 | Abstract 467The potential of browse plants in the nutrition of small ruminants in the humid forest and derived savanna zones of Nigeria.Carew,-BAR; Mosi,-AK; Mba,-AU; Egbunike,-GN International Livestock Cent. for Africa, Ibadan, Nigeria. Browse in Africa [edited by Houerou, H.N. le]. 1980, 307-311; 20 ref. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; International Livestock Centre for Africa. A palatibility trial on 6 browse spp. (Ficus exasperata, Newbouldia laevis, Aspilia africana, Spondias mombin, Cylicodiscus gabunensis and a Ficus sp.) and Panicum maximum using sheep and goats is described. Daily DM percentage intakes ranged from 1.67% (sheep) and 2.38% (goats) for N. laevis to 27% (sheep) for S. mombin and 38.2% (goats) for C. gabunensis. CP content ranged from 12.76% in P. maximum to 17.17% in A. africana, CF from 17% in S. mombin to 30% in P. maximum, DM from 54% in F. exasperata to 78% in P. maximum and in vitro OM digestibility from 37% in P. maximum to 54% in C. gabunensis. Animal behaviour observations showed that browsing and grazing time ranged from 6.5% for goats in forest to 30.2% for sheep on savanna. The distribution of grazing and browsing through the day is described for sheep and goats in forest and savanna. This abstract relates to the following species:
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