UTILIZATION OF RICE HUSK ENSILED WITH DOUM PALM (Hyphaene thebaica) MOLASSES BY YEARLING CALVES IN A SEMI ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

This study evaluated the nutritional potential of Doum palm molasses (DPM) as an alternative to cane sugar molasses (CSM) in the ensiling of rice husk for feeding yearling calves. Doum palm molasses was produced, and its physicochemical properties were assessed, followed by the ensiling of rice husk with graded levels of DPM (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) and a control with 15% CSM. The silages were incorporated into concentrate diets and fed to eighteen (18) yearling calves in 12 weeks feeding trial. Results revealed significant (P<0.05) improvements in the proximate composition of the ensiled rice husk, particularly in dry matter and ash contents. Growth performance indicators such as final body weight, total weight gain, average concentrate intake, and feed conversion ratio showed significant enhancement in calves fed 20% DPM, with the highest final body weight recorded (206.14 kg). Rumen metabolite analysis showed increased propionic acid (17.00 – 30.00 mm/L) and reduced butyric acid concentrations (12.67 – 28.00 mm/L) in DPM-fed groups, indicating improved fermentative efficiency. The findings suggest that DPM can effectively replace CSM in ruminant diets and support optimal growth performance at inclusion levels up to 20%. Although the cost of feed increased with higher DPM inclusion, the overall cost per kilogram of weight gain was better when 15% CSM and DPM were fed. It is therefore recommended that DPM can be used as a full replacement for cane sugar molasses in ruminant diets at inclusion levels up to 20% without compromising growth performance or feed efficiency.