The potentials of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) as an alternative protein source for livestock in the tropical rainforest of Nigeria was evaluated in comparison with Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium leaf meals (LLM and GLM respectively). Proximate analysis, mineral constituents, antinutritional factors and some functional properties were considered in this concern. The three tested leaf meals contain comparable crude protein levels at 22.23+0.25g100g -1 DM, 27.31g100g -1 DM and 25.03g100g -1 DM for MLM, LLM and GLM respectively, which are higher than 20% quoted as being common for Multipurpose trees(MPTS). The tested leaf meals had similar ash contents and sufficient levels of Ca, Na,Fe, K and Mg while the high EE content shows that they can be classified as oil rich plants. Pb was absent in all the leaf under investigation. Tannin content was low (3.51mg g -1 in GLM to 3.79mg g -1 in LLM), however, Phytic acid was highest in GLM.Lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were low. The capacities of water and oil absorption (WAC & OAC), foaming and emulsion capacities (FC & EC) and emulsion stability (ES) were similar in MLM and LLM while GLM recorded slightly higher values. The three tested leaf meals recorded 2% least gelation concentration while iso-electric points were at pH 4, 6 and 10 indicating solubility in acidic and basic regions.These leaf meals are sources of vegetable protein for all classes of livestock and can be presented in the form of multinutrient blocks, pelleted feeds and stabilizing agents on foods.

Sixty West African Dwarf (WAD) rams aged between 7 -10 months and mean Body Weight of 12.6kg (range 9.3 -14.5kg) were used to study the influence of Gliricidia -based multinutrient blocks (MNBs) as supplement to Panicum maximum and cassava peel feed for 12 weeks. Gliricidia + Poultry manure (GPMNB), Gliricidia + Urea + Poultry manure (GUPMNB) and Gliricidia + Urea (GUMNB) and Panicum -cassava peel (control) were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, gross energy and anti-nutritional factors. Mean weight gain of rams fed MNBs (1.4+0.4-2.0+0.9kg) was significantly higher than those fed the control diet (0.7+0.2kg). Rams fed control diet had the lowest feed conversion ratio (50.6+0.2) while rams fed GUMNB, GPMNB and GUPMNB supplements had 20.6+0. ) in the control diets . Daily average gain of 28.6+0.0, 47.6+1.6, 57.1 + 0.0g for GUPMNB, GPMNB and GUMNB respectively were higher than in the control diet (9.5 + 4.2g). Nitrogen balance values for sheep on treatments GUMNB , GUPNMB and GPMNB were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the control diet. The coefficient digestibility of DM , CP , CF , EE , NFE of the rams in the control ration were consistently lower (P<0.05) than those fed the MNBs supplemented ration. The body length gains of rams fed MNBs (15.75+3.5cm -25.0 + 0.7cm) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those rams fed the control diet (9.6+1.2cm). It was concluded that Gliricidia -based multinutrient block supplements could be fed with Panicumcassava peels to improve feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization leading to a better performance of sheep.

Moringa oleifera has not found much use as human food and feed for ruminants compared to other known fodder trees in South-Western Nigeria. Feed blocks were made using 30% Moringa oleifera, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala leaf meals to supplement basal diets of guinea grass -cassava peels mixture for small ruminants. The diets were fed to 32 West African Dwarf rams with average weight of 11.2+ 0.6 kg in a completely randomized design and body weight gain, linear body measurements, physiological parameters, nitrogen retention and haematological indices were measured. The basal diets and feed blocks contained 8.14g 100g , and 15.23g 100g -1 crude fibre for guinea grass, cassava peels, moringa-based multinutrient blocks (MMNB), gliciridia-based multinutrient blocks (GMNB), and leucaena-based multinutrient blocks (LMNB) respectively. The dry matter intake was 38.4, 40.6, 42.8 and 42.3 in control (Panicum + cassava peels), MMNB, GMNB, and LMNB, respectively indicating higher weight gains with supplemental feeding. Feed conversion ratio was 18.3, 11.6, 12.6 and 12.4 for control, MMNB, GMNB and LMNB, respectively. Body length, heart girth, height at withers, scrotal circumference and tail length gains were least in the control whereas GMNB had the highest body length and tail length gain. The nitrogen retention, of the animals on the supplemental MNBs were significantly(P<0.05) higher than the control group. White blood cell (WBC) and neutrophils values were 10.2, 8.3, 8.8 and 9.2 x 10 3 mm -1 and 27.5, 22.8, 23.7 and 22.8% for control, MMNB, GMNB, LMNB respectively. The values for other haematological parameters such as PCV, RBC, platelets, Hb, MCH, MCHC and MCV were significantly higher in the supplemental group than the control. Intake of multinutrient blocks do not pose any health hazard to the animals but enhanced better performance of sheep fed basal diets of Panicum maximum -cassava peels. Moringa oleifera compares favourably with Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala as fodder tree for small ruminant holders in South Western Nigeria.

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