On-station Development and Testing of Small Ruminant Feedlot Finisher Ration as Business for Vulnerable Groups in Kenya

Dorper sheep finisher ration is lacking in the Kenyan markets. The weight target is currently achieved within a longer period of approximately 2-3 years in pastoral livestock production systems. This study was carried out to formulate and test a cost-effective finisher ration for small ruminants to reach a targeted market weight of 45–50 kg within 6-7 months. Thirty entire male Dorper-weaner lambs aged 3-4 months with an average initial body weight of 23.3 kg ± 2.4 were used in a controlled on-station feeding trial. The treatments were three energy levels (9.0, 10.0, and 11 MJ ME Kg-1 DM) and three crude protein levels (12, 14, and 16% DM), with Rhodes grass hay as the control diet in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The response variables were feed intake (FI), average daily weight gain (ADG), total weight gain (TWG), and final slaughter/market weight. A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for comparison of means of the response variables was conducted. The ANCOVA results of the experimental rations and control showed that FI (1.72 kg sheep-1 day-1) was statistically significant () for ration 8 (TR8 (11 MJ kg-1 DM & 14% CP). The mean results indicated that TR8 had the highest ADG mean (0.31 kg/day) and TWG (26.5 kg), thus it was considered the best performing test diet (p<0.05). Significant peak final slaughter weights (p<0.05) in TR8 (46 kg), TR6 (43 kg), and ration 9 (41 kg) were observed at the age of about 5-6 months old. Acceptable final slaughter weights of 46–50 kg were recorded in rations TR6, TR9, and TR8. Dorper sheep receiving ration TR8 reached the highest (p<0.05) slaughter weight (50 kg) at 7 months old post-weaning. In conclusion, test ration with a combination of 11 MJ kg-1 DM of energy level and 14% CP (TR8) had the highest ADG in the shortest period of 6 months old and can be recommended for adoption to finish Dorper sheep to reach market weight of up to 50 kg within 6-7 months old.