Feeding graded levels of an improved cultivar of cowpea haulm as supplement for rams fed maize stover diet.

摘要

Feed resources commonly utilized by small ruminants in most tropical regions are crop residues. The inherently low concentration of protein limits their intake and hence reduced animal performance. The haulm of cowpea cultivar, IT93K-2045-93 was assessed for its potential as supplement for rams fed a basal diet of maize stover. Four rumen fistulated rams were used in a Latin square design to evaluate the intake degradation and digestibility of Maize Stover (MS) when rams were fed a supplement of cowpea haulm. No significant difference (p>0.05) in the intake of MS was observed as the level of supplement increased. Substitution of basal diet by supplement occurred when supplement was fed beyond 14.64 g DM kg-1 LW whereas total Dry Matter (DM) intake was similar for the supplemental levels of 7.32 and 21.96 g DM kg-1 LW. The DM degradability parameters of maize stover were significantly influenced (p<0.001) by the supplement. Where limited quantities of cowpea haulm are available, it is possible to offer small amounts cowpea haulm to improve feed intake when animals are consuming poor quality fodders.