UTILIZATION OF VARYING PROPORTIONS OF UREA-TREATED MAIZE COBS AND GROUNDNUT HAULMS IN THE DIETS OF GROWING YANKASA RAMS

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of growing Yankasa Rams fed varying proportions of ureatreated maize cobs and groundnut haulms. Sixteen (16) Yankasa Rams were randomly allocated to four (4) treatments with four Rams per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD) for a period of ten weeks (70days). Four experimental diet were formulated with varying proportions of urea-treated maize cobs (UTMC) and groundnut haulms (GH) at the ratio of MC10:40GH, MC20:30GH, MC30:GH10 and MC30:20GH respectively. The result of the study revealed a Significant (P<0.05) difference in total weight gain, daily weight gain and total feed intake with treatment one (1) having the highest values (4.60,65.71) respectively. Similarly, nutrients digestibility significantly (P<0.05) differed across the treatment except for dry matter. All values for haematological and biochemical parameters fell within the normal range for healthy animal. conclusively, treating maize cobs and groundnut haulms with urea up to 50% in the diets did not show any adverse effect on Yankasa Rams. Based on the result of this study, including maize cobs and groundnut haulms at 10% to 40% in the diets of growing Yankasa Rams is recommended.