Utilization of Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) leaves in sheep feeding

Nutritional value of Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima) leaves was assessed in sheep feeding. Harvested leaves contained 18.22% CP, 4.40% EE, 15.79% CF, 50.04% NFE, 26.60% NDF, 18.10% ADF, 8.50% hemicellulose, 5.11% ADL, 11.41% TA, 1.98% Ca and 0.27% P in dry matter. The leaves were fed to five Corriedale rams (17–19 months of age and weighing 27.5 ± 0.8 kg) for 25 days followed by 5 day metabolism trial. The DM intake was 928±15.64 g/day, amounting to 3.31±0.21% of body weight or 76.42±3.9 g/kgW0.75. The digestibility of CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose were 76.90±1.93, 35.23±2.66, 52.11±2.75, 72.69±2.15, 66.52±4.09, 48.04±1.85, 68.10±2.85 and 85.18±1.94%, respectively. The leaves contained 14.01±0.23% digestible crude protein (DCP) and 61.60±1.21% total digestible nutrients (TDN). All the animals were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood parameters were within normal physiological range. It was concluded that harvested green Ailanthus leaves are palatable and could be fed to sheep as an alternative feed resource with out any supplement.