Utilization of Urea Supplemented Fibrous Crop Residues by Yankasa Rams: Effect on Dry Matter Intake, Performance and Nutrients Digestibility

The main aim of the 8 -weeks study was to assess the dry matter intake, weight gain and nutrients digestibility of Yankasa rams fed urea supplemented fibrous crop residues. Twenty (20) Yankasa rams weighing 15.0kg on average were allocated to four treatment diets which contained 0% (T1), 1.0% (T2), 1.5% (T3) and 2% (T4) fertilizer grade urea, in a completely randomized design. Yam peels, maize offal and rice offal were the basal ingredients. These ingredients were milled and combined with other ingredients to compound the experimental diets. Results of the study showed significant differences in all the parameters assessed, and animals fed diet containing 1.5% - 2% urea (T3 and T4) had better performance in terms, weight gain and nutrient digestibility (69.26 – 88.35%). It was therefore inferred that treating fibrous crop residue with urea at 1.5% - 2% of the total feed will improve performance and nutrients digestibility of Yankasa rams.