Evaluation of Moringa oleifera, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala - based multinutrient blocks as feed supplements for sheep in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

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.

Effects of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, ruminal enzyme activities and growth performance of buffalo calves

“…The improvement in the final body weight and average daily weight gain with MLM dietary supplementation in calves is consistent with previous studies ( Aregheore, 2002 , Fadiyimu et al, 2010 , Adegun et al, 2011 , Moyo et al, 2012 , Babiker et al, 2017 , Kholif et al, 2018 , Zeng et al, 2018 ). These studies revealed that the inclusion of M. oleifera leaves in different farm animal diets improved growth performance and feed conversion rate, therefore supporting its use as a natural alternatives protein supplement to boost ruminant production.…”

Effects of Wilting and Lactobacillus plantarum Addition on the Fermentation Quality and Microbial Community of Moringa oleifera Leaf Silage

“…M. oleifera is commonly known as the “drumstick tree.” It has a high biomass yield and is widely distributed almost worldwide ( Soliva et al, 2005 ). The leaves are rich in protein (with an adequate amino acid profile), vitamins, essential fatty acids, and a rare combination of bioactive secondary metabolites (flavonoids and chlorogenic acid); the leaves can fulfill the recommended daily nutrient requirements for ruminants, especially goats and sheep ( Adegun and Aye, 2011 ; Nouman et al, 2014 ; Babiker et al, 2017 ; Elghandour et al, 2017 ). Therefore, M. oleifera may be a potential feed source.…”

Cultivation and Uses of Moringa oleifera as Non-Conventional Feed Stuff in Livestock Production: A Review

“…Although meat cooking loss was not significantly different between the treatment groups, the supplemented groups showed improved cooking loss compared to the control. Adegun et al [ 70 ] reported that M. oleifera can enhance the performance of sheep as protein supplements. The same authors also cited that supplementation of Moringa-based multi-nutrient blocks in sheep’s diet enhanced performance and pose no health challenges to the animals.…”