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Utilization of poor quality roughages: response of sheep fed native hay supplemented with urea by different methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

N. N. Umunna
N. N. Umunna
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Nigeria
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Summary

Sheep were used to study the utilization of low quality native hay supplemented with urea by different methods. Urea supplement was fed either once daily or twice daily or the same quantity of urea used to spray the hay before feeding. These treatments were compared with basal and groundnut cake based supplemented controls. An attempt was made to balance both the mineral and energy intakes. The provision of extra nitrogen in the form of either urea or groundnut cake resulted in improved weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. Feeding of urea-sprayed hay marginally improved live-weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion over the other methods of urea supplementation. Dry-matter digestibility and nitrogen retention were increased and urinary nitrogen excretion reduced by feeding the urea-sprayed hay.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , April 1982 , pp. 343 - 346
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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References

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