Degradation Characteristics of Urea and Lime Treated Groundnut Shells Based Diets.

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the chemical composition and rumen
degradation characteristics of treated groundnut shells (GNS) based diets in the
rumen. It was carried out in the Teaching and Research farm of the Department of
Animal Science A.B.U. Zaria. Three fistulated Yankasa rams with average weight of
26kg was used for the degradation studies, housed in a pen, and tethered to the
ground. They were fed with a diet formulated to contain 14% crude protein
throughout the study period; water was given ad lib. Measurements on the chemical
composition and the degradation characteristics were investigated. Feed samples
were placed in nylon bags and were suspended in the rumen for 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and
48 hours. Chemical analysis of the degraded residue and the feed samples was
carried out so also the statistical analysis. DM degradability of the feed samples was
analysed with the NEWAY program developed by the Rowett Research Institute. The
overall results indicate that alkali treatment affected the compositions of the diets
and appeared to be better than the untreated. Based on the present findings, urea-
lime GNS based diets increased the DM and decreased lignin and ADF; it also
appears to degrade faster