Performance of Yankasa rams fed different ratios of Brachiaria ruziziensis forage and Concentrate in a total mixed ration.

Ahmed, S. A.; Amodu, J. T.; Abdu S. B.; IShiaku, Y. M.; Lasisi, .O .T; Abubakar S. A.; Ibrahim, H.

Ahmed, S. A. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
Amodu, J. T. Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
Abdu S. B. Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
IShiaku, Y. M. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria
Lasisi, .O .T National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
Abubakar S. A. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria.
Ibrahim, H. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria

Keywords: Brachiaria ruziziensis, Yankasa rams, Total mixed ration, Forage

Abstract

A feeding trial which lasted for (12) weeks was carried out to determine feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance by growing Yankasa rams fed different ratios of Brachiaria ruziziensis and concentrate in a total mixed ration at the National Animal Production Research Institute Shika, Zaria in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Sixteen healthy Growing Yankasa rams with an average live weight of 21.75kg±1kg were randomly allocated to four treatments with four replicates in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment diets were ratios of Brachiaria ruziziensis to concentrate mixtures: (90:10), (80:20), (70:30) and (60:40). Feed intake (57.19kg), Daily feed intake (635.48g/day), Average daily gain (61.11g/day), and feed conversion ratio (10.47) were significantly higher (P<0.05) for animals’ fed 60:40 ratio of B.ruziziensis to concentrate mixture and showed a decline across the treatments as the quantity of concentrate inclusion in the mixture decreased. Feed conversion ratio (10.47) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in animals fed the 60:40 ratio. It was concluded from this study that feeding Yankasa rams with 60:40 ratio B.ruziziensis to concentrate mixture in a total mixed ration improved utilization, and gave the highest weight gain (5.5kg) and revenue (₦4887.7). Thus it is recommended for smallholder farmers and livestock owners in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.

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