EVALUATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND APPARENT NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF OUDA LAMBS FED DIFFERENT CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTED WITH GROUNDNUT HAY, KANO STATE NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated the growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients of Ouda Lambs fed different concentrates. A total 25 lambs (state average weight ±SE) were randomly allotted to five different concentrates such as diet A (compounded), diet B (Ricogardo), diet C (Albarka), diet D (Knarda) and diet E (Animal care) using a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet A was formulated to serve as a control diet, while diets B, C, D and E were purchased from feed vendors. Growth performance was monitored for how long? and nutrient digestibility was determined at what period? Results obtained were subjected to one-way (ANOVA). Growth parameters revealed a significantly (p<0.05) highest weight gain (886.10 g/lamb) in the control diet and highest feed conversion efficiency (0.19). The Albarka diet correspondingly revealed a lowest weight gain (795.00 g/lamb); while, Animal care diet had a significantly (p<0.05) highest total feed intake (780.00 g/lamb) with the worst feed conversion ratio (6.43). The CP digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) highest in Ricogardo diet (87.72) and lowest in Albarka diet (85.12). The study revealed that concentrate supplemented with groundnut hay could be used as feed for small ruminants and will give a positive results in terms of intake, performance and nutrients digestibility. It is therefore, recommended that small ruminants can be fed Animal care concentrates supplemented with groundnut hay for enhanced nutrients utilization and growth performance.