EFFECTS OF WILD PURSLANE (Portulaca oleracea L.) SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRIENTS DIGESTIBILITY, RUMEN METABOLITES AND NITROGEN BALANCE IN YANKASA RAMS

Over dependence on low digestibility feeds is a major challenge in the productivity of small ruminants in developing countries, especially during the dry season when feed scarcity often prevents animals from meeting their maintenance requirements. Poor nutrition remains the key factor limiting small ruminants production in Nigeria. This study evaluated nutrient digestibility, rumen metabolites, and nitrogen balance of Yankasa rams fed Guinea grass supplemented with wild purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). Twenty Yankasa rams with an average weight of 15.7 kg were used in a 90-day trial. The animals were sourced from a local market in Adamawa State, adapted for seven days, and allotted to four treatment groups in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The dietary treatments consisted of Guinea grass supplemented with wild purslane at 0, 100, 200, and 300 g for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Results showed that rams on T4 had significantly (P<0.01) higher dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Fecal nitrogen content and nitrogen losses were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4. Rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) differed significantly (P<0.05), with higher values observed in T4, whereas total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control group (T1). Rams fed T3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher total rumen nitrogen. It was concluded that Wild purslane can be used as supplementary forage to Guinea grass, with 200 g supplementation providing improved nutrient digestibility without adversely affecting rumen fermentation. Therefore, supplementation at 200 g is recommended recommended.