GROWTH AND FAECAL EGG COUNT RESPONSE OF SHEEP GRAZING NATURAL PASTURE TO CASSAVA LEAVES AND PEELS SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract

This project explores the unlimited availability of cassava wastes in Nigeria by conducting experiments as to the efficacy of cassava leaves and peels in promoting growth and eradicating worm burden in sheep. Sheep (n= 24) grazing natural pastures made up of the West African dwarf breed aged 18-24 months with average weight of 17.96±0.89kg were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments of varying levels of cassava leaves (CL) and cassava peels (CP) namely: 100% CL, 100% CP, 75% CL/25% CP, 25% CL/75% CP, 50% CL/50% CP, and natural pasture (0% CL/0% CP), in a complete randomized design. Results showed that weight gain (g/day) varied (P<0.05) across treatments from 23.21 to 44.64 with sheep supplemented with 75CL/25CP having the highest (P < 0.05) weight gain and least values observed in sheep supplemented with 100% CPwhich was statistically the same with the control treatment. There were reduction highest (P<0.05) in faecal egg count of identified nematodes namely Moneiza spp., Eimeria steidai and Trichostrongyle spp. in sheep fed the CL supplemented diets. It was therefore concluded that weight gain with a reduction in faecal egg count in sheep grazing natural pasture could best be enhanced through the supplementation of cassava leaves and peels with dietary levels of 75% CL/25% CP.