Effect of Supplementation of Cactus and Selected Browses Mix on Feed Utilization of Somali Goats
Keywords:
Feed intake, spineless cactus, digestibility, body weight change, browseAbstract
The problem of feed shortage is more aggravated in arid and semi-arid areas where erratic nature of the rainfall hampers crop production. During the dry season, there is under nutrition and malnutrition of livestock. In an effort to alleviate the problem looking for non-conventional feeds deserves due attention. In this regard cactus pear is known to have great potential. In this study, the effect of supplementation of spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) and selected browse species mixture on feed intake, digestibility and body weight (BW) change of Somali goats was determined. The feeding and digestibility trial was conducted on a private farm, located in Chiro town, West Hararghe, Ethiopia. Twenty intact male Somali goats with mean initial BW of 20.00±1.43 kg (mean±SD) were used. The experiment consisted of feeding trial of 90 days followed by digestibility trial of 7 days. The feeding and digestibility trials were conducted using a randomized complete block design with five replication of four animals in each block. The dietary treatments used were hay ad libitum (T1), hay + 300 g cactus and Acacia saligna (T2), hay +300 g cactus and Acacia robusta (T3) and hay + 300 g cactus and Sesbania sesban (T4) on dry matter (DM) basis at 1:1 ratio. Hay intake was higher (P<0.001) in supplemented goats than the control. Supplementation favored (P<0.001) the CP intake of T2, T3, T4 more than the control. Nutrient digestibility for DM, OM and CP were higher (P<0.001) for supplemented than the control goats. Nutrient detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility (P<0.5) and (P<0.01), respectively were higher among the supplemented goats. Similarly, there was higher (P<0.001) daily BW gain in the supplemented than in the non-supplemented goats. In addition, feed conversion efficiency and feed conversion ratio (P<0.001) were improved among the supplemented goats compared to the control ones. From the results of the study, it is concluded that mixtures of chopped and dried cactus and the browse species reversed body weight loss of goats in the dry season. Among the mixtures of cactus and the browse species, the cactus and sesbania mix could be recommended for a better body weight gain.
References
[2] FARM-Africa, “Goat Types of Ethiopia and Eritrea: physical description and management systems.” FARM-Africa, London, UK and ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute). Nairobi, Kenya. 76p., 1996.
[3] Gracia de Cortazar, V. and P.S. Noble, Differences in water relation parameters for the chlorenchyma and the parenchyma of the opuntia ficus-indica under wet verses dryconditions. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol., 18, pp, 95-107, 1991.
[4] Amare D., S. Melaku and G. Berhane, Supplementation of isonitrogenous oil seed cakes in cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)–tef straw (Eragrostis tef) based feeding of Tigray Highland sheep, Anim. Feed Sci. Technol, 148 (2-4), 214-226, 2009.
[5] Nefzaoui, A. and H. Ben Salem, “Cactus (Opuntia spp.) as forage. Opuntia spp. - A strategic fodder and efficient tool to combat desertification in the Wana region.” In: FAO plant production and protection paper 169, 2000.
[6] Mengistu W., “Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as feed to ruminants.” MSc Thesis presented to Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, 88p., 2001.
[7] Teferi A., Solomon M. and Lisanework N., “Management and utilization of browse species as livestock feed in semi-arid district of North Ethiopia.” Livestock Research for Rural Development, 20(6), 2008.
[8] Skerman, P.J., D.G. Cameroon and F. Riveros, “Tropical forage legumes, FAO Plant production and protection series, No. 2.” Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 1988.
[9] Teferi A., “Identification and nutritional characterization of Major browse species in Abergelle woreda of Tigray, Ethiopia.” MSc Thesis presented to Haromaya University, Ethiopia.58p., 2006.
[10] Simbaya J., “Potential of tree fodder/shrub legumes as feed resources for dry season supplementation of smallholder ruminant animals.” National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Livestock and Pest Research Centre, Chilanga, Zambia pp.69-76, 2002.
[11] Nefzaoui, A., H. Ben Salem and L. Ben Salem, “Nitrogen supplementation of Cactus based diets fed to Babarine yearlings.” In: “Native and exotic Fodder Shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Zones”, Regional Training workshop, Tunisia. FAO, Plant production and protection paper, 169, pp. 87-88, 1996.
[12] Tikabo G., Solomon M. and Alemu Yami, “Effect of Wilting of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on feed utilization in sheep.” Trop. Sci. 46(1), 000-000, 2006.
[13] WHZARDO (West Hararghe Zone Agricultural and Rural Development Office) Annual Report, Chiro, West Hararghe, Ethiopia, 2008.
[14] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), Official Method of Analysis (15th ed.) AOAC Inc., Arlington, Virginia, USA, 1990.
[15] Van Soest, P.J. and J.B. Robertson, Analysis of forage and fibrous foods. A laboratory manual for Animal Science, Cornell University, USA. 613p., 1985.
[16] SAS (Statistical Analysis System), “Statistical Analysis Systems Institute Inc. User’s Guide, Version 9”, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA, 2002.
[17] Getachew A., “Evaluation of forage yield and effects of forms of feeding of Acacia saligna on intake and live weight gain of Farta sheep fed on Grass hay.” Msc Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia, 2005.
[18] Simret B. and Solomon M., “Supplementations of Hyparrhenia rufa -dominated hay with groundnut cake- wheat bran mix: effects on feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of Somali goats.” Trop. Animal Health Prod, Vol., 41, pp, 927–933, 2008.
[19] Bruh W., “Supplementation with dried foliages of selected Indigenous browses: effects on feed intake, digestibility, body weight gain and carcass characteristics of Abergelle goats offered hay.” MSc. Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Haramaya University, Ethiopia. 68p. 2008.
[20] Van Soest, P.J., Nutritional ecology of ruminants. O and B books. Inc. Oregon, USA, 374p.,1982.
[21] EL Shaer, H.M., “Rangelands as feed resources in the Egyptian desert: Management and improvement.” Proceedings of the international conference on desert development in the Arab Gulf countries, State of Kuwait, March 23-26, 1996.
[22] Aganga, A.A. U.J. Omphile, T.F. Ntshontsi, “Forage values of browses and its implication to raditional management of goats in Kgatleng district of Botswana.” Journal of Biological sciences 5(4):506-510, 2005.
[23] Solomon M., K.J. Peters and Azage Tegegne, “Effects of supplementation with foliages of selected multipurpose trees, their mixtures or wheat bran on feed intake, plasma enzyme activities, live weight and scrotal circumference gains in Menz Sheep.” Livestock production science Vol.,89, pp, 253-264, 2004.
[24] Tikabo G., “Survey on cactus pear (Optunia ficus indica) utilization in Enderta wereda southern Tigray and Effect of wilting and different levels of cactus inclusion on feed utilization in Sheep.” MSc Thesis presented to Haromaya University, Ethiopia. 52p. 2005.
[25] Firew T., “In vivo assessment of the nutritional value of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a substitute to grass hay in sheep ration. Livestock in Food Security Roles and Contribution” In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 30-31, 2001. pp 225-234.
[26] Noble, P.S., “Nutrient levels in cacti in relation to nocturnal acid accumulation and growth.” American J. of Botany, Vol., 70, pp, 1244-1253, 1983.
[27] Retamal, N., J.M. Duran and J. Feranandez, “Seasonal variations of chemical composition of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus- indica).” J. Science of Food and Agriculture, Vol., 38, pp, 303-311, 1987b.
[28] Nefzaoui, A. and H. Ben Salem, “Opuntia- A Strategic and Efficient Tool to combat desertification in the Wana region. Cactus (Opuntia spp.) as forage.” FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper, 2001, 169p.
[29] Bamualim, A., R.H. Weston, J.P. Hogan, and R.M. Murray, “The contributions of Leucaena leucocephala to post-ruminal digestible protein for sheep fed tropical pasture hay supplemented with urea and minerals.” Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production. 1984, vol., 255-258.
[30] Kumar, R. and S. Vaithiyanathan, “Occurrence, nutritional significance and effect on animal productivity of tannins in tree leaves.” Ani. Feed Sci. Tech. Vol., 30, pp, 21-38, 1990.
[31] Ash, A.J., “The effect of supplementation with leaves from the leguminous trees Sesbania grandifora, Albizia chinesis and Gliricida sepina on the intake and digestibility of guinea grass hay by goats.” Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., Vol., 28, pp, 225-232, 1990.
[32] Ramirez, R.G. and R.A. Ledezma-Torres, Forage utilization from native shrubs Acacia rigidula and Acacia farnesiana by goats and sheep. Small Ruminant Research, Vol., 25, pp, 43-50, 1997.
[33] McDonald, P., R.A. Edwards, J.F.D. Greenhalgn and C.A. Morgan, Animal Nutrition. (6th eds.). Printice Hall, Publishers Ltd, UK, 2002, 669p.
[34] Abdulrazak, S.A., R.W. Muinga, W. Thorpeand, E.R. Ørskov, “Supplementation with Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala on voluntary food intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and live weight of crossbred steers offered Zea mays stover.” Livest. Prod. Sci. Vol., 49, pp, 55–64, 1997.
[35] Devendra, C. and M. Burns, Goat Production in the Tropics. 2nd edition. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, London, UK. 1983, 56p.
[36] Akkasaeng, R., R.C. Gutteridge, and M. Wanapat, “Evaluation of trees and shrubs for forage and fuel wood in Northeast Thailand.” International Tree Crops Journal, Vol.,5, pp, 209-220, 1989.
[37] Solomon and Simret, “Bodyweight and carcass characteristics of Somali goats fed hay supplemented with graded levels of peanut cake and wheat bran mixture.” Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10.1007/s11250-008-9133-6, 2008.
[38] Reed, J.D., H. Soller and A. Woodward,”Fodder tree and stover diets for sheep: intake, growth, digestibility and effects of phenolics on nitrogen utilization.” Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. Vol.,30, pp, 39–50, 1990. In: Solomon Melaku, J. P. Kurt and Azage Tegene, “Supplementation of Menz ewes with dried leaves of Lablab purpureus or graded levels of Leucaena pallida 14203 and Sesbania sesban 1198: effects on feed intake, live weight gain and estrous cycle.” Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. Vol., 113: pp,39–51, 2004.
[39] Reed, J.D.,“Nutritive Value and Use of Browse and Multipurpose Fodder Trees in Africa.” Proceedings of a workshop between ICRISAT and University of Hohenheim, ICRISAT Hyderabad, India. 1988.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2014 American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who submit papers with this journal agree to the following terms.
