Estimating Common Salt Requirement of Sheep for Optimum Performance

Abstract

The study estimated the effect and quantity of salt that will promote optimum dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, water consumption and feed conversion ratio in sheep. A total of eight (8) sheep weighing between 9.0kg and 16.5kg were used and grouped into 4 of 2 animals per group balanced for body weight. Four dietary supplements containing 0%, 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% common salt were prepared. Elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) was offered ad libitum as basal diet. The concentrate supplement was supplied at 2kg/group once daily. The animals were exposed to the experimental ration for 56 days. Pre-experimental body weights were collected and forth-nightly collected after 14-16 hours overnight fasting to avoid error due to gut-filled weights. Results obtained indicated that 0.10% common salt in the diet of sheep promoted optimum dry matter intake (6.22% body weight), average daily weight gain (63.39g/day), water consumption (1.12L/day/animal) and feed conversion ratio (0.05) while sheep fed control diet (0% salt) exhibited the poorest performance. For optimum performance of sheep, 0.10% salt is recommended in the concentrate supplement