Body Weight Gain and Carcass Parameters of Tigray Highland Sheep Supplemented with Acacia Seyal Pods and Wheat Bran Mix in Hay Based Feeding

Abstract

The study was conducted in Southern Zone of Tigray to evaluate body weight gain and carcass parameters of Sokota (Tigray Highland) sheep supplemented with Acacia seyal pods and wheat bran mix in hay based feeding. Twenty five Tigray Highland yearling rams with initial live body weight of 17.5±1.7 kg (mean ± SD) were used. The experimental sheep were divided into five blocks of 5 rams each based on their initial body weight. The feeding trial consisted of grass hay (control), supplemented Acacia seyal pods, wheat bran and their mixture. A randomized complete block design was used to conduct the feeding trial. Carcass evaluation was done at the end of digestibility trial. Highest daily body weight gain was recorded in animals supplemented with Acacia seyal pods (51.1 g/day. Acacia seyal pods is not recommended for fattening but to lessen the body weight fluctuation and uses as supplementation in the dry season and small average daily gain (28.4 g/day) was also observed in sheep on the control treatments. There was significant difference (P<0.001) amongst treatments in rib eye area muscles. The Partial budget analysis of this study was based on the total variable costs, purchasing and selling prices of sheep. Best net income was gained in Tigray Highland rams supplemented with sole Acacia seyal pods and the value; of marginal rate of return (MRR) was found positive in all treatments except in treatment one.

Keywords: carcass, body weight, sheep, acacia seyal pod, Tigray highland