TITLE:
Effect of Acacia albida Leaf Supplementation on Reproductive Parameters and Pre-Weaning Growth of Arabian Lambs
AUTHORS:
Oumar Moucthar Kodbe, Miegoue Emile, Mouchili Mama, Azoutane Julien, Ousmane Issa Abdel Djalil, Kwayep Nyah Cedric, Taboumda Evariste, Tendonkeng Fernand
KEYWORDS:
Acacia albida, Lamb, Growth, Weaning, Supplementation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
December
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: A trial on Acacia albida leaf supplementation on
reproductive parameters and pre-weaning growth of Arabian lambs was conducted
from September 2020 to May 2021 at the small ruminant station of the Livestock
Research Institute for Development (IRED) in N’Djamena, Chad. Forty-eight (48)
Arabian sheep (45 non-pregnant females and 3 males for a sex ratio of 1 ram to
15 ewes) with an average weight of 20.3 ± 1.2 kg and aged approximately 2 years
were divided into 3 groups of 15 ewes each. The supplemented group received in
addition to the dominant forage of the pasture (300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum), 400 g
and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves/animal/day while the
control group received only 300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum. From the results of this
study, it appears that the ewes that received 400 g of Acacia albida leaves had
a significantly higher fertility rate and birth mortality rate (93.03% and
6.25% respectively). Animals in the control group had a significantly higher
pre-weaning mortality rate than those receiving Acacia albida leaves as a
supplement (16.66% versus 6.66% and 14.28% respectively). The highest weight of
the lambs was observed in the ration supplemented with 600 g of Acacia albida leaves (12209.66 g). The total weight gain, as well as the average
daily weight gain of the lambs receiving the 600 g Acacia albida leaf ration
was significantly higher than those of the other rations. Supplementation with
400 g and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves can be recommended as a protein supplement
for breeding ewes and pre-weaned lambs.