Effects of levels of inclusion of Acacia albida pods on intake and digestibility of a concentrate diet by goats

Fifteen entire male Bomo white goats aged 12.0 ± l.60 months nnd weighing between 12.5 and 14.0kg were in a S x S Latin square design experiment used to estimate he digestibility of concentrate diets containing 0 (A), 15 (B), 30 (c), 45 (D) and 60 percent E) A. albida pods. The Acacia contained (in percent dry matter) crude protein 11.7, ther extract 2.6, crude fibre 31.4, tannin 13.0, ash 13.7 and nitrogen-free extractives 37.6. The gross energy content (MJ/kg DM) was 18.2. The apparent digestion coefficients of all the nutrients in diet A were greater (P<0.05) than those in the other treatment diets. The organic matter, crude protein and crude fibre digestibility values were 73.4, 66.5, 52.6; 3.0, 57.5, 39.J; 59.2, 60.9, 39.8; 47.3, 57.J, 33.8 D.lld 46.9, 53.3, 26.3 percent respectively for diets A, B, C, D and E. Average nitrogen intake (g/day), faecal and urinary output (g/day) did not differ among the treatments. However, apparerrt nitrogen digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments. The values were 62.6, 63.6, 61.9, 59.5 and 55.0 percent for the respective dietary treatments. All the experimental animals were in positive nitrogen balance.Key words: Acacia albida, intake, digestibility, goats