Effect of graded level of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves on growth performance of sheep

A study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the nutritional value of pigeon pea leaves and its effect on growth performance of the Abergelle rams. It was conducted at Kola-tembein district, northern Ethiopia. It was implemented under the farmers’ management practice. Eight farmers who can provide three intact male rams participated in the experiment. The four treatments (0, 200, 300 and 400 g dried leaves) were assigned randomly to the eight farmers and two farmers received the same treatment. Six rams were allocated for a treatment. Feed intake and feed left were measured daily where as daily weight gain was measured every two weeks. Both the control and supplemented rams were grazed in the field for about 10 h per day. Feed sample was collected and its nutritional content was analyzed. Dried leaves mixed with twigs had 904 g/kg DM, 236g/kg CP, 82 g/kg ash, 2.76 g/kg Mg, 6.62 g/kg Ca, 0.25 g/kg Fe and 2.3 g/kg P. DM and CP intake had significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatments. The Crude protein (CP) intake of rams assigned in T2, T3 and T4 were 44.05, 64.21 and 82.04g day -1 head -