Rumen fill transfer to improve digestibility of dried Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) supplemented diet in sheep

Abstract

Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. 1996 Vol. 21 RUMEN FILL TRANSFER TO IMPROVE DIGESTIBILITY OF DRIED CALLIANDRA (Calliandra calothyrsus) SUPPLEMENTED DIET IN SHEEP Y. WIDIAWATI and M. WINUGROHO Research Institute for Animal Production, Ciawi-Bogor, Indonesia The Balitnak method of transfer of rumen digesta has been developed by Winugroho et al. (1993). The technique involves transfer of rumen digesta from animals fed an appropriate diet to target animals in order to enhance fibre digestion by stimulation of rumen microbes. In this study, rumen transfer was used in order to improve utilization of dried Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) which has been previously reported to be of low nutritive value compared to the fresh Calliandra (Rina Cony and Winugroho 199 1; Palmer and Schlink 1992; Wina et al. 1992). Fourteen mature sheep weighing 24 kg (20-27 kg) were randomly divided into equal groups and maintained in individual metabolism cages with water continuously available. Each day at 0800 hours, sheep were offered 4 kg chopped fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and 0.7 kg of sun-dried Calliandra (comprising approximately 30% of total dry matter intake). The animal donor was selected using the Balitnak method with dried Calliandra as the substrate. The data revealed that cross bred Ongole cattle were the best animal donors for sheep. The rumen digesta from the cattle was then cultured in buffer solution and incubated in a 39OC waterbath for 8 weeks. One group was given rumen digesta 3 kg and 1.5 kg on days 1 and 2 respectively at the beginning of the preliminary period. Rumen digesta was administered by using a stomach tube. There was no further addition of rumen digesta after this. After 5 weeks (preliminary period), intake and faeces were measured for 15 days in order to estimate feed intake and digestibility. Means were compared by t test using the completely randomised design. Rumen digesta transfer increased digestibility from 49.7% to 59.0% (PcO.05). There was no increase in intake or digestible DMI (Table 1). Table 1. Effect of rumen digesta transfer on feed intake and digestibility by sheep fed sun-dried Calliandra as a supplement Identification of microorganisms which are capable of -degrading the dried Calliandra is under investigation. Winugroho et al. (1993) in developing this method reported that enzymatic activity was increased by 26.1% although the total number of bacteria was lower. They did not examine fungi. It is concluded that rumen fill transfer could improve the utilization of a diet supplemented with sun-dried Calliandra. PALMER, B. and SCHLINK, A.C. (1992). Trap. Grassl. 26: 89-93. RINA CONY, D.T. and WINUGROHO, M. (1991). Proceedings of The International Seminar Livestock and Development in the Tropics. Brawijaya Universitas Malang. p. 209. WINA, E., TANGENDJAJA, B., IBRAHIM, E. and PALMER, B. (1992). Research Institute for Animal Science Report, Ciawi Bogor. WINUGROHO, M., SABRANI, M., PUNARBOWO, P., WIDIAWATI, Y. and THALIB, A. (1993). Zlmu dan Peternakan VI. 6(2): 5-9. 421