Nutritional Evaluation of Bee Wax Residue Meal in the Diet of Lactating Goat

Abstract

Nine West African dwarf goats were used to investigate the effect of bee wax residue meal on the lactation performance, feed intake and weight gain. Goats were fed a diet with or without bee wax residue meal in a completely randomized design model for a 156 day period. The three diets were A (control), B (1%) bee wax residue meal inclusion) C (3% bee wax residue meal inclusion). Water and feeding were given ad libitum. Supplementing the diet with bee wax residue meal increased the crude protein intake from 47 g^-d (diet A) to 133g^-d (Diet C). The dry matter intake was greater for diet C followed by diet B and C which are similar (p>0.05). Animal on diet C consumed the highest percentage of minerals. Milk yield was significantly increased (p<0.05) by bee wax supplementation [407g^-d] (A), [412g^-d] (B) and [446g^-d] (C). Supplementation also increased butter fat, protein, calcium and phosphorus contents. The potassium sodium and iron contents were significantly (p<0.05) highest in diet C followed closely by diets B and A (control) which are similar (p>0.05). It could be concluded that bee wax residue meal could be used to supplement lactating West African goats diet in the tropical environment.