EFFECT OF ADDED GRADED LEVELS OF PREBIOTICS IN THE DIET ON PERFORMANCE OF SUDAN DESERT SHEEP

Abstract

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This study was conducted at research farm unit, College of Animal production, Sudan University of Science and Technology from March to May 2016, to evaluate the effect of added graded levels of prebiotics to the diet on performance of Sudan desert sheep. The studied performance parameter were dry matter intake, daily weight gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio, beside effects on immune system in association with hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell and liver ’ s enzymes. Sixteen Sudanese desert lamps of an average body weight (22.5 kg) and average age of 6 month were used in feedlot performance trial for 60 days. Four rations: A (control), B, C and D were formulated; with different levels of prebiotics (0 g/kg, 1g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 2 g/kg, respectively). The rations were prepared to be isocaloric

and iso-nitrogenous by mixing, sorghum grains, groundnut cakes, groundnut hulls, wheat bran, limestone and salt. The animals were distributed randomly into four experimental groups (A, B, C and D).four lambs in each; and were fed individually their appointed diets. The results showed that, the dry matter intake and final body weight were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by different inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group B showed the highest daily dry matter intake DMI (1114.91±40.81g/day) and final body weight (39.25±2.22Kg) followed by group C of daily DMI of (1007.7±69.16g/day) and final weight (34.75±2.29kg). The daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by variable levels of prebiotics in the diets. Group B also had the best daily weight gain (283.33±13.61g/day) and FCR of (3.94±0.22) followed by group C which gained daily (204.16±36.96g/day) and improved FCR by (5.02±0.62). The hemoglobin and white blood cells were not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by different inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group A showed the highest concentrate of hemoglobin (12.02±4.22g/dl) followed by group B (10.78±2.74mg/dl). Group B showed the highest concentrate of white blood cells WBCs (11885.17±780.20) followed by group A (10714.28±681.86). The Asparatate aminotransferase (AST) is not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by different inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group C showed the highest concentrate of Asparatate aminotransferase (250.92±23.08mg/dl) followed by group D (243.45±13.09mg/dl). The Alanin Aminotransferase (ALT) is not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by different inclusion rates of prebiotics in the diet. Group A showed the highest concentrate of Alanin Aminotransferase (50.28±11.12gm/dl) followed by group D (41±15.34gm/dl). The study concluded that addition of prebiotics can improve the overall performance of the lambs. Yet this may be dependent on several factors, such as quantity and level of prebiotics used and other managerial and environmental condition.