Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Mixture of Orange and Pineapple Pulps Meal as Alternative Energy Sources in the Diet of Ram Lambs
Okoruwa, M .I.; Esobhawan, A .O.; Eghaghara, O .O.

Abstract
The study was conducted to assess the mixture of orange and pineapple pulps meal as alternative energy sources in the diet of ram lambs, using coefficient of preference, in vitro gas production characteristics and nutrient metabolism by ram lambs. Thirty growing West African dwarf (WAD) ram lambs with an average weight of 8.00+0.52kg and aged between 9 and 10 months old were randomly allotted to three treatment diets with ten animals per treatment in a completely randomized design. The compared treatment diets which were T1, T2 and T3 consisted of mixture of orange and pineapple pulps meal in a ratio of 30:40, 35:35 and 40:30 respectively. The obtained results showed that mean dry matter intake and coefficient of preference were best in T1. Gas production from the insoluble fraction, potential gas production, gross energy intake, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), ME:DE ratio, nitrogen balance and nitrogen retention were also significantly (P<0.05) best for T1. Compared to T2 and T3.Gas production from soluble fraction, incubation time, total energy output were significantly (P<0.05) highest in T2, while methane, metabolizable energy (MJ/Kg/DM), organic matter digestibility, faecal and urinary nitrogen output were significant (P<0.05) highest in T3. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (b), short chain fatty acids and nitrogen intake. It is concluded that mixture of orange and pineapple pulps meal in a ratio of 30:40 (T1) has the potential as alternative energy source in the diet of ram lambs.

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