Effect of supplementation of indigenous browse tree pods on weight gain and carcass parameters of Abergelle rams.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of indigenous browse tree pods on nutrient intake, digestibility, weight gain, and carcass parameters of local Abergelle rams fed grass hay as a basal diet. This experiment was conducted at the Abergelle Agricultural Research Center farm in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Experimental rams were grouped according to their initial body weight (17.4 ± 0.95 kg) in a randomized complete block design into three treatments and six replications. Treatments consisted of feeding grass hay free of choice supplemented with pods of either Acacia tortilis (T1), Faidherbia albida (T2), or Dichrostachys cinerea (T3) fed at the rate of 10 g kg-1 body weight daily. The crude protein (CP) contents of the supplemental feeds in T1, T2, and T3 were 167, 156, and 135 g kg-1 dry matter (DM), respectively. The CP intake was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T1 and T2 than that in T3. No statistical difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the digestibilities of DM and CP. Final body weight, average daily gain, slaughter weight (SW), hot carcass weight, and ribeye area were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the treatments. However, dressing percentage based on SW in T1 and T2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in T3. Therefore, from this research, it can be concluded that though the weight gains and carcass weights of experimental rams were not as such remarkable among the treatments, efficient utilization of locally available and cheap browse tree pods as alternative protein supplements to Abergelle sheep during the dry season could be important to small holder farmers.