Carcass Yield and Composition of Supplementing Hararghe Highland sheep with <i>Ficus sur</i> (cv. Forssk.) Fruits to a Basal Diet of Natural Pasture Hay

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplementary value of dried and ground Ficus sur fruits (FSF) mixed at different proportions with oats grain (OG) on carcass yield, carcass composition, and pH concentration. Thirty Hararghe highland lambs with initial live weights of 14.32±0.25kg (mean±SEM) were used for the experiment. The experimenta sheep were grouped into 5 based on their initial body weight. Thus, the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 5 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments were: ad libitum natural pasture hay (control); 100 [100FSF]; 67%FSF:33%OG [67FSF]; 33%FSF:67%OG [33FSF]; 0%FSF:100%OG [0FSF], which were randomly assigned to the sheep in each block. Noug seed ( cake (NSC) was supplemented at isonitrogenous levels to all treatments and control d No significant (P>0.05) effect of the dietary treatments was observed on carcass parameters and most of the edible and non-edible offal components. The carcass of lambs fed 100FSF diet consist the highest (P<0.001) moisture and crude protein (CP), bu extract (EE) as compared to those consumed 0FSF diet. The pH of the carcass consistently declined from the initial measure taken at 45 minutes post taken at 24 hours. Carcass of lamb fed treatment diets 67FSF a maintained pH value within the desirable range. Hence, it can be concluded that feeding FSF to Hararghe highland sheep as a supplement to natural pasture hay based diet with sufficient protein supplement improved carcass yield and pH

Intake, digestibility, growth performance and blood profile of rams fed sugarcane bagasse or rice husk treated with Trichoderma viride and effective microorganisms

“…The higher serum total protein and albumin in sheep fed biological treated ration also indicated the better utilization of dietary protein and ruminal true protein-N through the digestive tract ( Recce, 1991 ). The observed value of cholesterol levels ranged from 55 to 63 mg/dl was similar with the values reported by Diriba et al. (2015) for the same breed and falls within in the range 43–103 mg/dl of normal blood cholesterol concentration of sheep various ages and breeds ( Radostits et al., 2006 ).…”

Performances, carcass characteristics, and economic benefit of yearling Hararghe highland rams fed diet containing concentrate mixtures and sugarcane bagasse or rice husk treated with Trichoderma viride and effective microorganisms

“…However, the value (9.1 kg) recorded for SCB diet is within the range of value (5.2-9.1 kg) reported for the same breed consumed different basal diet supplemented with different levels of concentrate (Diba et al, 2015;Hirut et al, 2011;Kefyalew et al, 2015;Tagaynesh, 2014).…”

Supplementary value of two Lablab purpureus cultivars and concentrate mixture to natural grass hay basal diet based on feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and net return of Horro sheep

“…digestibility of CP for sheep fed basal diets of finger millet straw were improved when supplemented with different protein sources. However, non-significant variation of CP digestibility was reported by Diriba et al (2015) who supplemented Hararghe highland sheep with fig (Ficus sur). This difference in CP digestibility could be due to supplements used and level of supplementation provided.…”