Feed Intake and Growth Performance of West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Graded Levels of Air-Dried Layers Litters and Brewers’ Dried Grain

Abstract

The study evaluated the feed intake and growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed graded levels of air-dried layer litter (ADLL) and brewers' dried grain (BDG). Thirty-two (32) growing West African Dwarf Sheep (WADS) weighing 15±0.5 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design, with eight animals per treatment. Experimental diets contained ADLL and BDG at inclusion levels of 20% (T1), 25% (T2), 30% (T3), and 35% (T4) with other ingredients kept constant. The study lasted 12 weeks. Data were collected on Dry Matter (DM), Crude protein (CP), Microbial Loads (ML), Feed Intake (FI) and growth performance. All Data were analyzed using one-way and treatment means were separated at 5% probability level. Dry matter content ranged from 91.20 to 93.10%, while crude protein was highest in T4 (23.65%) and lowest in T2 and T3 (19.26%). Microbial loads increased with higher ADLL inclusion, with T4 recording the highest total bacterial count (4.92×10³ CFU/g) and total coliform count (2.99×10² CFU/g). Animals on T4 recorded the highest final weight (14.95 kg), weight change (3.94 kg), and best feed efficiency ratio (0.23), while T2 recorded the highest total feed intake (21.62 kg) and average daily feed intake (386.12 g/d). T4 had the best feed conversion ratio (4.59). It can be concluded from this study that Air-dried Layer Litter can be safely included in WAD sheep diets at up to 35% without adverse effects, improving nutritional profile, feed intake, and growth performance while reducing feed cost.