Intake and digestibility of ensiled cassava wastes and Albizia saman pods mixture by West African Dwarf Sheep
U. A. Inyang, O. J. Babayemi, S. A. Adeniji, and O. J. Ifut
Date : 2013-01-02 Volume : 5

This study was conducted to determine the effect of ensiling on silage quality, feed intake and digestibility by WAD sheep. The nutritive value of cassava wastes (CSW) and Albizia saman podss (ASP) silage as indicated by chemical constituents were determined. Metabolizable energy was calculated, while Saponin and Tannin were determined qualitatively. Fifteen yearling ewes with an average live weight of 17.10 kg were randomly assigned to five treatments with three(3) replicates each comprising; 100% CSW(T1), 75% CSW + 25% ASP(T2), 50% CSW + 50% ASP(T3), 25% CSW + 75% ASP(T4), 100% ASP(T5). Results showed that Silages were of good quality. Saponin was detected to be low in the T3 and medium in the T5 silages while tannin was available in the T5 silage alone. The result of the feeding trial showed that there were significant difference (p<0.05) in feed DM intake (range 284.25 – 469.14 g/day), weight gain (range -0.62 – 4.80 g/d), apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) (range 35.48 – 75.21 %), crude fibre (CF) digestibility (range 17.96 – 51.25 %), dry matter digestibility (range 36.15 – 68.47 %), nitrogen balance (range –1.04 – 16.71 g/d) and nitrogen retention (range -11.59 – 71.01 g/d). Ewes fed with T4 had highest feed intake and the least for those on sole CSW (T1). Weight gain (4.80 g/d) of ewes fed T4 silage increased significantly while those fed T1 lost weight and T5 maintained theirs. Apparent dry matter digestibility was highest significantly (p<0.05) in ewes fed T5 but least for those on T1. Nitrogen balance was apparently highest in ewes consuming T5 and the least for T1. The Nitrogen retention of the ewes on T5 diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that for T1 diet. It can thus be concluded that ensiling cassava wastes or Albizia saman pods solely as a dry season feed for sheep may be unsuitable, but when in combination will give a good feed resource. 1353078700.php