The Effect of Supplementation of Vetch (Vicia villosa) on Performance of Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed Basal diet of Desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum) grass

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Vicia villosa supplementation to the basal diet of desho grass hay on feed intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of the Arsi-Bale sheep. Twenty-four lambs were assigned by stratified randomization based on their initial body weight into six blocks consisting of four lambs per block to four dietary treatments. Desho grass hay was fed free choice to all experimental lambs whereas 0, 150, 300 and 450 g of Vicia villosa was supplemented to animals. The results showed that the daily DM intake and daily body weight gain of experimental sheep showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) with increased level of inclusion of Vicia villosa into the basal ration. It can be concluded that the supplementation of 450 g of Vicia villosa hay to desho grass hay had a positive effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Arsi-Bale sheep.

KEYWORDS:

• Desho grass
• Vicia villosa
• digestibility
• weight gain
• carcass characteristics

Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the Southern Agricultural Research Institute for sponsoring this study. Hawassa University and Holetta Agricultural Research Center are appreciated for providing laboratory facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia.