UTILIZATION OF CATTLE FORE-STOMACH DIGESTA ENSILED WITH AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN PULP AND NON PROTEIN NITROGEN SOURCES BY GROWING UDA RAMS

Abstract

Sixteen growing Uda rams weighing between 20 and 25kg were used to determine the utilization of cattle fore-stomach digesta ensiled with African locust bean pulp (ALBP) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources. The study was conducted in Katagum, Zaki Local Government Area, Bauchi State. The animals were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The research lasted for eighty four (84) days of feeding and seven (7) days digestibility trials. Data were taken on feed intake and body weight changes. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed for haematological indices. The results showed that feed intake and dry matter intake (%body weight) were significantly (p<0.001) different. The weight gain, ADWG, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio, haemoglobin, park cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different. There was no significant difference in terms of digestibility of DM, CP, CF, EE, and Ash across the treatments. The cost of production showed no significant differences across the treatments means, but treatment A with 40% fore-stomach digesta and 60% African locust bean pulp was recorded the least cost of ₦332.51 and is recommended to farmers for feeding ruminant animals.