NUTRIENT INTAKE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) SHEEP FED BOILED COCOA SEED TESTA AND SORGHUM MALT DUST-BASED DIETS

Abstract

The study investigated the nutrient intake of sheep fed boiled Cocoa Seed Testa (CST) and Sorghum Malt Dust (SMD)-based diet. The feeding trial was conducted on the feed intake response of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep in a completely randomized experimental design using boiled CST and SMD-based diet. A total of twenty-eight animals were used for the trial. The trial had seven treatment groups with four replicates. The seven dietary treatment used in the trial comprises CST at 10, 20 and 30% levels, SMD at 10, 20, 30% levels and control. The experiment lasted ninety days. Data generated were computed and subjected to a one-way Analysis of Variance. In the trial, the Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Ash, Ether Extract (EE), and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) intakes from forage were significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet 5 (20% SMD inclusion) than in all other diets. Also, the DM, Ash and NFE intake from concentrate were significantly (P><0.05) higher in diet five than 4 (10% SMD inclusion) where there was no significant difference (P><0.05). DM intake from concentrate increased as the level of inclusion of CST increased in the diet but decreased in diet 3 (30% inclusion of CST). DM intake increased as the level of inclusion of CST and SMD increased but decreased as the level increased to 30%. The animals had adequate dry matter intakes (g/day) that range from 401.26 to 458.29 g/d, which amounted to 4.06 to 4.78%. Available nutrients in the diet containing boiled cocoa seed testa and sorghum malt dust were significantly better in their utilization by sheep that consume boiled sorghum malt dust-based diet. ><0.05) higher in diet five than 4 (10% SMD inclusion) where there was no significant difference (P<0.05). DM intake from concentrate increased as the level of inclusion of CST increased in the diet but decreased in diet 3 (30% inclusion of CST). DM intake increased as the level of inclusion of CST and SMD increased but decreased as the level increased to 30%. The animals had adequate dry matter intakes (g/day) that range from 401.26 to 458.29 g/d, which amounted to 4.06 to 4.78%. Available nutrients in the diet containing boiled cocoa seed testa and sorghum malt dust were significantly better in their utilization by sheep that consume boiled sorghum malt dust-based diet. ><0.05). DM intake from concentrate increased as the level of inclusion of CST increased in the diet but decreased in diet 3 (30% inclusion of CST). DM intake increased as the level of inclusion of CST and SMD increased but decreased as the level increased to 30%. The animals had adequate dry matter intakes (g/day) that range from 401.26 to 458.29 g/d, which amounted to 4.06 to 4.78%. Available nutrients in the diet containing boiled cocoa seed testa and sorghum malt dust were significantly better in their utilization by sheep that consume boiled sorghum malt dust-based diet.