Rumen Characteristics and Nitrogen Utilization of West African Dwarf Sheep as Influenced by Guinea Grass and Dried Pineapple Pulp

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine rumen characteristics and nitrogen utilization of West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep. Fifteen (15) intact weaned ram lambs with an average weight of 12.25 kg and aged between 9 and 11 months old were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments (T_A = Guinea grass, T_B = equal ratio of Guinea grass and dried pineapple pulp and T_C = dried pineapple pulp) with five (5) rams per treatment. Ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration (mg/liter) in rumen fluid was significantly (p<0.05) affected across treatments, with animals on T_A recorded the highest value when compared to T_B and T_C. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in pH study in the rumen fluid across treatments. Nitrogen utilization parameters were significantly affected (p<0.05) across dietary treatments. Animals on T_A were the highest in nitrogen intake, urinary nitrogen, total nitrogen excreted, nitrogen balance (g/day) and nitrogen retention (%), but feacal nitrogen (g/day) was the highest in animals on T_B. The inclusion of Dried Pineapple Pulp (DPP) to Guinea grass in equal ratio (T_B) improved rumen parameters and better nitrogen utilization of West African Dwarf Sheep.