Concentrate replacement with Daniellia oliveri foliage in goat diets

To evaluate the effect of partial replacement of a concentrate with Daniellia oliveri (DO) foliage on voluntary intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization, ruminal fermentation, and growth performance, twenty-four male goats (11.50 ± 0.52 kg live weight (LW)) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment diets in a completely randomized design. Increased levels of DO foliage (0, 250, and 500 g/kg on dry matter (DM) basis) were used to substitute the concentrate diet (control). Intakes of DM, crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM) and condensed tannins, nutrient digestibility, digestible OM fermented in the rumen, microbial protein supply, purine derivative excretion, ruminal pH, N retention, and average daily gain were greater (P < 0.05) for the DO diets than for the control diet. Cost/kg LW gain, DM digestibility, digestible DM, ruminal NH₃-N and total N, and fecal, urinary, and total N excretion were greater (P < 0.05) in the control than in the DO diets. Digestible OM was lower (P < 0.05) for 250 g/kg concentrate replacement relative to 0 and 500 g/kg replacements. Digestible CP, energy concentrations, and volatile fatty acids were greater for 500 g/kg concentrate replacement compared with 0 and 250 g/kg concentrate replacements. In conclusion, concentrate replacement with 500 g/kg DO foliage improved goat performance.