The effect of Acacia eriolaba leaf meal inclusion on growth performance, blood parameters and methane gas emission in lambs fed diets containing ammoniated maize stover.

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of Acacia erioloba leaf meal in diets containing ammoniated maize stove on growth performance, methane emission and heath of growing lambs. Thirty-two female lambs were allocated to the following four dietary treatments: total mixed ration (TMR, control), 20% inclusion of untreated maize stover (UMS), 20% inclusion of ammoniated maize stover (AMS), and combined inclusion of 10% ammoniated maize stover and 10% Acacia erioloba leaves (AMSAL). Each treatment was replicated 8 times and a lamb in an individual pen was regarded as an experimental unit in a completely randomized design. Feed intake was higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed the AMS and AMSAL diets compared to those fed UMS. Final body weights were higher in lambs fed the AMS and AMSAL diets. Both ADG and FCR were not affected (P > 0.05) by diet. In comparison with the AMS and AMSAL diets, the lambs fed the UMS diet had the highest (P < 0.05) Methane emission. Overall, lambs fed the control diets had the lowest methane gas emission. Hematological values were affected by diet with the AMSAL fed lambs having the highest (P < 0.05) MPV and PCT values. Furthermore, total albumin, amylase and total bilirubin were highest (P < 0.05) in lambs fed on the AMSAL diet. Lambs fed on AMS diet had the highest (P < 0.05) serum urea levels. It can be concluded that combined inclusion of ammoniated maize stover and Acacia leaves improved feed value and lamb performance when compared to the individual inclusion of both UMS and AMS.