Performance of Sheep (Ovis aries L.) Raised in Confinement and Grazed Under Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Plantation With or Without Concentrate Supplementation

The study showed that grazing of sheep on native pasture under coconut plantation resulted in decreased herbage yield and regrowth of grasses and legumes, and increase in the proportion of broadleaves and shrubs. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of samples from grazed pasture was significantly higher than ungrazed pasture in the middle of the study. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in IVDMD of the experimental ration before and after the experiment. Sheep grazed under coconut plantation had significantly higher liveweight (P 0.05) the yield of nuts.