PERFORMANCE, APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN UTILIZATION BY WEST AFRICAN DWARF EWES FED ENSILED ALTERNANTHERA BRASILIANA (L.) O KUNTZE BASED DIETS
Keywords:
Alternanthera brasiliana silage, feed utilization, nutrient profile, sheepAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization by West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes fed ensiled Alternanthera brasiliana (AB) based diets. The chemical composition of ensiled AB was determined. Performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization by WAD ewes were also determined. Thirty (30) female WAD ewes between the ages of 1 ─ 1.5 years, weighing 9.18 ─ 11.8 kg were used for feeding trial, which lasted for 56 days. In a completely randomized design, six animals were allotted to each of five diets comprising of 0 %, 30 %, 45 %, 60 %, and 90 % ensiled AB inclusion level. Parameters measured include: dry matter intake, growth rate, feed conversion, apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, nitrogen balance and retention. Results revealed that, the dry matter of ensiled AB was 80.38 %, the crude protein and neutral detergent fibre were 18.38 % and 61.51 % respectively. The quality characteristic of ensiled AB was optimal as the aroma, colour, texture, temperature (28.0 ̊C) and pH (4.05) indicated fermentation and good keeping quality. Significant variations (p < 0.05) occurred in the dry matter intake, daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. They ranged from 793.54 ─ 1020.25 g.d-1; 53.57 ─ 98.21 g.d-1 and 10.39 to 14.81 g.d-1 in ewes fed 0 % and 90 % AB inclusion level. Significant differences were observed in dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract digestibility. The values ranged from 89.01 ─ 93.95 %, 92.00 ─ 98.11 %, 80.11 ─ 95.02 %, 92.10 ─ 99.00 %, 82.21 ─ 96.01 % and 51.31 ─ 89.02 % respectively. The nitrogen balance and nitrogen retention also differed significantly. They ranged from 18.26 ─ 23.69 g.d-1 and 91.70 ─ 97.80 % in ewes that consumed 30 % and 90 % ensiled AB respectively. It was observed that the ewes on diet of 90 % ensiled AB performed optimally and better than ewes on other diets. It can be concluded that ruminant animals can survive and perform optimally on ensiled AB alone, especially during the off season in the tropics.
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