Effect of different methods of disposing of goat manure on the infestation level of gastro-intestinal parasites and growth rate of growing goats

            Ngo Tien Dung, Hoang Minh Thanh, Chu Duc Tuy, and Dinh Van Binh

               Goat and Rabbit Research Center, Sontay, Vietnam

 There were two trials to study the effect of: (i) different methods of decomposing manure on parasite cycles (1^st experiment); and (ii) feeding grass fertilized with different forms of decomposed goat manure on parasite infestation of goats (2^nd experiment).

In the first trial, the latin square design was used with 3 treatments of only goat manure (control), goat manure plus earthworm addition (EW) and goat manure plus 5% limestone (LS). During the composting time of goat manure from 20 to 40 days, the numbers of nematodes, cestodes and Coccidia oocysts were lowest for the treatments of EW compared to treatments of LS and control. The biomass yield of guinea grass was highest with the EW treatment.

In the second trial, a completely randomized design was used with 3 treatments and 3 goats per treatment. The experimental feed was guinea grass taken from trial 1. The numbers of nematode egg counted in the faeces of goats were similar for all treatments during the time of 10 to 30 days and significantly lower for the treatment of EW after 40 days. The live weight gain of the goats was 77, 88 and 82 g/day for the treatments of control, EW and LS. DM intake was highest for treatment of EW (693 g/day).

In conclusion, earthworm addition appears to be the best method of decomposing goat manure. Using earthworm compost to fertilize guinea grass could be a way to reduce parasites infestation in goats.

Key words: Decomposing, manure, parasites, Nematodes, Cestodes and Coccicida oocysts.