Serum metabolites, ruminal parameters and feed intake of three breeds of Nigerian sheep as affected by hay feeding.

The objective of this experiment was to compare serum metabolites, ruminal parameters, and feed intake of the different Nigeria sheep breeds (Balami, Uda, and Yankas) fed with two forages, Brachiaria decumbens (Stapf) or Digitaria smutsii (Stent) hay. Sixty sheep, twenty each breed, Balami, Uda, and Yankasa, with 24.7 ± 3.5, 25.5 ± 3.6, and 25.5 ± 3.5 kg average body weight, respectively, and 8-months-old were assigned in a factorial arrangement of 2 (hay) × 3 (breeds) from a complete randomized design. Sheep remained individually in cages for the metabolism assay and were fed either of the hays ad libitum and a feed concentrate at a level equivalent to 1% of their body weight for ninety days. Daily records of feed intakes were made, and blood and ruminal fluid were collected every two weeks. There was no significant (p > 0.05) interaction effect between breed and hay type on feed intake, ruminal parameters and blood metabolites. Balami breed presented a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake, rumen pH, NH₃-N, and blood concentration of creatinine, albumin, globulin, and glucose than Yankasa. The blood concentrations of creatinine, urea, albumin, total protein, globulin, and glucose were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in the Nigerian Uda sheep breed than in Balami and Yankasa. Sheep fed D. smutsii hay had higher (p < 0.05) intake of dry matter, crude protein, and NH₃-N than B. decumbens hay diets. However, there was no difference (p > 0.05) between hay types to NDF intake and ruminal pH. Sheep fed D. smutsii hay presented (p < 0.05) higher amounts of creatinine, urea, albumin, total protein, globulin, and glucose than B. decumbens hay diets. Nigerian Balami and Uda sheep breed presents higher intake and blood metabolite concentrations than the other two breeds, which may be associated with these animals' higher (p > 0.05) nutritional requirements. In addition, Digitaria smutsii hay provided higher dry matter and crude protein intake, NH₃-N, and blood concentrations, which may be associated with its better nutritional value for sheep, thus being a more suitable hay for feeding the Uda breed.