title: Effects of different forms of white lupin (Lupinus albus) grain supplementation on feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of Washera sheep fed Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay-based diets.
abstract: Protein is the major limiting nutrient in feeding ruminants especially in dryland areas. Thus, looking for locally available protein sources such as white lupin (Lupinus albus) grain is commendable. The objective of this experiment was to determine effects of supplementation of different forms of white lupin grain (WLG) on feed and nutrient intake, digestibility, growth and carcass characteristics. Twenty-five yearling male Washera sheep with initial body weight (BW) of 16.26 ± 1.41 kg (mean ± SD) were used. Animals were blocked into five based on their initial BW and were randomly assigned to one of the following five dietary treatments: Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay (RGH) alone (T1) or supplemented with 300 g (on dry matter (DM) basis) raw WLG (T2) or raw soaked and dehulled WLG (T3) or roasted WLG (T4) or raw soaked WLG (T5). Supplementation with WLG significantly improved total DM and nutrient intake (P < 0.001), nutrient digestibility (P < 0.01), and average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (P < 0.001). Carcass quality parameters were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for supplemented sheep. However, the difference in carcass quality parameters among supplemented groups was not significant (P > 0.05). It is concluded that roasting white lupin grain can lead to a better feed and nutrient intake and consequently better carcass quality. White lupin grain can be recommended not only for maintenance but also for optimum performance of ruminants.
authors.affiliation: Koga irrigation and watershed management project, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Gebru
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tefera
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. firewtegegne@alrc.tottori-u.ac.jp.|Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori, 680-0001, Japan. firewtegegne@alrc.tottori-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Firew
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tegegne
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Yeshambel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mekuriaw
authors.affiliation: Haramaya University, School of Animal and Range Sciences, P.O.Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melaku
authors.affiliation: Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, 1390 Hamasaka, Tottori, 680-0001, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsunekawa
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D005002:Ethiopia; D031297:Lupinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D006109:Poaceae; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Carcass characteristics; Digestibility; Dryland; Growth; Rhodes grass; Washera sheep; White lupin