Utilization of Andropogon Gayanus (Gamba grass) as Basal Diet

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of feeding Andropogon gayanus  (Gamba grass) hay with groundnut haulms as supplement on the performance of Yankasa rams. Sixteen yakasa rams aged from 8-10 months with average live-weight of 18kg were subjected to four treatment diets each consisting of four replicates in a randomized complete block design. The four dietary treatments were T1 (sole Andropogon gayunus), T2 (Andropogon gayanus + 100g groundnut haulms), T3 (Andropogon gayanus + 200g groundnut haulms ) and T4 (Andropogon gayanus + 300g). The result showed that rams fed T1 recorded the least feed intake and weight gain than T2, T3 and T4 which were supplemented with groundnut haulms. The live-weight gain of yankasa rams was not significantly (P<0.05) different. The water intake of rams was not significantly (P<0.05) affected by groundnut haulms supplementation but increases with levels. The nutrients digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) different with supplementation except the crude fibre. The result showed that supplementation of Andropogon gaayanus hay with groundnut haulms could lead to improved feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and nutrients intake.

Key words: Yankasa rams, Andropogon gayanus, Groundnut haulms, Digestibility, Performance.