ABSTRACTTwo studies were conducted to determine growth and fattening performance of Yankasa rams fed complete containing urea and lime treated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell. The shell was treated with 5% urea, 5% lime and 2.5% of urea and lime for each known weight of the shell (50g/kg shell). In the first study four treatment diets were formulated containing 40% untreated groundnut shell (UNTGNS), 40% urea treated groundnut shell (UTGNS), 40% lime treated groundnut shell (LTGNS) and 40% urea plus lime treated groundnut shell (ULMTGNS). Other ingredients were maize offal, cotton seed cake, bone meal ruminants‟ premix and salt. 20 Yankasa ram lambs of 9-10 months were used and randomly assigned to the four treatments diets with five animals per treatment in completely randomized design (CRD). The diets were formulated to contain 15% crude protein (CP) content. The growth trial lasted for 90 days. Three ram lambs from each of the treatment groups were randomly selected and housed in individual metabolism crates for digestibility Parameters measured were daily feed intake, daily weight gain; feed conversion ratio, blood metabolites digestibility, nitrogen retention, cost and apparent profit. Second study was conducted to determine effect of the treated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell in fattening Yankasa rams. The treatment diets were adjusted to 14% C P content. Sixteen Yankasa rams were used and randomly assigned to the four treatment diets with four animals per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD). The fattening trial lasted for 90 days. Three rams from each of the treatment groups were randomly selected and housed in individual metabolism crates for digestibility study. Rumen liquor was collected. Carcass analysis was carried out using three rams from each of the treatment group. Measured parameters were feed intake, weight gain, digestibility, nitrogen balance, rumen microbial load, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acid, carcass characteristics and cost benefit. Results of the first study indicated that ram lambs fed ULMTGNS diet had the highest daily feed intake of 88.69g/day. However highest daily weight gain (94.66g) was observed in ram lambs fed LTGNS diet with least in ram lambs on UTGNS. In feed conversion ratio ram lambs on LTGNS diet had the least mean values (8.94) and were significantly (P<0.05) different from those on UTGNS and ULMTGNS diets. Ram lambs on UTGNSU diet showed better digestibility coefficient among the treatment diets (49.99%). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher than normal values reported by other authors (2.8-7.1Mmol/L). Creatinine range of (123.17- 150.00Mmol/L) across the treatment diets was in conformity with the normal value (106- 168Mmol/L). Total protein was within the range of the normal values (60-79g/L). The result of nitrogen intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in rams lambs fed ULMTGNS diet compared with the other treatment groups. Nitrogen retained as percent intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the UTGNS, LTGNS and ULMTGNS diets than the UNTGNS. Results of the economic analysis of growing ram lambs showed that ram lambs on LTGNS diet had the highest feed cost (â‚Â�5142.43) and those on ULMTGNS diet had the highest total weight gain (8.58Kg), followed by those fed LTGNS diet but a better apparent xviii profit was realized from ram lambs fed UNTGNS diet (N1774.50). The results of the second study showed that rams fed UNTGNS diet had the highest daily dry matter intake (1027.37g) with least mean value in those on UTGNS. Rams fed UTGNS had the least daily weight gain (77.78g) rams on UNTGNS diet still had the highest daily weight gain. Feed conversion ratio was least but better in rams fed UNTGNS diet. Rams on UTGNSU diet had the highest digestibility coefficient in most of the feed components. Highest nitrogen absorbed and N retained as % intake were recorded in rams fed UNTGNS and ULMTGNS diets. Higher ammonia nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids were observed in rams fed UNTGNS diet. On rumen microbial load, more bacteria were observed in animals fed UTGNS diet followed by those on UNTGNS diet. The dressing percentage of the rams fed UNTGNS diet (53%) was higher followed by those on LTGNS diet. But the meat yield percentage was higher in rams fed LTGNS diet, with a better meat bone ratio in rams on ULMTGNS diet. Results of the studies showed that daily feed intake and weight gain were better in growing ram lambs fed LTGNS diet, but for fattening, rams on UNTGNS diet had the better daily intake and daily weight gain. However, the cost benefit analysis of both the growing and fattening rams showed that rams on UNTGNS diet had the highest apparent profit followed by those on urea treated diet. It can be concluded that ground shell of groundnut can be used in diet formulation of small ruminants. Inclusion of up to 40% is recommended.
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