Alternative protein sources such as under-utilized leguminous seeds offer cost-effective and sustainable options for improving ruminant nutrition in developing countries. This study investigated the effect of toasted Delonix regia seed (TDRS) meal on growth performance and cost-benefit analysis of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty (20) WAD goats with average weight of 8.80 kg were assigned to five dietary treatments (0%, 3.60%, 5.40%, 7.20%, and 9.00% TDRS inclusion) in a completely randomized design. Over 90 days, feed intake, weight gain and cost-effectiveness were monitored. Results showed that TDRS inclusion had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg weight gain. The best FCR (9.58) occurred at 7.20%. Economically, feed cost per kg weight gain decreased from ₦2,821.83 (control) to ₦1,651.69 at 7.20% inclusion. The study concluded that toasted Delonix regia seed meal up to 7.20% inclusion improves the feed conversion ratio and reduces production cost without compromising growth performance.
Oladepo, O.1, Akinbode, R.M.2, Adebisi, I.A.3, Salami, T.A.4, Mustapha, T.B.5, Abegunde, P.T.6, Amoo, T.A.7, 1Adesope, A.T.8, Badmus, H.O.9, Agboola, S.O.10, Adebisi, M.R.11, Ogungbenro, J.O.12, 1Anjorin, T.O.13 (2026) studied this question.