Abstract
The feeding systems of small ruminants in Northern Ghana are characterized by waste which necessitates efficient use of the available feed resources, particularly in the dry season. To this end, the use of improved feed trough was demonstrated in three communities in Northern Ghana, namely Duko and Tibali in Northern region; Gia in Upper East region in the late dry, wet, and early dry seasons between March 2019 and February 2020. This study involved 10 farmers randomly selected in each community. The participating farmers were provided with one improved feed trough each which was then compared to the traditional feed trough. Data were collected on the quantity of feed offered, amount wasted, and time spent feeding the animals for six consecutive days in the three study sites across seasons. To document the perception of the farmers on the improved feed trough, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Results showed that improved feed trough reduced feed waste significantly in the study sites across seasons. For example, the percentages of waste in feeding the animals using the traditional feed trough were 35%, 22%, and 27% in Duko, Gia, and Tibali, respectively, in the late dry season compared to less than 1% with the improved feed trough during the same season. The farmers’ perceptions were similar to the findings of this study which suggest that efficient feed utilization by small ruminants can be enhanced with the use of improved feed trough.
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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
This study acknowledges the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for funding this study under Africa RISING West Africa project as part of the US Government’s Feed the Future Initiative.
Funding
The study was funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through Africa RISING West Africa project as part of the US Government’s Feed the Future Initiative.
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AAA designed the study, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript. SS assisted with study design, coordinated data collection, and contributed to drafting of the manuscript. SPK and MTS assisted with data collection and reviewed the draft manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Ayantunde, A.A., Salifu, S., Konlan, S.P. et al. Assessing the effect of improved feed trough on feed utilization by small ruminants in Northern Ghana. Trop Anim Health Prod 53, 440 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02847-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02847-4