Comparative Performance of Pelleted Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)-based with Indigofera: A Complete Ration Mix (CRM) fed to Grower Sheep

This study aims to determine the comparative performance of pelletized Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum)-based with Indigofera: A Complete Ration Mix (CRM) to grower sheep in terms of feed intake and weight gain; and to determine the degradability in terms of the amount and rates of roughage disappearance in the rumen with respect to time through a Paired T-test Design. The research was conducted at Sacdalan Farm, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, Philippines from December 2013 to February 2014. A fabricated heavy-duty pelleting machine was used to pelletize mixed ingredients containing the formulated Complete Ration Mix (CRM) of 60:40 (Napier:Indigofera) (Test Group A) and 80:20 (Napier:Indigofera) (Test Group B). Further, an “in sacco” method was used in determining the amount and rates of roughage disappearance in the rumen with respect to time. There were four (4) heads of sheep assigned per test group and these were confined and provided with daily nutritional requirements according to weight and dry matter requirements. A highly significant difference was observed (P 0.01) in feed intake. Test Group B with 80:20 had a mean of 0.92 kg. while Test Group A, which had 60:20 ration, resulted a mean of 0.78 kg. However, for the average daily weight gain, no significant difference was obtained between Test Group A and Test Group B with a mean of 0.14kg and 0.09kg. The same result was noted in feed conversion efficiency with a mean of 5.59 kg and 10.49 kg. The disappearance rate and percentage degradability showed the same trend. As the time incubation increases, the weight of the residues decreases, which resulted to the increase of percentage degradability (g) and disappearance rate (%) using “in sacco” technique. Numerically, for disappearance rate, .05g (0 hr), 0.10g (6 hrs), 0.10g (12 hrs), 0.15g (24 hrs), 0.20g (48 hrs), 0.30g (72 hrs), 0.45g (96 hrs), and 0.50g (120 hrs); while 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10%, 15%, 22.5%, and 25% for each stipulated number of hours for the percentage degradability. This study will be used as reference in formulating ration and proportion of grasses and legumes with concentrates for ruminant nutrition.