Energy utilization for body weight gain of ram-lambs fed differently processed breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) meal in total mixed rations

Abstract

The study was carried out to estimate the energy utilization for body weight gain in West African dwarf ram-lambs fed differently processed breadfruit meal in total mixed rations. Twenty non-castrated ram-lambs, about 7months of age with an average-initial body weight of 6.00±0.55kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with five ram-lambs per treatment group in a completely randomized design. Ficus foliage with differently processed breadfruit meals and concentrate diet were used as treatment diets. Diet A (50% unpeeled raw breadfruit meal +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet) B (50% peeled raw breadfruit +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet), C (50% unpeeled soaked breadfruit meal +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet) and D (50% unpeeled boiled breadfruit meal + 20% Ficus foliage +30% concentrate diet). Results showed that faecal energy output (999.41 MJ/g/day DM) was significantly (P<0.05) highest in treatment diet A compared with other treatment diets. Ram-lambs on treatment diets B and Chad the significantly highest (P < 0.05) on digestible energy intake (1310.84 and 1295.62 MJ/g/day DM), metabolizable energy intake (1074.89 and 1062.41 MJ/g/day DM), average total weight gain (4.18 und 4.13kg) and average daily weight gain (87.08 and 86.04g) compared with treatment diets A and D. Gross energy intake (4503.00MJ/g/day), average total feed intake (13.68kg), averuge daily feed intake (285.00g) and feed conversion ratio (4.44) were significantly (P < 0.05) better in ram-lambs on treatment diet D. There were no significant (P >0.05) differences in urinary energy loss, metabolizability and initial body weight of ram-lambs. It was therefore concluded that diets B and C enhanced efficiency of energy utilization for body weight gain of ram-lambs.