Influence of amount of feed offered on growth, intake and selectivity: Observations on sheep and goats

dc.creatorAboud, A.A.O.
dc.creatorOwen, E.
dc.creatorReed, J.D.
dc.creatorSaid, A.N.
dc.date1993
dc.date2011-09-03T18:07:10Z
dc.date2011-09-03T18:07:10Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T17:08:12Z
dc.descriptionComparisons were made between 24 Ethiopian rams and 24 Galla goats for voluntary intake, feed selectivity and growth performance when offered three levels of sorghum stover. The levels observed were 25,50 and 75 g/kg live weight per day. Measurements of intake, growth and feed selectivity were taken over a period of 10 weeks. Both sheep and goats consumed more stover (P<0.001) as rate of offer was increased (22, 31, 32 gDM/kg live weight per day; 19,26,29 g/kg live weight per day, respectively, for sheep and goats). Increasing the level of offer beyond 50g/kg live weight per day did not, however, promote a substantial increase in intake. No difference (P>0.05) was observed in the pattern of feed selectivity between sheep and goats. Both species showed a similar preference for leaf and sheath matter as the level of offer was increased. Sheep gained weight faster (P<0.001) than goats at all rates of offer, (28.0 vs 9.0; 54.0 vs 23.0; 62.0 vs 31.6 in favour of sheep). Those on a higher level of offer showed a faster rate of gain than those on a lower level of offer. It was concluded that both species can benefit from generous offers and that the benefit, judged by improved intake and growth, is due to selective feeding.
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/5493
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/143265
dc.languageen
dc.publisherInternational Livestock Centre for Africa
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceAboud, A.A.O., Owen, E., Reed, J.D. and Said, A.N. 1993. Influence of amount of feed offered on growth, intake and selectivity: Observations on sheep and goats. In: Lebbie, S.H.B., Rey, B. and Irungu, E.K. 1993. Small ruminant research and development in Africa: Proceedings of the Second Biennial Conference of the African Small Ruminant Research Network, AICC, Arusha, Tanzania, 7-11 December 1992. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: ILCA and Wageningen, The Netherlands: CTA.
dc.titleInfluence of amount of feed offered on growth, intake and selectivity: Observations on sheep and goats
dc.typeConference Paper

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