Growth performance of Red Sokoto bucks fed diets containing varying inclusion levels of irrigated gamba grass ( Andropogon gayanus ) forage in Zaria

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding graded levels of Gamba grass ( Andropogon gayanus ) forage on the performance of Red Sokoto bucks. Twelve (12) Red Sokoto bucks were randomly allotted into four (4) treatment diets containing graded levels of Gamba grass forage (0, 25, 50, and 100%). Experimental animals were individually pen-fed at 3% body weight in a Completely Randomized Design (CBD) for a period of 3 months. Animals fed 50% inclusion level of gamba grass forage in the diet had higher ( P 0.05) across the treatments. The pH and temperature of rumen fluid of bucks fed 75% inclusion level of gamba grass forage were higher ( P < 0.05) than other treatments fed. Total Volatile Fatty Acid (TVFA) of bucks fed 75% inclusion level gamba grass was 18% lower ( P < 0.05) than those control diet. It was therefore concluded, that supplementation of 50% gamba grass forage to Red Sokoto bucks improved the dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and live weight gain compared to the un-supplemented diet. Therefore, it is recommended that gamba grass forage should be supplemented to Red Sokoto bucks up to 50% without any negative effect on their performance. Keywords: Gamba grass, growth performance, nutrient utilization, red sokoto buck