SUPPLEMENTAL EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA FOLIAGE ON THE UTILIZATION OF GROUNDNUT HAULMS BY SHEEP

Abstract

The use of cassava foliage in Nigeria as a low cost supplemental nitrogen to crop residues generally characterized by low nutrient levels has assisted microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of ruminant animals. The effects of the supplementation of groundnut haulms (GH) with graded levels of cassava foliage (CFL) at 0, 10, 20 and 30% on the performance of the West African dwarf (WAD) breed of sheep with average body weight of 13.20 ± 0.34kg were evaluated in a complete randomized design in a 90 day experiment. Data were obtained on feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and haematological parameters. Results showed that CFL supplementation of GH had a positive effect (P<0.05) on dry matter (DM) intake and weight gain of sheep. Sheep supplemented with 20% CFL showed better DM intake (455.74g/day), weight gain (45.24g/day) and feed conversion ratio (9.96). Digestibility values for dry matter and crude protein increased (P<0.05) with an increase with the inclusion levels of CFL in the diets but similar values observed in 20 and 30% CFL supplemental diets. Higher (P<0.05) values were observed in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts of sheep supplemented with graded levels of CFL. It was however concluded that the supplementation of groundnut haulms with cassava foliage offered sheep a better plane of nutrition, thereby supporting higher growth rates with sheep supplemented with 20% CFL inclusion levels having the best feed intake, digestibility and weight gain.