Effects of Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala supplementary feeding on goat production in Cameroon

The study of the effect of Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala supplementary feeding multipurpose leguminous tree (MPLT) on goat production in Cameroon was conducted at Dschang University research farm on 24 West African dwarf goats of 2–3 years of age, each in the dry season (November 2001 to April 2002) and rainy season (March to September 2003). At the beginning, two bucks were introduced to the herd for 2 months and breeding allowed. The males were removed thereafter and the herd divided in two groups. One group was subjected to supplementary feeding with C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala leaves harvested in the morning, mixed in equal quantities by weight and distributed at the rate of 800 g per goat and per day. The other group not supplemented, thus served as control. Animals were weighed at the beginning of the supplementation, before kidding, after kidding and every 2 weeks until weaning. Supplementation reduced the incidence of abortion and increased the overall yield of kid per animal. During the 3 months postpartum period, the body weight decreased as compared to that recorded at parturition but the supplemented goats continued to have 11–15% more body weight than their respective control during the dry season whereas during the rainy season the difference between supplemented and non-supplemented goats were not so elaborated. This indicates the effect of the scope and importance of the supplementation for those animals particularly during the dry season. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.