*Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh.
Institute of Animal Nutrition (450), University of Honenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Three rumen flstulated Merino slieep (4–5 yrs, 58.17±3.91kg) used in 3x3 Latin Square design were fed wheat straw alone (UO), wheat straw ad libitum supplemented with 8 g (U1) and 16 g (U2) urea/h/d. Supplementation of urea significantly (P<0.01) improved the total DM intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP and EE. Rumen pH (P<0.05) and ammonia (P<0.01) exhibited a linear increase with increase in urea concentration in the diets. Total volatile fatty acids and individual VFA concentrations were significantly (P<0.01) higher in sheep fed U1 and U2 diets than those fed UO diet. It was concluded that wheat ttraw was better utilized by sheep when supplemented with urea.
