PERFORMANCE AND FEED UTILISATION OF GROWING BOKOLOJI (SOKOTO GUDALI) BULLS FED DRIED BROWSE LEAVES

A 50-day feeding trial was conducted at the Ruminant Teaching and Research Farm, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, to evaluate the performance, feed utilisation, and water intake of growing Bokoloji (Sokoto Gudali) bulls fed dried browse leaves. Fifteen bulls (mean initial weight 141.76 ± 1.93 kg) were randomly allotted to five treatments in a completely randomised design, with three replicates each. Treatments were dried leaves of Khaya senegalensis (T1), Ficus sycomorus (T2), Anogeissus leiocarpus (T3), Tamarindus indica (T4), and Adansonia digitata (T5). Results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in initial weight, but all other parameters differed significantly (P < 0.05). T2 recorded the highest weight gain (8.40 kg), daily gain (140.00 g/day), feed intake (372.00 kg), and best FCR (44.29) and FCE (2.26%). T1 and T5 were comparable in FCE (2.07% and 2.10%). T4 was poorest (3.00 kg gain; FCR 69.00; FCE 1.45%). Water intake was highest in T1 (22.20 L/day) versus 14.30–15.60 L/day for others. It was concluded that dried browse leaves support modest growth in Bokoloji bulls, with Ficus sycomorus being the most promising for dry-season feeding.