ABSTRACT

Twelve growing WAD ewes of between 10-12 months in age and averaging 12.4±0.23kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (A, B, C and D) containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) at four inclusion levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%). The feeding trial which lasted for 90 days was conducted to determine growth performance, blood profile, apparent nutrient digestibility and economics of production of incorporating MOLM leaf meal in diets of ewes The animals were randomly divided into four treatment groups of 3 animals each and assigned the treatment diets in a Completely Randomised Design. Each animal was housed individually in cement floored pens provided with feeding and drinking troughs. The treatment diets (Table 3.1) were assigned to designated treatment groups on 3% body weight basis in addition to a basal forage sward containing majorly Panicum maximum, Aspillia africana and Alchonea cordifolia. Parameters investigated were average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost benefit ratio. Blood and faecal samples collected from the animals in each treatment group were used to determine haematological (PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, WBC etc.) biochemical (glucose, urea, creatinine, AST, etc.) and apparent nutrient digestibility, respectively. Results showed that incorporating MOLM in diets of WAD ewes generally enhanced intake. The average daily feed intake did not differ (P>0.05) among treatment groups, however intake increased as the inclusion of MOLM increased with diet D having highest intake (491.85g/d) and diet A control having the lowest intake (463.70). The average daily weight gain gain (48.15g/d) and diet A having the lowest daily weight gain. Similarly FCR was best for animals fed diet D (10.23). Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), Aspertate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin values xii / ! Si .1 Twelve growing WAD ewes of between 10-12 months in age and averaging 12.4±0.23kg were digestibility and economics of production of incorporating MOLM leaf meal in diets of ewes. differed significantly (P<0.05) with ewes on diet D (15% MOLM) having the highest weigh differed significantly (P <0.05) ranging from (30.10-35.00); (9.88-11.67); (10.76-11.75); (29.75- 33.50); (10.38-18.83) and (0.45-0.80) respectively values were within stipulated range for sheep. Nutrient digestibility among treatment groups were value significantly different (P <0.05) for dry matter (DM) 55.62-61.99, crude protein (CP) 71.61-78.78, crude fibre (CF) 66.93-74.31 and ash 36.49-46.67%. Diets with the test ingredient had higher (P<0.05) coefficients of digestibility compared with the control diet while diet D had comparatively higher (P<0.05) digestibility coefficients for DM 61.99%, CP 78.79% and CF 74.31% relative to other test diets. The cost benefit ratio was best for ewes fed diet D (1:2.10) i compared with diet A (1:1.5). With respect to relative evaluation, diet D which contains 15% MOLM is recommended for sheep fattening programmes in South Eastern Nigeria