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Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization by goats fed water hyacinth (WH) based diets. The chemical composition of experimental diets was determined. Apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and total digestible nutrients by WAD goats were also determined. Twenty (20) female WAD goats between the ages of 1- 1.5 years months weighing 9.18 – 11.8 kg were used for the digestibility trial. Four animals were allotted to each of 5 treatments in a completely randomized design. Parameters measured include: apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, nitrogen balance and retention, total digestible nutrients.
Results revealed that the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein decreased with increasing level of WH in the diets, however the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein were similar for goats on 0% and 30% WH diets, while there were significant variations among 45%, 60% and 90% WH diets. Same trend was observed for nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, nitrogen balance and retention, total digestible nutrients.
It is concluded that in diets based on Guinea grass the maximum level of sun-cured water hyacinth in diets for growing goats is 30%.
Keywords: apparent digestibility, chemical composition, nitrogen balance, nitrogen retention, total digestible,