A study was conducted to determine the growth performance and meat yield and quality of West African dwarf sheep. Twenty rams weighing an average of 15.3 ± 0.79 kg live weight and with an average age of 18 months were allotted at random to five dietary treatments of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% maize hay (MH) for a period of 105 days. Dry matter (DM) intake and growth rate of the rams were improved as the level of cassava hay (CH) increased in the diets. Live weight gain varied significantly (P< 0.05) across the treatments, ranging from 38.8 to 47.9 g/day. The carcass weight of the rams fed 100% MH was significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with the other treatments. Dressing percentage ranged from 56.5% to 61.0% with no significant (P > 0.05) difference observed across the treatments, while the distribution of the slaughtered parts was similar (P > 0.05) regardless of the dietary treatment. Proximate composition of the meat from the loin indicated that the DM, crude protein, fat and ash contents were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the dietary treatments. Panellists rated the meat to be similar (P > 0.05) in flavour, juiciness, tenderness and overall acceptability while colour and texture varied significantly (P < 0.05) across the treatments. In conclusion, this study indicated that better growth performance and meat production in West African dwarf sheep can be improved in form of body weight and carcass production when fed 25%MH and 75% CH diet.

Shortage of feed during a dry season has remained a challenge to improving ruminant production in Nigeria. This study was aimed to develop a dry season feed for ruminants based on the production of hay from maize defoliation. Five maize defoliation treatments of maize at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after planting as well as the undefoliated treatment was used to assess the leaf yield, quality and storage of maize leafs in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results showed that maize defoliation on or before 12 weeks after planting (WAP) reduced (P < 0.05) leaf and grain yields but produced the highest leaf dry matter (DM) with the highest level of crude protein. However, maize defoliated at 12WAP produced more leaf DM/ha and a crude protein content of about 12% with no reduction (P > 0.05) in grain yield. The crude protein content of maize leafs decreases (P< 0.05) with delayed defoliation while the fiber contents increased (P< 0.05). Storing maize leafs for 4 months did not have any significant effect (P > 0.05) on the DM and crude protein content as well as the weight of the leafs. It was therefore, concluded that the production of quality hay from maize leafs for dry season feeding of ruminants could be obtained by defoliating maize from 12 WAP and stored for a period of four months without significantly (P < 0.05) affecting the maize grain yield.Key words: Maize, defoliation, forage, storage Los efectos del tiempo de defoliación en el rendimiento, calidad y almacenamiento de las hojas de maíz como forraje estacional para la producción de rumiantes RESUMEN La escasez de comida durante la temporada estival constituye un desafío para la mejora de la producción de rumiantes en Nigeria. Este estudio focaliza en el desarrollo de alimento para rumiantes en la época estival, basado en la producción de heno a partir de la defoliación de maíz. Cinco tratamientos experimentales: un tratamiento testigo (sin defoliar) y cuatro tratamientos tras 4, 8, 12, y 16 semanas de la plantación, respectivamente, son utilizados para la valoración del rendimiento, calidad y almacenamiento de las hojas de maíz mediante un tratamiento de bloques aleatorios replicado tres veces. Los resultados mostraron como la defoliación del maíz, durante las primeras 12 semanas tras la plantación (WAP), aunque redujo el rendimiento de la hoja y el grano (P <0,05), promovió la mayor cantidad de materia seca en hoja (DM) y el nivel más alto de proteína en el forraje. Por su parte, la defoliación del maíz en 12 WAP produjo una mayor DM/ha y un nivel de proteínas alrededor del 12% sin reducción (P > 0.05) en la producción del grano. Mientras el contenido de proteínas en el forraje decreció (P< 0.05) con defoliaciones tardías, el contenido de fibra aumentó (P< 0.05). El almacenamiento del maíz por cuatro meses no obtuvo ningún efecto significativo (P > 0.05) en la producción de DM, en el contenido proteico ni en el peso de las hojas. Por tanto, se puede concluir afirmando que se obtiene un heno de buena calidad como forraje estacional para...

Twelve white Fulani × N'dama cross-bred calves weighing 83.79 ± 1.16 kg were used in an 84-day experiment to investigate the utilization of forage resources from natural grazing land. The experimental diets were sole grazing, grazing + hay, grazing + silage and grazing + Leucaena leucocephala leaves. The calves were divided into four groups of three animals each and were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets. Crude protein (CP) contents of the forages ranged from 59 to 171 g/kg dry matter (DM). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents of the forages ranged from 560 to 705 g/kg DM and 363 to 440 g/kg DM, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher values in mineral contents (Ca, K, P and Mg) were recorded for L. leucocephala leaves compared to other forage resources. Variations (P < 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain. Animals on grazing + L. leucocephala leaves diet had the highest (113 g/day) average daily gain, while those on sole grazing showed the least value (26.2 g/day). Packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, urea and calcium concentration showed significant differences (P < 0.05). Effective utilization of forage resources from the natural pasture by the calves was attained on supplementation with conserved forages and L. leucocephala leaves without any deleterious effects on the haematological and serum parameters.

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar la respuesta de corderos Enanos de África Occidental (WAD) (n= 20), con un peso vivo promedio de 13,7±1,16 kg, a la ingestión de una dieta concentrada con 0, 10, 20 y 30% de hoja de mandioca (Manihot esculenta) (CL), en un diseño completamente al azar durante 90 días. Se recopilaron datos sobre el rendimiento, hematología, canal y características sensoriales de la carne. Los índices productivos mostraron que la inclusión de 20% de harina CL en la dieta concentrada de corderos determinó mayor consumo de materia seca (p

Four Yankasa sheep, weighing between 19 and 24kg live weight and with age range between 15-24 months were used in a metabolism study to determine the intake and the digestibility of Leucaena leucocephala leaf residue (LLLR) while diets B, C and D had 15, 30 and 45% LLLR inclusion respectively. Dry matter and dietary crude protein intake by trhe environmental animals decreased with increasing level of LLLR inclusion in the diets, although these values were not significant (P>0.05). Also, digestion rates for dry matter and nutrients decreased as protein level of the diets decreased but variation were not significant (P<0.05). Inclusion of 15% LLLR in the dust produced the best weight gain, though this was significantly (P>0.05) different from other treatments. None of the animals developed any health problem and none was underfed as they all recorded an increase in weight. The diet with 15% LLLR produced performance similar to the control both in nutrient intake and weight gain