Acceptability of mineral supplements by West African dwarf goats

A locally manufactured mineral supplement was provided to 36 browsing West African Dwarf (WAD) goats from 3 to 15 months of age to identify acceptability of the supplementary mineral mixture by experimental animals. Experimental goats were randomly allotted to six treatments of six goats (three male and three female) and were provided with different forms of minerals. Group I was a control which received no supplemental minerals. In Groups II and III goats were provided salt in block and loose form, respectively. Animals in Groups IV, V and VI received cool, clean drinking water in which sufficient mineral supplements had been dissolved to give sodium concentrations of 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.7% at the prepubertal phase and 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% during the postpubertal phase of animal development. There was preference by WAD goats for water-dissolved minerals and these were found biologically beneficial. Analysis of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) concentrations of parotid saliva of goats showed comparatively large (P < 0.05) differences between the content of Na and K (indicative of adequate Na status) in the goats which received supplemental sodium in their drinking water compared with other groups during both seasons of the study. It is recommended that unless a teaching process is undertaken, WAD goats traditionally managed without prior experience with salt lick should be given mineral supplements dissolved in their drinking water.