.

A sixty-three day feeding trial was conducted to assess the dietary value of ensiled
ammoniated Cajanus cajan haulms in West African Dwarf goats’ diets. Twenty (20) WAD goats
were randomly distributed such that four goats were allotted to diets of varying levels of Panicum
maximum and ensiled ammoniated Cajanus cajan haulms at ratio A) 100:0 B) 75:25 C) 50:50 D)
25:75 E) 0:100 in a completely randomized design. Parameters assessed include; nutrient and
anti-nutrient constituents of untreated Cajanus cajan haulms (UCC), treated Cajanus cajan haulms
(TCC) and Panicum maximum (PM), feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen retention and weight gain.
The protein value (15.62g/100g) of ensiled ammoniated Cajanus cajan was enhanced by
fermentation and this was higher than the values observed in UCC (7.49g/100g) and PM (8.43g/
100g). The protein quality of diets B, C, D and E was enhanced by the inclusion of the ensiled
ammoniated Cajanus cajan haulms in the diets. The concentrations of secondary metabolites
considered were higher in UCC haulms compared to TCC haulms. The nutrients and anti-nutrients
intake values were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the treatment, however, the dry matter
intake decreased with increasing supplementation from diet B to E. The apparent digestibility
values of the nutrients were favourable and it implied that the diets contained enough dietary
protein that enhanced the digestion of the experimental diets. The highest values of dry matter
intake (339.42g/day), nitrogen retention (6.36g/day), weight gain (15.40g/day) and feed/gain ratio
(22.04) were observed in goats fed 75% Panicum maximum and 25 % ensiled ammoniated Cajanus
cajan haulms. It was concluded that supplementation of Panicum maximum with ammoniated
Cajanus cajan haulms silage in goats ration would be a valuable source of protein and energy
supplement; and purposeful outlet for better utilization of crop residues.