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Utilization of Sorghum Forage, Millet Forage, Veldt Grass and Buffel Grass by Tswana Sheep and Goats when Fed Lablab purpureus L. as Protein Supplement |
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A. A. Aganga, M. N. Autlwetse |
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| Abstract |
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Forty yearling Tswana sheep and goats (20 sheep and 20 goats) of both sexes were used in a feeding trial conducted in Botswana College of Agriculture (B.C.A) Content Farm in Gaborone for three months. The animals were randomized into four treatment groups of five animals per species balancing for weight and sex such that average initial weights were not statistically different. The sheep and goats were individually housed and fed under a common roof. All the animals were fed on Lablab purpureus L. as a protein supplement which was 40% of the ration. In addition to L.purpureus L. the control groups of both species were fed on 60% Cenchrus ciliaris L. as basal diet. The other three treatment groups were fed on different forages namely; sorghum forage (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf), millet forage (Pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf and Hubb.) and veldt grass mainly Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) as basal diet (60%). Water was provided individually to all the animals on ad lib. basis. Daily intakes of feed and water were recorded and weighing of the animals was done every two weeks. The collected data were analysed statistically for differences. Average daily weight gain by Tswana sheep was significantly different (p<0.05), sheep fed on millet forage had a higher daily weight gain (120.24 8.91 g) compared with sheep fed on veldt grass (92.86 6.94 g). Treatment effects on daily total DM intake by sheep were significant, the control group (C. ciliaris L.) had higher intake (705.77 10.22 g) and those fed on sorghum forage had the least intake (668.10 10.70 g). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the average daily weight gain by Tswana goats and it was 84.52, 73.81, 83.33 and 78.57 g for goats fed on C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively. Average daily total DM intake by goats was 655.27, 652.64, 650.07 and 650.94 g for C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was 8.00, 8.98, 7.93 and 8.34 for goats fed on C. ciliaris L., sorghum forage, millet forage and veldt grass respectively and were not significantly different (p>0.05). |
| Keywords:
Tswana Sheep and Goats; Lablab purpureus L.; Cenchrus ciliaris L; Sorghum Forage; Millet Forage and Veldt Grass |
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