<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">OJAS</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Open Journal of Animal Sciences</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2161-7597</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ojas.2022.123025</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">OJAS-117708</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Biomedical&amp;Life Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Digestibility of Sheep Ration Containing Different Levels of Native Grass Hay and Concentrate Mixture of Wheat Bran and Dried Food Left over
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mahamed</surname><given-names>Hassen</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Tikabo</surname><given-names>Gebremariam</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Abdihakim</surname><given-names>Maalin</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Guled</surname><given-names>Hassen</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Department of Animal Rangeland and Wildlife Science, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Animal and Range Science, College of Dryland Agriculture, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Ethiopia</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>07</day><month>06</month><year>2022</year></pub-date><volume>12</volume><issue>03</issue><fpage>337</fpage><lpage>346</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>4,</day>	<month>February</month>	<year>2022</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>5,</day>	<month>June</month>	<year>2022</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>8,</day>	<month>June</month>	<year>2022</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  The experiment was carried out at Mekelle University livestock farm, Tigray, Ethiopia.
   
  12 male yearling Highland sheep with an average live weight of 20
   
  +
   
  2.5
   
  kg (mean 
  &#177; standard deviation) were used in the experiment. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of digestibility of sheep ration containing different levels of roughage and concentrate mixture on performance of highland sheep. Food left over was collected from Mekelle University student cafeteria and dried with sun light for 3
   
  -
   
  4 days. The experimental design was a randomized complete Block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications. The experimental animals were grouped into three blocks based on their initial live body weight, which was determined by weighing after overnight fasting. The experiment was carried out for 15 days including 5 days of adaptation period and 3
   
  days of adaptation and harnessing (fecal bag
  s). At the end of the feeding trial, digestibility trial was carried out for seven consecutive days. There was significantly higher (P
   
  &lt;
   
  0.05) total DM intake in the supplemented group than in the control treatment. Digestibility of DM and OM were non-significance (P
   
  &gt;
   
  0.05) for all treatments. Generally, the present study indicated that supplementation of Tigray highland rams with concentrate mixture had an effect on performance of sheep and the effects were relatively more pronounced on rams supplemented with the highest level of concentrate mixture.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Dried Feed</kwd><kwd> Digestibility</kwd><kwd> Grass Hay</kwd><kwd> Wheat Bran</kwd><kwd> Sheep</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Ethiopia is a nation that is blessed with possession of huge livestock population. According to a recent report of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref1">1</xref>] , the country has about 60.39 million cattle, 31.30 million sheep, 32.74 million goats and 56.06 million chickens. Livestock provides economic and social benefits both at national and household levels. Livestock contribute about 15% - 17% of national gross domestic product (GDP), 35% - 40% of agricultural GDP and 37% - 87% of the household incomes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref2">2</xref>] . Furthermore, livestock provides food products like milk, meat, manure, hides and skins that play important roles in improving the nutritional status and income gain of people. Despite this fact, production and productivity of livestock remain low for many reasons. The causes of low productivity of livestock in Ethiopia are multifaceted that include poor genetic makeup, poor veterinary services, inadequate quantity and quality of feed, and poor breeding strategy. Among these limiting factors, poor feed supply and feeding system are the most important as the feed resources in the highlands of Ethiopia are generally natural pasture and residues of different crops.</p><p>The meat production and consumption are by far low as compared to other countries. Empirical evidence show that the national cattle carcass weight (110 kg) is very low compared to other nations with 25% - 30% lower than Eastern Africa’s average (143 kg/head) and 50% lower than the world average (212 kg/head) (EIAR, 2016). Similarly, the average carcass weight of Ethiopian sheep (10 kg) is the lowest relative to all countries and the world average, by about 1, 3 and 6 kg from east African countries, least developed countries, and the world, respectively [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref3">3</xref>] .</p><p>The reduced production of meat is attributed to many complicated problems such as inadequate feeds and nutrition, non-commercial oriented animal husbandry practices, poor genetic potential of indigenous animal breeds and occurrence of diseases and pests [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref4">4</xref>] . The feed resource bases for sheep production in Ethiopia are mainly natural grazing and crop residues, which have seasonal variability in both their quality and quantity. Due to seasonal changes, there is a serious shortage of feedstuff that results in the fluctuation of animal production and therefore many farmers in Ethiopia feed their livestock with crop residues, mainly various straws. However, the use of such straws has limitations due to their low nutritive value indicated by their high cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents, and their low protein content and digestibility [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref5">5</xref>] .</p><p>The small ruminant production is very low. Moreover, there is an acute shortage of feed supply in urban and peri-urban areas and the availability of the feeds are of very poor quality. This can cause low voluntary intake and low digestibility. The problem is aggravated by a lack of alternative feeds during the critical period. These days the price of conventional feed resources like wheat bran and oilseed cakes became more expensive. On the other hand, feed leftover is one of the untapped feed resources as animal feed. However, there are several reasons, which limited the utilization of food left over as animal feeds, such as poor processing and storage ability, heavy contamination due to uninformed dumping mainly constrained by contamination with unsafe materials especially plastic bags, softies and moulds that might be serious hazards to animal health and production. Therefore, it should be made feed evaluation to avoid any risk that can affect our production animal and get good quality of production. Unless done there will be risk for the side of production and for the animal. In addition, to this our animal should supplement food of good quality rather than feeds that have low quality. This can be improved production of our animal. Thus, this study was to evaluate the digestibility of sheep ration containing different levels of native grass hay and concentrates mixture of wheat bran and dried food left over.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Materials and Methods</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Study Location</title><p>This feeding and digestibility experiment was conducted from October, 2014-February, 2015 in Mekelle University small ruminant farm, which is located at 13˚30'0&quot;N latitude and 39˚28'11&quot;E longitude with altitude of 2200 meter above sea level. It has an average annual rainfall amount of 528.8 mm, which is highly variable from year to year and erratic in nature. Annual average maximum temperature is 28˚C and minimum 11˚C with 55.60% relative humidity 2.2, maintaining the Integrity of the Specifications.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Experimental Design and Treatment</title><p>The experiment was conducted using RCBD with four treatments and three replications using 12 uncast rated yearling male Highland sheep for digestion trials. The experimental animals were grouped into three blocks based on their initial live body weight, which was determined by weighing after overnight fasting. Each animal in each block was randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments. Diets including grass hay and supplement feed prepared with different proportions of mixed dried cafeteria food left over and wheat bran were used. The treatment feeds (T1-T4) were made to feed 1000g as a feed base. The concentrate feed, consisting of equal proportion (50%:50%) of dried cafeteria food left over and wheat bran was made to mixed and used to replace basal grass hay. Dietary feed treatments were prepared in such a way that amount from grass hay was substituted with amount from mixed dried food left over and wheat bran at a ratio of 0, 10%, 20% and 40% on a feed basis. The experimental treatments were offered as (gram/sheep/day on a feed basis):</p><p>&#183; T1 = 1000 g Hay (Control);</p><p>&#183; T2 = 900 g Hay + 100 g mixed supplement;</p><p>&#183; T3 = 800 g Hay + 200 g mixed supplement;</p><p>&#183; T4 = 600 g Hay + 400 g mixed supplement.</p></sec><sec id="s2_3"><title>2.3. Animal Feeding and Management</title><p>Twelve yearlings’ uncast rated growing male Tigray Highland sheep breed was used. The sheep were housed in well-ventilated, concrete made and shaded room. Then the experimental animals were identified and penned individually in the pen; and were offered grass hay and supplement feeds for 5 days to get them adapted to the feeds and feeding pattern prior to the beginning of the experiment. Animals were observed closely for the occurrence of any abnormalities and disorders during the experimental periods. The mixed feed and grass hay was obtained from Mekelle University small ruminant farm. Then the supplementary feeds were thoroughly mixed at the specified proportion indicated in the experimental treatments. Clean water was provided to the animals with free choice. The actual data collection for digestion trial was done for 7 days. The basal feed and supplementary diets were offered twice per day at 8:00 and 16:00 hours in two equal portions. The amount of feed offered and a refusal was recorded daily throughout the study periods and was measured using sensitive balance a graduate ranging from 1.0 - 5100 gm.</p></sec><sec id="s2_4"><title>2.4. Digestibility Trails</title><p>The feeding treatment animals were employed for digestibility trial. Total feces collection was conducted for consecutive seven days following three days of adaption for harnessed fecal collection bags. Feaces were collected and weighed every morning for each animal before giving feed and water. About 20% of sample was taken from the feces collected daily for each animal and composited in container (airtight plastics) and stored at −20˚C until the end of the collection period. At the end of the collection period, the fecal sample for each animal was thoroughly mixed and sub-sample of feces was taken for further analysis. The apparent digestibility coefficient (DC) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) was calculated using the following equation.</p><p>CoDMD ( % ) = DMI − DME DMI &#215; 100</p><p>where: CoDMD (%) = Coefficient of dry matter digestibility, DMI = dry matter intake, DME = dry matter excreted in feces</p><p>CoND ( % ) = NI − NEF NI &#215; 100</p><p>where: CoND = Coefficient of nutrient digestibility, NI = nutrient intake, NEF = nutrient excreted in feces.</p></sec><sec id="s2_5"><title>2.5. Fecal Sample Collection</title><p>All lambs used the feeding trial were adapted to carrying faecal collection bags for 3 days, which was followed by a total faces collection for a period of 7 successive days for each animal. Total Feaces voided was collected and weighed every morning before feeding and 20% of faeces were sampled, composite samples were stored in airtight plastic bags in a deep freezer at −20˚C. On the last day of the collection period, faecal samples were thoroughly mixed for each animal from which DM and OM were determined. While feed offers and refusals were weighed daily, each animal was taken at the start and end of the collection period.</p></sec><sec id="s2_6"><title>2.6. Chemical Analysis</title><p>Representative samples of basal feed were offered and refused after thoroughly mixing on daily basis and the concentrate per batch was collected over the digestion trial stage and stored in air tied plastic bags. At the end of the experiment samples of offered and refused in the digestion trial. The feed and fecal samples were dried in an oven at 65˚C for 48 hours for dry matter (DM) determination according to the standard procedures of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref6">6</xref>] . Ash content was determined by igniting the DM residue at 600˚C for 2 hours in muffle furnace [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref7">7</xref>] . Organic matter was calculated as the difference between 100% dry matter and ash. All chemical analyses were done in duplicate.</p></sec><sec id="s2_7"><title>2.7. Statistical Analysis</title><p>The data obtained from the experiment were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA by the business unit of SAS, JMP5. The treatment means of the parameters were separated using Tukey HSD (Tukey Honestly Significant Difference) Test. The model used for the analysis of all parameters feed intake, weight gain, digestibility, and carcass parameters of the experiment was:</p><p>Yij = μ + i +βj + ij</p><p>where: Yi = response variable, μ = overall mean, i = i<sup>th</sup> treatment effect, βj = block effect and ij = i<sup>th</sup> random error.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Result and Discussion</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Chemical Composition of Feeds</title><p>The chemical composition (DM, OM, and Ash content) of the experimental feeds are presented in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>. The DM content of GH (grass hay) was almost comparable to the values of 91.5%, 92.94%, 94.18% and 93.38% reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref8">8</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref11">11</xref>] , respectively. The OM of GH for this study is 88.51% which more relatively similar with the report of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref12">12</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref13">13</xref>] , which were 91.9% and 89.7%, respectively. But, it was lower than the value of 91.71%, which was reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref13">13</xref>] , Ash content of GH is little bit higher than when relatively comparable with</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Chemical composition of feeds consumed by high land Tigray sheep</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Nutrient%</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >Type of feeds</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Grass hay</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Wheat bran</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Cafeteria food left over</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DM (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >90.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >87.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >90.5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >ASH (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11.4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.46</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.02</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >OM (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >88.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >96.54</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >93.98</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>DM = Dry Matter; ASH = Mineral contents; OM = Organic matter.</p><p>other studies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref14">14</xref>] with values of 8.23% and 9.28, respectively.</p><p>DM content of wheat bran is lower than the value of 90.6 reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref15">15</xref>] but it is more similar to the report of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref16">16</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref17">17</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref19">19</xref>] , which was 85%, 86.12% and 87.38%, respectively. The OM content of wheat bran (96.54%) was similar to the evaluation of 96% reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref20">20</xref>] but, it was higher than 94.7% noted on [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref20">20</xref>] . The ash value of wheat bran used in the current study was virtually related to the value of 3.96% and 3.42% reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref18">18</xref>] , respectively, but lesser than 5.4% and 5.3% [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref15">15</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref20">20</xref>] , respectively.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Dry Matter and Nutrient Intake</title><p>The dry matter and nutrient intake data are presented in (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>). Significant variation (P &lt; 0.001) was observed in total dry matter intake (TDMI) and total organic matter intake (TOMI) among treatments. and supplemented with wheat bran for Afar sheep and 850 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> to 914 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref19">19</xref>] for Horro sheep supplemented with wheat bran, Acacia albida leaf meal and their mixture fed vetch (Lathyrus sativus) haulm basal diet, but lower than 565-711 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> DMI reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref21">21</xref>] for Wogera sheep offered brewery dried grain and grass hay and 710 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> DMI for sheep supplemented with culinary wastes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref22">22</xref>] . However, lower than 1123.10 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> to 1186 g∙d<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> DMI reported by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref23">23</xref>] for Awassi sheep breed with 0%, 20% and 40% inclusion of Acacia saligna, [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref22">22</xref>] reported that DM intake was increased and food left over was quite acceptable by the sheep. Similarly, [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref24">24</xref>] had described in ruminant animals food leftover gives an opportunity for a higher feed intake and available higher energy consumption. Also, [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref25">25</xref>] reported that total DM intake increased with a progressive substitution of formula concentrates for dried food left over. Furthermore, [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref26">26</xref>] reported that DM intake was increased with food waste mixture feeding (6.1% for 25% food waste mixture and 9.4% for 50% food waste mixture) compared to control group fed sole</p><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Daily dry mater and nutrient intake of highland sheep fed on grass hay based diet</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Nutrient%</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="5"  >Treatments</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >T1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >SL</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DGH (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >689<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >585.8<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >480<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >326.3<sup>d</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DMS (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >_</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >88.76<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >172.52<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >355.04<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >TDMI (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >689<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >674.56<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >657.92<sup>d</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >681.37<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >GHOM (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >661<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >563<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >461.8<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >304.8<sup>d</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >MSOM (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >_</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >64.4<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >128.80<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >257.55<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >TOMI (g/day)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >661<sup>a</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >651.7<sup>c</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >640.32<sup>d</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >659.84<sup>b</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >***</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>GH = Grass Hay; MS = Mixed Supplement; TDMI = Total Dry Matter Intake; GHOM = Grass Hay Organic Matter; MSOM = Mixed Supplement Organic Mater; TOMI = Total Organic Matter Intake; T1 = Control feed basis (1000 g); T2 = 900 g hay + 100 g supplements; T3 = 800 g hay + 200 g supplement; T4 = 600 g hay + 400 g supplement.</p><p>grass hay, which was indicated that food waste mixture was more palatable. In line with this, total feed intake was increased with increasing substitution level of dried food left over [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref27">27</xref>] .</p><p>For this study total dry matter intake (TDMI) for T1 is higher than other treatments whereas T3 has the lowest value. The GH of dry matter intake is higher than other treatments due to the amount of grass that has been provided. But, the DGH for treatment T4 has the lowest value because it has fed for less amount of feed when compared to rest of other treatments. On the other hand, the DMS for treatment (T1) has no value because its control group means only for grass hay feed basis. The DMS for T4 has the highest value for comparing other treatments. In addition, T2 has the lowest value depending on amount of feed. The observation for all treatments in DMS has various amounts of dry matter intake. This variation is caused by amount of feed that has been supplemented. The GHOMI for T1 has the greatest amount of nutrients as compared to the other treatment as same like this above DGH but TOMI for T2, T3 and T2 have lower than control.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Digestibility</title><p>The DMD and OMD content of Highland sheep fed grass hay as basal diet supplemented with dried food left over as a replacement for wheat bran was not significantly different (P &gt; 0.05) among all treatment groups (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref>). These results were comparable with the digestibility value of 63.39%-64.08% DM for sheep supplemented with different levels of noug seed cake and wheat bran mixture [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref28">28</xref>] ; however, the observed digestibility for DM and nutrient which did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) among all treatments are not much difference. For this study DM and OM digestibility are non-significance (P &gt; 0.05) as compared to [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.117708-ref17">17</xref>] found non-significant difference (P &gt; 0.05%) in DM and OM digestibility coefficient. The DMD of T4 is highest as compared to the other treatment due to amount of feed supplemented. In addition to this T2 has the lowest value as compared to the rest. Whereas T1 and T3 are similar to their value of DMD. On the other hand, The OMD for T4 is the highest one due to variation of the feed. But for T2 has the lowest value when compared to the other treatment.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Conclusion and Recommendations</title><p>Replacing native grass hay at 71.46% with mixed concentrate gave optimum feed</p><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Digestibility of treatments</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Variables</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="5"  >Treatments</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >T1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T2</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >T4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >P-V</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DMD (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >67.79 &#177; 1.38</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >62.80 &#177; 0.62</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >68.78 &#177; 0.32</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >71.46 &#177; 0.89</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.057</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >OMD (%)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >38.11 &#177; 2.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >30.6 &#177; 0.1</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >32.74 &#177; 6.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >33.63 &#177; 2.7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.06</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>DMD = Dry Matter Digestibility; OMD = Organic Matter Digestibility; T1 = Control feed basis (1000 g); T2 = 900 g hay + 100 g supplements; T3 = 800 g hay + 200 g supplement; T4 = 600 g hay + 400 g supplement.</p><p>intake and digestibility to Tigray Highland sheep. Generally, this study’s supplementation of Tigray highland rams with concentrate mixture had an effect on performance of sheep and the effects were relatively more pronounced on rams supplemented with the highest level of concentrate mixture. Digestibility for DM and nutrient, which did not differ among all treatments, was due to the achievement of relatively similar protein requirements. Thus, it can be concluded that food left over is a good protein, energy and palatable feed source for ruminant animals. Therefore:</p><p>&#183; A huge amount of food leftover is disposed of from public universities in Ethiopia, thus, from the current findings, it can be suggested that food leftover should be an asset rather than a liability.</p><p>&#183; Due attention should be given while collecting, drying and storing food left over that produce food born disease.</p><p>&#183; Alternative drying methods should be addressed to continue the drying of food leftover during rainy season.</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>The authors would like to thank Mekelle University for funding the research.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Hassen, M., Gebremariam, T., Maalin, A. and Hassen, G. (2022) Digestibility of Sheep Ration Containing Different Levels of Native Grass Hay and Concentrate Mixture of Wheat Bran and Dried Food Left over. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 12, 337-346. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2022.123025</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.117708-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Central Statistical Agency (CSA) (2018) Agricultural Sample Survey. Volume II: Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings). Statistical Bulletin No. 587, Central Statistical Agency, Addis Ababa.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref2"><label>2</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Gebre Mariam, S., Amare, S., Baker, D., Solomon, A. and Davies, R. (2013) Study of the Ethiopian Live Cattle and Beef Value Chain. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, aka ILCA and ILRAD), Nairob.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref3"><label>3</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Getachew, L. and Mohamadou, F. (2014) Small Ruminant Value Chain Development in Ethiopia: Situation Analysis and Trends. ICARDA/ILRI Project Report. International Center for Agricultural Research in the dry Areas/International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref4"><label>4</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Shapiro, B.I., Gebru, G., Desta, S., Negassa, A., Nigussie, K., Aboset, G. and Mechal, H. (2017) Ethiopian Livestock Master Plan. ILRI Project Report, ILRI, Nairobi.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref5"><label>5</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">McDonald, P., Edwards, R.A., Greenhalgh, J.F.D., Morgan, C.A., Sinclair, L.A. and Wilkinson, R.G. (2010) Animal Nutrition. 7th Edition, Prentice Hall, Harlow, London.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref6"><label>6</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Van Soest, P., Robertson, B.J. and Lewis, B.A. (1994) Methods for Dietary Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Relation to Animal Nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74, 3583-3597. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(91)78551-2</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref7"><label>7</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">AOAC (Association of Official Agricultural Chemists) (1990) Official Methods of Analysis. Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, Washington DC, 1298.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref8"><label>8</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Wegi, T. (2016) Effects of Feeding Different Varieties of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Straws with Concentrate on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Body Weight Gain and Carcass Characteristics of Arsi-Bale Sheep. Doctoral dissertation, Haramaya University, Haramaya.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref9"><label>9</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Kiflay, W. (2011) The Effect of Different Levels of Soybean (Glycine Max) Meal Supplementation on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Live Weight Changes and Carcass Characteristics of Black Head Ogaden Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Hay. MSc. Thesis Presented to School of Graduate Studies, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, 23.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref10"><label>10</label><mixed-citation publication-type="journal" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Jokthan</surname><given-names> G.E. </given-names></name>,<etal>et al</etal>. (<year>2013</year>)<article-title>Nutritional Values for Cottonseed Meal</article-title><source> Feedstuffs</source><volume> 53</volume>,<fpage> 19</fpage>-<lpage>21</lpage>.<pub-id pub-id-type="doi"></pub-id></mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref11"><label>11</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Lidetu, G. (2011) Effect of Supplementing Different Levels of Dried Cactus (Opuntia Ficus-Indica) Peel on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Body Weight Change and Carcass Characteristics of Tigray Highland Sheep Fed Grass Hay. MSc. Thesis Presented to School of Graduate Studies, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, 29.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref12"><label>12</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Ondiek, J.O., Abdulrazak, S.A. and Njoka, E.N. (2010) Performance of Growing Small East African Goats Offered Rhodes Grass Hay and Supplemented with a 1:1 Mixture of Maerua angolensis: Zizyphus mucronata Leaf Browses. Egerton University, Department of Animal Science, Egerton.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref13"><label>13</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Gebreslassie, G. (2012) Effects of Supplementing Wheat Bran and Graded Levels of Dried Acacia saligna Leaves on Feed Intake, Body Weight Gain, Digestibility, Carcass and Semen Qualities of Highland Sheep. MSc Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Mekelle University, Mekelle, 48-56.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref14"><label>14</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Beyene, K. (2014) Supplementing Graded Level of Dried Cattle Bio Slurry on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Tigray Highland Sheep Fed on Native Grass Hay. MSc. Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Mekelle University, Mekelle, 27 p.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref15"><label>15</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Simret, B. (2005) Supplementation of Graded Levels of Peanut Cake and Wheat Bran Mixture on Nutrient Utilization and Carcass Parameters of Somalia Goats. MSc. Thesis Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alemaya University of Agriculture, Alemaya.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref16"><label>16</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Mulubrhan, B., Eik, L.O. and Yaynshet, T. (2014) Replacing Commercial Concentrate by Ficus thonningii Improved Productivity of Goats in Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 46, 889-894. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0582-9</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref17"><label>17</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Zemichael, G. (2007) Supplementation of Sesam Seed (Sesam indicum) Cake, Wheat Bran and Their Mixtures on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Live Weight Changes and Carcass Characteristics of Arado Sheep on Basal Diet of Teff Straw. MSc. Thesis Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Haramaya University, Dire Dawa.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref18"><label>18</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Awet, E. (2007) Feed Utilization, Body Weight and Carcass Parameters of Intact and Castrated Afar Sheep Fed on Urea Treated Teff Straw Supplemented with Wheat Bran. MSc. Thesis Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, 70.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref19"><label>19</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Takele, F. and Getachew, A. (2011) Digestion, Intake and Live Weight Changes of Horro Lambs Fed Vetch (Lathyrus sativus) Haulm Basal Diet Supplemented with Sole Wheat Bran, Acacia Albida Leaf Meal or Their Mixture. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 10, 1013-1021. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2011.1013.1021</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref20"><label>20</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Tesfay, H. (2007) Supplementation of Afar Rams with Graded Levels of Mixtures of Protein and Energy Sources: Effects on Feed Intake, Digestibility, and Live Weight and Carcass Parameters. MSc Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Alemaya University, Alemaya, 82.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref21"><label>21</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Mulu, M., 2005. Effect of feeding different levels of Brewer’s Dried Grain on Live Weight Gain and Carcass Characteristics of Wogera Sheep Fed on Hay Basal Diet. A MSc Dissertation, Thesis Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alemaya University of Agriculture, Alemaya, 22 p.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref22"><label>22</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Summers, J.D., Macleod, G.K. and Warner, W.C. (1980) Chemical Composition of Culinary Wastes and Their Potential as a Feed for Ruminants. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 5, 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-8401(80)90030-9</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref23"><label>23</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Mousa, M.R.M. (2011) Effect of Feeding Acacia as Supplements on the Nutrient Digestion, Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Some Blood Constituents of Awassi Lambs under the Conditions of North Sinai. Asian Journal of Animal Sciences, 5, 102-117. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajas.2011.102.117</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref24"><label>24</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Frendberg, L. (2012) Evaluation of Physical Properties of Left-Over Food Collected from Hotels and Restaurants as Pig Feed in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Kampala. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref25"><label>25</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Otieno, K., Onim, J.F.M. and Semenye, P.P. (1992) Feed Production and Utilization by Dual-Purpose Goats in Smallholder Production Systems of Western Kenya. Joint Feed Resources Network Workshop on the Complementarity of Feed Resources for Animal Production in Africa, Gaborone, 4-8 March 1991, 321-338.</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref26"><label>26</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Kwak, W.S. and Kang, J.S. (2006) Effect of Feeding Food Waste-Broiler Litter and Bakery By-Product Mixture to Pigs. Bioresource Technology, 97, 243-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2005.02.008</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref27"><label>27</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Paek, B.H., Kang, S.W., Cho, Y.M., Cho, W.M., Yang, C.J. and Yun, S.G. (2005) Effects of Substituting Concentrates with Dried Leftover Food on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 18, 209-213. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2005.209</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="scirp.117708-ref28"><label>28</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Tesfay, G., Tamir, B. and Berhane, G. (2017) Carcass and Non-Carcass Characteristics of Tigray Highland Lambs Fed Mulberry (Morus alba) Leaf Meal at Different Supplementation Levels. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 6, 104-109. https://doi.org/10.31254/jsir.2017.6304</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>