EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE LEVELS ON WATER INTAKE OF THREE BREEDS OF SHEEP IN NIGERI

Abstract

This study tested the effects of feeding Digitaria. Smutsii (Stent) hay supplemented with two levels of concentrate (1 or 2 % of body weight) on the water intake of Balami, Uda and Yankasa rams. It was hypothesised that feeding of rams with these levels of concentrate would: positively impact their water Thirty yearling weighing averagely 34.20, 35.35 and 31.80 kg for Balami, Uda and Yankasa, respectively were used. They were fed D. Smutsii hay supplemented with concentrate at 1 or 2 % body weight for ninety days. Daily water intake of rams was recorded after subtracting the quantity of the left over from the quantity supplied. Result showed that Yankasa breed had significantly (P<0.05) higher water intake than Balami and Uda and animals fed concentrate at 2 % body weight had significantly higher water intake than those fed 1 %. Hence it was concluded that levels of concentrate in the diet of sheep affect their water intake.