TITLE:
Growth Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep Fed Biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum Based Diets
AUTHORS:
A. A. Ayuk, E. A. Iyayi, B. I. Okon, J. O. Ayuk
KEYWORDS:
Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Anti Nutritonal Factors, West African Dwarf Sheep, Growth
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.5 No.8,
July
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: The performance and economics of
production of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep was investigated in an experiment that
lasted for 70 days. Twelve
male sheep averaging 9.9 kg in liveweight
and aged 7 - 9 months were randomly assigned to four
treatment groups in a completely randomized design with three animals per
treatment. Chemical composition of diets, intake, liveweight gain and cost implication
of feeding WAD sheep with grass, a conventional concentrate, an autoclaved and
biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum based diet were determined. The crude protein content of Guinea grass (4.43%)
was relatively low compared to that of biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum (14.13%).
Total consumption and liveweight change were not significantly different (P 0.05). The
growth rate of animals fed concentrates were significantly (P 0.05) higher
than those on the grass diet. Cost per Kg of feed was the highest for control and least for guinea
grass diet. However, cost per unit gain was the highest for Guinea grass diet (N176.73) and least for biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum diet (N72.62). It was cheaper to produce 1 kg mutton using biodegraded EC diets than
control, autoclaved and guinea grass diets
respectively. The results suggest that biodegrading of Enterolobium
cyclocarpum improved its nutrient quality, utilization and the performance
and economy of production of West African Dwarf sheep.