Influence of Tannin in Selected Forages on the Growth Performance and Faecal Egg Count of Semi-Intensively Managed Sheep

Abstract

The occurrence in economic losses through inadequate nutrition and the increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistance to nematodes in sheep represent a major constraint in sheep production. A 56 day experiment was carried out to determine the effect of using forages of cassava, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala containing tannin on the growth performance and faecal egg count (FEC) of semi-intensively managed West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Sixteen WAD sheep with an average body weight of 16kg were randomly allocated to four supplementary treatments of forages of cassava forage (CF), Gliricidia sepium (GSF), Leucaena leucocephala (LLF) and the control (unsupplemented). Data were taken on sheep DM feed intake, body weight changes and faecal egg count (FEC). Results showed that the selected forages containing tannin increased weight gain (P < 0.05) and reduced (P < 0.05) FEC in sheep. Animals on LLF had the highest (P < 0.05) forage intake (707.50g/day) and weight gain (21.87g/day) which ranked the same statistically with sheep on CF diets with the control treatment having the least (P > 0.05) weight gain (13.83g/day). Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that tannins in the forages of leucaena and cassava improved growth and is effective in reducing faecal egg count in sheep managed semi intensively. This can be utilized for better weight gain and optimal functioning of animals to get maximum returns.

Keywords: Cassava, Gliricidia, Leucaena, Tannin, Sheep, growth, Faecal egg count