EFFECT OF MI’AWA MINERAL SOIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEED INTAKE, WEIGHT CHANGE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BLACK HEAD SOMALI SHEEP

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine mineral composition of Mi’awa mineral soil and evaluate the effect Mi’awa supplementation on feed intake, weight gain and carcass characteristics of Black Head Somali Sheep, using 25 yearling Black head Somali sheep with initial body weight of 17.98 ±1.82 kg (mean ±SD). Sheep were blocked in to five blocks based on their initial weight and assigned to one of the five treatments randomly making 5 animals per treatment. Experimental diet consisting of natural pasture hay ad libitum, 300g concentrate (65 % of wheat bran, and 35 % of linseed cake) and Mi’awa mineral soil supplemented at level of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% of concentrate feed representing treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Feeding trial was continued for 90 days and data on feed intake and body weight change were collected. At the end of the feeding trial, 3 sheep from each treatment were slaughtered for determination of carcass characteristics. The mineral contents of Mi’awa mineral soil were found to be 2.68% sodium, 1.3% calcium, 0.03% potassium, 0.001% phosphorus, 0.14% magnesium, 156.2 ppm Iron, 2.84 ppm copper, 0.57 ppm zinc and 60.74 ppm manganes. The total DM intake of the experimental sheep was highest (P < 0.05) for those supplemented with 8% Mi’awa (T5) whereas the lowest was in the unsupplemented group (T1). The sheep supplemented with 6% and 8% Mi’awa (T4 and T5) had higher (P<0.05) average daily weight gain than animals in T1. Sheep supplemented with 8% Mi’awa mineral soil (T5) had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed conversion efficiency as compared to other treatment in order of T1=T2<T3<T4<T5. Slaughter weight, empty body weight and HCW of sheep in treatment T5 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than sheep in T1. Lower slaughter weight, empty body weight and HCW were observed in sheep which were not supplemented with Mi’awa (T1). Higher weights of loin, rib with muscle and hind-leg (P < 0.05) were observed for sheep in T4 and T5. The study showed that Mi’awa has a good potential as a mineral supplement, particularly in smallholder livestock production systems where access to commercial mineral supplement is not easy.