Open AccessEnergy utilization for body weight gain of ram-lambs fed differently processed breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) meal in total mixed rations.
Author(s) -
M. I Okoruwa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v43i2.886
Subject(s) - meal , ficus , body weight , zoology , feed conversion ratio , weight gain , biology , energy density , completely randomized design , food science , botany , endocrinology , physics , theoretical physics
The study was carried out to estimate the energy utilization for body weight gain in West African dwarf ram-lambs fed differently processed breadfruit meal in total mixed rations. Twenty non-castrated ram-lambs, about 7months of age with an average-initial body weight of 6.00 ± 0.55kg, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with five ram-lambs per treatment group in a completely randomized design. Ficus foliage with differently processed breadfruit meals and concentrate diet were used as treatment diets. Diet A (50% unpeeled raw breadfruit meal +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet) B (50% peeled raw breadfruit +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet), C (50% unpeeled soaked breadfruit meal +20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet) and D (50% unpeeled boiled breadfruit meal + 20% Ficus foliage + 30% concentrate diet). Results showed that faecal energy output (999.41MJ/g/day DM) was significantly (P 0.05) differences in urinary energy loss, metabolizability and initial body weight of ram-lambs. It was therefore concluded that diets B and C enhanced efficiency of energy utilization for body weight gain of ram-lambs.