SUPPLEMENTAL VALUE OF LEGUME AND TREE LEAVES IN GRASS-BASED DIET FOR PREGNANT SHEEP

摘要

Thirty aduit pregnant Jaiauni sheep {30 78 kg b wt) at their 3rd quarter of pregnancy randomly divided into 6 equal groups were fed on natural pasture, Cenchrus ciliaris, Stylosanthes hamata, C ci;iatis and S hamata (50: 50), C ciliaris, S. hamata andLeucaena leucocephala (40 :40 : 20), C ciliaris, S hamata, Leucaena leucocephala and Albizia lebbek (40:40:10:10) for a period of 30 days Diet of pure legume and grass- legume-tree leaves based diets contained higher levels of CP, EE, Ca than only grass- based diets DCP intake significantly increased (P<0.01) with the supplementation of different leveis of legume and tree leaves to grass based diet Legume supplementation also increased (P<0.05) digestibility of DM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF. All experimentalanimals were on positive N, Ca and P balances and supplementation of legume and tree leaves further increased the retention of N and Ca in adult pregnant sheep. Therefore, supplementation of legume and tree leaves to the grass-based diet improved the nutrient digestibility and utilization in adult pregnant sheep.