Nitrogen Utilization in Sheep Offered Ration Containing Different Protein Source of Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia villosa or Calliandra CIllothyrsus at The Different Level of Nitrogen Intake.

Abstract

Grass is the main component of ration fc.r small ruminant raised at the small scale of sheep farming. Energy content of grass is high but its protein content is too low to support optimum growth rate. Elephant grass as a sole feed may not meet the energy and protein requirement of sheep. Four experiments were designed to evaluate nitrogen utilization in sheep offered four rations containing different protein sources of Leucaena diversifolia. Acacia villosa, Calliandra calothyrsus or mixed pollard and soybean meal, with protein content of rations was about 10.2, 12.2, 13.2 and 14.2 % respectively. Sheep on the first, second, third and fourth experiment were expected to consume nitrogen at 7. II, 15 and 19 g N/day/head, respectively., Sheep were kept in individual metabolic cages for two periods of 14 days. The first and second seven days period was adaptation and total collection period, respectively. Treatments were allocated in a Completely Randomised Block Design. Synthesis of microbial protein and nitrogen retention were evaluated. Data was analysed using ANOVA. Means of treatments were compared by Duncan's double distance test.