In Vivo Digestibility of Maralfalfa Forage (Pennisetum sp.) and Bush Straw by Sahelian Sheep

The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo digestibility of Maralfalfa (Pennisetum sp.) forage and bush straw in Saharan sheep. The experiment involved twelve (12) ram lambs of the Peul bicolor breed, aged between 24 to 36 months and averaging 29±0.5 kg. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 4 based on live weight homogeneity criteria to minimize individual variations. They were individually placed in digestibility cages equipped with drinking, feeding, and feces and urine collection devices. Three different rations (Maralfalfa hay ration: MHR; bush straw ration: BSR; and Maralfalfa straw ration) were offered to all groups twice a day at a rate of 750 g in the morning and evening (8 a.m. and 6 p.m.) to meet their maintenance needs. Each group was exclusively subjected to one of the three rations. The study lasted 41 days, including 27 days of adaptation and 14 days of data collection. The main results show that the food intake of different forages in Saharan sheep was significant (P<0.05). The MHR ration had a higher consumption, followed by the BSR, while the MSR ration showed lower consumption. Nutrient intake was significant according to the rations (P<0.05). The MHR and BSR rations had higher contents of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total nitrogenous matter (TNM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The ADL content was higher in the BSR ration. Nutrient digestibility was significant according to the rations, except for the ADF utilization coefficient. The MHR ration achieved the best digestibility, followed by the BSR ration. A better nitrogen intake was obtained with the MHR ration, while high digestibility for urinary nitrogen and retained nitrogen was achieved with the BSR ration. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of Maralfalfa forage on the digestibility, nutritional quality, and zootechnical performance of sheep, in order to provide recommendations for its integration into Sahelian livestock systems