EFFECT OF FEEDING ENSILED GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea) SHELL WITH YEAST (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) AND MOLASSES ON PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF YANKASA RAMS

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of ensiled groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell with fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and molasses on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization of twenty (20) Yankasa rams at Prof. Abdu Lawal Saulawa Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Animal Science, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The experimental diets T1, T2, T3, and T4 contained Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Molasses ensiled groundnut shell (EGNS) at 0%, 5%, 10 and 15%. The EGNS was prepared by mixing 60g of Sacchromyces cerevece (Yeast) and 100ml of molasses with a kg of groundnut shell and dissolved 1000ml of water and then ensiled for a period of three (3) weeks. The animals were purchased from Dutsin-Ma market and quarantined for two (2) weeks during which they were given prophylactic treatment against infection and also treated against ecto and endoparasites. They were balanced for weight at the beginning of the study and then randomly allotted into four (4) dietary treatments. in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 84days, data collected during the experiment to evaluate the feed consumed, weight gain, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and cost per liveweight gain.  Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Version 20 and means of the treatments were separated using Duncan multiple range test. Results showed significant variations (P<0.05) in all the parameters but T4 performed better than other ones. Based on the outcome of the study, Sacchromyces cerevecea ensiled groundnut shell inclusion level of 15% is recommended in the diets of sheep.