Growth Performance of Yankasa Rams Fed Ammoniated Ensiled Threshed Sorghum Top Supplemented with Varying Concentrate Regimes

Abstract

The effects of feeding different levels of a concentrate supplement to growing rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top (AETST) as a basal diet on voluntary intake and body weight changes were evaluated. The experiment consisted of four treatments comprising varying concentrate levels (0, 300, 450 and 550 g/d) in a completely randomized design using sixteen growing Yankasa rams. Except for AETST intake, and dry matter (DM) intake (% BW) and feed/gain ratio (F/G) which were higher (p<0.05) for the non-supplemented control, total DM, crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (p<0.05) for the supplemented diets. Among the supplemented groups, intakes of DM, OM and CP were higher (p<0.05) and F/G lower (p<0.05) for 450 and 550 g/d concentrate levels compared to 350 g/d level. Concentrate intake and ADG followed this rank order: 350 g/d < 450 g/d < 550 g/d (all p<0.05). A dietary concentrate supplementation level of 550 g/d of basal ATST was the most suitable level for sheep under the current experimental conditions.