The chemical composition of the browse species is presented in Table 1. Dry matter (DM) of
the feed resources varied from 22% in Ficus to 35% in Leucaena. The ash content was lowest
(5%) in Albizia while Ficus spp the highest (12 %). Ether extract (EE) which signifies fat content
of the diet was also lowest in Panicun (3 %) but highest in Leucaena and Gliricidia spp (12 %).
The crude protein (CP) contents of the browse species ranged from 7 % in Panicum to 24 % in
Leucaena spp. Variations were also observed in fiber fractions of the fodders. Neutral detergent
fibre (NDF) varied from 45 % in Luecaena to 73 % in Panicum. Acid detergent fibre ranged
between 32 % in Leucaena and 48 % in Ficus. Again, Acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were
ranged from 6 % to 12 %. The DM and ash content obtained were similar to those reported of
earlier work (Yavuz Gurbuz, 2007). The level of CP of the browse spp agreed with the reports of
Omokanye, (2001). However, CP content of the browse spp are within the range required for
optimum performance of WAD goats expect for Panicum maximum which fell below the
minimum requirement for ruminants (7%) (Minson,1990). The fibre contents of the plant species
were consistent with the report of other workers (Larbi et al 1996). Although, Meissner et al
(1991) reported that browse spp with NDF above 55-60 % will reduce the intake of such fodder
by ruminants, this did not follow in this work because those plants with higher NDF (Ficus and
panicum) were well consumed. It then showed that many other factors could be responsible for
the consumption of fodders by ruminants.