Comparative Response of Growing Rams Fed Solely on Centrosema pascuorum and Alysicarpus varginalis

S.M. Yashim, A.M. Adamu, C.A.M. Lakpini and S.B. Abdu

Growth and digestibility experiments were conducted with Yankasa rams offered Centrosema pascuorum and Alysicarpus vaginalis hays fed as sole. Twenty rams with a weight ranging between 19.3 and 29.0kg were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The results of the study showed that the Dry Matter intake of Centrosema pascuorum and Alysicarpus vaginalis did not differ significantly among treatments. Rams fed Centrosema pascuorum had significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily weight change, and total weight change, while Alysicarpus vaginalis had significantly (P < 0.01) higher disgestibilities. Based on the result of this study, it is concluded that Centrosema pascuorum and Alysicarpus vaginalis hays have feeding value for rams and can be used to improve the growth of sheep during critical periods of the dry season if conserved.