Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Semethon David Amosu, Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, Email: amosudave2013@gmail.com
Online published on 20 July, 2020.
Thirty pregnant primiparous does which consist of 15 KalaWAD Crossbred (Kalahari Red x West African Dwarf) and 15 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used in this study to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder supplementation and breed on the performance characteristics. The goats were subjected to 3 dietary treatments of basal concentrate diet (TU0), basal concentrate diet + 2g/kg turmeric powder (TU2) and basal diets +5g/kg turmeric powder (TU5) with 5 animals/breed/treatment in a 2x3 factorial arrangement. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. The final weight, weight within 24hours post kidding, net weight gain and daily weight gain (g/day) were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by the breed of the goats, while turmeric powder inclusion at 2g/kg significantly (p< 0.05) influenced the net weight change of the goats. The interactive effect of breed and inclusion level revealed that KalaWAD does fed TU2 had significant higher value (80.96g/day) for daily weight gain. It could be concluded that KalaWAD does had better overall growth performance than WAD while turmeric powder inclusion at 2g/kg had the best daily weight gain during gestation period.
Gestation, Goats, Kalahari red, Parturition, Post kidding, Primiparous, Weight gain
