Protein and Energy Requirements of Pre-weaned West African Dwarf Goats Fed Soyabean Diet as a Replacement for Milk in a Tropical Environment

Twenty-one early-weaned West African dwarf goats weighing between 1.0 and 1.5 kg at birth were used to assess the protein and energy requirement of pre-weaned West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed soyabean diet. Three isonitrogenous diets (24%) were prepared such that dried whole-milk protein was replaced by corn starch and soyabean concentrate protein at 0.0%, 25.0% and 50.0% levels such that a 14.5% total solid solution was obtained for each diet. Results indicated that a daily digestible energy (expressed as kcal/day/W0.75 kg) intake of 58.2, 63.7, 98.5 and 114.6 kcal was required for maintenance, while a corresponding value of 7.37, 4.50, 2.18 and 1.91 kcal was required per day per gram live weight gain by the kids at 4, 6, 9 and 13weeks old, respectively. Similarly, a digestible crude protein (DCP) intake of 3.59 g/day/W0.75 kg) appeared to be adequate for maintenance of the kids between 0 and 13 weeks, while 0.34 g/day/W0.75 kg of DCP intake was required per day per gram live weight.