In this study, our primary objective was to enhance the nutritive value of ruminant feed through the supplementation of improved forages, grasses, and legumes in the basal diets. Specifically, we aimed to evaluate the impact of different levels of Napier's grass (Pennisetum pupareum) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay supplementation on feed intake, digestibility, and body weight changes in Hadero Tunto Zuria Woreda local sheep fed on urea-treated wheat straw.
The forage legumes and wheat straw were meticulously prepared before the experiment, with urea-treated wheat straw undergoing a 21-day ensiling process. Using a completely randomized block design, we selected ten non-castrated male sheep aged nine to eleven months, each with an initial live weight of 16-18kg, and implemented five treatments. Throughout the 90-day feeding trial, we recorded daily feed intake and body weight changes, collecting and analyzing feces and feed samples for a comprehensive assessment.
Treatment groups included varying levels of Urea treated wheat straw and a combination of Napier grass and alfalfa hay. Statistical analysis using STATA 10 and SPSS 20 revealed notable differences in total dry matter, organic matter, and metabolizable energy intake among treatments. Treatment five (T5) showed the highest intake, while treatment one (T1) had the lowest. Additionally, T5 demonstrated the highest (P<0.05) digestibility of dry matter and organic matter.
Notably, treatment five (T5) and treatment four (T4) exhibited higher crude protein intake and digestibility compared to other treatments. Average daily gain (ADG) for T5 and T4 surpassed other treatments significantly, indicating superior animal performance. Feed conversion efficiency varied significantly among treatments, with T2 and T3 showing similar values.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Statement of the problem
- Objectives of the study
- Hypotheses
- Materials and Methods
- Study area and experimental design
- Animal husbandry and management
- Feed sampling and analysis
- Data analysis
- Results and Discussion
- Chemical composition of the feeds
- In vitro digestibility of the feeds
- Feed intake and performance of sheep
- Economic evaluation of the feeding system
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to evaluate the nutritional potential of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum S.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hays supplemented with urea treated wheat straw for sheep. The research explores the impact of these feed combinations on various aspects, including nutrient composition, in vitro digestibility, animal performance, and economic feasibility.
- Nutrient content and digestibility of various forage combinations
- Impact of feed combinations on animal performance parameters
- Economic analysis of different feeding systems
- Evaluation of urea treated wheat straw as a supplementary feed source
- Sustainable feeding strategies for sheep production
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the context of the study by introducing the importance of sheep production in Ethiopia and highlighting the need for cost-effective and sustainable feeding strategies. The chapter also outlines the objectives, hypotheses, and research methodology employed in the study.
- Materials and Methods: This chapter provides detailed information about the study area, experimental design, animal management practices, feed sampling techniques, and data analysis methods used in the research.
- Results and Discussion: This chapter presents the findings of the study, including the chemical composition of the feeds, in vitro digestibility estimates, animal performance data, and economic analysis of the feeding systems. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies and the implications for sheep production are highlighted.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Elephant grass, alfalfa, urea treated wheat straw, sheep, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, animal performance, economic analysis, sustainable feeding, Ethiopian sheep production
- Quote paper
- Muluken Abraham (Author), 2022, Enhancing Sheep Nutrition. Exploring the Nutritional Potential of Elephant Grass and Alfalfa Hay Supplemented with Urea-Treated Wheat Straw, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1416009
