Intake, growth performance and economics of production of Yankasa rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top supplemented with varying concentrate regimes

Abstract

The effects of feeding different levels of a concentrate supplement to growing rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top (AETST) as basal diet on voluntary intake and body weight changes were evaluated. The experiment consisted of four treatments: 0, 300, 450 and 550 g/d in a completely randomized design using 16 growing Yankasa rams. Data collected include feed intake, growth performance and economy of production. Except for AETST intake, and dry matter (DM) intake (% BW) and feed/gain ratio (F/G) which were higher (P<0.05) for the non-supplemented control, total DM, crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P<0.05) for the supplemented diets. Among the supplemented groups, intakes of DM, OM and CP were higher (P<0.05) and F/G lower (P<0.05) for 450 and 550 g/d concentrate levels compared to 350 g/d level. Concentrate intake and ADG followed this rank order: 350 g/d < 450 g/d < 550 g/d P<0.05). Total cost of feed consumed/ram, weight gain (mutton) and monetary value (Naira) of mutton were higher (p<0.05) for T4 than for T1, T2 and T3 diets. Net benefit was higher (p<0.05) for T1, differential and relative benefits were superior (p<0.05) for T2. The study suggests that feeding ruminant animals with AETST supplemented with lower level of concentrate can improve voluntary intake, body weight and economic benefits to farmers. However, diet with 350 g (T2) concentrate supplementation had better economic benefit than other dietary treatments.