Abstract:
Red Maasai sheep is a breed commonly found in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya and Tanzania. They often face severe nutritional deficits especially during the dry season which lead to low productivity, weight loss, health problems or even death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing Brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay with Calliandra leaves (Calliandra calothyrsus) on the performance of Red Maasai sheep. The specific objectives were to determine the chemical composition of the experimental diets, palatability, voluntary feed intake, digestibility and weight change. Twelve experimental diets were formulated consisting of three basal diets: Brachiaria grass hay, Rhodes grass hay and a 50:50 mixtures of Brachiaria and Rhodes grass hay, each supplemented with different levels of Calliandra leaves. Treatments (T) were based on the level of supplementation with Calliandra leaves where: (T1=0%), (T2=10%), (T3=20%) and (T4=30%) respectively. Chemical composition including polyphenols and in-vitro gas production characteristics were determined. Palatability study was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) using three (3) one-year-old male sheep with a mean weight of 22.0 ± 1.5 Kg in three replicates. Each sheep was offered 200 g daily with an allowance of 60 minutes feeding time. Daily feed offered and left over was weighed and recorded and intake determined by difference. In performance trials (feed intake, digestibility and weight gain), thirty-six (n=36) male, one-year-old sheep, with a mean weight of 22±2.5 Kg were used in a completely randomized design (CRD), with three replicates and 3 sheep per treatment. Daily feed offered, feed left-over and faeces were weighed and recorded. Weekly body weight measurements were recorded. Sheep were allowed a 14-day adaptation period prior to the feeding trial. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks. Data were analysed by general linear model of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the statistical analysis system (SAS, 2002) version 9.0. Results showed that supplementation improved significantly (p<0.05) crude protein in the diets from 4.1% to 12.6%. Supplementation also increased significantly (p<0.05) palatability of the diets. Results indicated that supplementation positively influenced (p<0.05) feed intake, digestibility and weight gains. Brachiaria, Rhodes and 50:50 mix supplemented with 30% Calliandra leaves showed higher average daily gain (ADG) of 52.8 g/d, 42.0 g/d and 45.0 g/d respectively. This study concluded that Brachiaria grass hay supplemented with 30% Calliandra leaves has a great potential as a dry season forage for Red Maasai sheep.
