Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

UTILIZATION OF RICE STRAW ENSILED WITH SOYBEAN MEAL AND GARLIC OIL BY YANKASA RAMS IN SEMI ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

Omotosho S. O., Maigandi S. A & Njidda A. A

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding garlic oil on some performance characteristics of growing Yankasa rams. Sixteen (16) rams with an average weight of 19kg were selected and divided randomly into 4 groups with 4 animals per group. All rams in the different groups were fed similar ensiled diet of Rice straw (RS) and Soybean meal (SB).The first group (A ,control) was fed the ensiled diet alone while group 2,3,and 4(B,C and D) were supplemented with 1, 2 and 3 litres of garlic oil inclusion respectively. At the end of 12weeks, digestibility trial was carried out using 12rams (3 rams each) for 3weeks.Results indicated that daily Dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher for treatment B (1156.81g) than those fed A,C and D. Similarly, Organic matter intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher for rams on treatment B (1063.31g) than those on other treatments. Average daily gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher for rams on treatment B (77.50 g) compared to others. Digestibility of all nutrients were significantly (P<0.05) higher for rams on treatment B. Cost of feed /kg gain was also best for rams on treatment B which had the lowest cost(N/kg) (1088.30).It can be concluded that using garlic oil as feed additives at the rate of 1litre, 2litres and 3litres ration improve utilization of nutrients, growth rate and feed intake in terms of aroma, colour and palatability. The group fed supplemented diet with 1litre garlic oil showed the best performance with an average daily gain of 77.50g/d, Feed-gain ratio of 15.76 and increase in feed intake of 1221.94(g). Base on these findings, it can be concluded that inclusion of garlic oil up to 1 litre in the diet of growing Yankasa rams had the best result interms growth performance and digestibility.

Published Date: 2014-12-24;