Nutritional effects of <i>Ziziphus Mucronata</i> in a mixed ration on performance of Yankasa rams

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the feed value of Ziziphus mucronata forage in a total mixed ration. Sixteen Yankasa rams weighing an average of 18.19±0.26 kg were divided into four groups with four animals per group. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% Z. mucronata foliage which were designated as treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively in a Completely Randomized Design. The results of the chemical composition revealed that the ash, crude protein and ether extract were higher (P<0.05) and crude fibre is lower (P>0.05) for treatment 1 compared to other treatments. Average daily gain (ADG, 0.09 kg), average daily dry matter intake (ADMI, 0.04kg), dry matter intake per metabolic weight (20.11 kg W^0.75) and feed conversion ratio (0.51) were significantly (P<0.05) better for animals on treatment T4. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract hemicellulose and lignin were higher (p<0.05) for treatment T4 compared to other treatments. Results showed positive nitrogen balance for all dietary treatments. It was concluded that Ziziphus mucronata could be utilized up to 15% in the diet of growing sheep with better performance especially during the dry season.