GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019 ISSN 2320-9186 597 · GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019, Online: ISSN 2320-9186 . . Effect of Replacement of Concentrate With Lablab purpureus

GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019 ISSN 2320-9186

597

GSJ© 2019 www.globalscientificjournal.com

GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019, Online: ISSN 2320-9186

www.globalscientificjournal.com

Effect of Replacement of Concentrate With Lablab

purpureus Hay on Feed intake, Digestibility, Live weight

gain and Carcass characteristics of Horro Sheep Fed

Natural Pasture Hay as Basal Diet

Authours: Chala Duguma

1*, Mengistu Urge

2, Ulfina Galmessa

2

1. Department of Animal Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia

2. Department of Animal Science, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

2. Department of Animal Science, Holeta Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia`

Email Adress:[email protected] (chala duguma1),[email protected] (mengistu

urge2),[email protected](ulfina galmessa2)

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to evaluate effect of replacing concentrate mix with Lablab

purpureus hay on feed intake, digestibility, live weight gain, and carcass characteristics of

Horro sheep fed natural pasture hay as basal diet as well as to assess the economy of replacing

concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus(LP)hay. The treatments were natural pasture hay fed

adlibitum to all treatments plus 100% CM/day (T1, control supplemented),

75%CM:25%LP/day(T2), 50%CM:50%LP/day (T3), 25%CM:75%LP/day (T4), 100%LP/day

(T5). The mean intake of basal DM in T5 (523.4±3.13 g/d) was greater (p<0.001). The

supplemented animals had higher (p<0.001) total DM intake (860.2-923.4g/d; SEM±3.07)

than the control supplemented (837.2±3.07g/d) and the higher (p<0.001) total CP intake of

117.58, 118.79, 120.75 and 122.73 g/d (SE±0.23) for T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively were

recorded than T1 (115.7±0.23 g/d). LP Supplementation significantly improved digestibility

of DM, OM, CP, ADF, NDF (p<0.001) and higher digestibility was recorded for all

parameters in T5 while the lowest was recorded in T2 among LP supplemented groups. LP

Supplementation improved (P<0.001) final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain

(ADG). LP Supplementation significantly increased (P<0.001) slaughter weight, empty body

weight, hot carcass weight, rib-eye muscle area and weights of most of the edible and non-

edible offal than T1. Sheep supplemented with sole400g/d LP (T5) showed the highest rate of

return. Therefore, in the present study supplementation of Lablab purpureus to natural grass

hay at 400 g appears to be the best feeding practice for Horro sheep both biologically and

economically.


598


http://www.globalscientificjournal.com/

Key words: Body weight, Carcass, Horro Sheep, Intake, Supplementation.


599


1. INTRODUCTION

The livestock population of Ethiopia is

estimated at 59.5 million cattle, 30.7 million

sheep and 30.2 million goats (CSA, 2017) and

they are distributed throughout a range of the

wide ecology of the country. Livestock

production in Ethiopia contributes up to 80% of

the farmers' income (Alemayehu, 2002), 18%

of overall GDP (FAO, 2004) and 45% of

agricultural GDP (including cultivation

service), above 20% of all the national exports

(official and cross border trade), and 5% of the

total manufacturing GDP (IGAD LPI, 2010).

Similar to other species of livestock, sheep are

also very important sources of food, hair (wool)

and manure. As an integral component of the

overall farming system, livestock serve as a

source of draught power for crop production,

transport, minimize risk during times of crop

failure, supply farm families with milk, meat,

manure, serve as source of cash income, and

plays significant role in the social and cultural

values of the society (Wint and Robinson,

2007, Azage et al., 2010). Among the livestock

species, sheep and goats are widely reared in a

crop-livestock farming systems and are

distributed across different agro-ecological

zones of Ethiopia. They provide their owners

with a vast range of products and services such

as immediate cash income, meat, milk, skin,

manure, risk spreading and social functions

(Adane and Girma, 2008).

With the ever-increasing human population and

drastically shrinking farmlands, sheep and goat

production is becoming a means of survival

particularly for the landless youth and female

headed households in the rural areas. As a

result, the contribution of small ruminants is

increasing whereas sustaining large ruminants

are facing difficulty during season of critical

feed shortage (Getahun et al., 2008). Although

diverse sheep and goats’ resources are found in

Ethiopia, their productivity is low mainly

because of inadequate year round nutrition,

both in terms of quantity and quality,

unimproved genetic potential due to absence of

strategic selection and mating and due to

prevalence of diseases and parasites (Markos et

al., 2006).

In Ethiopia, most feed resources are

characterized by inherent nutritional

deficiencies, and are generally low in nitrogen,

energy, vitamins and minerals (Solomon,

2001), which affect microbial growth and

fermentation in the rumen, resulting in low feed

intake and digestibility, leading to reduced

reproductive capacity, decline in growth rates

and increased mortality rates.


600


Among the various limiting factors to

productivity of sheep, feed scarcity is a core

problem.

To solve this problem, there are options like

supplementing animals with agro-industrial by-

products such as different oil seed cakes and

brans from edible oil and flour processing

industries, respectively. However, they are

costly and not readily available everywhere. As

a result, production and feeding of herbaceous

and fodder tree legumes through integration

with food crops were suggested as one of the

potential options to improve the nutrient supply

to livestock (Solomon, 2001).

Potential use of cultivated forages as

supplementary diet options for livestock have

been investigated in Ethiopia in earlier studies

(Solomon et al., 2004; Ajebu et al., 2008).

Supplementation with forage legumes

(herbaceous and shrubby or tree legumes) can

enhance the utilization of poor quality

roughages in smallholder mixed farming

systems for better growth and carcass yield of

sheep (Mekonnen,2014). However, wider use

of cultivated forages by livestock keepers in

Ethiopia is not significant probably because of

scarcity in information regarding the feeding

value, lack of information regarding means of

its efficient utilization, such as in combination

with different non-grain and grain concentrates,

and less adoption and wider cultivation

practices of these feed. Therefore, the present

study was conducted with the objective:-

To evaluate effect of replacing

concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus

hay on feed intake, digestibility, live

weight gain and carcass characteristics

of Horro sheep fed natural pasture hay

as basal diets.

To asses’ economic benefit of replacing

concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus

hay.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Description of the Study Area

The study was conducted at Ambo University,

Ambo, Oromia Region, Ethiopia which is

located at 115 km West of Addis Ababa. The

site was situated at 8017’N latitude and 37

01’E

longitude and at mid altitude in average 2340

meter above sea level. The mean annual rainfall

was 1079 mm and the mean minimum and

maximum daily temperatures of the area were

12 and 26 0C, respectively.


601


2.2. Experimental Feeds Preparation and

feeding management

Experimental feeds were composed of natural

grass hay as a basal diet and replacement of

concentrate mix with Lablab purpureus (LP)

legume forage. A seed of Lablab purpureus of

90% viability was sown at the recommended

rate of 15-20 kg/ha in Ambo University campus

farm site. The LP was sown in a plot with 40

cm within rows and 100 cm between rows. The

legume received 50 kg/ha phosphate fertilizer

at sowing time. Lablab purpureus hay was

prepared by cutting or harvesting at growth

stage of 50% flowering and stored in hay

shade. The hay was dried until it is crispy by

frequently turning in order to maintain its green

color. The Lablab purpureus and the

concentrate were provided to the experimental

animals as a mixed ration according to the

treatment. Experimental feeds were offered in

two equal portions twice a day at 0800 and

1600 hours. Grass was provided to all animals

ad libitum at a rate of 20% refusal as a basal

diet and the offer was adjusted once every

week based on the animal intake and had

access to drinking water twice a day.

2.3. Experimental Animals and their

Management

Twenty five yearling male Horro sheep with

average initial body weight of 16.84±0.23kg

were purchased from market. The experimental

animals were quarantined for fifteen days and

vaccinated against common infectious diseases

in the area, namely sheep pox, ovine

pastriollosis and anthrax and observed for any

other health problem. Thereafter, the

experimental animals were assigned into

different treatments after which the animals

were randomly put into a separate well aerated

pen having a feed trough. Each animal offered

feeds allotted for its respective treatment.

2.4. Experimental Design and Treatment

Experimental treatments used in the

experiments were presented in the (table 1).

The experiment was conducted by using a

randomized complete block design (RCBD)

with five treatments and five replications.

Animals were blocked based on their initial

body weight (IBW) into five blocks consisting

of five animals. Treatment diets were randomly

assigned to each animal in a block. Concentrate

was supplemented for control group at a rate of

400 gm/head/day and treatment groups were

supplemented with four levels of Lablab

purpureus and concentrate mix as outlined

below.


602


Table1. Experimental Treatments

Treatments Natural Pasture Hay Supplement mixture Daily DM offer (gm /head)

____________ (Basal diet) CM (gm) LP (gm)

T1 Ad libitum 400 0 400





Concentrate Mixture (CM) =Wheat bran (55%), Noug seed cake (30%), Maize grain (15%), LP=Lablab Purpureus hay, DM=dry matter

gm=gram.

2.5. Measurements

2.5.1. Feeding trial

The feeding trial was conducted for 90 days

following 14 days of adaptation period. The

amount of feed offered and the corresponding

refusal was weighed and recorded for each

sheep to determine feed intake. Representative

samples of feeds offered and refusal for each

animal were collected and pooled per treatment

and dried in an oven at 650C for 72 hours.

Mean daily DM and nutrients intake was

determined as a difference of offered and that

of refused.

Total DM intake (percent body weight) = DM

intake (g)/ Body weight (kg) *100

Total DM intake (metabolic body weight

(g/kgW0.75

) = DM Intake (g)/BW0.75

(kg)

2.5.2. Digestibility trial

All experimental animals were harnessed with

fecal collection bags for four days of adaptation

period before the resumption of actual

collection of fecal for seven days for the

determination of digestibility. During the 7

days of the trial, daily total fecal output of each

animal was weighed individually and recorded

daily each morning before offering feed. The

feces were then mixed thoroughly and 15% of

the daily fecal output was taken and bulked

across the experimental period to form a

weekly fecal composite sample for each animal

and kept in dip freezer at -20°C. The composite

sub-samples were dried in an oven at 650C for

72 hours. Partially dried fecal samples were

ground to pass through a 1 mm sieve screen

using Wiley mill and stored in airtight plastic

bags pending chemical analysis.

Digestibility coefficient (%) = Nutrient

intake – Nutrient excrete in the feces x 100

______________________________

Nutrient intake

2.5.3. Live weight change

Initial body weight of the experimental animals

was measured at the beginning of the trial using

weighing spring balance. Live weight of each

animal was recorded ten days interval in the

morning before feed was offered throughout


603


the experiment. Average daily weight gain was

estimated as the difference between final live

weight and initial live weight of the

experimental sheep divided by the number of

feeding days. The feed conversion efficiency of

experimental animals was determined by dividing

the average daily body weight gain to the amount

of feed consumed by the animal each day.

2.5.4. Carcass characteristics

At the end of the digestibility trial, all

experimental animals were slaughtered after an

overnight feed withdrawal. During

slaughtering, the blood was drained into a

bucket and weighed. The esophagus was tied to

prevent the back flow of rumen content while

suspending the animals for skinning. Weight of

visceral organs (all internal organs) was

recorded separately. The weight of the gut

contents were measured by difference (full gut

minus empty gut). Empty body weight was

determined by subtracting the gut fill from

slaughter body weight. Hot carcass weight was

computed by excluding contents of thoracic,

abdominal and pelvic cavities, head, skin with

feet (cut off at the proximal end of cannon

bone) and tail of the animal. Dressing

percentage was calculated both as a ratio of hot

carcass weight to slaughter weight or empty

body weight multiplied by 100. The rib-eye

muscle area of each animal was determined by

tracing the cross sectional areas of the 12th

and

13th

ribs after cutting perpendicular to the back

bone. The left and right rib-eye muscle areas

were traced on a transparent water proof paper

and the area was calculated. Total edible offal

(TEO) components and Total non-edible offal

components (TNEO) were computed.

2.6. Chemical Analysis

Samples of feed offered and feces were dried in

an oven at 650C for 72 hours and ground to

pass 1 mm sieve screen size. The ground

samples were kept in air-tight plastic bags

pending chemical analysis. The nitrogen (N),

Dry matter (DM), Organic matter (OM), and

ash content were analyzed according to AOAC

(1990).

The crude protein (CP) content was calculated

by multiplying N content with a factor of 6.25.

Neutral detergent fibers (NDF), acid detergent

fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL)

were analyzed based on the method of Van

Soest and Robertson (1985). % OM =100 -

ash percentage.

2.7. Partial Budget Analysis

Partial budget analysis was used to determine

the profitability of the feeding regime. The

price of the concentrate mix (Birr 7 per kg) was

calculated based on the market price of 5, 9,

and 7 birr per kg for wheat bran, NSC, and


604


maize grain, respectively. The price of natural

grass hay used was Birr 6 per kg and cost of

Lablab purpureus cultivation was estimated to

about 4 birr per kg. Experimental animals were

purchased in price range of 700– 735 birr. Net

income (NI) was calculated as the amount of

money left when total variable cost (TVC) is

subtracted from the total returns (TR).

NI =TR-TVC

∆ NI = ∆ TR-∆TVC

The marginal rate of return (MRR) measures

increases in net income (∆NI) associated with

each additional unit of expenditure (∆ TVC)

normally expressed as percentage.

MRR = ΔNI / ∆ TVC × 100

2.8. Statistical Analysis

Data on feed intake, digestibility, body weight

change and carcass characteristics were

analyzed using the general linear model

procedure of SAS (2004). The treatment means

were separated by least significant difference

(LSD).

The model used for data analysis was: Yij = µ

+ Ti + Bj +Eij Where; Yij = Response

variable, µ = Overall mean, Ti = Treatment

effect, Bj = Block effect, Eij = Random

error

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Chemical Composition of Experimental

Feeds

Variations were observed in chemical

compositions. For instance, CP ranged from 7.4

to 31.1%. The lowest CP was recorded for

natural pasture hay while the highest CP was

obtained from noug seed cake.

Table 2: Chemical Composition of Experimental Feeds (Dry matter as %; other values expressed as % DM)

Feed offer DM CP NDF ADF ADL Ash OM

Grass hay 90.9 7.4 72.4 44.5 8.3 12.2 87.8

LP hay

91.8 21 51.3 46.3 11.7 11.9 88.1

NSC

89 31.1 38.8 28.3 9.4 9.3 90.7

WB

90.5 18.7 49 15.7 6.2 5.9 94.1

MG

90.2 8.2 5.8 2.7 __ 1.9 98.1

ADF=acid detergent fiber; ADL=acid detergent lignin; CP=crude protein; DM=dry matter; LP=Lablab purpureus;

MG=maize grain; NDF=neutral detergent fiber; NSC= noug seed cake; WB=wheat bran.

The variation in chemical composition of hay

reported in different studies is attributed to the

stage of maturity of the grass from which the

hay was prepared, hay preparation and storage


605


management differences, and species

composition of the grass. As mentioned by

McDonald (2002) advance in maturity of grass

from which the hay was prepared is usually

associated with low CP and high NDF and

ADF content. Faulty handling such as over

drying causes shuttering of leaves, and

composition of the grass in terms of grasses

and legume influences its chemical content.

3.2. Dry Matter and Nutrient Intake

The result showed that the mean basal DM

intake (DMI) in the CM supplemented group

was significantly (P<0.001) lower than the

Lablab purpureus forage supplemented groups.

The total DM intake was in the order of

T5>T4>T3>T2>T1, which was mainly

attributable to slight differences in basal DM

intake. Significant (P<0.001) differences were

also observed in total DM intake among the LP

supplemented groups. Dietary protein

supplementation is known to improve intake by

increasing the supply of nitrogen to the rumen

microbes. This has positive effect on increasing

rumen microbial population and efficiency,

thus enabling them to increase the rate of

breakdown of the digesta. When the rate of

breakdown of digesta increases, feed intake is

accordingly increased (Van Soest, 1982). Total

NDF and ADF intake was lower (p<0.001) for

T1 than LP supplemented groups. This might

be due to the amount of fiber fractions that

existed in the treatment feed which might have

increased with the increasing amount of total

DM intake in the supplemented groups due to

the high intake.

Table 3: Daily dry matter and nutrient intake of Horro sheep fed basal diet of natural pasture hay and

supplemented with concentrate mix, Lablab purpureus hay or their mixture

Treatments

Intake T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 SEM SL

Hay DM (g/d)

437.2e 460.2d 474.4c 498.8b 523.4a 3.07 ***

Supp. DM (g/d)

400 400 400 400 400 0.00 -

Total DM (g/d)

837.2e 860.2d 874.4c 898.8b 923.4a 3.07 ***

Total DM (%BW)

4.01c 4.05bc 4.06ab 4.08ab 4.1a 0.01 ***

Total DM (g/kg W0.75) 86.28d 87.24c 87.8bc 88.46b 89.34a 0.16 ***

OM (g/d)

758.5d 773.2c 780.1c 795.9b 811.9a 2.74 ***

CP (g/d)

115.7e 117.58d 118.79c 120.75b 122.73a 0.23 ***

NDF (g/d)

474.4e 502.8d 525.0c 554.5b 584.1a 2.36 ***

ADF (g/d)

264.7e 303.6d 338.8c 378.4b 418.1a 1.39 ***

a-e = means within a row not bearing a common superscript are significantly different; p<0.01=**, p<0.001=***; ns=non-significant; SL=significance level; ADF=acid detergent fiber; CP= crude protein; DM= dry matter; NDF= neutral detergent


606


fiber; OM = organic matter; SEM = standard error of mean; T1=Hay adlibitum+100%CM (wheat bran 55%, noug seed cake 30%,maize grain 15%);T2=Hayadlibitum+75%CM+25%LP;T3=Hayadlibitum+50%CM+50%LP; T4=Hay adlibitum+25%CM+75%LP; T5=Hay adilibtum+100%LP; LP= Lablab purpureus.

Among supplemented groups, T5 (sole Lablab

purpureus hay supplement) consumed higher

Total DM on the basis of metabolic body

weight (g/kgW0.75

). The CP, ADF, NDF intake

were statistically different (p<0.001) among all

treatments.

3.3. Apparent Digestibility of Dry Matter and

Nutrients

Dry matter and nutrient digestibility increased

(p<0.001) with increasing level of Lablab

purpureus hay in the diet. The higher DM and

OM observed in supplemented sheep might be

due to the higher CP contents of the

supplements. Umunna et al., (1995) also

reported that sheep fed oat hay and

supplemented with Lablab, Sesbania,

Tagasaste or wheat middling’s showed

improved DM and OM digestibility.

Conversely, Assefu (2012) and Yeshambel et

al., (2012) reported non-significant differences

on the apparent digestibility of the same

parameters among the supplemented and

control treatments in Horro and Washera lambs

fed feeds containing different roughage to

concentrate rations, which could be an attribute

of the types of supplements used. The observed

higher digestibility of the CP of the legume

supplemented natural pasture hay based diets

may be attributed to the substantial

improvement in the rumen microbial activity,

especially that of cellulolytic organisms (Osuji

et al., 1995; Umunna et al., 1995).

Table 4: Apparent dry matter and nutrient digestibility of Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture Hay

supplemented with concentrate mix, Lablab purpureus hay or their mixture

Treatments

Apparent Digestibility (%) T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 SEM SL

DM

57.8b 58.6b 59.8b 62.4a 63.6a 0.503 ***

OM

56.4d 58.4c 59.2bc 60.6ab 61.8a 0.44 ***

CP

53.6d 56cd 58.2bc 59.8ab 61.4a 0.59 ***

NDF

58.8c 59.6c 61.6b 62.6ab 63.4a 0.43 ***

ADF

52.2d 53.8c 55.2b 55.8b 57.2a 0.296 ***

a-d = means within a row not bearing a common superscript are significantly different; p<0.01=**, p<0.001=***; ns=non-significant; SL=significance level; ADF = acid detergent fiber; ADL = acid detergent lignin; CP = crude protein; DM= dry matter ; NDF = neutral detergent fiber; OM = organic matter; SEM = standard error of mean


607


3.4. Body Weight Change

The current finding revealed that increased

level of Lablab purpureus hay supplementation

increases average daily body weight gain and

body weight change. This was in agreement

with the results obtained by Mekonnen (2014)

who reported that Lablab purpureus and

Cajanus cajan supplementation improved daily

body weight gain. The values of ADG observed

for supplemented groups in the current study

were considerably higher than the highest ADG

value of 47.2gm/day reported by Getahun

(2014) for the Ethiopian highland sheep

supplemented with 300g/day leucaena to urea

treated and untreated straw. Similarly, lower

ADG values (ranged from 33.3 to 58.7gm/day

for Horro lambs and 40.2 to 48.7gm/day for

Washera lambs) were reported by Assefu

(2012) when consumed rations containing

different roughage to concentrate ratios. In the

current study, feed conversion efficiency (FCE)

was significantly higher (P<0.001) for LP

supplemented than the CM supplemented group

(T1). Similar findings of improved FCE in

supplemented groups versus non-supplemented

group were reportedby previous studies (Biru,

2008; Tewodros, 2011; Yeshambel et al., 2012;

Getahun, 2014).

Table 5: Body weight parameter and feed conversion efficiency of Horro shee p fed a basal diet of natural

pasture Hay supplemented with concentrate mix, Lablab purpureus hay or their mixture

Treatments

Parameters T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 SEM SL

IBW(kg)

17.06 16.92 16.68 16.76 16.8 0.103 ns

FBW (kg)

20.78e 21.22d 21.54c 22.04b 22.52a 0.074 ***

BWC (kg)

3.76e 4.3d 4.86c 5.28b 5.72a 0.068 ***

ADG (g/d)

41.76e 47.72d 53.96c 58.62b 63.5a 0.76 ***

FCE (g ADG/g DMI)

0.049d 0.055c 0.060b 0.065a 0.068a 0.0007 ***

a-e= means within a row not bearing a common superscript are significantly differ. p<0.01=**, p<0.001=***, ns-non significant, SL-significance level, BWC = body weight change; ADG = average daily body weight change; FBW = final body weight; FCE = feed conversion efficiency; IBW = initial body weight; SEM = standard error of mean.

3.5. Carcass Characteristics

The result shows LP supplemented performed

better in SW, EBW, HCW, and REMA than

those animals in the CM supplemented group

(T1). Significant differences (P<0.001) were

also observed among the LP supplemented

groups for the same parameters. In agreement

to the current result, Chala et al., (2014)

reported that hot carcass weight was heavier

(p<0.001) for concentrate supplemented


608


animals. The SBW, EBW, HCW and REMA

have showed a clear increasing trends from T1

to T5, indicating that values of these

parameters have increased with increased

proportion of LP in the diet.

Table 6: Carcass characteristics of Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture Hay supplemented with

concentrate mix, Lablab purpureus hay or their mixture

Treatments


SBW (kg)

20.56d 21c 21.26c 21.84b 22.34a 0.088 ***

EBW (kg)

16.42d 16.66cd 17.12bc 17.36ab 17.72a 0.128 ***

HCW (kg)

6.9d 7.36c 7.5c 8.22b 8.8a 0.094 ***

Dressing percentage

SBW base 33.52b 35b 35.24b 37.6a 39.36a 0.43 ***

EBW base 42.08b 44.1b 43.82b 47.34a 49.72a 0.76 ***

REA (cm2)

7d 7.6cd 8.2bc 8.8ab 9.4a 0.173 ***

a-d= means within a row not bearing similar superscript are significantly different; p<0.01=**; p<0.001=***; ns=non-significant; SL=significance level; EBW=empty body weight; HCW = hot carcass weight; SBW = slaughter body weight; SEM = standard error of means; REMA = rib eye muscle area

Dressing percentage is an important trait in

carcass merit considerations (Getahun, 2001).

The result of this study agreed with previous

studies (Emebet, 2008; Mulu et al., 2008;

Solomon and Simret, 2008; Wondesen, 2008)

who noted higher dressing percentage on empty

body weight bases in supplemented than grass

hay groups. Rib eye muscle area of

supplemented treatments in the current study

were comparable to the values of 8.1 to

10.6cm2 reported by Mekonnen (2014).Various

studies showed the positive effect of

supplementation on rib-eye muscle area

(Abebe, 2008; Emebet, 2008; Hirut, 2008),

which is in agreement with the result obtained

in the present study. Hence, one can conclude

that high level of Lablab purpureus hay

resulted in better performance in carcass

parameters.

3.6. Non-carcass Characteristics

3.6.1. Edible offal

In the present study, weights of most edible

offal components were significantly higher

(p<0.001) for Lablab purpureus supplemented

groups as compared to the control

supplemented. Lambs fed T5 (sole LP)

recorded heavier than the other supplemented

treatments.


609


Table 7: Edible offal components of Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture Hay supplemented with


Treatments


Blood(g)

1116.2c 1141.8c 1186.4b 1207.6ab 1225.2a 8.26 ***

Liver (g)

341d 381.6c 404.4b 436.4a 446.8a 4.67 ***

Heart (g)

122.6d 126c 128b 131.2b 134.8a 0.64 ***

Tongue (g)

72e 76.2d 81.4c 84.4b 88.8a 0.61 ***

Kidney (g)

124.8e 131.2d 139c 143.4b 150.4a 0.75 ***

Kidney fat (g)

36.6e 43.4d 47.4c 53.2b 59.8a 0.766 ***

Reticulo-rumen (g)

463e 476.2d 492.4c 518.8b 534.2a 3.1 ***

Abomasum-omasum (g) 321.8c 329.8bc 338.4ab 342a 347.2a 2.23 ***

Abdominal fat (g)

46.6d 51.6cd 57.2bc 60.2ab 66.8a 1.73 ***

Large and small intestine (g) 979.4c 985.8c 1030.2b 1082a 1100.4a 9.29 ***

TEOC (kg)

3.62e

3.74d

3.91c

4.05b

4.16a

0.012 ***

a-e = means within a row not bearing similar superscript are significantly differ. p<0.01=**, p<0.001=***, ns-non significant. SL-significance level, SEM = standard error of means; TEOC = total main carcass components

Weights of total edible offal increased with

increased amounts of Lablab purpureus in the

supplement ration. In agreement with the

results of the current study Tesfaye (2007) and

Getahun (2001) reported lower TEO

components in control group as compared to

supplemented groups in rams of Afar sheep

breed and Somali and mid-rift valley goats,

respectively. Significant difference (p<0.001)

was observed in each weights of edible offal

components among different treatment diets. In

agreement with the results of the current study,

Tesfaye(2007) and Getahun (2001) reported

lower TEO components in grass hay as

compared to supplemented groups of Afar ram

and Somali and mid-rift valley goats,

respectively.

3.6.2. Non-edible offal

Treatments significantly differed (P<0.001) in

the mean weights of each non edible offal

components with values being lower for the

CM supplemented group (T1) and higher LP

supplemented groups, except gut fill which is

not different. The lightest non edible offal

(p<0.001) was observed for the CM

supplemented group (T1) and the heaviest for

animals fed T5 diet. In agreement with the

current study, Abebe (2007) recorded heavier

(P<0.01) TNEOC in supplemented Washera

sheep than the control.


610


Table 8: Non-edible offal components of Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture Hay supplemented with


Treatments


Head(g)

1174.2b 1183.8b 1236a 1243.2a 1256.2a 9.78 ***

Skin (g)

2061.2b 2070.4b 2100.8a 2102a 2117.6a 7.3 ***

Penis(g)

37.2c 38.2bc 40.2ab 41.2a 41.6a 0.576 **

Testicle (g)

228.6c 233.2b 239a 239.4a 242.6a 0.92 ***

Lung&trachea(g)

341b 343.8b 347b 356.8a 365a 2.3 ***

Spleen (g)

44.4b 49.6a 53.2a 53.6a 54a 1.09 ***

Feet (g)

427.4d 443c 462.2b 475.2ab 483.8a 3.2 ***

Gall bladder (g)

17.8c 19bc 21.2ab 21.4ab 23.6a 0.696 ***

Guts fill (kg)

4.14 4.34 4.14 4.48 4.62 0.163 ns

TNEOC (kg)

8.47b

8.7ab

8.64ab

8.98ab

9.2a

0.167 **

a-e = means within a row not bearing similar superscript are significantly differ. p<0.01=**, p<0.001=***, ns-non significant. SL-significance level, SEM = standard error of means; TNEOC = total main carcass components

In the current study, animals fed T5 diet were

superior in most of the attributes considered

including body weight and ADG. The highest

weight of bladder was registered in lambs

consumed T5 and lowest for the CM

supplemented group. The weight of gut fill was

not significantly different among all treatments.

Total non-edible offal have shown significant

(P<0.01) variations among treatments.

3.7. Partial Budget Analysis

The partial budget analysis for the feeding trial

was presented in Table9. The gross financial

margin or total return obtained in this trial was

495, 525, 580, 675, and 785 birr/sheep from

sheep fed T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively,

which was increased with level of Lablab

purpureus hay.

Table 9: Partial budget analysis of Horro sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture Hay supplemented with


Treatments

Parameters T1 T2 T3 T4 T5

Purchase price per sheep (ETB)

700 700 735 720 710

Hay consumed (kg/sheep)

39.3 41.4 42.7 44.9 47

Concentrate consumed (kg/sheep)

36 27 18 9 __


611


LP consumed (kg/sheep)

__ 9 18 27 36

Feed cost

Cost of concentrate (ETB/sheep)

252 189 126 63 __

Cost of hay (ETB/sheep)

235.8 248.4 256.2 269.4 282

Cost of LP (ETB/sheep)

__ 36 72 108 144

Total variable cost (ETB/sheep)

487.8 473.4 454.2 440.4 426

Sheep selling price (ETB/sheep)

1195 1225 1315 1395 1495

Total return (TR)(ETB/sheep)

495 525 580 675 785

Net return (ETB/sheep)

7.2 51.6 125.8 234.6 359

Change in net income (∆NI)

__ 15.6 35.8 81.2 95.6

Change of total variable cost (∆TVC)

__ 14.4 19.2 13.8 14.4

MRR (%) (∆NI/∆TVC)

__ 108.3 186.4 588.4 663.8

ETB=Ethiopian birr, ∆NI=change in net income; ∆TVC=change of total variable cost; LP=Lablab purpureus; WB=wheat

bran; NSC=noug seed cake; CM=concentrate mix; MRR=marginal rate of return; NR=net return; TR=total return.

The higher net income in T5 and with increased

level of Lablab purpureus hay replacing

concentrate mixture was due to the lower cost

of Lablab purpureus hay compared to the cost

of concentrate feeds. Reduction in cost/kg feed

was observed as the level of Lablab purpureus

hay increased in the diets. MRR measure the

increase in net income (ΔNI). It also measures

the effect of additional investment in a new

technology on additional net return (ΔTVC). In

this study, 100% Lablab purpureus hay

replacement in T5 improved body weight

change of sheep and correspondingly increased

net income from the sale of sheep at the end of

experimental period. Therefore T5 would be

recommended as biological and economic

feeding regime for growing marketable Horro

sheep at the cost estimated in the present study.

4. CONCLUSIONS

The study was conducted to evaluate feed

intake, digestibility, change in body weight and

carcass characteristics and economic

profitability of feeding replacement of

concentrate mixture (CM-400g) of wheat bran

(55%), noug seed cake (30%) and maize grain

(15%) with Lablab purpureus hay fed natural

pasture hay as basal diet. The result shows

highest daily DM intake were recorded by

sheep fed T5 ration. On the contrary, the lowest

DMI were observed in sheep fed T1 ration. The

results obtained from the feeding and digestion

trials revealed also that replacement of Lablab

purpureus hay at level of 400 g DM/d/head

resulted in higher (P < 0.001) total DM and CP

intakes and improved (P < 0.001) the daily

body weight gain compared to the concentrate

substitution at 100, 200 and 300 g DM/d/head.


612


Supplementation significantly improved

(p<0.001) the digestibility of CP as well as

other nutrient digestibility. The result of the

study showed that supplementing Lablab

purpureus hay to natural pasture hay is

effective in improving sheep performance.

Partial budget analysis of the present study

revealed that the ration containing 400g/d (T5)

showed the highest marginal rate of return.

5. REFERENCES

[1] CSA (Central Statistical Agency). 2017. Agricultural Sample

Survey, report on livestock and livestock characteristics (Private

Peasant Holdings). Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia,

Addis Ababa. Statistical Bulletin 585 .Vol. 2, April 2017,

Ethiopia.

[2] Alemayehu Mengistu. 2002. Lessons learned from Implementation

of the Ethiopian Fourth Livestock Development Project:

Experiences and Results. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Ethiopian

Journal of Animal Production. 2(1):25-47.

[3] FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization). 2004. In:

http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/collection subject

agriculture.Online 12/3/2004. FAOSTAT data.

[4] IGAD LPI (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development’s

Livestock Policy Initiative), 2010. The Contribution of

Livestock to the Economies of IGAD Member States. Study

Findings, Application of the Methodology in Ethiopia and

Recommendations for Further Work. Roy Behnke Odessa

Centre Great Wolford, United Kingdom. IGAD LPI

Working Paper No. 02 – 10, October 2010.

[5] Wint, G.R.W. and Robinson, T.P. 2007. Gridded Livestock of the

World, 2007. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organisation

of the United Nations, Animal Production and Health

Division. Pp 131.

[6] Azage Tegegne, Berhanu Gebremedhin and Hoekstra D. 2010.

Livestock input supply and service provision in Ethiopia:

Challenges and opportunities for market oriented development.

IPMS (Improving Productivity and Market Success) of

Ethiopian Farmers Project Working Paper 20. ILRI

(International Livestock Research Institute), Nairobi, Kenya.

48p.

[7] Adane Hirpa and Girma Abebe. 2008. Economic Significance of

Sheep and Goats. In: Alemu Yami & R.C. Merkel (eds).

Ethiopian Sheep and Goat Productivity Improvement Program

(ESGPIP), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[8] Getahun Legesse, Abebe Girma,Siegmund-Schultze M. and Valle

Zárate A., 2008. Small ruminant production in two mixed-

farming systems of southern Ethiopia: Status and prospects

for improvement. Experimental Agriculture, 44(3):399-412.

[9] Markos Tibbo, Jan P.S. and Worknesh Ayalew. 2006. Sustainable

sheep breeding programmers in the Tropics: A Framework

for Ethiopia conference on International Agricultural

Research for Development, University of Bonn, 11-13,

October 2006. Germeny.

[10] Solomon Melaku. 2001. Evaluation of selected multipurpose trees

as feed supplements in tef (Eragrostis tef) straw based feeding

of Menz sheep. PhD. dissertation. Humboldt University, Berlin,

Germany. 88p.

[11] Solomon Melaku, Peters, K.J. and Azage Tegegne. 2003. Effects

of supplementation with L. purpureus, graded levels of L.

pallid 14203 or S. sesban 1198 on feed intake and live

weightgain of Menz sheep. Proceedings of the 10th annual

conference of the EthiopianSociety of Animal Production

(ESAP), 21-23 August, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. pp.327-334.

[12] Ajebu Nurfeta, Adugna Tolera, Eik L. O and Sundstol F, 2008.

Feeding value of enset (Enseteventricosum), Desmodium

intortum hay and untreated or urea and calcium oxide

treated wheatstraw for sheep. Journal of Animal Physiology

and Animal Nutrition, 93: 94-104.

[13] Mekonnen Diribsa. 2014. Effects of Supplementation with

Cajanus cajan,Lablab purpureus or their Mixture on Feed

utilization, Growthand Carcass characteristics of Horro sheep

fed a Basal diet of Natural grass hay. MSc Thesis, Haramaya

University, Haramaya Ethiopia. 57pp.

[14] AOAC (Association of Official Analytic Chemists). 1990. Official

Methods of Analysis. 15th edition. AOAC. Inc. Anc. Arlington,

Virginia, U.S.A.pp.12-98.

[15] Van Soest, P.J., and Robertson, J.B. 1985. Analysis of forage and

fibrous foods. A laboratory manual for Animal science. 613

Cernell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. 127p.

[16] SAS (Statistical Analysis System). 2004. Statistical Analysis

System Institute Inc. User’s Guide, Version 9, SAS

Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.

[17] McDonald, P., Edwards, A.R., Greenhalgh, D.F.J. and Morgan,

A.C. 2002. Animal Nutrition. 6th ed. Prentice Hall, London.

pp.245-477.


613


[18] Van Soest, P.J., 1982. Nutritional Ecology of theRuminant, O and

B books Corvallis,Oregon, USA. 345-356p.

[19] Umunna, N.N., Osuji, P.O., Nsahlai, I.V., Khalili, H. and

Mohamed-Saleem, M.A. 1995. Effect of supplementing oat

hay with lablab, sesbania, tagasaste or wheat middlings on

voluntary intake, N utilization and weight gain of Ethiopian

Menz sheep. Small Ruminant Research. 18: 113-120.

[20] Assefu Gizachew. 2012. Comparative feedlot performance of

Washera and Horro sheep fed different roughage to

concentrate ratio. An MSc Thesis Presented to School of

graduate studies of Haramaya University.68p

[21] Yeshambel Mekuriaw, Mengistu Urge and Getachew Animut.

2012. Intake, digestibility, live weight changes and rumen

parameters of Washera sheep fed mixtures of lowland

bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) leaves and natural

pasture grass hay at different ratios. PakistanJournal of

Nutrition, 11 (4): 322-331.

[22] Osuji, P.O., Fernandez-Rivera, S. and Odenyo, A.A. 1995.

Improving fiber utilization and protein supply in animals fed

poor quality roughages: ILRI nutrition research and plans.

pp.1- 22. In: Rumen Ecology Research Planning. Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia, 13-18 March 1995, ILRI.

[23] Biru Kefeni. 2008. Effects of supplementation with sweet potato

tuber and haricot bean screenings on feed utilization,

Growth and carcass characteristics of adilo sheep. An MSc.

Thesis Presented to School of Graduate Studies of

Haramaya University. 35p.

[24] Tewodros Eshete. 2011. Effect of inclusion of different

proportions of tossign (thymus serrulatus) in concentrate

mix supplement on feed intake, digestibility, body weight

changeand carcass parameters of Menz sheep fed grass hay.

MSc Thesis Presented to the School ofGraduate Studies of

Haramaya University.57p.

[25] Getahun Kebede. 2014. Effect of wheat straw urea treatment and

Leucaena leucocephala foilage hay supplementation on

intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and growth of lambs.

International Journal of Livestock Production, 6 (4): 88-96.

[26] Getahun Legesse. 2001. Growth pattern and carcass characteristics

of Somali and Mid-Rift Valley goats. An MSc thesis

Presented to the School of Graduate Studies of Alemaya

University. pp.38-42.

[27] Emebet Legesse. 2008. Supplementation of Blackhead Ogaden

Sheep Fed Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Haulms with

Mixtures of Wheat Bran and Brewers Dried Grain: Effects

on Feed Utilization, Live Weight Gain and Carcass

Parameters. An MSc. Thesis Presented to the School of

Graduate Studies of Haramaya University. 42p.

[28] Mulu Moges, Berehan Tamir and Alemu Yami. 2008. The effect

of Grass Hay with different level of Brewer’s Dried Grain

on feed intake, digestibility and body weight gain intact

Wogera lambs. East African Jornal of science, 2. (2):105-

110.

[29] Solomon Melaku and Simret Besha. 2008. Bodyweight and

carcass characteristics of Somali goats fed hay supplemented

with graded levels of peanut cake and wheat bran mixture,

Journal of Tropical Animal Health and Production. 40:553-

560.

[30] Wondwosen Alemu. 2008. Effect of supplementing hay from

natural pasture with oil seed cakes on feed intake,

digestibility and live weight change of Sidama goats. An

MSc. Thesis Presented to School of Graduate Studies of

Haramaya University. 27p.

[31] Chala Merera, Ulfina Galmessa, Tesfaw Ayele, Lema Fita. 2014.

Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Horro

Rams under Different Management Practices at Ambo

University, Ethiopia. Global Journal ofAnimal Scientific

Research. 2(2): pp.30-33..

[32] Abebe Hailu. 2008. Supplementation of graded levels of

concentrate mix on feed intake, digestibility, and live weight

and carcass characteristics of Washera sheep fed urea

treated straw. An MSc Thesis presented to school of

graduate studies of Haramaya University,Haramaya,

Ethiopia. 64p.

[33] Hirut Yirga. 2008. Supplementation with concentrate mix to

Hararghe highland sheep fed a basal diet of urea-treated

maize stover: Effect on feed utilization, live weight change

and carcass characteristics. An MSc Thesis Presented to

School of Graduate Studies ofHaramaya University. 32-48p.

[34] Tesfaye Hagos. 2007. Supplementation of Afar rams with graded

levels of mixtures of protein and energy sources: effects on

feed intake, digestibility, live weight and carcass

parameters. An MSc. Thesis Presented to School of

Graduate Studies of Haramaya University. 24p.

[35] Abebe Tafa, 2007. Supplementation with linseed (Linum

usitatissimum) cake, wheat bran and their mixtures on feed

intake, digestibility, live weight changes, and carcass

characteristics in intact male Arsi-Bale sheep. An MSc thesis

Presented to the School of Graduate Studies Haramaya

University, Haramaya, Ethiopia. 25p.


614


Documents

GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019 ISSN 2320-9186 597 · GSJ: Volume 7, Issue 11, November 2019, Online: ISSN 2320-9186 . . Effect of Replacement of Concentrate With Lablab purpureus