EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS OF Albizia labbeck FLOWER ON NUTRIENT INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN BALANCE IN RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED A COMPLETE DIET

Abstract

The work was carried out to study the intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen study of Red Sokoto bucks fed grade levels of Albizia labbeck flower meals in a complete diet. 16 Red Sokoto bucks average weight 13.40kg +2 were randomly assigned into four groups with four bucks per group in a completely randomized design.Involving four  dieting treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels of inclusions of Albizia labbeck flower meals. The result of the trial showed that animals fed 30% Albizia labbeck flower meals had highest (p<0.05) intake of all the nutrients. The result indicated that the apparent digestibility of Dry Matter (70.96%) and crude Protein (76.58%) was high (p<0.05) in animals fed 30% Albizia labbeck flower meals level of inclusion and had the best digestibility of almost all the nutrients. the Nitrogen balance and the Nitrogen retained percent were significantly higher in Bucks fed T4. It can be concluded that Albizia labbeck flower can be included in the diets of Red Sokoto buck up to 30% without adverse effect on intake and digestibility of nutrients.