INFLUENCE OF VARYING RATIOS OF PANICUM (Panicum maximum): CENTRO (Centrosema pascorum) MIXTURES ON VOLUNTARY FEED INTAKE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN BALANCE IN RED SOKOTO Bucks

The feeding value of mixtures of Panicum maximum and Centrosema pascorum were investigated with Red Sokoto goats, by feeding with  Panicum: Centro  hay at different ratios of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50, respectively. Four mature bucks of 13.12kg body weight were used in a 4 X 4 Latin square design, during which feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization were monitored. Significant (P<0.05) difference in basal diet intake was observed, with animals fed 50:50 diet (166.88g/day) having higher value than 60:40 (151.25g/day). There was no statistical difference between 70:30 and 80:20. Similar trend was also observed in total feed intake and dry matter intake. The crude protein (CP) digestibility for 60:40 (58.16g/day) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than 50:50 (61.85g/day) and 70:30 (56.24g/day) which were statistically similar and higher than 80:20 (54.39g/day), which recorded least value. The crude fibre (CF) digestibility statistically (P<0.05) decreased across treatments from 50:50 (65.72g/day) to 80:20 (57.67g/day). Nitrogen intake was significantly (P< 0.05) affected by dietary treatment, with 50:50 having higher N intake (7.76g/day), which decreased to  6.12g/day with decrease in Panicum in the basal diet in animals fed 80:20 basal diet. N intake were statistically (P<0.05) higher in animals fed 50:50 (9.76g/day) and the least was in 80:20 (7.12g/day).  Both nitrogen retained, nitrogen absorbed and nitrogen retained as percent of intake for 50:50 were significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to all other treatments, with 80:20 recording the least value. It can be concluded that feeding 50:50 and 60:40 P. maximum to Centrosema mixture produced the best result in terms of nutrient intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance in Red Sokoto bucks.