Effect of Brewers’ Dried Grain on Growth, Milk Yield and Composition of Yankasa Sheep in Guinea Savannah

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of brewers dried grain on feed intake, body weight gain, milk yield and composition of Yankasa ewes. Five treatment diets designated T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were formulated with maize substituted with BDG at 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % respectively. The experimental animals were randomly allotted to five treatments groups with four replicates each comprising of one ewe per replicate in a complete randomized design and fed the formulated diet. The animals were sourced from Biotechnology department of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika Zaria. The dates of birth and weight at birth were taken. The ewes were used for the experiment at twelve week. The animals were intensively managed given the experimental diets in the morning and supplemented with forage (Digitaria smutti) afterward. The oestrus of ewes was synchronized using a synthetic prostaglandin named Estrumate® administer through intramuscular injection to have a uniform gestation and parturition. The parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain, milk yield, milk composition. One way ANOVA using SAS (2000) statistical package was used for analysis. A non-significant (P>0.05) difference was observed among the treatment groups in respect of feed intake, weight gain. However D5 had a better result (4.75 Kg, 22.08) in respect to weight gain and feed conversion ratio respectively. Milk composition showed a significant (P<0.05) difference IN T5, T4 and T3 (7.39%, 7.25 % and 6.63 % respectively. Milk yield showed a significant (P<0.05) difference at week two among the dietary treatment with treatment two (D2) having the best result ((0.11 Kg). It was concluded and recommended that maize can replace BDG up to 40 %.