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Amen Et Al Molaasas Atela
Amen Et Al Molaasas Atela
org
ISSN 2224-6088 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0557 (Online) DOI: 10.7176/FSQM
Vol.90, 2019
Abstract
The study was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center on two years old Arsi-Bale rams. Twenty
four rams were purchased from the Maki, Batu and Bulbula markets. The study was carried out to evaluate the
effects of feeding different mixture of molasses and atella on growth responses of two years old Arsi-Bale rams.
Four feeding treatments (T1 = Grazing + 10% molasses + 40% wheat bran + 50% noug seed cake, T2 = Grazing
+ 30% atella + 50% wheat bran + 20% noug seed cake, T3 = Grazing + 10% molasses + 40% atella + 25% wheat
bran + 25% noug seed cake and T4 = Grazing + 65% wheat bran + 35% noug seed cake) were evaluated during
the fattening period. Complete Randomized Block Design was implemented to assign six rams to each of the four
treatments. Average daily live weight gains of 81.9, 76.6, 59 and 91.6 grams were recorded for rams in treatments
one, two, three and four, respectively. Significant differences in final body weight, total weight gain and average
daily weight gains were observed between treatments three and four. With respect to the levels of atella in the
rations, comparatively, higher level resulted in lower growth rate of the rams than the lower level. The partial
budget analysis indicated positive gross margins for all treatment groups, with higher values for treatment four
and lower values for treatment two. Therefore, fatteners can use one of the feed mixtures for two years old Arsi-
Bale rams based on the accessibility and availability of the ingredients to be used to formulate the rations.
Keywords: Molasses atella mixture, Arsi-Bale rams, Sheep fattening
DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/90-02
Publication date:September 30th 2019
Introduction
Ethiopia has above 30 million heads of sheep (CSA, 2017). Beside large population, sheep production is very low.
Carcass yield of local small ruminants remained at about 8 kg per head which was below the East African (11 kg)
and the world (12 kg) average carcass yield (Getahun, 2008). In Ethiopia, the current per capita consumption of
meat is 13.9 kg/year, being lower than the African and the world per capita averages, which are 27 kg/year and
100 kg/year, respectively (Tsigereda et al., 2016).
The traditional livestock fattening practices mostly depend on the natural pasture (Belay and Menale, 2017).
Under such systems, livestock production mostly depends on increase of animal numbers rather than targeting
higher carcass weight per animal. Productivity increment through increase of animal numbers alone is unlikely to
meet the current meat demand of country (Shapiro et al., 2015). Therefore, improving the live weight gain of
animals through fattening is an important issue to increase meat production. Livestock fattening is also an emerging
sector for employment and income generation for the poor, especially the landless, destitute and widowed women
and a hence is a tool for poverty reduction (Zemene et al., 2016).
The live weight gain of local sheep is affected the availability of feeds. To this end, using different feed
mixtures is an important issue to increase the meat production in our country. However there is limited information
on the use of different mixtures for fattening, particularly, for our local sheep. Hence, this study was conducted to
evaluate the effects of different mixtures of molasses and atella on the growth responses of two years old Arsi-
Bale rams.
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Food Science and Quality Management www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-6088 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0557 (Online) DOI: 10.7176/FSQM
Vol.90, 2019
T1 = Grazing + 10% molasses + 40% wheat bran + 50% noug seed cake
T2 = Grazing + 30% atella + 50% wheat bran + 20% noug seed cake
T3 = Grazing + 10% molasses + 40% atella + 25% wheat bran + 25% noug seed cake
T4 = Grazing + 65% wheat bran +35% noug seed cake
Feeding of experimental animals
After 14 days of adaptation period, rams were provided with their respective supplementary feed according to
their requirements at the rate of 2.5% of their body weight. The amount of feed given to each animal was adjusted
every two weeks during the fattening period. Each dietary treatment was offered twice daily (half in the morning
and half in the afternoon after 8 hours grazing) for the respective groups of animals. All the experimental rams
were individual fed on their corresponding rations for during fattening period.
Growth performance measurement
( )
ADW =
,
TWG = FBW – IBW
Where: ADG = Average daily weight gain, TWG = Total weight gain, FBW = Final body weight, IBW = Initial
body weight and D = Total of fattening days
Economic returns on rams fattening
All variable costs incurred in conducting the trial were recorded. Total variable costs such as animals purchase,
transportation, feeds, labor and veterinary costs were included in the partial budget analysis. The gross
output/revenues were obtained from the estimated prices of the rams at the end of the fattening periods which was
done by the help of persons who have enough knowledge on prices of fattened animals. The fixed costs incurred
for feeding animals were not included in cost benefit analysis.
Statistical analysis
Data on live weights and carcass parameters were analyzed using general linear model (GLM) of Statistical
Analysis System (ver. 8). The estimated least squares means were separated using the Duncan's Multiple Range
Test at P< 0.05.
9
Food Science and Quality Management www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-6088 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0557 (Online) DOI: 10.7176/FSQM
Vol.90, 2019
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to Oromia Agriculture Research Institute, for funding the experiments. We would like to
extend our appreciation to Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Centre for technical support and for enabling us with
a conducive working environment in conducting the study.
References
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