Exploring dawri-damaa (Pentas schimperiana) leaf meal as a supplementary feed for sheep: chemical composition and feeding effects in Southwestern Ethiopia.

Abstract

This study is among the first to evaluate dawri-damaa (Pentas schimperiana) leaf meal (DDLM) as a supplementary feed for sheep in Southwestern Ethiopia, addressing the underexplored potential of this locally sourced, high-protein feed in smallholder systems. Twenty yearling male Dawuro lambs were assigned to four treatments in a randomized complete block design: T1 (0% DDLM, control), T2 (30% DDLM), T3 (50% DDLM), and T4 (70% DDLM), with grass hay as the basal diet and 100 g/day ground maize. In a 10-day digestibility trial and 90-day feeding period, DDLM showed higher crude protein (CP, 17.74%) than grass hay (7.98%) and maize (8.40%) (P < 0.01). Total dry matter (DM) intake rose from 631.68 g/day (T1) to 957.39 g/day (T4) (P < 0.01), with nutrient absorption increasing from 57.10% (T1) to 71.40% (T4) (P < 0.05). Diets with 50% and 70% DDLM improved organic matter, CP, and fiber absorption (P < 0.05). DDLM's high protein content, local availability, and low cost reduce feed expenses, yielding a net return of ETB 183.38 per sheep (Dillo et al. 2024). Further research should investigate higher inclusion levels, reproductive performance, and carcass quality.