Performance and In vivo Digestibility of Three Varieties of Napier Grass in Thin-Tailed Sheep

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of grass variety on intake, nutrient digestibility, and performance of thin-tailed sheep. The research was conducted in Suket Ijo Farm, Sanggrahan, Wedomartani, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Twelve female thin-tailed sheep with an average body weight of 15 kg and the age of 8 to 10 months were used in this study. The sheep were given the feed formulation based on dry matter (DM): (67%), water spinach straw (8%), and 25% of either Gamma Umami grass (P1), local Napier grass (P2), or dwarf Napier grass (P3). The variables observed were feed nutrient consumption, nutrient digestibility, and thin-tailed sheep performance. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the treatment feed had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the consumption of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), crude protein digestibility (CPD), crude fiber digestibility (CFD), average daily gain (ADG), and ration conversion. However, it had no significant effect (P>0.05) on crude protein (CP) consumption and extract ether digestibility (EED). The highest ADG was in treatment P1, 105.46 g, with a ration conversion of 5.74. Hence, it was concluded that the diet containing Napier grass variety Gamma Umami showed higher feed nutrient digestibility and improved thin-tailed sheep’s performance.