Determination of Digestibility of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Hull and Wheat Bran in Afar Sheep

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and digestibility of faba bean hull (FBH) and wheat bran (WB). Chemical compositions of FBH and WB were determined. The crude protein (CP) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) of WB were higher than FBH but neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of FBH were higher than those of WB were. With the exception of digestibility of CP, the digestibility of DM, OM, ADF, and NDF were not significantly affected by treatments (P>0.05). Digestibility of CP was greater in sheep (P<0.05) of supplemented treatments as compared to the control group, while differences among the supplemented group in CP digestibility were not significant (P>0.05). In general, FBH had almost comparable with CP of WB.

Keywords: Faba bean hull, byproduct, chemical composition, digestibility