THE FEED ADDITIVE EFFECT OF LEMON GRASS POWDER ON THE MACRO MINERAL BALANCE IN WAD GOATS FED GUINEA GRASS AND CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENT

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of adding Lemongrass powder as a feed additive on the macro mineral balance of West African Dwarf goats fed guinea grass and concentrate supplement. To achieve this objective, fifteen West African Dwarf goats were randomly allocated to three treatments groups using a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental diets were Treatment 1 (control) (concentrate supplement + 0% lemongrass powder), Treatment 2 (concentrate supplement + 5% lemongrass powder) and Treatment 3 (concentrate supplement + 10% lemongrass powder). The experimental diets were given for a period of thirteen weeks. The animals were put into the metabolic cages for a period of ten days for the digestibility study. The results from this study shows that Treatment 3 which is the inclusion of 10% lemongrass powder to the concentrate diet of the animal had no significant effect on the animal and no difference was seen in the macro mineral digestibility and balance between the animals fed treatment 3 and those fed treatment 1 (concentrate supplement + 0% lemongrass powder). Lemongrass powder can be included in the diets of animals if its readily available because of its numerous health benefits and aromatic properties.