Availability and Utilization of Crop by-products as Livestock Feeds for Small Ruminants in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

摘要

A survey was conducted to investigate the availability and utilization of crop by-products as livestock feeds for small ruminants in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty copies of structured questionnaire were administered to crop (40.00%), livestock (8.00%) and crop-livestock farmers (52.00%). The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents revealed that 54.00% and 46.00% of farmers were males and females respectively with majority (42.00%) falling within the age brackets of 35 – 44 years. Greater proportions (52.00%) were crop – livestock farmers who rear goats as their most preferred livestock. The predominant crop by-products in order of availability and utilization as livestock feeds are cassava peels, yam peels, sweet potato peels, plantain peels, banana peels, cocoyam peels, maize sievate and fried garri sievate. Their use is highly recommended because of their ready availability, cheapness and acceptability that can help to solve the problems of food deficits for small ruminants in the area.