RESUMO
The study investigated the potentials of dried cabbage waste meal (DCWM) on growth performance, blood biochemical characteristics, physiological indices, and economics of production of weaned pigs. Ninety crossbred (Large white X Landrace; 8.01 ± 0.18 kg body weight) clinically certified weaned pigs of equal sexes were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing DCWM. Each treatment consisted of 18 pigs replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 (control diet) contained no DCWM whereas diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg levels of inclusion of DCWM, respectively, replacing parts of the feed. The study lasted for 8-weeks. Feed and water were available ad-libitum. Average daily feed intake (715.76-780.03 g/d) increased (p < 0.05) while average daily weight (294.17-301.74 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (2.39-2.65) were similar (p > 0.05). White blood cell (12.11-14.62 × 109/L), lymphocytes (62.93-70.30%), Uric acid (7.74-9.99 mmol/L), HDL (0.89-1.27 mmol/L) and K (130.90-145.72 mmol/L) concentrations increased (p < 0.05) whereas cholesterol (2.30-5.06 mmol/L) and triglyceride (0.33-0.87 mmol/L) concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) in response to increased DCWM in the diets. Total cost of feeding ($17.96-20.89) reduced (p < 0.05) while gross benefits ($48.97-52.30) were significantly better (p < 0.05) for pigs fed 100, 150 and 200 g/kg DCWM compared to those fed 0 and 50 g/kg diets. DCWM in pig diets up to 200 g/kg had positive influence on blood cholesterol and economics of production.
RESUMO
Ruminant production in West Africa faces both qualitative and quantitative feeding constraints during the dry season and animal diseases in smallholder farms. High-protein legume seeds can represent an alternative and sustainable feed that could enhance animal performance. The use of legume beans, limited by their anti-nutritional factor contents, can be improved through different detoxification methods. The study evaluated the effects of processed velvet beans compared to raw velvet beans on the nutritive value of the beans, nutrient intakes, growth performance, and blood profile in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Four diets were tested, including 22.22% of raw velvet beans (RW diet), soaked beans (SK diet), boiled beans (BL diet), or roasted beans (RT diet). Twenty WAD goats of 6.85 ± 0.93 kg of body weight were divided equally into 4 groups and fed one of the four experimental diets. The processing method affects the crude protein content of velvet beans; in particular, tannin content was reduced with soaking or boiling. Dry matter and nutrient intakes resulted significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the SK diet compared to the control. Daily weight gain was highest in SK and RT diets and lowest in BL and the control diets RW. Therefore, the FCR was highest in BL and lowest in SK diets. In addition, SK diet showed the lowest feeding cost (1046.70 XOF/kg WG in SK). Our study revealed that processed velvet beans obtained using simple methods (e.g., soaking, boiling, or roasting) could be used as low-cost protein supplements in smallholder farms to enhance goats' performance. The soaking method appears the simplest and cheapest process that smallholder farmers can easily use to enhance goats' productivity and improve their livelihoods.
