The Importance of Some Sahelian Browse Species as Feed for Goats

摘要: Browse species contribute substantially to the availability of feed for livestock in Sahelian zone Burkina Faso. This study aimed identify most appreciated and utilized browse species, evaluate their potential fodder production nutritive value, test possibility using them intensive animal production. In first experiment behaviour cattle, sheep goats was studied a survey undertaken area estimate indigenous knowledge utilisation by ruminants. second experiment, Acacia senegal, Guiera senegalensis Pterocarpus lucens, that were found be well utilized, estimating phenological variation over time edible biomass production, total directly accessible (0.87 m), (1.65 m) or cattle (1.47 m). Biomass also estimated dendrometric parameters. The chemical composition (leaves green pods) determined third followed measurement voluntary intake apparent digestibility leaves pods (except G. senegalensis) goats. Their effect A. senegal leaves) on growth, carcass characteristics parasite resistance evaluated fourth feeding browses ad libitum with fixed amount bran hay compared control diet containing cottonseed cake. farmers classified according availability, several other usages. activities all decreased from rainy dry season, decline while resting ruminating increasing at same time. Cattle browsed litter) during whole period around 5% spent pasture. Sheep made shift grazing browsing (28% 52% pasture, respectively, goats) when herbaceous decreased. P. lucens started foliation phase as soon rains started, lost earlier. proportion higher senegalensis, but had biomass. Goats height more disposal than sheep, although similar three species. crown diameter predicted crude protein (CP) content 114, 157 217 g/kg matter (DM) neutral detergent fibre 604, 534 412 DM respectively. highest (864 g) lowest (397 g). Pods consumed lucens. digestibilities CP, nutrients pods. fed showed growth rate (56 g/day) (24 g/day). weight, dressing percentage weight primal cuts pods, diet. conclusion, can recommended supplemental poor quality roughages.