ABSTRACTA study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion level and feeding regime of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal on the growth performance, nutrients digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen metabolites of Yankasa rams. A total of 36 rams weighing on the average 15.39kg were randomly assigned to four diets, containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus, respectively. Each of the animals was fed 2% body weight of the experimental diet in three feeding regimes: daily, skip-a-day and skip-2-days in a 4x3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Total feed intake, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, faecal output, urine output; rumen fluid pH, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N) were recorded. Results obtained showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in Dry matter intake (DMI) as the level of F. sycomorus leaf meal increased in the diets. Animals fed supplementary diet with 10% inclusion significantly (P<0.05) had higher total body weight gain (3.54kg) compared to rams given diets with 0, 5, and 15% inclusion levels. Also, animals on 10% inclusion had significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily gain (39.78g), followed by animals on 15% inclusion. Effect of feeding regime on feed intake and weight gain showed a significant (P<0.05) decline in supplement intake as the feeding regime changes from daily feeding (385.27g/day) to skip-2-days feeding (367.08g/day). Feeding the animals at different feeding frequencies resulted in weight gain. Animals on skip-a-day supplementation had a significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain than those on a daily feeding and skip-2-days supplementation (2.82kg compared to 2.11 and 1.98kg respectively). The effect of inclusion level and feeding regime on feed intake and weight gain showed no significant (P<0.05) interaction between level of supplementation and feeding frequency. However, there was significant interaction (P<0.05) between inclusion level and feeding regime on total intake. Level of inclusion and frequency of feeding significantly (P<0.05) influenced the final weight, total weight gain and average weight gain. The effect of F. sycomorus supplementation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance revealed that dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the inclusion level. Nitrogen (N) retention and N retention as percent intake were affected significantly (P<0.05). Percent DM, OM and CP digestibility were influenced (P<0.05) by feeding regime, with daily feeding recording higher values (67.80, 63.05 and 62.23 respectively) when compared to skip-a-day and skip-2-days. The result of comparative cost analysis showed a significant (P<0.05) decline in cost of feeding the rams as the inclusion level of F. sycomorus increased from 0% inclusion (N505.31/ram) to 15% inclusion level (N439.10/ram). Also, the cost of feed per kg gain (N/kg) of feeding the rams was significantly (P<0.05) lower in 10% inclusion level of F. sycomorus as compared to other inclusion levels. There was a significant decline in cost per kg feed as the feeding regime changes from daily feeding (N62.21/kg feed) to skip-2-days supplementation (N52.11/kg feed). Feeding frequency was observed to significantly (P<0.05) affect the cost of feeding the rams. The animals on daily supplementation had a higher cost of feeding (N 376.11/ram) than those on skip-a-day (N359.70/ram) and skip-2-days (N336.67/ram). A significant difference (P<0.05) in cost of feed per kg gain across the feeding regime was observed in this study. Skip-a-day supplementation was better in cost of feed per kg gain (N127.55/kg gain) as compared to other feeding regimes. Results of the rumen metabolites trial showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in rumen fluid pH as the level of F. sycomorus inclusion increased in the diets. Animals fed supplementary diet with 10% inclusion significantly (P<0.05) had higher rumen pH (6.68). Also, animals on 10% and 15% inclusion were similar and significantly (P<0.05) higher in TVFA (14.16 and13.47mm/100ml respectively). Effect of feeding regime on TVFA showed a significant (P<0.05) decline as the feeding regime changes from daily feeding (14.04mm/100ml) to skip-2-days feeding (12.27mm/100ml). Animals on daily supplementation had a significantly (P<0.05) higher NH3-N concentration than those on skip-a-day and skip-2-days supplementation (32.60 mg/l compared to 31.68 and 30.24mg/l respectively). The effect of sampling time on rumen fluid variables showed a significant(P<0.05) rise in rumen pH from 6 hours post feeding (6.54) to 18hours post feeding (6.92) and then a decline in 24hours (6.93) post feeding. Total volatile fatty acids concentration was not affected (P>0.05) by the sampling time. The effect of inclusion level and feeding regime on rumen pH, TVFA and NH3-N concentration showed no significant (P>0.05) interaction between inclusion level and feeding frequency. Effect of inclusion level of F. sycomorus and sampling time on rumen pH revealed that sampling time at 6, 12 and 24hours post feeding was significantly (P<0.05) influenced. Inclusion level and sampling time on TVFA concentration showed a significant (P<0.05) difference in TVFA concentration across inclusion levels at 12 and 18hours post feeding. Ammonia nitrogen concentration was significant (P<0.05) at 10% (36.74 mg/l) and 15% inclusion (35.15 mg/l) than 0% (16.80 mg/l) and 5% inclusion level (21.84 mg/l) at 12 hours sampling time. Effect of feeding frequency and sampling time on the rumen pH was influenced significantly P<0.05) across the feeding frequencies at 6, 12 and 24hours sampling time. Effect of feeding regime and sampling time on TVFA concentration had significant influenced. Feeding regime had a significant (P<0.05) influence at 12 and 18 hours sampling time post feeding. Feeding regime did not significantly (P>0.05) affect the concentration of NH3-N at the various sampling time. It was concluded that inclusion of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal up to 10% in the diet of rams improves the performance and gave the optimum rumen metabolites profile of the animals and skip-a-day feeding frequency gives better performance in weight gain, average daily gain, N retained as % of intake and optimum rumen metabolite profile. Supplementation of D. smutsii with 10% inclusion level of F. sycomorus leaf meal lowered the cost of feed per kg body weight gain. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain was lower and better on skip-a-day feeding regime.
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