Effect of treating rice husk with Aspergillus niger on the feed intake and digestibility of West African dwarf goat (Capci hircus)

Effect of feed intake and digestibility of fungus-treated rice husks on growing goats was determined. Sixteen West African dwarf goats (Av. Initial body weight = 4.85kg) in a completely randomized design model with 56 days period consumed untreated rice husk control diet A (30%) inclusion level of non fungal treated rice husk) and fungal treated rice husk diets B (10%), C (20%) and D (30%). Total crude protein intake increased (P<0.05) with fungal treatment of rice husk and was similar among treated diets 18.9g/d (A), 21.7g/d (B), 24.6g/d (C) and 23.6g/d (D). On the contrary, the crude fibre intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) for the fungal treated diets than the control (diet A). Total dry matter digestibility in the last week of the trial ranked (P<0.05), B(76.6%) >D(75.4%) >C (74.6%) and >A (69.7%). Crude protein and crude fibre digestibilities increased (P<0.05) for the treated diets than for diet A (control). Live weight gain was greater (P<0.05) for diet C, greater (P<0.05) for D than A (control). Dry matter intake: weight gain was greater (P<0.05) with than without fungal treatment. Inclusion of Aspergillus niger treated rice husk in growing goat diet result in high digestibility of organic matter and better weight gain by the animals.