NUTRIENT INTAKE AND DIGE STIBILITY OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF Leucaena leucocephala LEAF AS SUPPLEMENT TO CRAB GRASS (Digitata horizontalis)

Abstract

The study was Carried out to Evaluate the Nutritional Potentials of Sun Dried Leucaena leucocephala Leaves in the Diets of Growing Red Sokoto Bucks. Sixteen (16) Growing Red Sokoto Bucks averagely 8–9Months of age with an average Weight of 10-11 kg ± 0.5 were used for the Study. Four Treatment Diets (0%, 5%, 10% and 15% Leucaena leucocephala) were Formulated, Designated as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. The Experimental Bucks were weighted at the Beginning of the Experiment and Weekly Thereafter and Feed Intake Recorded Daily. The Experiment was a Complete Randomized Designed (CRD) Experiment. The experiment lasted for a Period of sixty three (63) days after an adjustment period of fourteen (14) days. The data Collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance. The result revealed a Significant (p<0.05) different in Dry Matter and Nutrients Intake and Digestibility, Total Weight Gain was Significantly, (p<0.05) Higher in Bucks Fed Treatment 4 (2.26kg). Higher Total Feed Intake (824.50g) (818.23g) in Bucks fed Treatments T₁ and T₂ respectively with the Lowest (803.75g) in Treatment 4. Better Feed Utilization was recorded in experimental bucks fed T₄ with 0.35. Conclusively, Leucaena leucocephala leaves contain adequate nutrients required by growing Red Sokoto Goats andInclusion of Leucaena leucocephala at 15% in the Diets of Red Sokoto Goats Improved Nutrient Digestibility of the Animals.