Acceptability of Gliricidia sepium as Protein Supplement to Panicum maximum by West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in Sierra Leone

Acceptability of Gmelina arborea, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala by WAD goats was determined using pen feeding system for 12 days at Njala University, Sierra Leone between April and May 2016 to identify a protein supplement (s) for sustainable year round intensive keeping of goats. Feeding in two rounds in a hourly period per feed (concentrate-Panicum maximum-fresh and dry Leucaena-fresh and dry Gliricidia-fresh and dry Gmelina) for six days of round one and (fresh and dry Gliricidia-fresh and dry Gmelina- fresh and dry Leucaena- concentrate-Panicum maximum) for another six days of round two, the initial average weight of the animals (11.6 kg) increased to 12.3 kg after 6 days of round one experimental period. The final average weight of the animals was 12.9 kg on the 12th day of round two of the acceptability feeding trial. The purpose of the trial being to compose a ration that would meet the protein requirements of the microbes and the animal for maintenance and production in the intensive system, the protein value of the diet calculated as 145.1g/kg DM (14.51 %), and the protein content of the tree leaves above 20 %, acceptability (coefficient of preference 1) of any of the tree foliages shows higher prospect as protein supplement The behavioral and intake studies showed that fresh Gmelina arborea and Leucaena leucocephala were the most preferred tree leaves with average dry matter intake (DMI) of 0.5 and 0.2 kg and coefficient of preference (COP) of 1.3 and 1.4 respectively. The DMI of dry Gmelina arborea and Leucaena leucocephala were 0.9 kg and 0.5 kg which were lesser than the fresh forms. Fresh and dry Gliricidia sepium gave the least DMI (0 kg and 0 kg) and COP of (0 and 0) ways to enhance the highest acceptability must be explored. The study then concluded that Gmelina arborea and Leucaena leucocephala were the most preferred tree foliages for WAD goats in the latter part of the dry season.