Short—Time Intake and Preference of Ratio of Gliricidia sepium: Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal by Yankasa Rams

Abstract

Nutritional evaluation using preference and short — time intake study as criteria for investigating ratio combinations of diets and performance in Yankasa rams. Five (5) Yankasa rams, aged 8-12 months with an average body weight of 14.69+0.02kg were used for the preference study, the study lasted 24 days. Animals were housed in pens, with concrete floors, de-wormed,; given prophylactic treatment and access to clean water: The animals were offered 2000g of air-dried leaves of G. sepium and M. oleifera combinations in a cafeteria method of feeding. The animals were set free to make their choices within an hour (1hr) in a confined environment, the amount of feed consumed and refused were measured and recorded daily. The most and least preferred combinations were determined, using two indices: Relative preference index (RPI) and Coeffecient of preference (CoP). The short-time intake shows preferencfeor 100GS:0MO combination. Yankasa rams showed higher intake (1363g/d) and preference (194.72) for the diet with combination (100GS:0MO).