Response of growing Yankasa rams to stover-based diets containing different nitrogen sources with Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert Date) leaf powder as rumen buffer

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the response of growing Yankasa rams to complete sorghum stover-based diets containing varying levels of different nitrogen sources with Balanites aegyptiaca leaf powder as rumen buffer, on nutrient intake, growth performance and economics of production. Twenty growing Yankasa rams used for the experiment were randomly allocated to five treatment groups of four rams each in a completely randomized designed. Complete diets containing 16% CP were prepared for the experiment. Urea was incorporated into the respective diets at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% vis-à-vis cottonseed cake at 20, 15, 10, 5 and 0% and designated as diet 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Rams were fed experimental diets and water ad-libitum. The result of the experiment revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter intake in rams fed diets 2 and 3 (1097.55 and 1090.78 g/day), while diet 4 rams had the least (902.56 g/day). Higher daily weight gain 155.57 g/day and better feed conversion ratio of 7.01 were obtained in rams fed diets 3 while the least (81.43 g/day and 11.08) in those fed diet 4, respectively. Rams fed diet 3 had the lowest cost N 572.22 per kg live-weight gain and highest feed cost savings of N467.05. Conclusively, rams fed diet 3, containing urea at 1% and cottonseed cake 10% levels of inclusion, gave the best growth performance, better feed conversion ratio and economics of production in the study. Therefore, this diet can be recommended for growing Yankasa sheep.