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The Reproductive Performance of Native Does Fed Varying Levels of fresh ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de wit) Leaves with Concentrate Supplementation
Thesis Abstract:
The study aimed to determined the effects of feeding varying levels of ipil-ipil leaves on the reproductive performance of native does.
Conducted for one year, the study used a randomized complete block (RCB) scheme. Thirty-five regularly cycling goals were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, with seven does per treatment. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding fresh ipil-ipil leaves at different levels (0, 19.0, 37.5, 56.0, and 75.0%) of equivalent dry matter (DM) to breeding does supplemented with 25 percent DM concentrate. Goats were likewise fed with napier grass to satisfy the 75 percent DM roughage allowance. Total dry matter offered to goats was 3.5 percent of their body weights.
The results indicated that breeding does fed with 56 and 75 percent DM ipil-ipil leaves consumed significantly (P<0.05) less dry matter, but the intake of crude protein was appreciably higher. Hence, they imparted heavier daily and total liveweight gains than those fed with 0, 19.0, ond 37.5 percent DM ipil-ipil leaves, Likewise, feeding high levels of fresh ipil-ipil leaves (up to 75% DM) to breeding does demonstrated no adverse effect on their reproductive functions based on the regularity of the estrus cycle (21.2 + 1.9 days, range: 18-26 days), estrus duration (3.0 + 1.1 days, range 1.5-6.0 days), number of services per conception (1.1. range: 1-2), gestation period (146 days, range: 144-148 days), kidding rate (1.5 range: 1.1-1.7), kid viability (range: 79-100%), and the pre-weaning growth rates of single and twin-birth kids.