EFFECT OF BREWERS’ DRIED GRAIN ON GROWTH AND LACTATION PERFORMANCE OF YANKASA SHEEP IN GUINEA SAVANNAH

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of brewers dried grain on feed intake, body weight gain, milk yield and composition of Yankasa ewes. Five treatment diets designated D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 were formulated with maize component substituted with BDG at 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % respectively. The experimental animals were randomly allotted to the five treatments groups in four replicates, each comprising one lamb per replicate in a completely randomized design. The animals were sourced from Biotechnology Department of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika Zaria, with properly recorded dates of birth and weight at birth. The lambs were used for the experiment at twelve week. The animals were intensively managed given the experimental diets in the morning and supplemented with forage (Digitaria smutti) afterward. The oestrus of ewes was synchronized using a synthetic prostaglandin named Estrumate® administer through intramuscular injection to have a uniform gestation and parturition. The parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain, milk yield and milk composition. One way ANOVA using SAS (2000) statistical package was used for analysis. A non-significant (P>0.05) difference was observed among the treatment groups in respect of feed intake with weight gain having a significant difference. However D5 had a better result (4.75 Kg, 22.08) in respect to weight gain and feed conversion ratio respectively. Milk composition and showed a significant (P<0.05) difference with D5, D4 and D3 (7.39%, 7.25 % and 6.63 % respectively. Milk yield showed a significant (P<0.05) difference at week two among the dietary treatment with treatment two (D2) having the best result ((0.11 Kg). It was concluded and recommended that maize can be replaced with BDG up to 40 %.