EFFECT OF FEEDING LEVEL AND QUALITY ON P-ERFORIVIANCES OF GROWING FEMALE SHEEP

Abstract

This trial was done to evaluate the effect of feeding level and quality on performances of growing female sheep. Ten animals with initial body weight of 14.5 1- 0.8 kg and aged between 4 — 5 months were separated into 2 (two) groups (group of treatment and group of control) and each group consisted of l0 heads and kept for 7 months of feeding trial. Group of treatment (Gl) received a natural grass and concentrate and added with peanut straw, while control group (G0) received a natural grass and concentrate. Crude Protein (CP) and Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) content of feed given to the group of treatment was higher (CP: 11% and TDN 76%) than the group of control (CP:10% and TDN 69%). Data collected was of nutrient intake (DM, CP, TDN) and body weight gain. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis T-test. Data on nutrient intake was significantly higher in Gl than G0 respectively for DM 1 75.9 1 2.22 g/1<g°~’-‘/6 vs 53.09 1 3.1 g/kg0’75/d; for c1> ; 2.61 1 0.25 g/kg0'75/d vs 5.37 1 0.34 g/kg0’75/day) and for TDN ; 56.20 it 1.6 g/kg0’75/d vs 36.26 i 2.6 g/kg0’75 <1). Result on body weight gain at the end of the trial was significantly higher (P<0.0l) in G1 than G0 (25.8 vs 14.9 kg) with the average of daily body weight gain was of 52.8 g/head/day compared to 2.2 g/head/day. From this trial, it can be concluded that growing female sheep offered a better quality and level of feeding during 7 months of feeding treatment had a
significant effect on body weight gain and resulted the better growing performances.