Assessment of Feeding Value of Processed Rice Husk for Lohi Sheep in Growing Phase
Assessment of Feeding Value of Processed Rice Husk for Lohi Sheep in Growing Phase
Rahat Naseer1*, Abu Saeed Hashmi1, Zulfiqar-ul-Hassan2, H. Rehman1, Saima Naveed1, F. Masood1 and M. Tayyab1
ABSTRACT
The present project was envisaged by using rice husk as a substrate for processing with the objective to produce a nutritionally enriched bulk feed ingredient and to explore its potential as wheat bran replacer in total mixed rations for the ruminants. For this purpose rice husk was subjected to different processing techniques using acid, alkali, water treatment and fermentation to prepare processed moiety on pilot scale. All these processed materials were included in experimental ration at a fixed level (20 %). All iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous rations were offered to experimental animals (n=36, 22 male 14 female Lohi sheep almost evenly distributed in experimental groups) having almost uniform body weight (BW). During 60 days of the trial, no significant difference (p =0.067) in the daily feed intake among the different experimental groups was recorded. Maximum feed consumption was recorded in HT (hydrothermal treatment) 1096.69±26.8 (mean± SE) while lowest in NC (untreated husk) 974.91±18.8 followed by 1069±28 in FT (Fermented), 1045.81±27.7 in BT 1042.47±33 in AT and 1032.17±32 in PC group. A significant difference (p=0.039) in the weekly body weight gain (BWG) was recorded among the experimental groups. The highest weight gain was found in PC (0.977±0.75) followed by FT (0.972±0.71), AT (0.931±0.65) and BT (0.92± 0.53) while lowest was recorded in HT (0.70±0.603) and NC (0.808±0.088). The FCR calculated was found to be significantly (p=.000) different in all the six experimental groups. Minimum FCR was found in HT (7.68±0.64) followed by an ascending trend in AT (8.0 ±0.675), BT (8.09±0.833), NC (9.92±0.64), HT (10.645±0.675) and in PC (11.684±0.804) group. No mortality was observed. It can be concluded that rice husk can be successfully processed and can replace the wheat bran. Moreover, fermented husk by using Pleurotus florida can process rice husk into a nutritionally dense ingredient.
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October 2017
Vol. 49, Iss. 5, Pages 1547-1936
