Response of Ewe to Graded Level of Balsam Apple (Mormodica balsamina) During Pregnancy and After Lambing

Abstract

The study was conducted at Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University to evaluate the performance of pregnant ewes fed graded levels of balsam apple. A completely randomized experimental design (CRD) was used in this experiment with number of animals representing replication and graded levels of formulated feeds representing treatments. Four complete experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of Morrmodica balsamina L. at 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% inclusion levels, a total of 16 Uda ewes were used for this study. The result shows no significant variation (P>0.05) between treatment means in terms of final weight, Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the results show significant difference (P<0.05) in crude protein intake, crude Fiber and nitrogen free extract intake. Ewes in treatment 4 have lower crude protein intake compare to the other treatments. Crude fiber intake is higher in treatment 4 compared to treatment 1 and 2, there is no difference (P>0.05) between treatments 4 and 3, likewise between 3 and 2 and finally 1 and 2 in terms of crude fiber intake. The study conclude that balsam apple inclusion up to 7.5% does not significantly affect performance of pregnant ewes in terms of weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio.