Nutrient digestibility and Nitrogen balance in Yearling Bunaji bulls fed diets containing graded levels of Palm kernel cake

Abstract

At the end of 90 days feeding trial, A study was conducted to investigate nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in 15 yearling white Fulani bulls fed diets containing graded levels of Palm Kernel Cake (at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% PKC) in a completely randomized design. 3 bulls were randomly selected from each treatment and moved to metabolic crates for metabolism trial. The bulls were allowed 14days adjustment period and 7 days for faecal collection. Concentrate and basal diets of Digitaria smutsii were offered at 2% body weight each. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in all the digestibility parameters obtained. Animals on 40% PKC inclusion had the highest digestibility values for all the parameters measured. The result showed a decrease in urinary nitrogen loss, the faecal nitrogen loss and total nitrogen output as the level of PKC increased in the diets. Nitrogen retained and nitrogen retained as % N intake were highest in animals on 40% PKC diets. The supplied nutrients were well tolerated and properly utilized with positive nitrogen balance. Hence, it was concluded that inclusion of Palm Kernel Cake up to 40% in the diets of yearling Bunaji Bulls can be adopted by farmers in Nigeria for increased productivity.