Studies on the utilization of brewers' dried grains by sheep and goats: 1. Growth studies

Forty-eight West African Dwarf sheep and goats (twenty-four each) averaging 11 kg body weight and 8 months of age, were alloted in groups of eight to six rations containing 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% brewers' dried grain (BDG) which were fed ad libitum together with 0.5kg/head/day fresh forage in a feeding trial lasting twenty-five weeks. In both species of animals, 15% and 30% BDG diets did not affect growth rate, feed efficiency and intake. Beyond these levels, growth rate and feed efficiency declined. While consumption rate of the goats increased as BDG % in diet increased, the reverse is the case with the sheep. The results suggest 30% as the optimum level at which BDG could be incorporated into sheep and goats diets