Effects of Feeding Alysicarpus Monilifer Fodder of bucks on Feed Intake and Performance (Desert Goats) in Elobeid- Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted at the University of Kordofan in El-obeid during the period from 2017with the objective of studying the effects of consumption of Alysicarpus monilifer ( fraisha) hay on Desert goatbucks. Twelve bucks of at 6-7 months with an average weight of 14 kg were divided into three similar groups each with four animals. The animals were vaccinated against endemic diseases and were drenched with a broad spectrum anthelementics for the control of internal and external parasites. They were also ear-tagged for identification during treatments. The first group was fed natural grazing free of Alysicarpus monilifer ( fraisha), the second consumed groundnut haulms while the third consumed Alysicarpus monilifer( fraisha) hay. After observing the cases of deadly diarrhea with the first group, the feeding pattern was modified with 50% natural grazing. Water was provided continuously. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and once every week to the end of the experiment. The last ten days were considered as the digestibility trial where feed intake, feces voided and their chemical composition were obtained and apparent nutrients digestibility coefficients were calculated. Chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility were conducted according to the methods described by the AOAC,(2000). The experimental design was a complete randomized design and the data were analyzed using the analysis of variance and the detection of differences between the coefficients using less significant difference (LSD). The results showed that feeding Alysicarpus monilifer ( fraisha) alone resulted in fatal diarrhea in bucks, although it did not lead to a decrease in consumption, and that the dry matter and organic matter digestibility was low for A monilifer group compared to the NG and groundnut haulms. The daily average weight gain was higher for the group on groundnut haulms followed for those on NG and finally for the group that was offered A monilifer mixed with the natural grazing. The daily weight gain reached to 45.300,23.450and11.250 grams per a day for groundnut haulms, natural grazing plus A monilifer and A monilifer alone due to diarrhea cases. The study concluded that A monilifer was highly palatable though it caused detrimental diarrhea. The study recommended further analysis to determine the components of that caused diarrhea and better use for this hay.