Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Yankasa Rams Fed Sorghum Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Dried Poultry Droppings Based Diet

Research Article

Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Yankasa Rams Fed Sorghum Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Dried Poultry Droppings Based Diet

The use of conventional feedstuff such as groundnut cake, fish meal, etc. as supplement to low quality feed may not be cost effective in present day Nigeria to intensify production, owing to their high cost, irregular supply. It’s pertinent therefore to shift attention to the use of non-conventional protein materials of farm waste origin such as poultry droppings. This study was therefore initiated to determine the feed intake and nutrient digestibility of growing Yankasa rams fed sorghum stover supplemented with graded levels of dried poultry dropping based diets. Thirty growing Yankasa rams aged 9-12 months, weighing 11.5-15.5 kg were randomly divided into five groups (6 in each) and assigned to five supplemental diets designated T₁-T₅. Fresh poultry droppings were sun-dried for 3-5 days to minimize the level of microbes present. Thereafter the product were milled and included in ram’s diet at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%. Animals were fed in the morning (supplementary) and evening (basal diets). Salt-lick, water were also provided. Data were collected on feed intake and nutrient digestibility coefficient. Results showed that rams fed the control diet significantly (p<0.05) had lower feed intake as well as apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient when compared with the rams fed dried poultry droppings based diets. It was concluded that dried poultry droppings inclusion up to 80% in the diet of the rams enhances feed intake and nutrient digestibility and thus increases live weight gain. Therefore, sun-dried poultry droppings can satisfactorily supplement sorghum Stover up to 80% inclusion level.

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A.A. Bello and D.N. Tsado, 2013. Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Yankasa Rams Fed Sorghum Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Dried Poultry Droppings Based Diet. Asian Journal of Animal Sciences, 7: 56-63.

DOI: 10.3923/ajas.2013.56.63

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajas.2013.56.63

Asian Journal of Animal Sciences

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A.A. Bello

D.N. Tsado

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Research Article

Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Yankasa Rams Fed Sorghum Stover Supplemented with Graded Levels of Dried Poultry Droppings Based Diet

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