EFFECT OF FEEDING ENSILED SUGARCANE WASTE ON RUMEN FLUID CHARACTERISTICS OF YANKASA RAMS

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of inclusion of ensiled sugarcane waste (ESCW) with poultry litter on rumen fluid characteristics of Yankasa rams in a completely randomized design (CRD) for twelve weeks (84 days). Sugarcane waste was mixed with poultry litter in 3:1 and ensiled for 21 days. The ESCW was used as partial replacement in complete diet. Sixteen Yankasa rams (mean body weight 21.87±2kg and aged 12 to 18 month) were allotted to the four groups on the of body weights into control without ESCW (CG) or control diets partially replaced with ESCW 15% (T1), 30% (T2) or 45% (T3) as treatment groups (TG). Diets were offered ad-libitum, along with clean drinking water and mineral salt lick at will. Ten (10mls) of rumen liquor was drawn individually from all experimental animals using rubber stomach tube before feeding (0 hours), at 3 hours and 6 hours after morning feeding for pH and microbial counts determination. The results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in bacteria counts at 3 and 6 hours sampling periods while fungi counts were significant (P<0.05) different at 0 and 3 hours sampling periods. In conclusion, feeding of ESCW maintained the pH of the rumen fluid at optimum for fibre digestion. The results further indicated that the number of bacteria and fungi in solution were adequate for fibre degradation. Therefore, inclusion of up to 45% ESCW could be done to improve its utilization by Yankasa rams.