ABSTRACT
Forty-eight (48) Yankasa rams with average weight 21.67±1.6kg were used to study the effects of ensiling eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) forage on nutrient digestibility, intake, anti-nutritional factors, mineral content, nitrogen balance and haematological parameters in rams. The rams were randomly assigned to eight treatments, with six rams per treatment in a completely randomized design. The forage consisted of Digitaria smutsii hay and concentrate which was fed at 3 and 2 % of body weight (BWT), respectively. A metabolism trial was conducted to investigate the effect of the forage on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. The results indicated that feeding the ensiled eggplant forage had significant (P<0.05) effects on nutrient digestibility, dry matter intake (DMI) (62.65±2.67) and crude protein (CP) (69.98 ±2.28). The nitrogen balance in ensiled eggplant forage had significant (P<0.05) effects on all parameters measured (N intake 40.88 to 47.96 ± 3.77gm, retention13.01 to 28.66 ±3.00) The forage had the best result in eggplant plus urea treatment in dry matter intake (DMI) 875.5 g/d which translated into higher (P>0.05) weight gain of 1.40kg and average weight gain (ADWG) of 75.00 g/d. The anti nutritional factors were higher in oxalate and Saponins (22.88 to 28.60 and 14.17 to 24.43). Bleeding period had no effect (P>0.05) in all blood metabolites expect blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (P<0.05). The blood haematocrit (plasma) had significant (P<0.05) effects in all parameters. The mineral content was higher in calcium and potassium (1.68 to 2.67 and 2.54 to 3.44). The pH ranged from 3.81 to 4.25 which indicated good silage. The studies showed that ensiled eggplant forage had effect on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and the blood haematocrit (plasma) in Yankasa rams. Therefore eggplant forage as unconventional feed can be used to feed Yankasa rams during critical period of feed scarcity without any adverse effects.
