EFFECT OF YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE) SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF YANKASA RAM FED MAIZE SILAGE AND CONCENTRATE

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Small Ruminant Unit of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, to determine the effect of yeast supplementation on nutrient digestibility of Yankasa ram fed maize silage and concentrate in ratio 60:40. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) in 3 replicates. The treatments consist of four (4) levels of supplementation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/day. the study lasted for 21 days. Data was analyzed using general linear model of SAS and significant means were compared using Duncan Multiple range test (DMRT). The result of the apparent nutrient digestibility trial showed significant (p<0.05) difference on dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF) and nitrogen free extract. The highest DM digestibility (p<0.05) was observed in rams fed 7.5 g/day YIL (55.02 %), followed by groups fed 0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/day YIL (53.69, 53.47 and 52.45 %, respectively) which were similar (p>0.05). Crude protein digestibility increased by 4.17 % in rams 7.5 g/day YIL (66.74 %) compared to rams on 5.0 g/day YIL (63.99 %), but statistically at par with rams on 0 and 2.5 g/day YIL (68.17 and 66.577 %, respectively). The digestibility of EE, CF and NFE were within 40.30-56.57 %, 80.93-81.97 % and 34.11-37.53 %, respectively. It was concluded that supplementation of yeast at 7.5 g/head/day improved the digestibility of crude protein by 4.17 %. Therefore, it should be supplemented to yankasa
ram for better digestion of nutrient and fee utilization.