Effect of molasses level on intake and in vivo digestibility of ricestraw treated with urea in West African Dwarf goat (Caprahircus)

Small ruminants in sub-Saharan Africa depend on natural pasture and crop residues for the long dry season. These areas are faced with seasonal dry periods in which the quality and availability of the pastures decreases leading to an imbalance of essential nutrients resulting in low feed intake and poor performance (Pamo et al., 2007; Tendonkeng et al., 2016; Tendonkeng et al., 2018). Cereals in general, and especially rice, are not only the staple food for people in sub-Saharan Africa (Sohl, 2005), but they also produce large quantities of crop residues that are abandoned or burnt in the fields (Yaningzhang et al., 2012). Rational exploitation of these crop residues can be a promising way to overcome the quantitative and qualitative forage deficit especially during the long dry periods.Although, it is low in quality and feeding it alone does not provide enough nutrients to the small ruminants to maintain high production levels. The high level of lignifications and limited ruminal degradation of the carbohydrates and the low content of nitrogen are the main deficiencies of the rice straw affecting its value as feed for ruminants (Tendonkeng et al., 2016; Tendonkeng et al., 2018).