Open AccessFeed Intake and Nutrient Utilization by Three Breeds of Cattle
Author(s) -
U. J. Ikhatua,
F. O. Olubajo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v8i1.2512
Subject(s) - nutrient , hay , dry matter , biology , zoology , agronomy , ecology
Two feeding and digestibility trials were carried out to investigate the effects of groundnut cake (GNC) supplementation on feed intake, DM digestibility, nutrient utilization and liveweight gain of three breeds of cattle fed on all-roughage rations (hay and fresh grass) of Cynodon nlemfuensis var robustus. The results showed a decrease in mean DM intake of the basal ration by approximately 13.14%; 1.9% and 6.4% and an increase in total dry matter intake (basal + GNC supplement) of approximately 0.42%), 11.56% and 11.04% for the indigenous, crosses and exotic animals respectively. The results also showed non-significent increases in the apparent digestibilities of the nutrients. Both the total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) kg/W0.75 and Metabolizable Energy (ME) Kcal/W0.75 intake by the three breeds of cattle were increased with supplementation and mean daily liveweight increased by 18.92%, 13.15% and 16.27% respectively.