Performance of Wad Sheep Fed Boiled Cocoa Seed Testa and Sorghum Malt Dust-Based Diets

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the utilization of Cocoa Seed Testa (CST) and Sorghum Malt Dust (SMD)-based diets by male West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. The feeding trial was conducted on the growth response and nutrient utilization of WAD sheep in a completely randomized experimental design using boiled CST and SMD based-diets. A total of twenty-eight animals were used for the trial. The trial had seven treatment groups with four replicates. The seven dietary treatments used in the trial comprised CST at 10, 20 and 30% levels, SMD at 10, 20 and 30% levels and a control. The experiment lasted 90 days. Data generated were computed and subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. In the trial, the final live weight and daily weight gained by sheep reduced significantly (P<0.05) as the rate of inclusion of CST increased in the treatments while there was no significant (P>0.05) increase as the rate of SMD increased in the treatments. Inclusion of SMD at 20% in treatments improved the weight gain and significantly (P<0.05) improved the feed efficiency. Apparent nitrogen retention was significantly (P<0.05) higher (9.67g/d) in the treatment with 20% SMD. Generally, dietary inclusion of CST and SMD improved the performance parameters measured for WAD sheep. Less than 30% level of inclusion of CST and SMD in concentrate diets is recommended for better performance of male WAD sheep.