Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the impact of introducing Saccharomyces cerevisiae with or without molasses in a diet based on rice husk on the health status of goats. Thirty (30) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with mean weight of 10.46 ± 0.06 kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of six goats per treatment in a completely randomized design experiment for 84 days. The goats were fed five formulated diets of rice husks anaerobically fermented for 7days with S. cerevisiae with or without molasses at graded levels. Nutrient composition of feed, daily nutrient intake, apparent digestibility coefficients, weekly weight gain/change by the goats were evaluated. At the end of the feeding trial, faeces, urine and blood samples were collected and analysed using standard procedures. The efficacy of the diet containing a combination of S. cerevisiae and molasses in ratio 1:1 as a feed additive, coupled with fermentation was proven by the concomitant reduction in fibre content. All the growth criteria (feed intake, live weight gain and feed conversion ratio), blood profiles and serum minerals measured favoured goats fed this Diet 3. No mortality was recorded during the trial. Conclusively, introducing S. cerevisiae with molasses at equi-ratio nutritionally enhances optimal rice husk utilization in goats’ nutrition and supported productive performance and their health status.