RUMEN MICROBIAL LOAD AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP FED NAPIER GRASS AND DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF COCOA POD HUSK WITH SOUR SOP PULP MEALS

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine rumen microbial load and growth performance of sheep fed napier grass and varying levels of cocoa pod husk with soursop pulp meals. Twenty four (24) West African Dwarf sheep with average weight of 7.00±0.55kg were assigned to three treatment diets with eight (8) animals per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets were: A (70% napier grass and 30% concentrate diet was the control group), B (45% cocoa pod husk with 25% soursop pulp and 30% concentrate diet) and C(50% cocoa pod husk with 20% soursop pulp and 30% concentrate diet). The results indicated that total protozoa count (5.39 x 10 CFU/ml), average daily feed intake (221.79g) and feed conversion ratio (8.68) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in diet A than diets B and C. Final body weight 911.02kg), average daily weight gain (43.57g), total bacteria and fungi counts (7.04 and 4.86 x 10 CFU/ml) were (P<0.05) higher in diet C compared with diets A and B. Initial body weight and rumen pH were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by treatment diets. It was concluded that 50% cocoa pod husk with 20% soursop pulp and 30% concentrate diet has the potential to maximize nutrient from the rumen microbes that facilitate digesta flow to enhance growth in sheep.