Nutritional Evaluation of Kiker (Robinia pseudoacacia) Leaves In Sheep

Kiker (Robinia pseudoacacia) composition on dry matter basis was, Crude protein (CP) 19.23, Ether extract (EE) 4.93, Crude fiber (CF) 13.46, Nitrogen free extract (NFE) 44.88, Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 40.87, Acid detergent fiber (ADF) 25.04, Cellulose 18.74, Hemicellulose 15.83, Acid detergent lignin (ADL) 6.31, Total Ash (TA) 9.67, Tannins 0.49, Calcium (Ca)1.54 and Phosphorus (P) 0.23%. The leaves were fed to five Corriedale rams (1618 M age and 25.4±0.3kg BW). DM intake was 3.90±0.13% of body weight and 84.04±4.21g/kg W^0.75. The digestibility coefficients of CP, EE, CF and NFE were, 80.16±2.44, 35.44±4.12, 55.28±3.56 and 76.89±2.15, respectively, while the digestibility coefficients of NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose were 73.06±3.17, 53.79±2.33, 76.19±4.12 and 90.28±3.79, respectively. The leaves contained 15.43±0.29% digestible crude protein (DCP) and 66.69±0.43% total digestible nutrients (TDN). All the animals were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood parameters were within normal physiological range. It was concluded that Kiker (Robinia) leaves were palatable and could be fed to sheep without any loss in body weight and health status.