Rams' productivity is integrally hinged on their nutrition/nutrients intake, and performance by these animals is predominantly dependent on dry matter intake. Hence, the experiment aims to evaluate the dietary effects of wilted and silages of Gmelina arborea and Panicum maximum forages at different proportions on nutrient digestibility, performance, blood components and ruminal fermentation characteristics of rams. P. maximum was substituted with G. arborea leaves at 100:0, 70:30 and 60:40, respectively and were allowed to wilt overnight, while equal proportions were ensiled for 2 days, designated as 100P(W), 70P:30G(W), 60P:40G(W), 100P(E), 70P:30G(E) and 60P:40G(E). Thereafter, the diets were fed to thirty West African Dwarf rams (5 rams, randomly allocated into each dietary treatment) for 56 days. Parameters measured included nutrients intake, nitrogen utilization, apparent digestibility, weight change, blood components, volatile fatty acids, rumen pH and temperature. From the results, G. arborea leaves and fermentation as a result of the silage significantly (p<0.05) improved nutrient composition, and invariably, all the parameters assessed. Highest CP (14.02%), DMI (765.06 g/day) and nitrogen retention (84.64%) was recorded for rams fed diet 60P:40G(E). The least acetic (23.69 mmol/100ml) and highest propionic (24.97 mmol/100ml) acid production was also recorded for rams fed 60P:40G (E) which suggests richness of the diet and enacted the activities of rumen microbes for efficient feed utilization. Further, their normal PCV (45%), WBC (13.70×109/L), RBC (14.02×109/L), haemoglobin (13.40 g/dL), MCV (32.10 fl/cell) and MCH (9.56 pg/cell) values indicated the diet is not detrimental to their health. Conclusively, P. maximum could suitably be combined with G. arborea leaves at 60:40 when ensiled, for improved ram production, and it's thus recommended.
Keywords: Dry matter intake; Grass-legume ratio; Rumen pH; Volatile fatty acids.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.