EFFECT OF TREATED AND UNTRAETED BAGASSE WITH OR WITHOUT ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION ON RUMINAL PROFILE OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of treated and untreated sugarcane bagasse with or without enzyme supplementation in total mixed ration (TMR) on ruminal characteristics of Red Sokoto bucks. Sixteen Red Sokoto bucks averaging one year and weighing 102kg were used for the study. Four bucks were assigned per treatment and allotted to two dietary treatments with two level of supplementation in a completely randomized design. The enzyme was included based on the manufactures recommendation and the diets were offered at 3% body weight. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of the study at 4hrs after feeding to determine rumen characteristics of the bucks. Rumen pH was within the range of 6-7 and rumen ammonia nitrogen was between 30.01-31.26mg/L which are within the normal range for bucks. It was concluded that treatment with urea produced higher volatile fatty acids by the bucks without any adverse effect.