Abstract
The long term effect of supplementation of Leucaena pallida and Sesbania sesban on growth and reproduction performance was determined on 30 male Ethiopian highland sheep and 25 East African goats. Unchopped teff straw ( Eragrostis tef) was given ad libitum and supplemented with either wheat bran (150 g), Leucaena (200 or 400 g) or Sesbania (200 or 400 g). The animals were blocked (by species) on live weight and scrotal circumference (SC), and randomly assigned within blocks to the five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Animals supplemented with 400 g of the browses had significantly higher ( P<0.05) intake of DM and live weight gain than the other treatments. Sheep had significantly higher ( P<0.05) teff straw intake than goats (47.3 and 38.7 g kg W −0.75, respectively). The correlation between SC and body weight was high and significant in goats ( r 2=0.70, P<0.001) and lower in sheep ( r 2=0.43, P<0.01). Live weight gain and scrotal circumference changes were significantly ( P<0.01) different between treatments in both animal species. Supplementation with browses increased faecal nitrogen output and nitrogen retention. The results from this study indicated type and level of supplement variations on the growth and reproductive performance of sheep and goats.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
