USE of Crop residues in Sudanese Desert Sheep Feed

Abstract

This study was carried out at El Gadarif State, where the Livestock Research Station. This research investigation the importance of crop residues for feeding animals. The crop residues used were sorghum straw (T1), groundnut straw (leaves & stems) (T2), and sesame straw (stems & pods) (T3).Nine sheep lambs at age of 8 – 12 month, and 25 -36 Kg of bodyweight were used. After two adaptation weeks, the treatments (T1, T2 and T3) were started in a changeover design in 3 weeks. The result showed that the highest dry matter intake DMI (11.560 kg) was recorded for the ground nut straw, and the lowest (9.020kg) obtained for sorghum straw & sesame straw. Generally, there were significant differences (p > 0.5) between (T) and (T2), and between (T2) and (T3). Crude protein intake (CPI) was highest (1.163kg) for ground nut straw and lowest (417g) for sesame straw. The differences between treatments (T1), (T2), and (T3) were significant (p>.05), but were not significant between (T1&T3). Crude fiber intake (CFI) was highest (5.426 kg) for sesame straw and the lowest amount recorded for ground nut straw (3.148kg).The differences were significant (p>.05) between treatments (T3), (T2) and (T1), but not significant between (T2) and (T1). The digestibility of dry matter (DM) was in a highest percentage (50%), as recorded for sesame straw. The lowest percentage (33.17%) was for sorghum straw. The differences between treatments (T1), (T2), (T3) were significant (p>.05), but there were not significant between (T3) and (T2). Digestibility of crude protein (DCP) was at highest percentage (47.10%) for sorghum straw, the lowest (19%) for sesame straw. The differences between treatments (T1), (T2) and (T3) were significant, (p>.05), but not significant between (T3) and (T2). Digestibility of crude fiber (DCF) was at highest percentage (49.90%) for sesame straw, the lowest (18.23%) for ground nut straw. The differences between treatments (T3) and (T2, T1) were significant, but not significant between (T1) and (T2).