Body measurements of west African dwarf sheep as parameters for estimation of live weight

A degradability and feeding trial was carried out to estimate the utilization of soybean stover (SBS), Shrimp waste meal (SWM) and their mixtures (SBS+SWM) in West African Dwarf sheep. Sole sammples of SBS< SWM and mixture of SBS+SWM were incubated in the rumen of castrated West African Dwarf rams. Degradation lasted 48 hours. Feeding trial entailed feding levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of SWM to a sole SBS diet. The growth study lasted for eight weeks. Results obtained in the degradability trial showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differnces in the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergentfibre (ADF) degradability parameters for the feedstuffs. The effective DM degradability 'ED' was highest in SBS (343.0g/kg) and lowest in SWM (250.0g/kg). Crude protein effective degradability 'ED' ranged between 101.0 and 301.0g/kg for SBS and SBS+SWM respectively. NDF 'ED' ranged between 398.6g/kg for SWM and 815.7g/kg for SBS. ADF degradation characteristics for the constituents were also significantly (P<0.05) different with the soluble fraction 'a' values ranging between 126.0 and 624.0g/kg. When graded levels of shrimp waste meal was used as supplement to soybean stover, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the average daily weight gain, which ranged from 9.52 to 22.85gd-1.The mean live weight gain was highest at 10% level of inclusion. Average daily DM intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing level of SWM in the diet. The sole soybean stover diet however had the least DMI. MD, OM, NDF and ADF apparent digestibility coefficients were not significantly affected by the treatment imposed. CP digestibiliy increased (P<0.05) with increasing level of SWM to peak at the 15% level of inclusion (0.767) compared to the sole SBS treatment (0.593). Nitrogen balance was significantly (P<0.05) increased as the level of inclusion of SWM increased. Results suggest that feeding soybean stover as roughage along with up to 10% SWM to sheep may be sufficient to meet the requirements for weight gain and proper nutrient utilization

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Moringa leaf meal supplementation for sheep: Effect on weight gain, blood serum chemistry and carcass characteristics

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v42i2.2670 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 187-196

Author(s):

K. A. Sanwo ◽

A. O. Yusuf ◽

S. O. Iposu ◽

O. O. Omotosho ◽

N. Okwelum

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Control Diet ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

West African ◽

Serum Chemistry ◽

West African Dwarf ◽

Leaf Meal ◽

West African Dwarf Sheep ◽

Dwarf Sheep

This study was conducted to assess growth performance, serum chemistry and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf sheep fed varying levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) as concentrate diets. Eighteen growing sheep of varying live weights (9-17kg) were divided into three groups that comprised six animals each, and balanced for live weight. Each group was fed one of three experimental diets containing 0% (control diet), 5% and 10% MLM, respectively, for 37 days after a 21--day quarantine period in a completely randomized design; each animal being considered a replicate. There were no treatment effects on live weight gain (P>0.05) and serum chemistry except on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase where highest values (20.33 and 128.33 TU/L, respectively) were recorded in the control-diet sheep. Apart from Urea, chemistry were within normal reference range for clinically healthy animals. However, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in dressing percentage, breast muscle and liver weight, with highest values of 94.42% (in 10% MLM), 1.68 % (in 5% MLM), and 1.84 % (in 5% MLM), respectively. Thus, inclusion of up to 10% MLM in concentrate diet may not cause any major health disorders in West African dwarf sheep while supplementation at 5% level may improve carcass quality.

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