Intake And Digestibility Of West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Dietary Bambara Groundnut Offal

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the dry matter intake, nutrient intake and digestibility by WAD sheep fed dietary Bambara groundnut offal (BGO). These diets were formulated to contain BGO at 0; 10, and 20 % levels designated A, B and C respectively. Six (6) WAD rams were housed separately in metabolism cages with 2 rams per treatment in a 3 X 3 Latin square design. The animals were fed the three diets in a change over bases for three periods. The parameters assessed for nutrient intake did not indicate significant (P>0.05) differences. Apparent digestibility coefficient also did not indicate significant difference (P>0.05) for most of the parameters measured. Only ether extract digestibility coefficient was significantly influenced ,.(P<0.05) by the diets. However, the apparent nitrogen digestibility and crude protein digestibility were higher at the 20% inclusion of the raw Bambara groundnut offal, though comparable with the control digest. It is recommended therefore, that farmers could include raw Bambara groundnut offal up to 20% without adverse effects on the performance of sheep. Meanwhile, further studies should be conducted on this ingredient to determine its optimum inclusion level for sheep. It is therefore, necessary that further studies be conducted with higher levels of BGO to obtain its normal inclusion level for sheep as this present study could not establish that. ><0.05) by the diets. However, the apparent nitrogen digestibility and crude protein digestibility were higher at the 20% inclusion of the raw Bambara groundnut offal, though comparable with the control digest. It is recommended therefore, that farmers could include raw Bambara groundnut offal up to 20% without adverse effects on the performance of sheep. Meanwhile, further studies should be conducted on this ingredient to determine its optimum inclusion level for sheep. It is therefore, necessary that further studies be conducted with higher levels of BGO to obtain its normal inclusion level for sheep as this present study could not establish that.