Rumen characteristics and thermo-physiological response of West African Dwarf goats supplemented with pineapple waste and cassava peel concentrates

The study was conducted to evaluate the rumen characteristics and thermo physiological response of West African Dwarf goats fed pineapple waste and cassava peel concentrate in Anyigba, Kogi State. Twelve growing West African Dwarf goats with average weight 4-5±0.05 kg and approximately 4 to 6 months of age were randomly allotted four (4) dietary treatments with three animals per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. The rations were 50% ensiled pineapple waste + 50% concentrate, 60% ensiled pineapple waste + 40% concentrate, 70% ensiled pineapple waste + 30% concentrate and 80% ensiled pineapple waste + 20% concentrate respectively. Rumen fluid was collected from the goats at the end of the 60 days feeding trial. The data collected were pH, ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA). Results obtained indicated that rumen parameters; TVFA, propionic acid, acetic acid, and ammonia nitrogen were not significantly different (p>0.05) among dietary treatments except pH and butyric acid. Bacteria count was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments while protozoa and fungi count were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments with higher values in 60:40 and 80:20 inclusion levels. The result of the thermo-physiological response showed that rectal temperature observed ranged between 32.27 and 38.65°C. Supplemented group fed 60:40 ration had the highest rectal temperature than other treatments. The pulse rate values ranged between 63.25 and 77.75 beats per minute whereby 60:40 fed group also had the highest pulse rate (77.75 beats /min). It can be concluded that the inclusion of pineapple waste supplements and cassava peel concentrate in the diets of West African Dwarf Goat has the potential for optimum rumen ecology with no detrimental effect on the health status of goats. Therefore, ensiled pineapple waste and cassava peel concentrate supplementation of inclusion level at 60:40 to 80:20 levels could be used as an alternative feed material in the diet of growing WAD goats for improved rumen ecology.