Proximate composition and dry matter degradability of some non-conventional feeds in the semi-arid region of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the proximate composition, dry matter degradability in the rumen and the cost of each feed ingredient used in the formulation. The feed ingredients used in formulating the rations were; watermelon peel, orange peel, groundnut haulms and poultry litter. The dry matter proximate composition ranged from 88 to 92% (F6 to F4). Crude protein was shown to be lowest in F2 (10.0%) and highest in F5 (20.18%) which was probably due to higher proportion of orange peel. Crude fibre recorded in F2 (25.21%) was the highest while F6 (4.0%) was the lowest. Ether extract ranges from 3.9% (F6) to 2.0%(F5). This was probably due to the orange peel content of the ration. The degradation observed ranged from 6.80% to 39.95% at 3 hours, 23.60 to 38.00% at 6 hours and a slight increase (35.15 to 38%) was noticed at 12 hours. It ranged from 35.15% to 52.70 %, at 24 hours, 42.20 % to 64.80%, at 48 hours and 56.40 % to 73.44% at 72 hours. The cost of the formulation recorded showed F4 (N 450) to be the lowest and F3 (N 1250) highest. The outcome of the study showed that F5 and F6 had higher degradability, and crude protein, and moderate cost.