The feeding value of Mangifera indica and its effects on crude protein metabolism and energy partitioning when fed to Djallonke sheep.

Publikations-Art

Zeitschriftenbeitrag

Autoren

Osakwe, I.I., H. Steingaß, W. Drochner

Erscheinungsjahr

2003

Veröffentlicht in

Trop. J. Animal Sci.

Band/Volume

6/1

Seite (von - bis)

47-52

Schlagworte

chemical composition, energy partitioning, Mangifera indica, nitrogen balance, sheep

Nine castrated West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep (Djallonke, 28.8 ±4.2kg BW), of about 24 months old were used to evaluate the feeding value of Mangifera indica (MI) leaves in a nitrogen and energy balance trial. Dried leaves of Mangifera indica were offered at two levels (25% and 50% of DMI) as supplement to a basal hay diet (Agrostis stolonifers grass species). Animals on diet with 50% MI showed a significantly (P<0.05) lower CP digestibility and negative N-balance than those on control and 25% MI diets. Sheep on 50% MI also showed a significantly (P<0.05) lower methane, metabolisability 'q' and digestible energy than the control and 25% MI diets. The results showed that dried leaves of Mangifera indica could be fed as supplement to Agrostis stolonifers grass hay at about 25% level of inclusion.