AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF PILIOSTIGMA THONNINGII (MONKEY BREAD) AND ITS POTENTIAL AS ENERGY SOURCE IN POST-WEANING DRY SEASON SUPPLEMENT SABI SHEEP DIETS

The experiment aimed at exploring the nutritional value of Piliostigma thonningii as a locally available energy source for sheep supplementation. This study also sought to determine acceptability of Piliostigma thonningii by Sabi weaner sheep, its effects on feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily weight gains and subsequently the economics behind its inclusion in the Sabi sheep weaners’ diets. Thirty Sabi weaner sheep were divided into five groups of six sheep. Each group comprised of three male and three female sheep. The five groups were balanced for weight. These groups were randomly allocated to five treatment diets, Grass diet (negative control treatment), 0% Piliostigma thonningii diet, 15% Piliostigma thonningii diet, 30% Piliostigma thonningii diet and Lamb Meal as the control diet. Results showed that Piliostigma thonningii is a potential energy source. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in feed intake, feed conversion ratio and weight gains (p>0.05). Some differences were noted in terms of growth performance between the negative control diet against each of the other diets (p<0.05). All the three compounded diets and Lamb Meal showed significant differences in terms of cost of the diets (p<0.05), diets became cheaper with higher Piliostigma thonningii inclusion level. There is however need to do further evaluations at higher inclusion levels to establish the optimal and economic inclusion level.