Replacement value of white mulberry forage for elephant grass on nutrients digestibility, weight gain and blood profile of sheep

A 63-day study that involved 20 growing West African Dwarf sheep with average live bodyweight of 7.44 ± 0.18 kgW^0.75 was carried out to evaluate nutrients intake, nitrogen metabolism, weight gain and blood profile of sheep fed Pennisetum purpureum (PP) substituted with white morus alba leaves (ML). The sheep were allotted to 5 treatments of 4 sheep per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design experiment. Five diets fed to the sheep were formulated designated as T1 (100 % PP), T2 (75 % PP: 25 % ML), T3 (50 % PP: 50 % ML), T4 (25 % PP: 75 % ML) and T5 (100 % ML). DM ranged 89.03 - 90.16 % and highest (21.05 %CP) was obtained in T5. Nutrients intake, DWG and FGR were significantly (p<0.05) influenced. Highest DMI (250.38 gW^0.75/day) and CPI (52.70 gW^0.75/day) were observed in sheep fed T5. Highest N-balance (5.75 gW^0.75) was obtained in sheep fed T5. Consequently, the best DWG (16.10 gW^0.75g/day) and least FCR (15.55). Haematological and serum biochemical indices were within normal range for WAD sheep. Thus, sole feeding of white mulberry leave could offer a reliable source of protein for sheep.