Effects of Petiveria alliacea (guinea hen weed) leaf extract on fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility and faecal worm egg count in growing West African dwarf goats

Medicinal plants are used in animal feeding as natural antimicrobial to improve nutrient utilisation and health status of animals. This study assessed the effects of varying concentration of Petiveria alliacea leaf extract (PLE) on fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilisation and faecal worm egg count of growing West African dwarf goats. Twenty- four (24) growing West African dwarf bucks with average body weight of 8.50 ± 0.55 kg were divided into four treatment groups with six bucks each in a completely randomized design. Each treatment group were administered varying concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 %) of PLE at 5 ml per animal and day and fed wilted Panicum maximum as basal feed and concentrate supplement. Results showed that oral administration of varying concentrations of PLE did not significantly (p>0.05) influence ammonia-N, pH and total volatile fatty acids concentration of the rumen fluid of the experimental goats. Dry matter intake, weight gain and dry matter digestibility were also not affected (p>0.05) by administration of PLE. Crude protein, NDF and ADF digestibility were higher (p<0.05) in goats on 0 and 2 % concentrations and lower in those administered 4 and 6 % concentrations. Urinary N and total N excretion values were lowest in goats administered 6 % concentration of PLE. Nitrogen retained (% of N intake) was highest (p<0.05) in goats administered 4 and 6% concentration of PLE. Highest reduction (55.6%) in faecal worm egg count was obtained at 6% concentration of PLE. Petiveria alliacea leaf extract could be administered to West African dwarf goats at 4 % concentration for increased nitrogen retention and at 6 % concentration as anthelminthic.