Nutrients Utilization and Growth by Yankasa Rams Fed Cowpea Husk, Ureaand Molasses Treated Maize Cobs

This study find out nutrients utilization and growth by yankasa rams fed cowpea husk, molasses treated maize cobs. Seventy days feeding trial was conducted to determined the nutrients utilization and growth by Yankasa rams fed cowpea husk, urea and molasses treated maize cobs. Twelve growing Yankasa rams aged between 8-12 months were subjected to four dietary treatments in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). The four dietary treatment were T1 (4kg urea ensiled maize cobs and cowpea husk) only, T2 (4kg urea and 2kg molasses ensiled maize cobs with cowpea husk, T3 (4kg urea and 4kg molasses ensiled maize cobs with cowpea husk) T4 (4kg urea and 6kg molasses ensiled maize cobs with cowpea husk). The result of the chemical composition shows the dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, Ash, Ether extract, nitrogen free extract values were 96.0 % -97.0 % (DM), 9.0-12.2 % (CP), 4.0-5.5 % (CF), 8.5- 10.0 % ash, 1.1-2.4 % (EE), 68.70- 73.00 % (NFE), ME, 2979.35-3118.90Kcal/kg for T1, T2, T3, and T4. The proximate composition of maize cobs were 98.5 % (DM), 3.8 % (CP) 10.0 % (CF) 1.1 % (EE), 1.2 % Ash, 80.0 % NFE 76.1 % (NDF) 49.9 % (ADF), 3.06Kcal/kg. The total feed intakes were 118.90 -128.70 g/h/day. The feed conversion ratios were from 10.62-0.860. The final weight gains were 28.00kg-30.04kg. Avearage Daily Live weight gain were 86.56 115.78g/h/day. The nutrients intake values were 118.84-127.74 (DMI) g/h/day, 116.42-119.41g/h/d (OMI), 119.69 -128.59g/h/d (CPI), 119.66-128.56g/h/d (CFI) and 119.70-128.68 Ash. While the nutrients digestibility were from 47.88- 59.43 % (DMD), 46.29-56.72 % (CPD), 36.06- 47.13EED, 32.72-65.71 CFD, 39.58-44.25 % ASHD, 39.21-29.69 (NFED). The study revealed that treatment four (4kg urea and 6kg molasses) gave significant higher dry matter intake and live weigh gain in Yankasa rams.