Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different levels of SNC on feed intake, digestibility and growth in West African Dwarf sheep. Sheanut cake (SNC) is a waste product from the process of extracting shea butter from shea fruits. Sheanut cake (SNC) is a waste product from the process of extracting shea butter from shea fruits. Many authors have investigated the importance of this waste to the ruminant livestock production industry. Sheanut cake (SNC) contained 122.4 - 189.0 g kg -1 of crude protein, 123.0 - 175.0 g kg -1 ether extract, 92.3 g kg -1 ADF, 100.7 g kg -1 NDF, 41.6-53.0 g kg -1 ash, 75.0- 138.0 g kg -1 crude fibre, dry matter of 915.0 g kg -1 and a metabolizable energy of 7.12 MJ kg -1 . SNC also contained anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) (tannins, saponins, and theobromine) that reduced its use at a higher inclusion level in the diet of sheep. Varying levels of Sheanut cake (11.5 - 30%) were included in the diet of sheep to observe its effect on the performance of WAD sheep. It was observed that above 25% inclusion, feed intake, digestibility and average daily growth rate were depressed. No negative effect was reported in the haematology and blood biochemistry of sheep when SNC was included in the diet up to 25%. It has been established from this study that SNC contains appreciable levels of nutrient especially protein. However, the optimum inclusion level in the diet of WAD sheep is 25% beyond which feed intake, digestibility and growth is depressed.
Highlights
Shea tree is a member of the family Sapotaceae, and this plant is native to Africa
Ayeh (1981) reported that Shea butter is extracted from the nuts and are increasingly used for livestock and poultry feed, leaves and young sprouts serve as forage while small ruminants such as sheep and goats eat the sugary pulp of ripe fruit that have fallen to the ground
The crude protein reported is in the range of 122.4 - 189.0 g kg-1 with ether extract in the range of 123-175 g kg-1
Summary
Shea tree is a member of the family Sapotaceae, and this plant is native to Africa. The tree is found in semi - arid areas north of the humid forest zone and it can attain a height of 15 to 22m and the trunk diameter varies from 0.5 – 1m (FAO, 1998). It protects older trees against bush fires. The leaves of Shea butter are used as medicine to treat stomach ache in children and its fruit contains protein at 0.7-1.3g, carbohydrate 41.3g -100g, iron 1.90-100g, calcium 34.4mg -100g and ascorbic acid 196.1mg -100g respectively. Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, as well as catechins and plant antioxidants (Masters, 2004). Ayeh (1981) reported that Shea butter is extracted from the nuts and are increasingly used for livestock and poultry feed, leaves and young sprouts serve as forage while small ruminants such as sheep and goats eat the sugary pulp of ripe fruit that have fallen to the ground. Studies have shown that the extract from the leaves are used to relieve headaches and eye bath (Abidemi et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 call
