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UTILIZATION OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF MEAL-BASED DIETS BY PRE WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF LAMBS

Anthony Henry Ekeocha ; Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Sažetak

Studies were conducted using 16 West African Dwarf (WAD) lambs selected from 16 ewes brought to heat (Oestrus) by synchronization and served by 2 rams. The experimental animals were placed at 6 weeks of age and were fed with Panicum maximum plus concentrate diet mixture of Mexican Sunflower Leaves (MSL) and Wheat Bran (WB) such that 0, 15, 30 and 45% of wheat bran was replaced by weight with MSL gravimetrically in diets A, B, C and D respectively. The experiment lasted for seven weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and routine vaccination and medication were administered. Parameters measured were weight gain, dry matter intake, weaning weight and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). The Dry Matter Intake - DMI (g/day) was highest for lambs on diet C (156.94) followed by B (156.53), A (154.29) and D (152.04) g/day respectively. This increase was numerically higher than observed values for animals on treatments A and B but statistically significant (P<0.05) when compared with animals on treatment D. This trend was observed for weight gain and weaning weight. Values obtained for FCR (2.30, 2.33, 2.30, and 2.38) for lambs on treatments A, B, C and D respectively were not significant (p>0.05). Results from this study showed that 30% MSLM-based diet was acceptable to the pre-weaned lambs as it supported dry matter intake, optimum weight gain, weaning weight and feed conversion ratio before diminishing return sets in.

Ključne riječi

performance; sunflower; pre-weaned lambs; West African Dwarf Sheep

Hrčak ID:

83377

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/83377

Datum izdavanja:

12.6.2012.

Posjeta: 1.316 *