Feeding value of shrimp waste meal for West African Dwarf sheep fed soybean stover basal diet

Abstract

A degradability and feeding trial was carried out to estimate the utilization of soybean stover (SBS), Shrimp waste meal (SWM) and their mixtures (SBS+SWM) in West African Dwarf sheep. Sole sammples of SBS< SWM and mixture of SBS+SWM were incubated in the rumen of castrated West African Dwarf rams. Degradation lasted 48 hours. Feeding trial entailed feding levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) of SWM to a sole SBS diet. The growth study lasted for eight weeks. Results obtained in the degradability trial showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differnces in the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergentfibre (ADF) degradability parameters for the feedstuffs. The effective DM degradability 'ED' was highest in SBS (343.0g/kg) and lowest in SWM (250.0g/kg). Crude protein effective degradability 'ED' ranged between 101.0 and 301.0g/kg for SBS and SBS+SWM respectively. NDF 'ED' ranged between 398.6g/kg for SWM and 815.7g/kg for SBS. ADF degradation characteristics for the constituents were also significantly (P<0.05) different with the soluble fraction 'a' values ranging between 126.0 and 624.0g/kg. When graded levels of shrimp waste meal was used as supplement to soybean stover, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the average daily weight gain, which ranged from 9.52 to 22.85gd-1.The mean live weight gain was highest at 10% level of inclusion. Average daily DM intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing level of SWM in the diet. The sole soybean stover diet however had the least DMI. MD, OM, NDF and ADF apparent digestibility coefficients were not significantly affected by the treatment imposed. CP digestibiliy increased (P<0.05) with increasing level of SWM to peak at the 15% level of inclusion (0.767) compared to the sole SBS treatment (0.593). Nitrogen balance was significantly (P<0.05) increased as the level of inclusion of SWM increased. Results suggest that feeding soybean stover as roughage along with up to 10% SWM to sheep may be sufficient to meet the requirements for weight gain and proper nutrient utilization