The objective of this study was to determine preference and acceptability of crop residues treated indigenous salt licks (toka) using Red Sokoto goats in Guinea Savana Zone of North-Eastern Nigeria. Twenty adult Red Sokoto goats comprising 10 males and 10 females of about 3 to 4 years old were used for the study. The study was laid out in a completely randomized design for preference, acceptability and dry matter intake: The feeding trial lasted for 14days including acclimatization period. The results of the feeding habit of the animals showed significant (p<0.05) differences amongst the crop residues in terms of number of bites, bites per visit, time spent feeding and dry matter intake. There was no outright rejection of any diet by the animals. The treatment of crop residues by chopping and mixing with salt licks (toka) influenced the increased dry matter intake. Numbers 1 to 6 were used to rank the crop residues in terms of preference and acceptability as number 1 been the most preferred while 6 the less preferred by the animals. Based on the coefficient of preference (COP) value obtained, cowpea husk was ranked the most preferred diet, followed by cowpea leaf, groundnut haulms, sorghum stover, maize stover and rice straw respectively. There were positive correlation between the feeding habits of the animals with the dry matter intake except for the time spent feeding. Likewise, the coefficient of preference (COP) had positive correlation with the feeding habit of the animals including time spent on the diets. It’s therefore, advisable to treat crop residues with some mineral licks before feeding to enhance acceptability and dry matter intake. Thus, preference and acceptability is normally used as quality indicators when choosing the best diet to feed
Keywords: Goats, Nigeria, Preference, acceptability, crop residues, salt licks (Toka)
