DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2014.v01i04.017

Pages: 235-241

An experiment was conducted to determine the feed value of Ziziphus mucronata forage in a total mixed ration.. Sixteen Yankasa rams weighing on the average 18.19±0.26kg were divided into four groups with four animals per group. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the dietary treatments comprising 0, 5, 10 and 15% Z. mucronata foliage which were designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 (0%, 5, 10 and 15% respectively in a Complete Randomized. The results of the chemical composition reveals that all the parameters observed were significantly different (P<0.05). The ash, crude protein and ether extract were higher and crude fibre is lower in treatment 1 compared to other treatments. Aaverage daily gain (ADG, 0.09kg), average daily dry matter intake (ADMI, 0.04kg), dry matter intake per metabolic weight (0.09 kg day-1, 0.04 kg day-1, 20.11 kg W0.75) and feed conversion ratio (0.51) were significantly (P<0.05) better for animals on T4. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract hemicellulose and lignin were higher (p<0.05) in T4 compared to other treatment groups. Nitrogen utilization result showed positive nitrogen balance in all dietary treatments. In conclusion, the result shows that Ziziphus mucronata inclusion up to 15% in the diet of growing sheep led to better performance of the animals especially during the dry season.