Effects of Feeding Different Levels of Guar (Cyamposis Teragonoloba) Germ on Fattening Performance of Sheep

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of Guar germ on fattening performance of sheep. Twelve Sudan desert lamps of an average body weight (17.6 kg) were used in feedlot performance trial for 60 days. Four rations: A control, B, C and D were formulated, they consist different levels of guar germ (0, 15, 25 and 32%, respectively). The rations were prepared to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous by mixing, sorghum grains, guar germ, groundnut cakes, groundnut hulls, wheat bran, molasses limestone and salt. The animals were distributed randomly into four experimental groups; each group consisted of three lambs; they were fed individually their appointed diets. The dry matter intake and final body weight were not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by different inclusion rate of guar germ in the diet. Group B showed the highest daily DMI (948.55± 25.05g/day) and final body weight (33± 7.00kg) followed by group C of daily DM intake (883.51± 27.21 g/day) and final weight (30± 1.32kg). The daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (F.C.R) are significantly (P< 0.05) affected by variable levels of guar germ in the diets. Group B also was the best daily weigh gain (230.02± 12.40 g/day) and F.C.R. (5.77±0.49) followed by group C which gained daily (187.43g ± 10.12) F.C.R. (6.44± 0.46). The results showed that guar germ can be added as a source of protein to the diet of sheep. It improved the body weight and F.C.R. where best results were obtained at 15% guar germ in the diet and can add other protein sources in the diet until 25% without affecting animal performance.