Article abstract

Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research

Research Article | Published May 2023 | Volume 11, Issue 1. pp. 1-8.

doi: https://doi.org/10.33495/jacr_v11i1.23.106

 

Sheep supplementation in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern Kenya

 



 

 

Duba Golicha*

Sagala Josphat

 

Email Author

 

 Tel: +254793943434.

 

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization. P.O. Box 147-60500, Marsabit, Kenya.


……....…...………..........................…………....………............…............……...........……........................................................………...……..…....……....…

Citation: Golicha D, Josphat S (2023). Sheep supplementation in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern Kenya. J. Agric. Crop Res. 11(1):1-8. doi: 10.33495/jacr_v11i1.23.106.

……....…...………..........................…………....………............…............……...........……........................................................………...……..…....……....…



 Abstract 


The objective of this study was to assess the effects of partial supplementation of 1.5 years old blackhead Persian sheep with hay, molasses and local salt (Chalbi salt). The nutritive values of hay, molasses and Chalbi salt were determined. The selected sheep were assigned to three treatments in a completely randomized design; 10 sheep were given to the farmer and were herded based on his management practice (denoted as treatment A), 10 were grazed for 5 h and later supplemented with 600 g of chopped hay mixed with molasses per sheep daily and Chalbi salt ad libitum (denoted as treatment B), 10 were introduced to a government research farm, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO-Marsabit) flock and managed on the free range with no supplementation except Chalbi salt. They were also grazed for 8 h daily (denoted as treatment C). Feed resources for partial supplementation were analysed for proximate analysis, Van soest, in-vitro dry matter digestibility and mineral profiles. Molasses was spread on hay to increase palatability and intake. Chalbi salt was provided ad libitum to the supplemented group. All 30 sheep were weighed weekly. The data on sheep weights were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The mean sheep weight over the study period was higher among the supplemented group B (25.95 kg), followed by on-station research farm-managed group C (22.60 kg) and lastly farmer-managed group A (19.50 kg). Supplementation of sheep using local feed resources enhances weight gain and this is recommended, essentially in a weight-based marketing system.

Keywords  Market   nutrients   sheep   supplement   weight 

 

 

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

 

 

  References 

Abdullah M, Rafay M, Hussain T, Ahmad H, Tahir U, Rasheed F, Khalil S (2017). Nutritive potential and palatability preference of browse foliage by livestock in arid rangelands of Cholistan desert (Pakistan). J. Anim. Plant Sci. 27(5):1656-64.

Ahuya CO, Okeyo AM, Mwangi-Njuru, Peacock C (2005). Developmental challenges and opportunities in the goat industry: The Kenyan experience. Small Rumin. Res. 60:197-206.

AOAC (1995). Official Methods of Analysis, 15th ed.Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, Washington, DC.

AOAC (1998). Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemistry.16th Edition, 4th Revision.

Dabasso BH, Wasonga OV, Irungu P, Kaufmann B (2018). Stratified cattle production in pastoral areas of Kenya: existing forms, driving factors and management practices. Appl. Anim. Husband. Rural Dev. 11(1): 22-33.

Devendra C (2002). Potential productivity from small ruminants and contribution to improved livelihoods in developing countries. In: Batista, A.M.V., Barbosa, S.B.P., do Santos, M.V.F., Ferrira, L.M.C. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 39th Reuniao Anual,Sociedade Brasilria de Zootechnia. Recife, Brazil, 29 July 1, August 2002. Secretaria Executiva, Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, Brasilia, Brazil. pp. 246-269.

Endalew BA, Adigo E, Argaw M (2014). Impact of land use types on soil acidity in the highlands of Ethiopia: The case of Fageta Lekoma district. Academia J. Environ. Sci. 2(8):124-132.

French MH (1955). Earth-eating and the mineral needs of livestock. The East Afr. Agric. J. 20(3):168-175.

Getahun B (2022). Sheep fattening and marketing systems in Angollelana Tera district, north Shewa zone, Ethiopia (doctoral dissertation).

Grace ND (1994). Managing trace element deficiencies. Ag Research, N.Z.Pastoral Agric. Res, Inst, Palmerston North, NZ.

Groom RJ, Western D (2013). Impact of land subdivision and sedentarization on wildlife in Kenya’s southern rangelands. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 66(1):1-9.

Haenlein GFW (1980). Mineral nutrition of goats. J. Dairy Sci 63:1729-1748.

Hassen AS, Ali MY (2019). Effect of different level of molasses inclusion on feed intake, body weight gain and carcass parameters of Afar sheep in Ethiopia. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 5(1):20-30.

Jumba IO (1989). Tropical soil-plant interactions in relation to mineral imbalances in grazing livestock. PhD Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya Population and Housing Census, (2019). Volume 11, Distribution of population by administrative units. pp. 240-253.

Kessler J (1991). Mineral nutrition of goats. In: Morand-Fehr, P. (Ed) Goat nutrition, Vol.46 EAAP Publication, pp.104-119.

Kosgey IS, van Arendonk JA, Baker RL (2003). Economic values for traits of meat sheep in medium to high production potential areas of the tropics. Small Rumin. Res. 50(1-2):187-202.

Kuria SG (2004). Mineral nutrition on settlement (Manyatta)-based milk camel herds among the Rendille Community of northern Kenya. PhD Thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Marsabit County Livestock Annual report 2022.

McDowell LR (2003). Minerals in Animal and Human nutrition. Second edition, Elsevier. The Netherlands. Minson DJ (1990). Forage in ruminants. Academic press Inc., San Diego, California. USA.

 Nantoumé H (2020). Sheep Feeding in the Sahel Countries of Africa. Sheep Farming-An Approach to Feed, Growth and Health.

National, Drought Management Authority Marsabit, (2015). Drought early warning Bulletin for 2015, p. 9.

NRC (1981). Nutrient Requirements of Goats: Agora, Dairy and Meat Goats in Temperate and Tropical Countries, National Academy Press. Washington, D.C.

NRC (1985). Nutritional requirement of sheep. 6th ed. Natl. Acad. Press. Washington, D.C.

Ojango JM, Audho J, Oyieng E, Radeny M, Kimeli P, Recha J, Muigai AW (2018). Assessing actors in rural markets of sheep and goats in the Nyando Basin of Western Kenya: a key to improving productivity from smallholder farms. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 50(8):1871-1879.

Seifu E (2009). Analysis on the contributions of and constraints to camel production in Shinile and Jijiga zones, eastern Ethiopia. J. Agric. Environ. Int. Dev. (JAEID), 103(3):213-224.

Tilley JMA, Terry RA (1963). A two stage technique for the invitro digestion of forage.

Tsegahun A, Chairatanayuth P, Vijchulata P, Tadsri S (2006). The effect of dry season supplementation of Lotus corniculatus hay on body and fleece weights of three sheep breeds grazing natural pasture under Ethiopian conditions. Agric. Nat. Resour. 40(4):978-986.

Underwood EJ (1981). The mineral nutrition of livestock. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux. Slough, United Kingdom, 80.

Underwood EJ, Suttle NF (1999). The mineral nutrition of livestock.3rd Edition, CABI International, willingford, UK.

Van soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991). Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J. Dairy Sci. 74:5383-3597.