The study was undertaken at Adiha in Kola Tembien district of Ethiopia with the objectives to evaluate the effect of supplementation of mixture of cowpea haulms and maize grain on weight gains of Abergelle goats and its economic feasibility. Eight farmers who provided three similar in weight male yearling Abergelle goats participated in the study. Initial body weight of experimental goats was 17.7 kg + 0.75 kg (mean+standard deviation). The study was carried out using randomized complete block design with three treatments and eight replications. The treatments were browsing alone (T1), browsing and supplementation with concentrate mix (68% wheat bran and 32% noug seed cake) at a level of 480 g DM/day (T2), and mixture of cowpea haulms (45%) and maize grain (55%) at a level of 470 g DM/day (T3). Crude protein contents of cowpea haulms, maize grain, wheat bran and noug seed cake were 144, 98, 160 and 310 g/kg DM, respectively. Intakes of the supplements were 100%. Final body weight and ADG were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in T2 and T3 than in T1 but similar between T2 and T3. Moreover, higher economic return was observed for T2 and T3 than T1. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementation of mixture of cowpea haulms (45%) and maize grain (55%) at a level of 470 g DM/day could be used comparably to supplementation of concentrate mix (68% wheat bran and 32% noug seed cake) at a level of 480 g DM/day to enhance weight gains and economic profitability of Abergelle goats in Kola Tembien district and in other similar areas.
Keywords: Browsing, noug seed cake, profitability, wheat bran