FEED INTAKE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIETS CONTAINING MOMORDICA CHARANTIA LEAF POWDER

This study investigated the nutrient intake and digestibility of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets containing varying levels of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) leaf powder. Twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats with an average weight of 8-10kg were used for the study. The animals were divided into four treatments and each treatment had three replicate. The weight of the animals were balanced and allocated to the experimental treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. Experimental diets were formulated with 0, 10, 20 and 30 g/kg of Momordica charantia leaf powder, alongside a basal diet of Megathyrsus maximum and concentrate. Result revealed that inclusion of Momordica charantia leaf powder significantly increased (P < 0.05) the total intake of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre. Digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre also improved significantly (P < 0.05) with the addition of the leaf powder, particularly at the 10g/kg and 20g/kg levels. However, there were no significant effect (P > 0.05) on crude protein and ash digestibility. The findings indicated that Momordica charantia leaf powder enhanced nutrient intake and digestibility, likely due to its nutritional composition and potential laxative effects. Momordica charantia leaf powder at 10-20g/kg inclusion levels in the diet of WAD goats significantly enhances nutrient intake and digestibility, thereby potentially improving animal performance. It is recommended for use at these levels to optimize the nutritional benefits for West African Dwarf goats.