Pages: (102-108 )
Abstract
Availability of pasture during prolonged dry season is uncertain in Nigeria. Hence the need for pasture preservation during the period of lush growth. Silage making is one of the options available. Water hyacinth (WH) is readily available in the rivers, streams and lagoons in Nigeria. Nutritive value and coefficient of preference (COP) of ensiled WH was evaluated using agro-industrial by-products; namely, Dried brewer grain (DBG), Palm kernel cake (PKC) and Wheat offal (WO) as additives to prepare WH-based silages. Fermentation was for 42 days. Silages were fed to WAD sheep to determine preference. The WHS had a pH of 9.3, while other silages (those with additives) had a pH rang
a firm texture, pleasant odour and yellow-brown colour.
Keywords: Chemical attributes, Coefficient of preference, Nutritive value, Silage, Water hyacinth,