Response of Growing Yankasa Sheep Fed Graded Levels of Acacia (Faidherbia albida) Pods Based Diets.

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the response of Yankasa rams fed graded levels of Faidherbia albida pods-based diets on nutrient intake and growth performance parameters. Complete diets containing 16% CP were formulated for the trial sing F. albida at different levels as follows: 0 (control), 7.50, 15.00, 22.50, and 30.00% and designated as treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Twenty Yankasa rams were used for the experiment with average initial body weight of 16.72kg and were randomly allocated to five treatment groups of five animals each in a completely randomized designed (CRD). Rams were fed experimental diets and water ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 90 days. The results of the study revealed significant (P<0.05) nutrient intakes, average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Animals fed diet 5 recorded highest daily feed intake (1026.26g/d), dry matter (916.56g/d) and crude protein (169.12 g/d), while those fed diet 1 had the lowest (684.39g/d, 613.56g/d and 108.57g/d), respectively. Treatment 5 had the highest ADG (147.9 g/d) and treatment 1 with the least (58.68 g/d). Better feed conversion ratio (6.20) was also recorded in treatment 5 with the worst in control (10.46). It may therefore be concluded that up to 30% F. albida pods may be included in the diets of growing Yankasa rams due to increased DMI (916.56 g/d), a higher weight gain (147.9 g/d) and better FCR (6.20). Therefore, this diet is recommended for growing Yankasa sheep.