Evaluation of the effect and feasibility of pelleting Sickle bush/ Mupangara(Dischrostachys Cinerea) pods and leaves on the growth performance of weaned Mashonagoats in Ward 10, Shamva district of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Feed scarcity and poor- quality forage remain major constraints to goat productivity in semi- arid regions of Zimbabwe. DischrostachysCinerea which isabundant browse specie has a potential of becoming goat supplementary feed. However, its utilisation may be limited by presence of anti- nutritional factors such as tannins, tree height and by high fibre content. This study evaluated the effect and feasibility of pelleting D. Cinerea pods and leaves as supplementary feed for goats especially during the dry season period. Goats used in the experimental study were selected using purposive sampling as goats with specific characteristics such as age of 7 months were required. In terms of experimental design, a completely randomised design was used in which weaned growing goats were allocated to four dietary treatments. The treatments comprised of pods only, leaves only, pelleted mixture of pods and leaves (1:1) and a control dietof choppedthatch grass and maize stover at a ratio of 1:1, all these components were by weight. The feeding trial lasted for 99 days. Parameters measured included feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and economic feasibility of pelleting D. Cinerea. Goats fed on pelleted diet of D. Cinerea showed significantly higher average daily feed intake (29.7 kg) compared to those of pods only ( 21. 45kg), leaves only ( 27.12 kg), control (17.48 kg) and had the lowest feed refusal rate (mean 0.00) as compared to other diets. The control group lagged behind all the groups. The pelleted treatment resulted in the improvement of weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (Pods only ADG 0.05 kg/day, leaves only ADG 0.07 kg/day, Pellets ADG0.09 kg/day, Control ADG 0.02 kg/day) and this was relative to the control group. The findings of the study suggest that pelleting enhances feed intake and growth performance and at the same time improves practicality of using DischrostachysCinerea as a supplementary feed. D. Cinerea has a potential of becoming a cost – effective and sustainable feed resource for smallholder goat production systems mostly done in the communal areas of Zimbabwe. Further research is recommended to evaluate long- term performance and economic viability of using D. Cinerea pellets under field conditions. Moreover, the research studies should investigate the shelf life and storage stability of pellets particularly moulds growth on pellets and nutrient deterioration during storage.