GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIETS CONTAINING TOASTED DELONIX REGIA (FLAMBOYANT) SEED MEAL

Alternative protein sources such as under-utilized leguminous seeds offer cost-effective and sustainable options for improving ruminant nutrition in developing countries. This study investigated the effect of toasted Delonix regia seed (TDRS) meal on growth performance and cost-benefit analysis of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty (20) WAD goats with average weight of 8.80 kg were assigned to five dietary treatments (0%, 3.60%, 5.40%, 7.20%, and 9.00% TDRS inclusion) in a completely randomized design. Over 90 days, feed intake, weight gain and cost-effectiveness were monitored. Results showed that TDRS inclusion had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg weight gain.  The best FCR (9.58) occurred at 7.20%. Economically, feed cost per kg weight gain decreased from ₦2,821.83 (control) to ₦1,651.69 at 7.20% inclusion. The study concluded that toasted Delonix regia seed meal up to 7.20% inclusion improves the feed conversion ratio and reduces production cost without compromising growth performance.