@article {10.3844/ojbsci.2025.393.399,
article_type = {journal},
title = {Efficacy of Feeding Earthworm Meal-Based Diet on Feed Intake, Weight Gain, and Apparent Digestibility Coefficient of Red Sokoto Goat},
author = {Belewu, Moshood Adewale and Wong, Ling Shing and Subramaniam, Geetha and Bogoro, Elias Sulaiman and Kijsomporn, Jureerat and Belewu, Kafayat Yemisi and Okukpe, Kehinde Matthias and Oyerinde, Akeem Abolade and Sadiq, Hauwa Ohunene and Olafadehan, Olurotimi Ayobami and Ganiyu, Akeem Owolabi and Aliyu, Karimat Imam},
volume = {25},
number = {2},
year = {2025},
month = {Mar},
pages = {393-399},
doi = {10.3844/ojbsci.2025.393.399},
url = {https://thescipub.com/abstract/ojbsci.2025.393.399},
abstract = {Feed which contributes about 70-80% of the cost of feeding is one of the major problems of livestock production. Feeding nutritious feed to animals is vital for the vigor and wellbeing of livestock and human being and the nutrient it contains assist animal to grow, develop and reproduce. Hence, this study examined the impact of Earthworm Meal (EWM)-based diets on Red Sokoto goats' feed intake, digestibility, and weight gain at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Abuja in Nigeria. Thirty (30) Red Sokoto goats weighing 6-7 kg were used in the experiment. The experimental animals were randomized against the dietary Treatments A (control, 0% EWM), B (3% of EWM), and C (6% of EWM) using a complete randomized design model. With the 15-day acclimatization and 10-day digestibility periods, the entire experiment lasted 56 days. The findings showed increasing feed intake as the amount of earthworm meal increased (Treatment>C>B>A), with Treatment C having the highest Average dry matter Intake (AFI) (230.11g). Furthermore, the Average Feed Intake (AFI) and Average Daily Gain (ADG) (0.12 kg/d) showed a comparable pattern. Between the dietary treatments, there were significant differences (p},
journal = {OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences},
publisher = {Science Publications}
}