Performance of yankasa rams fed varying ratio of Brachiaria ruziziensisCentrosema pascuorum hay mixtures

Abstract

The performance of Yankasa rams fed varying ratios of Brachiaria ruziziensis-Centrosema pascuorum hay with concentrate
was investigated. Twelve yearling rams having 10.25±0.1 kg average initial weight were assigned to three different diets of B.
ruziziensis and C. pascuorum hays at varying proportions (75 B.R: 25 C.P, 50 B.R: 50 C.P and 25 B.R: 75C.P, respectively) in
a Completely Randomized Design for 90 days. Forage mixtures (basal diet) were fed to the rams at 3% body weight while the
concentrate diet was fed at fixed ratio. The growth trial showed that rams fed a mixture of 25% B.R: 75% C.P had the highest
weight gain (3.92 kg). Similarly, the feed conversion ratio (18.07) obtained in 25% B.R: 75% C.P mixture was higher (P<0.05)
than other treatment diets. Blood chemistry after feeding was mostly not significant (P>0.05) except glucose, alkaline
phosphatase (ALP) and Urea Nitrogen (Urea N) which were significant (P<0.05). Animals fed 75 BR: 25 CP diets had better
glucose (54 mmol) and ALP (18 µ/l) values after feeding, while Urea-N was higher (28.80 mmol) in animals fed 25BR:75CP
diets. Animals on 25BR:75CP diets had best values after feeding for White Blood Cell (14.40 x106mm3
) and Urea-N (28.80
mmol). The feed cost per kilogram gain ranged from N1629.30 in 25% B.R: 75% C.P to 1845.50 in 50% B.R: 50% C.P diet,
which showed that 25% B.R: 75% C.P diet had best weight gain relative to feed cost. Gross profitability margin was higher in
the 25 BR: 75 CP diet (54%), but 5% lower (49%) in the 50 BR: 50 CP diet and 13% lower (41%) in 75 BR: 25 CP diet. In
conclusion, 25 BR: 75 CP (1: 3) performed best and is recommended in diet of Yankasa rams for best performance. © 2021
Department of Agricultural Sciences, AIOU