Effect of feeding diets containing levels of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on digestibility and nitrogen balance of red Sokoto bucks

Abstract

The apparent digestibility and nitrogen balance of nutrients in isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 250, 500 and 750 g ginger inclusion levels was studied in a 14-day trial involving twenty (20) red Sokoto bucks (RSB) weighing on the average 17.86 kg. The treatments were replicated five times in a completely randomized design. The animals were individually fed at 4% of their body weight for both the concentrate (1.5% as supplement) and Digitaria smutsii hay (2.5% as basal diet). The trial consisted of 7-day adjustment period followed by a 7-day total collection of faeces and urine. Nutrient digestibility, faecal and urine outputs were recorded. Results indicated a similar dry matter intake across the treatments. Crude protein and crude fiber intakes were significantly (P<0.05) affected by ginger inclusion levels with higher values recorded in the group fed 250 g. Dry matter digestibility significantly (P<0.05) increased with increase in ginger levels. Nitrogen retention was significantly (P<0.05) higher in bucks fed with 750 g ginger. It was therefore concluded that, varying inclusion levels of ginger improved nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of RSB. RSB can be fed up to 750 g/100 kg diet ginger.