Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Predicting Rumen Microbial Population and Volatile Fatty Acids in Growing Rams Fed Avocado Seeds with Orange Peels Meal as Replacement for Guinea Grass
M. I. Okoruwa

Abstract
The West African Dwarf (WAD) growing rams, aged between 8 and 9 months with mean body weight of 8.00 ± 0.12kg were used to predict rumen microbial population and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for 84days. The WAD growing rams were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments with eight rams per treatment group in a completely randomized design. The compared experimental diets were; diet A (solely 60% guinea grass which serves as the control group), diet B (avocado seeds with orange peels in a ratio of 25:35) and diet C (avocado seeds with orange peels in a ration of 20:40). Concentrate supplement of 40% was added to each of the experimental diet. The results showed that rumen fungi (40.26mm2), rumen pH (6.78), acetic acid (46.77%) and acetic: propionic ratios (3.89%) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in growing rams on diet A compared to other treatment diets. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration (18.04mg/100ml), rumen protozoa (14.01 x 103ml), rumen bacteria (16.02 x 109ml), propionic acid (21.51%) and butyric acid (12.85%) were significantly (P < 0.05) better in growing rams on diet B, whereas rumen temperature (38.950C) and total volatile fatty acids (88.01mmol/litre) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in growing rams on diet C. It is concluded that avocado seeds with orange peels meal in a ratio 25:35 respectively, has the potential to replace guinea grass in the diet of WAD growing rams.

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