EFFECTS OF FEEDING SIGNAL GRASS (Brachiaria decumbens) AS A BASAL DIET WITH DIFFERENTSUPPLEMENTAL PROTEIN SOURCES ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BALAMI RAMS

Abstract

The research work was conducted at The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi Livestock Teaching and Research farrm where eight (8) rams were used to evaluate the carcass characteristics of the experimental animals after feeding trial. Results showed that fasted live weights were significantly (p<0.05) different between the treatments ranging from 24.60 kg as the least value for the control (D) to 26.84 kg for diet C that recorded the highest. The liver weight was significantly (P<0.05) affectedby the supplemental protein sources ranging from least value of 572 g (D) which is a control to the highest mean value of 639 g (C). The Empty body weight showed no significant (p >0.05) difference among the experimental rams ranging from 20.95 kg as the mean least weight in treatment D to the highest mean value of 21.95 kg (C). The dressing percentage of the experimental rams showed significant (P<0.05) difference across the treatments. Animals fed diet D had the least dressing percentage (44.98%) while treatment C had highest mean value of 52.17%.Conclusively, most of carcass characteristics were significantly affected by the variation of supplemental protein sources in growing Balami rams when fed Brachiaria decumbens as a basal diet.