Performance characteristics, rumen fermentation parameters and nitrogen metabolism of West African dwarf sheep fed diets mixed with palm kernel oil and soyabean oil

Abstract

Palm kernel oil (PKO) and Soyabean oil (SBO) contain high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids that would provide significant alteration in rumen fermentation and production of volatile fatty acids for better animal productivity. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the efficacy of PKO and SBO in modulating fermentation patterns, improving growth and nitrogen utilization of West African Dwarf Sheep (WADS). Twenty (20) WADS weighing 12.50 ± 0.5kg were randomly allotted into four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Mixture of (PKO) and (SBO) were incorporated into the diets of sheep at 0.0g/day, 10.5g/day, 7.5:7.5g/day and 5:10g/day as treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Parameters determined were weight gain, feed conversion ratio, rumen fluid parameters and nitrogen balance. The results showed that weight gain (2.40 – 4.55kg) was significantly affected (P<0.05)by inclusion of PKO and SBO in the diets. The best daily weight gain (54.15g/day) and feed conversion ratio (10.20) were recorded at Treatment 4 which were significantly (P<0.05) different across the treatments. The rumen fluid pH ranged 5.60 - 6.50 Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N) values (0.44-0.88), Propanoic acid (6.05-6.84), rumen fluid temperature (36.25-37.000C) and Valeric acids (6.08-7.56g/dL) were significantly influenced by addition of PKO:SBO in the diets of sheep. The nitrogen balance ranged from 0.05 - 0.56. The best nitrogen retention value (26.22%) was recorded with animals on Treatment 4 with 5:10g/day PKO:SBO. The study concluded that PKO:SBO can be incorporated into the diets of WAD sheep at 5:10g/day for effective feed utilization, improved growth performance and better nitrogen utilization.