INTAKE AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP FED ALBIZIA LEBBECKCASSAVA PEEL SILAGE

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the intake and performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed Albizia lebbeck-cassava peel silage. Eight West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep aged 5-6 months, and average weights of 10.5 kg were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments in a 4 x 4 Latin Square Design in a trial that lasted 56 days. Diets 1 to 3 are silage treatments, while diet 4 is the control (Panicum maximum). The values of dry matter ranged from 43.62 — 86.83%. Crude protein for the silage diet varies from 1 1.28-13.32%, and the control was 6.81%, while the Neutral detergent fibre, Acid detergent fibre and Acid detergent lignin values ranged from 25.55-35.26 %, 24.61-29.40 % and 18.73-26.13 %, respectively. Total feed intake and weight gain was highest in sheep fed diet 1 (840 and 566 g/day), and lowest in sheep fed diet 4 (69.29 and 48.93 g/day). Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was best in sheep fed diet 3 (9.05). It can be concluded that sheep fed diet I performed best in terms of total feed intake and weight gain, while diet 3 were better utilized by the sheep. Therefore, Albizia lebbeck-cassava peel silage would enhance sheep performance during dry season when grasses would have been deficient of essential nutrients.