A NOTE ON CORN COBS IN SHEEP DIET

Abstract

Twelve West African dwarf lambs 11 to 15 months of age and weighing 7.0 to 10.0 kg were randomized into three groups. Each group was fed diets containing zero, twenty-five and fifty percent corn cobs as replacer for hay (Cynodon nlemfuensis) in maize and groundnut cake-based media. Two mates from each treatment group were later placed in individual metabolic cages for digestibility experiments. Results showed that dry matter (DM) intake, weight gain, efficiency of fed utilization and nutrient digestibility values were similar for animals on rations A (zero corn cobs, 50% hay) and B (25% corn cobs, 25% hay) which were higher than values obtained for animals on ration C (50% corn cobs, zero hay). Results obtained also suggested that 25% ground corn cobs could be successfully incorporated into the diets of West African dwarf sheep for optimal utilization.