COMPARATIVE FEEDING VALUE OF CYNODON DACTYLON AND DIGITARIA SMUTSII FORAGES SUPPLEMENTED WITH CONCENTRATE FOR WEANED FEMALE YANKASA LAMBS
COMPARATIVE FEEDING VALUE OF CYNODON DACTYLON AND DIGITARIA SMUTSII FORAGES SUPPLEMENTED WITH CONCENTRATE FOR WEANED FEMALE YANKASA LAMBS
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Date
2007-10
Authors
BUKAR, HASSAN FATIMAH
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Abstract
The study was conducted to compare the feeding values of Cynodon dactylon or
Digitaria smutsii as basal diet on growth and some blood metabolites in weaned female
Yankasa lambs. Twenty weaned female Yankasa lambs with an average body weight of
10± 2kg were randomly assigned to four treatments with five lambs per treatment in a
randomized complete block design.
They were fed with either Cynodon dactylon (treatments A and B) or Digitaria smutsii
(treatments C and D) ad labium. Animals in treatments A and C were supplemented at
1.0% of body weight (BW) while those in treatments B and D were supplemented at
1.5% BW. The concentrate was a mixture of maize (75.2%), cottonseed cake (23.8%),
common salt (0.5%), and bone meal (0.5%). The chemical composition of the feed
ingredients showed that Digitaria smutsii comprised DM 97; Ash 7.3; EE 4.1; CP 6.3:
NDF 73 and ADF 46%. Cynodon dactylon on the other hand had a composition of; DM
97.1; Ash 7.2; EE 3.5; CP 6.1; NDF 76.4 and ADF 47.0%. The concentrate had a
composition of DM 98; Ash 19.4; EE 5.2; CP 18.8; NDF 34.1 and ADF 25.0%.
The result showed that there was no difference in the nutrient content of Digitaria and
Cynodon, but the analysis of concentrate revealed a higher level of crude protein and
lower levels of neutral and acid detergent fibers.
The forage intake was higher in Digitaria but not significantly (P>0.05) different from
Cynodon. There was an increase in concentrate intake as the level of supplementation
increased. The same trend was observed with the total intake. Supplementation at 1.5%
gave higher (P>0.05) total intake than at 1.0% supplementation. Daily weight gain was
higher (P>0.05) with Cynodon supplemented at 1.5% BW than with Digitaria
supplemented at 1.5% BW.
Cynodon supplemented at 1.5% BW was found to be the most efficient and was
significantly (P<0.05) different from Digitaria supplemented at 1.5% BW. The
digestibility result also showed no differences between the two forages. Supplementation
was found to increase the level of blood protein, albumin, and globulin. It was concluded
from the study that Cynodon dactylon is a good forage substitute for Digitaria smutsii at
a high supplementation level of 1.5%. It is hence recommended as good forage for small
ruminants. This is because it has almost the same chemical composition as Digitaria
smutsii, hence almost the same nutritive values. Also the body weight gain was higher for
animals on Cynodon than Digitaria at the same level of supplementation. It is therefore
recommended that Cynodon dactylon which is a native pasture available as weed in all
the ecological zones of the country can be effectively produced and used as forage for
small ruminant production.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Award of Masters Degree
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Keywords
COMPARATIVE,, FEEDING,, VALUE,, CYNODON,, DACTYLON,, DIGITARIA,, SMUTSII,, FORAGES,, SUPPLEMENTED,, CONCENTRATE,, WEANED FEMALE,, YANKASA LAMBS