2.3. Determination of nutritive value of browse species

Feed samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), ash and CP according to the standard procedures for feedstuffs analysis (AOAC, 1990). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent were analysed by the method of Van Soest et al., (1991). The method of Tilley and Terry (1963) as modified by Van Soest and Robertson (1985) was used to determine IVDMD. The donor animals of the rumen liquors used for IVDMD analysis were five finished bucks slaughtered at Dilla municipality abattoir. The rumen digesta was collected from the reticulum in an insulated thermos flask, sealed and transported immediately to the laboratory. The rumen liquor was filtered through two layers of gauze cloth, mixed with each species on a volume basis, flushing with CO₂, and stored in a pre‐warmed thermos for approximately 20 min (until use). Total digestible nutrient (TDN) value of the selected browse species was determined using the formula suggested by Reid et al., (1952), with 60% digestion coefficient. The digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined using the index recommended by Rivera and Parish (2010), Jeranyama and Garcia (2004) and Kiraz (2011).

F = M (0.01 + (0.000125 × E)), where F is conversion factor, M is the percent of organic matter (OM) on DM basis and E is the ether extract (EE) as per cent of the OM.

Relative feed valueRFV=DDM×DMI/1.29. The RFV was compared with full bloom alfalfa (reference feed), which is assigned an RFV of 100 (Rivera & Parish, 2010; Undersander et al., 2002).