Authors : B.O. Oduguwa , A.O. Jolaosho , O.J. Babayemi , A.B.J. Aina and I.F. Adu
Abstract: The feeding value of Malted Sorghum Sprout (MSP) was investigated with West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep by feeding MSP with Soybean Stover (SBS) at different ratios of 0:100 (i.e. sole SBS), 5:95, 10:90, 15:85 (which were mixture of MSP/SBS). Feed intake, weight gain, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization were monitored in 12 rams using a completely randomized design. The DM, OM and NDF intakes (g/kgW0.75/day) increased as the level of MSP inclusion increased. Crude protein intake (g/kgW0.75/day) was highest on 15% level of MSP inclusion (15.86) and the lowest value (p<0.05) was in sole SBS diet (10.13). The highest weight gain of 49.8 gd 1 was recorded for rams on 15% MSP supplementation while the least is from the sole SBS diet. Nitrogen balance (g/kg W0.75) and retention (%) were highest in 15% supplementation (0.30 and 63.71) and lowest in sole SBS diet (0.11 and 56.64). The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF also followed the same trend. The result indicate that feed intake, weight gain, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization can be enhanced by feeding as low as 5% MSP in mixture with SBS to WAD sheep.
B.O. Oduguwa , A.O. Jolaosho , O.J. Babayemi , A.B.J. Aina and I.F. Adu , 2006. Nutritive Value of Malted Sorghum Sprout in West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Soybean Stover Based Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 901-906.