Research Results - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

kidded at the tasseling stage of the maize. After
the tasseling stage, one leaf per plant was
stripped and used as the sole diet for the two
does. The diet was adequate for maintenance
and production because of a high crude protein
content of 12% and dry matter digestibility of
64%. The stripping or defoliation did not affect
grain yield, yet it provided 300kg dry matter or
sufficient forage ad lib for two does for 90 days.
After 90 days the does were dried off and put on
maize stover from the quarter hectare for 60
days.
Leucaena
Kenya and many other tropical countries
are looking for a cheap source of protein for
feeding livestock. Limited cash is available for
purchase of protein-rich concentrates. High
protein forages are an alternative which farmers
can grow on their own plots. Leucaena (Leucaena
leucxephala) is a tropical leguminous tree and is
a very promising animal feedstuff. In some
locations it has deleterious side effects of toxicity
which is due to the amino acid, mimosine. Eight
crossbred goat bucklings with a mean birth
weight of 3.5 kg were used to ascertain potential
toxicity of leucaena. Four bucklings were
randomly allocated to each of two feeding
treatments: fresh leucaena only or pasture
(control). This trial was based on the hypothesis
that goats exposed to no other forage than
leucaena from birth will develop mimosine DHP
(3-hydroxy-4-1(H)-pyridone)-degrading microbes.
The hypothesis was rejected because,
following the trial, goats on leucaena exhibited
leucaena toxicity signs, and their urine was
positive for the mimosine metabolite. The
control group of goats did not exhibit toxicity
signs. This research confirmed that goats in this
region of Kenya do not have suitable microorganisms
for degrading mimosine.
On-farm Evaluation
Table 2. Distribution of crossbred goats among the clusters.
Performance data were collected on the
crossbred goats placed in the clusters. About
150 farmers from the six clusters were involved
in continued efforts to determine the suitability
of crossbred goats and the recommended technical
packages. Farmers are visited fortnightly by
field assistants to confirm animal performance
and to document management decisions. Table
2 provides an overview of the age composition
and location of crossbred goats among the six
clusters. Performance parameters based on data
collected to date suggest:
* Lactating does yield between 0.5 to 1.2 liters
of milk per day in addition to the milk consumed
by kids. This yield occurs during a 60d
to 150d lactation period. Does were fed forages
alone.
* Kids weigh 3kg, 13kg, and 18kg at birth,
weaning, and one year of age, respectively.
Village Number Age Group
of
Farmers
1-6 7-12 1-2 Does 1-6 7-12 1-2 Bucks Total
Mon. Mon. Yrs. Mon. Mon. Yrs.
Hamisi 21 9 0 12 29 7 0 1 5 63
Masumbi 13 6 3 5 12 0 0 4 1 31
Kaimosi 18 6 3 11 25 7 1 1 8 62
Muhanda 32 11 0 0 48 20 0 0 5 84
Rabuor 27 10 2 0 43 11 10 0 9 85
Lela 10 1 0 0 15 1 3 0 3 23
Total 121 43 8 28 172 46 14 6 31 348
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