THE EFFECT OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE SPRAY TREATMENTS OF MAIZE COBS ON CONSUMPTION AND DIGESTIBILITY BY THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

Abstract

A Sodium Hydroxide spray treatment of ground maize cobs was evaluated in a feeding trial with West African Dwarf rams. NaOH solution of 6% concentration was sprayed on ground maize cobs at the rate of 50 litres per 100 kg, representing a 3% NaOH treatment level. The treated maize cobs were air dried before being incorporated into the experimental diets. The apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and gross energy (GE) were significantly higher in the diet containing NaOH — treated maize cobs (diet B) than the diet containing the untreated maize cobs (diet A). Addition of sucrose (purified cane sugar) at 37 level to the NaOH-treated maize cobs (diet C) produced a slight increase in voluntary feed consumption but did not have any significant effect on nutrient digestibility when compared with diet B. Relative intake (RI), nutritive value index (NVI) and digestible energy (DE) intake values were significantly higher in diets B and C. Average daily weight gains were also significantly higher in the diets containing NaOH-treated maize cobs (diets B and C), while the efficiency of feed utilization values were closely related to the daily weight gains.