RUMEN FERMENTATION PARAMETERS AND MICROBIAL PROFILES OF WEST AFRICA DWARF SHEEP FED SUGARCANE TOP TREATED WITH DIFFERENT NITROGEN SOURCES

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to examine the effect of sugarcane top treated with different nitrogen sources on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial profiles of West African dwarf (WAD) sheep. Four different silages were prepared such that sugarcane tops were ensiled alone (control) or with 2% urea (USCT silage), 45% boiler litter (BLSCT silage) and 1% urea plus 22.5% broiler litter (UBLSCT) for 42 days. Each silage treatment contains 2% molasses. Twenty-four female WAD sheep weighing 14.58±1.16kgwere randomly assigned to the four silage treatments in a completely randomised design with six animals per treatment for 84 days. Effect of silages on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial profiles at 4 hours post-feeding were evaluated. Results revealed that the rumen pH was highest in animal fed control silage (6.85) and lowest in those fed BLSCT silage (6.56). Highest ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acid, acetate and propionate concentration were recorded in animals fed BLSCT silage. Total viable bacteria, fungi zoopores, cellulolytic bacteria, and proteolytic bacteria counts were higher (P < 0.05) in animals fed BLSCT and UBLSCT followed by animals fed USCT while those fed control silage recorded the lowest counts. It can be concluded that feeding of all treated sugarcane top silages especially BLSCT and UBLSCT resulted in improved rumen ecology in terms of microbial biomass, volatile fatty acids production and ruminal pH compared with the control silage.