Effects of substituting maize with kocho on intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization and body weight gain in sheep fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass hay

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of substituting maize with kocho onintake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization and weight gain in intact Adilo sheep fed abasal diet of Rhodes grass hay. Twenty four yearling male sheep with an initial bodyweight of 18.55 ± 0.38 kg (mean ± SE) were assigned to treatments using a completelyrandomized block design with four treatments. The sheep were blocked based on theirinitial body weight into six and each of the four treatment diets were randomlyassigned to each animal in each block. Dietary treatments were comprised of 100%maize and 0% kocho (T1), 65 % maize and 35% kocho (T2), 35% maize and 65% kocho (T3)and 0% maize and 100% kocho (T4) in a concentrate mixture. The concentrate portionwas composed of noug (Guizotia abyssinica) cake, wheat bran, alfalfa powder, limestoneand salt. Rhodes grass hay was offered as a basal diet ad libitum (~20% refusal). Twohundred gram concentrate mixture supplement was given twice a day in equalportions. A 70-day growth trial and an eight day digestibility trial were conducted.There were no significant differences (P>0.05) on intake, digestibility and weight gainamong treatments. The study conducted inferred that kocho can replace maize withoutany adverse effect on nutrient intake, digestibility and weight gain. It is concluded thatkocho could be used as an alternative ingredient to replace maize in concentrate mixturein areas where its economic advantages are feasible.