Alabi J.O., Arigbede M., Ng'ambi J., Norris D., Shiawoya E., Onyekachi S.
Effects of urea-treated fibrous diets on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance and haematological parameters of Yankasa rams
Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, P Bag X 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Depa
Alabi, J.O., Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, P Bag X 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa; Arigbede, M., Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Ng'ambi, J., Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, P Bag X 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa; Norris, D., Department of Animal Production, University of Limpopo, P Bag X 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa; Shiawoya, E., Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Nigeria; Onyekachi, S., Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Nigeria
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of urea-treated fibrous diets on the intake, nutrient digestibility, performance and haematological parameters of Yankasa rams. A total of 48 Yankasa rams (BW 10.00 ± 1.50 kg; 6-8 months old) were allocated into four treatment groups in a completely randomised design (12 rams per treatment). Animals were placed on complete rations of yam peels, maize bran and rice husk treated with 0, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 % urea. The experiment lasted for 18 weeks. Yankasa rams fed with urea-treated diets had higher feed intake (949.88 and 938.04 g/day for U15 and U20, respectively), daily weight gain (227.67 and 181.00 g/day for U15 and U20, respectively) and better feed conversion ratio (4.17 and 5.18 for U15 and U20, respectively). Rams on urea-treated diets had higher haemoglobin and red blood cell contents and higher weight gains, indicating that urea treatment enhanced nutrient supply and utilisation at the tissue level. It was concluded that urea treatment of fibrous farm by-products is a promising feeding strategy especially during the dry season when there is scarcity of high-quality forages. Addition of 1.5 % urea to roughage diets and farm by-products to form a total mixed ration may preclude the search for supplements. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
urea; animal; animal disease; animal food; article; blood analysis; caloric intake; diet; diet supplementation; dietary fiber; digestion; domestic sheep; feeding behavior; male; metabolism; Nigeria; physiology; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Blood Chemical Analysis; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Male; Nigeria; Sheep, Domestic; Urea; Animalia; Dioscorea alata; Zea mays