, 55, 67.9 and, 95.5g for those on 300, 400g MOM and a ration respectively. It was concluded that supplementation with Moringa olifeira meal positively affected feed intake, weight gain and milk yield of goats. More studies are needed to determine best levels of MOM supplementation