Nutrient Intake and Digestibility by Uda Ram Lambs Fed Maize Cobs Ensiled with Soybean and Poultry Litter

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Livestock Teaching and Research Farm to determine nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility bygrowing Uda rams fed maize cobs ensiled with poultry litter and soybean meal based diets. Twelve growing Uda rams weighing 20-25 kg were randomly divided into four groups (3 in each) and assigned to four experimental diets designated A-D. The silage was prepared using maize cobs fortified with soybean meal and poultry litter. Animals were fed ad libitum for 63 days at the rate of 60:40 ratio basal to concentrate diet. Data were collected on nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility coefficient. Results showed that rams fed the control diet significantly (P<0.05) had lower nutrient intake as well as apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient when compared with the rams fed maize cobs ensiled with poultry litter and soybean meal based diets. It was therefore concluded that poultry litter and soybean meal inclusion of up to 30% in the diet of the rams enhances nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility