Feeding Forage Cowpea: Goats Performed Well with High Nutrient Digestibility and Nitrogen Retention

Abstract

This chapter deals with the utilization and performance of Red Sokoto goats fed varieties of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). It contains information for use right from keeping to precision production of goats. Background information is given on cowpea history and distribution, cowpea varieties and forage yields of cowpea (mainly in Africa and precisely Nigeria). Cowpea haulm nutritional value, mineral contents as well as anti-nutritional factors like tannins, saponins, oxalate, phytate and phenols are then detailed. The final sections highlight the performance of Red Sokoto goats in terms of nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention when fed with two cowpea haulm varieties for optimum performance under smallholder production system.