ABSTRACT

A metabolism study lasting 42 days was conducted using 4 rams in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding Pan icum maximum and Gmelina arborea leaves to rams at varying levels, Panicum: Gmelina — 100:0%, 80:20%, 60:40% and 40:60% on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, growth rate, nitrogen utilization and levels of blood metabolization. The results show that the dry matter (DM) of the diets decreased progressively while the crude protein (CP) increased linearly with the increase in the dietary inclusion of Gmelina. The dry matter intake (DM1) was similar (P>0.05) for all the treatments. The DM1 (g/kgW°75 ) ranged from 355.88-399.84 while the daily DM1 percentage of body weight varied from 19.60-22.02%. The crude protein intake (CPI) increased marginally across the treatments. From the study, the digestibility coefficient assumed the same pattern for both the dry matter (DMD) and Organic Matter (OMD). The crude protein (CPD) followed the same trend of response as DMD and OMD, but significantly (P<0.05) declined after the 60:40 treatments. The mean values of the blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen ranged from 36.50-51.50 mg!100m1 and 35.13-49.00 mg/100m1 respectively while the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values for blood glucose in treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 were statistically similar (P>0.05) but significantly higher (P<0.05) than the (PCV) in treatment 3. The blood urea nitrogen was similar (P>0.05) and comparable for all the treatments. Nitrogen retained as percentage of nitrogen intake followed the same trend as nitrogen retained. The results increased linearly with the increase in dietary inclusion of Gmelina leaves in the treatments. Nitrogen retained in treatments 2 and 3 are similar but statistically higher (P<0.05) than treatment 1. Tn treatment 4, nitrogen retained was significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to the other treatments. Generally, nitrogen was better utilized in rams fed higher percentage of Gmelina leaves than grass forage alone. Therefore, the inclusion of Gmelina leaves in animal diets should not exceed 30% of the total ration.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Title Page i

Declaration ii

Certification iv

Dedicatiojr

Acknow1edgement vi

Table Of Contents Viii

List of Tables xi

Abstract xiii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Objectives

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review 3

2.1 Sheep production in Nigeria . 3

2.2 Sheep population 3

2.3 Breeds of sheep and their national distribution . 4

2.3.1 West African Dwarf . 4

2.3.2 Yankasa • 4

2.3.3 Uda . 5

2.3.4 Balami 5

2.4 Production system in Nigeria 6

2.4.1 The traditional production system 6

2.4.2 The improved production system 7

2.5 Feed resources for sheep production 7

2.5.1 Native grasses 8

2.5.1.1 Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass) 9

2.5.2 Legumes 10

2.5.3 Crop residue . 11

2.5.4 Agro-industrial by-products 12

2.5.5 Browses 14

2.5.5.1 Effects of browses on ruminant production 15

2.5.6 Tree leaves 16

2.5.6.1 GmelinaLinn . 17

2.5.6.1.1 Importance of Gmelina 18

2.5.6.1.2 Literature on feed value of Gmelina .. 18

2.6 Feed intake in ruminants 21

2.6.1 Importance of feed intake 21

2.6.2 Factors affecting feed intake 22

2.6.2.1 Sensory appraisal . 22

2.6.2.2 Palatability and unpalatability 23

2.6.2.3 Effects of exercise on feed intake 23

2.6.2.4 Animal genotype and voluntary feed intake 24

2.6.2.5 Physiological state ... 24

2.6.2.6 The size of the reticulo- rumen 24

2.6.2.7 Digestibility and rate of disappearance of feed from the gut 25

2.6.2.8 Concentrate supplement 25

2.6.2.9 Fatigue 25

2.6.2.10 Rumen distension and nutrient imbalance 26

2.7 Digestibility of nutrient in ruminant 26

2.7.1 Methods of determining digestibility 27

2.7.1.1 The In-Vivo techniques 27

2.7.1.2 The In-Vitro techniques . 27

2.7.1.3 The In- Sacco techniques 28

2.7.2 Factors affecting digestibility 28

2.7.2.1 Level and nature of crude protein and carbohydrate 28

2.7.2.2 Level and nature of crude fibre and lignin 29

2.7.2.3 The processing of the feed 29

2.7.2.4 Animal factor . 30

2.7.2.5 Level of feed . 30

2.7.2.6 Nitrogen balance 31

2.7.3 Literature of digestibility studies on grasses, legumes, leaves of plants etc 31

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods . 33

3.1 Experimental site 33

3.2 Animals and design of experiment . 33

3.3 Experimental diet 34

3.4 Procedure . 34

3.4.1 Layout of 4 x 4 Latin square design 35

3.4.2 Model of the design . 36

3.5 Analytical procedure 36

3.5.1 Chemical analysis 36

3.5.2 Statistical analysis 37

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 38 —

4.1 Chemical composition of the diet 38

4.2 Nutrient intake 40

4.3 Liveweight changes 43

4.4 Digestibility of nutrients 45 -.

4.5 Blood metabolites 48

4.6 Urine and feacal output 50

4.7 Nitrogen balance . 50

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion 53

5.1 Nutrient intake 53

5.2 Digestibilities of nutrients 54

5.3 Liveweight changes 54

5.4 Blood metabolites 55

5.5 Nitrogen utilization 56

6.0 Conclusion and Recommendations 57

6.1 References . 58

APPENDIX 71