Effects of phosphorus supplementation upon the performance of West African Dwarf lambs

Abstract

In a phosphorous supplementation study, 16 male West African Dwarf lambs (in two groups of eight) were fed for 84 days on Guinea grass hay and a concentrate with or without a P supplement; P Supplementation improved (P <0.05) weight gain (68 g for test vs 48 g day -1 for control lambs), feed utilization and bone quality. Serum inorganic P was higher (P < 0.05) in the test group (7.3 mg 100-1 ml) than in the control (5.3 mg 100-1 ml). Apparently, dietary phosphorous level of 0.11% was inadequate for sheep. Sheep fed on hay of tropical grasses such as Guinea grass either exclusively or with protein and energy supplements may therefore require P supplementation for adequate performance.