DefinePK

Abstract

The research aimed to discover the effect of Tithonia diversifolia (TD) and Pennisetum purpureum (PP)-based ration on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility and milk yield of Etawa crossbreed dairy goat. Sixteen Etawa crossbreed dairy goats in the second month of lactation with live weight 60-70kg were the object in this study. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with 4 treatments and 4 replications for each treatment. The treatments were as follows: A=20% fermented palm frond (FPF) + 16% Tithonia diversifolia (TD) + 64% Pennisetum purpureum (PP), B=20% FPF + 32% TD + 48% PP, C=20% FPF + 48% TD + 32% PP and D=20% FPF + 64% TD + 16% PP. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and the Duncan’s s Multiple Range Test. The parameters examined were nutrient intake including dry matter and organic matter; protein intake; nutrient digestibility which cover dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), cellulose; hemicellulose digestibility; and milk yield. The results of the experiment showed that the combination of 64% T. diversifolia and 16% P. purpureum increased nutrient intake (P<0.05) while dry matter intake increased 2.57-3.01kg/head/day, organic matter 2.32-2.67kg/head/day and protein intake 0.32-0.48kg/head/day. Nutrient digestibility and milk yield were non-significantly different (P>0.05), although the rise of T. diversifolia did not decline nutrient digestibility and milk production. This study concluded that the combination of 64% T. diversifolia and 16% P. purpureum resulted in the best nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, and milk yield of Etawa Crossbreed Dairy Goat.