The effect of feeding gliricidia on reproductive and productive performances of Javanese Fat-tailed sheep

Abstract

The effect of feeding gliricidia on reproductive and productive performances of Javanese Fat-tailed (JFT) sheep was studied.Thirty-two 1FT ewe lambs (ahmtt 4-5 months of age and liveweight of 12-14 kg) were randomly divided into four treatment groups . They were given free access of King grass (Pennisetttnt putrtoreophoides) dan gliricidia (Gliricidia sepiwn, Jaeq) leaf with ratio 100:0% (Group A= control), 75 :25% (Group B), 50 :50% (Group C), and 0:100% (Group D) . All groups were suplemented with concentrate (GT03, Indofeed) at 1008/head/day. Forages were given 2 .5-3% (dry-matter) of liveweight . Results showed that feeding gliricidia 25-100% of the total forages increased dry matter intake by 5.3-19 .9% and crude protein 39 .3-142 .1 % . But NDF consumption decreased 36 .9-8 .4%. Higher nutrient intake was reflected into an increase in growth-rate which associated with an increase inovulation rate (16.7-116 .7%) and pregnancy rate. "Ova wastage" decreased markedly (33.4-50.3%) in the groups given gliricidia 50-100%, though coumarine (anti-nutrient) consumption increased to 40 .78/head/day . Lanths from the gliricidia supplemented groups grew faster and had heavier weaning weights than those of control group . It was rmu luded that feeding gliricidia up to 1(10% as forages and concentrate GT03 at 100g/head/day gave positive effect on growth-rate, relinxluclive and productive erformauces in the first breeding of JFT sheep.