ARJASR

ISSN: 2360-7874

 Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Vol. 7(7), pp. 459-468, November 2019
DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2019.143
Copy©right 2019
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
ISSN: 2360-7874
http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/ARJASR/Index.htm
 

Research

Dried Khat (Catha edulis) Leftover and Noug Seed Cake Mixtures on Feed intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Hay Basal Diet

Genbisewu Murgato^1*, Melese Gashu², Mesganaw Addis³

¹Danbi Dolo University, Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 260.

E-mail:genbisewu@gmail.com

^2,3Debre Markos University, Department of Animal Sciences, P.O. Box 269 Debre Markos

Accepted 31 October 2019

The objectives of study was to evaluate the effect of dried Khat (Catha edulis) leftover and Noug seed cake (NSC) mixtures on feed intake, feed digestibility, live weight change and economic benefit of Arsi-Bale sheep fed natural pasture hay basal diet. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four treatments and six sheep. Blocking was based on the initial body weight of sheep. Twenty four Arsi-Bale sheep with yearling age and average initial was 17.75kg used for the experiment. The experimental sheep were arranged randomly into six blocks of four animals each based on their initial body weight. The experimental feeds were evaluated for chemical composition. The Crude Protein (CP) content of the pasture hay, Catha edulis leftover and NSC were 9.6, 10.40 and 35%, respectively. Supplementation significantly (p<0.001) improved the total DM (609-904.2 g/d), CP (84.7-140.1 g/d) and OM (553.7-826.1 g/d) intakes than the total DM (522.3g/d), CP (62.9 g/d) and OM (472.2 g/d) intakes of the control group, respectively. Similarly, digestibility of DM (65.6-73.6) and nutrients, average daily gain (46.5-85.7 g/d) and feed conversion efficiency (0.076-0.094) was significantly (p<0.001) improved with supplementation. Based on the partial budget analysis, supplementation of T3 (300 g/d DM) Khat leftover and noug seed cake (NSC) mixtures had the highest net income (147.9 ETB/head). Generally, supplementation of 300 g/d DM dried Khat leftover and NSC mixtures at 2:1 (T3) is optimal level for better animal performance and profitability in Arsi-Bale sheep fed natural pasture hay.

Key words: Khat (Catha edulis), Noug seed cake, Average daily gain.

How to cite this article (APA Style): Genbisewu M., Melese G., Mesganaw A (2019). Dried Khat (Catha edulis) Leftover and Noug Seed Cake Mixtures on Feed intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Hay Basal Diet. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 7(7): 459-468