Protein supplements increased feed intake and enhanced growth of Yankasa sheep fed Congo grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis)

Authors

  • I. Sani Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
  • J. T. Amodu National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika/A.B.U, Zaria
  • A. Nuratu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
  • A. M. Umar Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
  • M. Abubakar Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v44i5.1542

Keywords:

Yankasa sheep, Congo grass, CSC, PKC, BDG, Brachiaria ruziziensis

Abstract

This study compared the feed intake and performance of Yankasa sheep fed Congo grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) basal diet with different protein supplements of Cotton Seed Cake (CSC), PalmKernel Cake (PKC), Brewer'sDriedGrain (BDG) and sole B. ruziziensis grass (control). Sixteen (16) Yankasa sheep weighing between 21.63 and 22.23kg and aged about 12 months were randomly allotted to treatment diets. The total dry matter and crude protein intake were highest (P<0.05) in sheep on CSC supplement (996.33 and 118.56g) while the control diet had the least feed intake (796.4 and 57.90g).The total live weight gain (TLWG) increased (P<0.05) from 0.91kg in sheep fed Congo grass solely (control) to 2.50kg in those fed Cotton Seed Cake, while feed conversion ratio reduced from 52.50 in Congo grass to 29.15 inCSC treatment. It is concluded from this experiment that Yankasa sheep utilizedCSC better thanPKC,BDGandBrachiaria ruziziensis (control). It is therefore recommended that Brachiaria ruziziensis should be supplemented withCotton SeedCake at a rate of 250g/d for better intake and liveweight in Yankasa sheep production.

Author Biographies

I. Sani, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology,

A. Nuratu, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology,

A. M. Umar, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology,

M. Abubakar, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology,

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Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Sani, I., Amodu, J. T., Nuratu, A., Umar, A. M., & Abubakar, M. (2020). Protein supplements increased feed intake and enhanced growth of Yankasa sheep fed Congo grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis). Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 44(5), 227–231. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v44i5.1542

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 5 (2017)

Section

Articles

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