Effect of Level of Protein on Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance in Sudan Desert Sheep Fed Molasses-Based Fattening Rations

Abstract

Three yearling intact males of Sudan desert sheep (Hamari
ecotype) ranging in weight between 26 and 30 kg were used in a 3x3 latin
square design with the objective of studying the effect of feeding three
crude protein (CP) levels (14.5%, 16.7% and 18.7%) in complete iso-
caloric molasses-based diets on nitrogen-balance, digestibility of
nutrients, rectal temperature and respiration rate. Nitrogen (N) level had
no significant effect on the digestibility coefficients of the different
nutrients, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and N-balance. Urine volume,
rectal temperature and respiration rate were not affected by N level.