Effect of Ensiling Graded Level of Poultry Litter with Desho Grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) on Palatability and Nutritional Characteristics of Silage in Case of Bonga Sheep

Abstract

In tropical region inadequate quality and quantity of feed are major constraints to livestock production sector. Most of feed resources are low in nutrient content to meet nutrient requirement of maintenance, production and reproduction. Therefore this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ensiling graded level of poultry litter with desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) on intake, preference, fermentative and nutritional characteristics of silage in case of Bonga Sheep. Poultry litter (Pl) and desho grass (Dg) was ensiled by four treatments; T1 (100%Dg), T2(80%Dg+20%Pl), T3(70%Dg+30%Pl) and T4(60%Dg+40%Pl) in three replications for 30 days. Ten Bonga sheep were used to evaluate the free choice intake of silage in a cafeteria style. The experimental design was complete randomized design (CRD). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means. Ensiling with poultry litter significantly (P<0.05) increased the color quality in T3 (light brown) which is better than T2 (deep brown), T4(brown) and T4(Dark Brown). The smell of T4 (offensive) and T1 (poor) while T3 is very pleasant. The highest pH was recorded in control (6.2) with the least in T4 (4.4). In current study, the percent preference of sheep significantly varied (P<0.05) from 20.1 – 33.2 % and the order of preference was T3 > T2> T1 > T4. It is concluded that desho grass ensiled within 20% to 30% poultry litter improved Crude protein (CP) content and intake by Bonga sheep when compared with control and 40% poultry level.

Keywords: silage, poultry litter, desho grass, palatability trail, Bonga, sheep