Profitability of Dorper Sheep Finished on Grass and Legume Diets in Taita Taveta and Makueni, Range Lands of Kenya

Abstract

The nutrient content of ruminant feeds, especially crude protein, in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) is insufficient to support maintenance and influence production. Therefore, ruminant supplementation with protein rich leguminous feeds that are cost-effective and easily accessible is strongly recommended for optimum ruminants’ production. In a completely randomized experimental design, a group of 24 mass selected dorper sheep, with an average age of 10-13 months and average body weight of 22.6±2.4Kgs were assigned into the 6 diet experimental treatments of 4 animals each. The animals were dewormed prior to the start of the experiment. The study was carried on-farm and a control set up on-station. The results of a two-way analysis of variance on comparison of the sample means showed an on-farm average net weight gains (NWG) of African fox tail+Cow pea (4.5±1.2Kg) and African fox tail+Dolichos lab lab (3.2±0.4Kg) as the leading. The economic analyses showed that the diets composed of African fox tail+Cow pea and African fox tail+Dolichos lab lab had the best profitable returns of Ksh 106,267.0 and Ksh 55,026 respectively for 100 units’ sheep establishment at the market live body weight price of Ksh 400/Kg. The on station performance was significantly higher, indicating a more promising returns under improved management.

Keywords: Profitability, grass, legume, daily weight gain, ASALs

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/15-3-03

Publication date: February 28^th 2024