INFLUENCE OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA INOCULANTS AS ADDITIVE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENTS UTILIZATION OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT FED GRASS-LEGUME SILAGE
This study evaluated the effects of grass-legume silage fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on growth performance and nutrient utilisation of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Sixteen growing bucks (5 – 6 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments in a completely randomised design: T1 (control, no inoculants), T2 (Lactobacillus plantarum), T3 (Lactobacillus acidophilus), and T4 (combined inoculants). The silage was prepared from Pennisetum pedicellatum (60 %), Mucuna pruriens (30 %), and cassava peel (10 %), and fed for 84 days. LAB inoculation improved silage quality, as shown by lower pH (4.40 – 4.50), higher dry matter, and increased crude protein, particularly in the combined inoculants treatment. Fibre fractions (ADF and NDF) were reduced, indicating enhanced digestibility and nutrient availability. Dry matter intake differed significantly (p<0.05), with the highest intake recorded in goats fed the combined LAB silage, suggesting improved palatability. However, growth performance parameters, including final weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio, were not significantly affected (p>0.05). Nutrient digestibility showed significant differences in crude fibre and dry matter digestibility among treatments, while crude protein and ether extract digestibility were not significantly influenced. Ash digestibility was highest in the control group. Nitrogen utilisation did not differ significantly, although LAB-treated silages showed improved nitrogen retention. In conclusion, LAB inoculation, particularly the combination of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, enhanced silage quality, feed intake and some digestibility parameters without significantly affecting growth performance.
Keywords: Silage, nutrient utilisation, WAD goats, lactic acid bacteria.
