Asian Science Citation Index is committed to provide an authoritative, trusted and significant information by the
coverage of the most important and influential journals
to meet the needs of the global scientific community.
A study on the formulation and production of multi-nutrient blocks for feeding ruminants using local feed ingredients was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm in October, 2004. Two formulations (Fl and F2) were developed where Fl had molasses while F2 had no molasses. Other feed ingredients used included salt 5 %; Urea 5%; cement 15%; poultry litter 25%; cotton seed cake 15% while wheat offal was 25 and 35%, respectively. Molasses was 10% in F1 and zero percent in F2. Composition of feed ingredients for dry matter ranges from 94.50 to 95.20% in wheat offal; crude protein ranged from 2.90% in molasses to 17.00% in cotton seed cake. Ether extract values ranged from 4.00% in wheat offal to 6.00% in cotton seed cake. Crude fibre ranged from 13.00% in wheat offal to 20.00% in poultry litter. Nitrogen free extract ranged from 23.00% in molasses to 64.20% in wheat offal. Ash values ranged from 3.00% in wheat offal to 6.00% in poultry litter. Calcium values ranged from 0.14% in wheat offal to 2.50% in poultry litter. Sodium was 39.34% in salt; chlorine was 60.00% in salt; nitrogen was 46.00% in urea; iron was 21.45 ppm in cement; manganese was 179 ppm in cement; magnesium 13000 ppm in cement, respectively. Formulation Fl had higher values and this might be due to the presence of molasses which improved the nutrient value, compactness and hardness. The cost effectiveness of the two formulations showed N 43:00 and N 21:00 for a 1.30 kg block this amount could be able afforded by farmers to purchase the blocks and supplement their animals to improve livestock production in the semi-arid region of Nigeria.
