This study was conducted to evaluate growth performance between F1 and F2 generations of Horro, Potchefstroom Koekoek and Bovan Brown crosses under intensive management at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM), Southwest Ethiopia. Totally 450 F1 chicks were produced by crossing Horro with Potchefstroom Koekoek (HPK), Horro with Bovan Brown (HB) and Bovan Brown with Potchefstroom Koekoek (BPK) and 150 from each genotype. When F1 generation was matured and started laying eggs, fertile eggs were collected from them and again a total 450 F2 chicks (150 from each genotype) were produced. Both generations were managed on phase basis and each genotype group was randomly assigned to three replications. Data were recorded on phase basis for both generations. Dressing percentages of cockerels were taken at 16 week age for both generations. Data collected was analyzed using SAS 9.3 and SPSS. As indicated current investigation, mean day-old chick body weight of F1 was significantly heavier in all genotype than F2. In contrast to brooding phase, only one genotype (HPK cockerels) showed significant difference (p 0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed significant difference (p 0.05) between generations. Mortality rate during all phases for both F1 and F2 was low and significantly different between generations except BPK had no mortality during growing phase for both generations. From present results, it was seen that crosses of these breeds up to F2 generations showed good growth performance at on-station management. Therefore, it is important to produce crosses of these chicken breeds up to F2 generation and recommended also to produce F3 to investigate again with F1 and F2 generations.
Information on indigenous chickens breeding practices, breeding objectives and farmers’ trait preferences require for designing, planning, implementing and sustainable genetic improvement programme of indigenous chickens. Doing this, it is possible to improve the livelihoods of small scale farmers and rural developments as whole. Therefore, research results and facts of local chicken breeding were reviewed with the aim of delivering relevant information on breeding objectives and trait preferences of farmers in local chicken ecotype in Ethiopia. According to the review, breeding objectives of the farmers were egg production, cultural/religious reasons, sale incomes, and meat. Overall farmers preferred traits are comb type, plumage color, body weight, breeding ability, body conformation, egg number and size, adaptive trait and mothering ability. In generally, these traits are considered as important for selecting chicken in a market for meat and egg for consumption and for the breeding purpose in Ethiopia. Therefore, these preference traits and breeding objectives of farmers are important to improve the genetic part of chickens in the Ethiopia.
This study evaluated the standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of processed bambara nut in broiler chicks. Two hundred and forty (240) one-day old Abor Acre plus-strain birds were fed a commercial broiler starter diet for 15 days. On day 16, the birds were randomly distributed into 4 treatments with 6 replicates and 10 birds each in a randomized complete block design. Diet 1 was a Nitrogen Free Diet (NFD); Diet 2 was a Highly Digestible Protein (HDP); while Diets 3 and 4 comprised roasted bambara nut (RBN) and soaked + roasted bambara nut (SRBN) as the sole sources of protein. On day 21, birds were sacrificed and digesta collected from the terminal ileum. The Endogenous Amino Acid Losses (EAAL), Apparent Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility (AIAAD), Standardized Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility (SIAAD) were estimated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at α0.05. Amino acid with the highest flow was lysine and aspartic acid for nitrogen free diet, while ileal endogenous alanine was higher in HDP. Overall, the apparent digestibility of soaked + roasted bambara nut was significantly lower than birds fed roasted bambara nut, except for arginine, methionine, tryptophan, glutamic acid and glycine which did not differ statistically. Birds fed with roasted bambara nut diet had highest amino acid digestibility values after standardization except tryptophan. In conclusion, birds on roasted bambara nut diet maintained highest digestibility values after standardization irrespective of the method (NFD or HDP) used for estimating endogenous ileal amino acid losses.
The study was conducted three districts of South Gondar zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia with the objective of identifying production objectives, breeding practice and farmer’s trait preference of indigenous goat. The zone was stratified into highland, midland and lowland agro-ecology and then selected one district from each agro-ecology. Data were collected from 171 households through semi structured and structured questionnaires, focal group discussions and secondary sources. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and SAS version 9.3 (2014). Mixed crop-livestock production system which accounted for 98.8% was the main agricultural production system in the study area. Results revealed that source of income generation (0.48) was the primary production objectives of framers in the study area followed by meat for home consumption (0.34), saving (0.10), ceremony (0.05) and manure (0.03). Body conformation was the most preferable trait in all agro-ecology of the study area followed by reproduction rate and adaptability in highland, while coat color and reproduction rate for midland and lowland. Most (72.22%) of the farmers in the study area were used uncontrolled mating system. About 32.35% of farmers in the study area had their own breeding buck while 67.65% of farmers shared breeding bucks with their neighbors. The inbreeding coefficient of indigenous goat in private and communal grazing system of the study area was 0.14 and 0.10, respectively. In general, from the current study, it could be conclude that trait preference and breeding practice of farmers in the study area was traditional, and inbreeding coefficient of indigenous goat in the private and communal grazing system was high comparable with the maximum acceptable level of 0.063 (Armstrong, 2006). Therefor further investigation should be undertaken to minimize inbreeding coefficient of indigenous goat.
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of rice bran (RB) and Ronozyme® WX on apparent and true ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility coefficients in broiler chicks using a regression approach. Two hundred and forty 21-day-old Abor Acre plus chicks were randomly allotted to six diets with varying levels of RB (100, 200 and 300 g/kg) without (0g/kg) or with Ronozyme® WX (25g/kg) supplementation in a 2x3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 8 birds each. The birds were fed for 5 days (d 22–26). On d 26, digesta was sampled from distal ileum. Data were analyzed using general linear model at α0.05. Lysine had the highest concentration among the essential amino acids (AAs) while the lowest concentration was observed for threonine. Rice bran at 10% for the essential amino acids with enzyme was significantly higher but compared with concentrations of RB at 10% and 20% without enzyme. There were no significant differences among the true ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients except lysine (10% RB) without enzyme (0.91) which was significantly higher than 20% RB with enzyme (0.84) but similar to other treatments. Rice bran with enzyme had a significant (P < 0.05) interactive effect on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of arginine, histidine, isoleucine methionine and phenylalanine. When RB was supplemented with enzyme, a significant (P < 0.05) interactive effect on true ileal digestibility coefficients of arginine and methionine was observed. Rice bran-enzyme interaction had no significant effect on the non-essential AAs. The slopes of the regression lines ranged from 0.77 (arginine) to 0.98 (phenylalanine). In conclusion, enzyme supplementation did not significantly influence the digestibility coefficients of AA in rice bran. However, the inclusion of 10% and 20% RB supplemented with Ronozyme® can help to improve the methionine content in rice bran.
This study was carried out to compare and analyze how spacing influenced the performance of Becium grandiflorum bee forage plant in Remeda site intending to find the most appropriate spacing for optimum flower production. The effect of four spacing viz: 0.1m×1m, 1m×1m, 1.5m×1m, and 2m×1m was evaluated. The experiment was laid out with a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data were taken on four parameters viz: plant height, branch number, flower number, and canopy cover. The result shows that spacing has a great effect on the performance of Becium grandiflorum. Spacing (S1), (2×1m) gave the highest flower number (510±30.39 cm), branch number (23±2.27cm), and canopy cover (201.3±8.17cm). There was a significant difference in the canopy cover per plant between spacing (S1) with the mean value of (201.3±8.17cm) and spacing (S4) with the mean value of (128.3±1.02cm). Based on the findings of the study, the 2x1m spacing was recommended for local farmers for maximum flora production.
This experiment was carried out to identify the effects of the inclusion of different levels of phytase enzyme in laying hen’s diets, on performance and egg quality. Hundred commercial layer hens (Lohmann) breeds at 32 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with four dietary treatment groups of twenty-five hens each. The treatments included 250, 500, and 750 gm phytase enzyme/ton feed respectively. Each treatment was divided into 5 replicates of 5 birds each. The replicate in the study was represented by battery cage (length 47cm, width 40cm, and height 47cm). All experimental diets were formulated according to the guidelines given in the manual provided by the breeder company. The performance and egg quality parameters were recorded. Results revealed that all performance parameters were significantly affected by dietary treatments except egg weight which was not influenced by treatments. No significant differences were observed in egg quality of all treatment groups, except for (shape index, albumin weight, yolk diameter, and Haugh unit). It is concluded that adding phytase enzyme at 750 g ⁄ ton, in diets of layer hens can improve feed intake, egg production, and feed conversion ratio.
Food security comprises all circumstances of food including its availability, access, sufficiency nutritiousness, and healthiness for the well-being of the human race in the day-to-day activity of life. Food insecurity is a cumulative result of multi factors that can affect the economy, health, and livelihood of human beings of a nation or specific area. Among the factors human population pressure, well-being of the environment, feeding practices of people, educational background, and livestock rearing practices are the main contributing factors in the nation as well as in east Gojjam. The state of food insecurity and specific contributing factor of food and nutritional quality and security with its food diversity in east Gojjam has vital importance to know the problems and mitigate the challenges. The aim of this review is to identify and discuss the current status of food insecurity and its consequences, the role of livestock products in food/nutrition security, and future prospects of livestock production in eastern Gojjam. Among the Amhara region, East Gojjam is the one that has the highest prevalence of food insecurity ranging from 59.2% to 65.3%. Similarly, the overall agrospatial prevalence of food insecurity is 65.3%. Another study on Choke Mountain Watersheds in east Gojjam reported that Food insecurity across podoconiosis patients and the non-podoconiosis households were found 83.7% and 53% respectively. Food insecurity is highly associated with household malnutrition. Regarding this stunting are main indicator of malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting in eastern Gojjam ranges from 37.5 to 52.5%. out of the stunted children 48.5% and 47.7% boys and girls respectively. Similarly, another indicator of malnutrition is underweight and wasting. The prevalence of underweight and wasting also ranges from 15.3% to 24.3% and 10% to 17.1% respectively. Inadequate education, socio-economic status, and low household income have an impact on feeding habits and food diversity. Therefore, sufficient intake of Animal source food increases fat stores and provides nutrients that are essential for growth and micronutrients that support the immune system. The zone is highly endowed with diverse livestock species and breeds. Therefore the prospects of livestock production in the zone is considered as an economic driver for job, draft power for food and nutrition security.
ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess husbandry practices of Simada cattle population in three districts of North-Western Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and field observations. A total of 180 households 60 from each district were randomly selected to fill the structured questionnaire. The study revealed that the average cattle herd size was 6.51± .094 heads per household. The purposes of keeping cattle were for traction, milk production, income generation, trashing of crop, manure (to increase soil fertility), social status and meat. Natural pasture and crop byproducts were major feed sources in study area.Most of the respondents housed cattle at night and part of the day. The major sources of water for livestock were rivers, pond, springs/streams and temporary water. Constraints of cattle production were feed shortage, disease, and lack of improved breeds ranking 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Feed shortage is the most limiting factor for cattle production in the study area and need to be addressed. Provision of strong extension services to farmers for feed resource development and training them in basic principles of collection, storage of harvested feed resources and crop residues should be required.
This study was conducted with the aim of morphometrical characterization and structural indices to assess the type and function of indigenous goats reared in two production system in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study encompassed both qualitative and quantitative parameters which were taken from 780 head of adult goats of both sexes from age 1PPI to 4PPI. Age was estimated by dentition. The qualitative traits were assessed visually and recorded while; quantitative traits were assessed using self-devised equipment. Thirteen morphometrical measurements were taken per goat and from which also indices were calculated. Data collected by visual observation and linear measurements were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version, 20) and the value was considered significance at P<0.05 and P<0.01. The qualitative data were assessed by chi-square test. The observed coat color patterns in studied area for both sexes across the districts were plain. Most frequently observed coat color type from sampled goats at Aroresa district were brown and black while, most frequently observed coat color type at Lokabaya district were white. The results of morphometrical measurements indicated that Does age group of 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 reared at Aroresa district had higher value for most measured traits. Bucks age group 1 and 2 reared at Lokabaya district had higher value for their body length, chest girth, rump length, horn length, body weight, rump height and chest depth except rump width, face length and head width which is higher for the Buck in age group 1 and 2 reared at Aroresa district. The Bucks reared at Lokabaya district had higher values for their neck circumference and body weight while the Bucks reared at Aroresa district had higher value for their head width. In generally, most morphometric traits were different between the goats reared in the studied districts and these variations indicate the possibilities for selection between the goats in the areas. The regression was done to regress body weight from linear body measurements for different age and sex groups separately. As a result from multiple regressions, chest girth, body length, chest depth, and neck circumference were the best-fitted models to predict body weight for different age and sex groups separately.
This study was conducted in South Gondar zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia with the objective of phenotypic characterization of indigenous goat population in South Gondar zone. The study was conducted based on visual observation and field measurements. The zone was stratified into highland, midland and lowland agro-ecology and then selected one district from each agro-ecology. Data for visual observation and body measurements were collected from a total of 603 goats (201 per agro-ecology) of both sexes which has one and above pair of permanent incisor (PPI). Observations on qualitative trait were analyzed by using frequency procedure of SPSS version 20 for male and female goat separately. Whereas, body weight and other linear body measurements were analyzed using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS Ver.9.3 (2014). Correlation between body weight and other linear body measurements as well as REG procedure to regress body weight from linear body measurement for male and female goats were computed by SAS Ver.9.3 (2014). Most qualitative traits observed in the study area were significantly different and the most dominant coat color pattern was plain in all agro-ecology. White with red was the most frequent observed coat color type in the population. Whereas, white was the most frequent observed coat color in lowland agro-ecology of the zone. Agro-ecology and age group had highly significant (p<0.01) effect on body weight and most of linear body measurements except horn length, rump length, cannon bone length and head length for agro-ecology. Sex of goats had significant effect (p<0.05) on body weight and most of the body measurements except ear length, canon bone length, head length, and rump length. Most quantitative traits showed significantly higher average values in the lowland, than the rest two (highland and midland) agro-ecologies and most quantitative trait of goat population for male were significantly higher than the female one. Body weight was significantly correlated with all continuous traits of both male and female goats but higher in heart girth. As a result, the stepwise regressions revealed that heart girth was the most important variable in the prediction of live body weight. Generally the difference and similarities of indigenous goat in morphometric trait and adaptability should be supported by further study on characterization at molecular level under their production environments.
The effects of feeding different levels of ox bile salt (OBS) supplements on broiler performance, digestibility of crud fat and some blood chemical (cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein) were investigated. Three hundred and seventy five, day-old broilers chickens were assessed using a completely randomized design. Five diets, containing different levels of OBS (0.00, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, and 0.60%) were randomly assigned to 5 replicates each of 15 birds for a 42-d period (7d for adaptation and 35 d for data collection). Feed intake, growth weight, crud fat digestibility and blood metabolites were determined. Supplementation of OBS levels in the diet of the broiler chickens improved (P 0.05) on the feed intake. Feeding OBS-containing diets caused (P < 0.05) an increase of content of serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum total triglycerides (TG). The animal performance reached its greatest value with simultaneous feeding of 0.45% and 060% OBS. It has been concluded that the dietary supplementation of OBS had positive effects on body gain weight, feed conversion rate, crude fat digestibility, and serum TC, TG, HDL and LDL. Synchronized feeding of the great levels of OBS and fat digestibility (as an energy source) increased utilization efficiency of these byproducts in the performance of broiler chickens.
In chick hatcheries, males of laying hybrids are considered to be “waste” and the majority of these males are killed just after hatching. On the other hand, the interest of consumers in products from alternative systems (organic) is increasing. The idea was to evaluate the meat quality of these males when they have access to commercial feed because there is not much such a study available. The aim of this study was to compare the meat quality characteristics and chemical (proximate) results of the three meats of layer males atthe same age when all had access to commercial feeds and when they were fed up to 16 weeks of age .Novo Brown, Lohman Brown and Dominant Sussex breed layer males were kept in intensive management conditions to evaluate carcass and meat quality at 16 weeks of age. Novo brown cockerels show significantly higher live weight and lower carcass yield performance in comparison with other breeds (P<0.05). The proportions of moisture in the breast meat were significantly lower (P<0.05) in Lohman brown cockerels. The value of protein was significantly higher in Lohman brown cockerels (P<0.05). The laying males are acceptable for an intensive system of poultry meat production from the aspect of meat quality. The quality was comparable in comparison with fast-growing chickens.
An experiment had been carried out to examine the suitability of using different levels of sweet potato tubers as a source of energy on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. A total of 150 one – day old, unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308 breed) with initial weight of approximately 38g were distributed in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments. The diets formulated contained five levels of sweet potato and sorghum as the main source of energy at rates 0%, 15%, 25% and 40 % of the total rations + Standard ration (Kafi feed). Each group was subdivided into 3 replicates with ten birds each. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 22.0 program package. The performance (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio) indicated a significant difference in starter, finisher and entire phase, except for weight gain in starter period and feed intake in finisher and entire periods. However, there were no significant differences observed in chemical composition of meat, carcass and carcass cuts except for drumstick. Serum chemistry and hematological parameters of broilers blood were not affected also, except for albumin. The result indicated that 15% level of sweet potato tubers addition was the best in broiler performance especially body weight gain and feed intake which reflect desirable performance economically.
This study was aimed to generate organized information based on household survey. The study was conducted in three districts each representing different agro-ecologies. A total of 156 households (52 in each agro-ecology) were interviewed for the household survey. Data on goat production system were collected through questionnaire. The collected data recorded and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and then described by descriptive statistics. According to this study, the average goat flock size in household was 7.6 in highland, 7.75 in midland and 10.2 in lowland study areas. The main reason of keeping goat in study area was for cash income, milk production, saving purpose. Natural pasture and river were the major feed and water source for goats in the study area in dry and rain season respectively. The majority of the households use separate type of housing in highland (59.6%) and in midland (76.9%) study areas, while in lowland (73.1%) study area uses kraal types of housing system. Herding practice of farmers 78.8% in highland, 90.4% in midland and 67.3% in lowland study areas of households run their goats separate from other households. Most of goat owners in the study area use uncontrolled type of mating. Growth rate, body appearance, liter size and color are most important traits in study area to select breeding bucks and does. In this area about 53.8% in highland, 51.9% in midland and 75% in lowland farmers did not carry out castration practice. As indicated present result, goat pox, diarrhea, ticks, anthrax and foot and mouth disease were goat diseases prevail in the study area. For treating their goats majority (62.8%) of goat owners in the study area accessed only government veterinary clinics. Feed shortage, disease and predator were main goat production constraints in study area. From this study results, improved forage establishment program, developing water sources, animal health service extension, awareness regarding the importance of castration and fattening and training for goat owners to focus on economically important traits during selection are forwarded for this study area.
The breeding values of 98 pure Holstein Friesian and crossbred sires were estimated from the lactation and reproductive performance of dairy cattle by using WOMBAT software fitted to mixed animal model evaluation method. The performance records of 851 crossbred dairy cows, daughters of 98 sires (AI semen or bulls) were collected from the pedigree sheets at the research farm. Sires with two and more daughters were included in the data. The source of Sires (semen) were worldwide sire (WWS), Western Asia imported and domestic semen source. The traits studied were lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of service per conception (NSC). From the analysis, the estimated average sire-breeding value for LMY was 7.51 kg, which varied from 663.82 kg below the average to 1055.19 kg above the average. Average estimated sire-breeding value for DMY was 0.06 in the range of 1.22 kg below the average to 2.27 kg above the average breeding value. For LL, the estimated difference of sire breeding value was 97 days ranges from 49.8 days below the average to 47 days above the average. The sire breeding value of AFS trait was -0.71 days ranges from 179 days below the average to 161 days above the average. Sire-breeding value of AFC trait was -0.66 days estimated from 257 days below the average to 366 days above the average. Average sire breeding value for CI was -1.87 days ranges from 50 days below the average to 39 days above the average. For DO, it was -1.81 days ranged from 56 days below the average to 44 days above the average. Sire breeding value for NSC was varied from 0.02 below the average to 0.02 above the average.
This study investigated the additive effect of ethanolic extract of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) on gonadosomatic index of the testes and testicular histology as well as testicular morphometry of Rabbit bucks. A total of twenty (20) composite Rabbit bucks aged 18 – 20 weeks were used for this study in a completely Randomized design. Experimental animals were divided into 5 groups represented as A, B, C, D, and E consisting of 4 bucks each and replicated four (4) times with a buck per replicate. The first group A (Control) was given pelleted feed that did not contain extract of black pepper. The second, third, fourth and fifth groups (B, C, D, E) had in their diet (pelleted feed) inclusion levels of black pepper extract at 100mg/kg feed, 150mg/kg feed, 200mg/kg feed (optimum) and 250mg/kg feed (above optimum). The treatment (test diet) was administered for 90 days. Ethanolic extract of Black pepper inclusion at optimum and above optimum showed statistical evidence of higher values for optimum and lower values for above optimum. Testicular length of Rabbits fed at optimum and above optimum showed (6.900±0.20) and (6.067±0.20), testes weight showed (4.47±0.40) and (1.63±0.40), testes volume showed (2.53±0.23) and (0.90±0.23), epididymis length showed (23.23±0.97) and (18.73±0.97), and gonadosomatic index results showed (0.1257±0.01) and (0.0483±0.01). Black pepper ethanol extract enhanced testicular morphometric parameters of Rabbit bucks fed at optimum inclusion level of 200mg/kg feed. It was also observed to be toxic to testis development at higher doses (above optimum) based on the Gonadosomatic index results, and testicular histological slides showed that inclusion levels of ethanolic extract of Black pepper above optimum levels causes destruction of seminiferous tubules and negatively affected spermatogenesis.
Livestock farming plays a vital contribution in food supply of rural and urban areas; gives off a wide diversity of products; creates employment, stimulates demand for goods and services; and promoting economic transformation by contributing to human and financial capital. COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on many sectors at global, regional and national levels; including the livestock sector. It negatively influences animal production through reducing access to animal feeds, inputs and services, markets and consumers; processing via reducing processing capacity, compromised storage and conservation and constrained informal businesses; and animal health by reducing testing and diagnostic capacity; disrupting animal diseases surveillance and reporting; reducing or even suspending national animal disease control programmes. With rigorous action, we can not only avoid some of the worst impacts but do so in a way that supports a transition to more sustainable livestock production systems that are in better balance with nature and that support healthy diets- and thus better health predictions - for all. Hence, since there were no cases reported for the transmission of COVID-19 from livestock animals to humans, it is highly recommended that farmers continue to rear, keep, care and maintain their livestock by taking measures into practices.
This study was conducted to evaluate nutritive value of grass species inChaffe communally grazing area.According to thefocus group discussion, three grass species (Pennisetumclandestinum, Chlorisgayana and Cynedemdactylon) were selected for chemical composition evaluation due to their preference for animals in this area. The variables recorded were dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL).Data on these values were subjected to the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS statistical package and usedTukey test means comparison procedure to separate difference among species. As seen from this study, DM values were 95.09%, 94.23% and 95.11% forPennisetumclandestinumChlorisgayana, and Cynedemdactylon, respectively and showed no variation among species (p>0.05). Current finding indicated 16.34%, 12.40% and 12.56% ash percentage forPennisetumclandestinum,Chlorisgayanaand Cynedemdactylon, respectively and seen variation(p<0.05) among species. It was also seen from current finding that CP values obtained 13.03%, 9.21% and 8.01% for PennisetumclandestinumChlorisgayanaand Cynedemdactylon, respectively were significantly different (p<0.05) among three grass species. Similarly, fiber contents (NDF 57.23%, 66.06% and 62.34% for PennisetumclandestinumChlorisgayanaand Cynedemdactylon, respectively; ADF 26.33%, 32.27% and 33.41% for PennisetumclandestinumChlorisgayanaand Cynedemdactylon, respectively and ADL 4.43%, 6.18% and 6.32% for PennisetumclandestinumChlorisgayanaand Cynedemdactylon, respectively) indicated significant variation (p<0.05) among grass species. However, Pennisetumclandestinum showed better quality among selected three grass species;according to standard the present study revealed high levels ofdetergent fibers for all three selected native grasses used mainly as forage for livestock in this area. So, this indicates need of improved forage and supplementary feed for livestock reared in this area to obtain better production for farmers from their animals.
Utilization of locally available industrial by-products in livestock feed is very important methods to enhance livestock productivity and minimize feed cost. The objective of this paper is to review the utilization of brewery by-product as a protein source feed for efficient animal production. Brewer’s by-products like brewers spent grain and brewers spent yeast are the major by-products produced by the brewing factory. They are produced all year round with the same volume and with simple cost and used as animal feed. These materials provide animals with high-quality protein (about 35% CP) and can improve feed quality and animal production. It can replace high-quality protein source feed such as soybean. The optimum contents of fibre and protein in brewer’s by-product together with the low cost of this by-product make it a substrate of great interest for use as livestock feed. Quality apprehension is the major things need attention when those by-products are given for animals since brewer’s grains are susceptible to bacterial and fungal contamination (mycotoxins) and care should be taken to feed only unspoilt brewers grains.
