Moringa oleifera leaf meal to substitute soybean meal increase the performance of Javanese thin-tailed ewes

Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal (MOLM) has the potential as a protein source that might replace soybean meal. In Indonesia, soybean meal is an imported commodity whose price is expensive. This study aimed to analyze the use of MOLM to substitute soybean meal in complete ration on the consumption of nutrients, digested nutrients, digestibility nutrients, N balance, hematology, and ADG of Javanese Thin-Tailed Ewes (JTTE). Fifteen JTTE 2-3 years old were divided into three different levels of MOLM treatment with 5 replications. The complete ration consists of 60% concentrate and 40% Dried Ipomea Aquatica Straw (DIAS) as a source of fiber. The concentrates used are soybean meal, corn meal, pollard, copra meal, and MOLM. The composition of the treatment rations: (T1) 0% MOLM + 60% concentrate + 40% DIAS, (T2) 10% MOLM + 50% concentrate + 40% DIAS. (T3) 20% MOLM + 40% concentrate + 40% DIAS. Treatment feed was given for 2 months as much as 4% of body weight/day, and drinking water was given ad libitum. The collected data included feed consumption, feed refusal, blood, faeces, urine, and body weight. The results showed that sheep received 10% MOLM levels of increase (P<0.05) DM, OM, CF, ETN, and TDN consumption compared to controls. However, the levels of 20% decrease (P<0.05) DM, OM, CF, ETN, and TDN consumption compared to controls. Compared to controls, the 10% MOLM increase (P<0.05) digested nutrients DM, OM, ETN, and TDN. Compared to controls, the level of 10% MOLM increase (P<0.05) ETN, and TDN digestibility coeffisient. Sheep that received a 10% MOLM increase (P>0.05) balance N and nitrogen retention compared to control. The 10% MOLM level increase (P<0.05) ADG compared to the 20% level and control (120 vs. 106 vs. 112 g/head/day). Sheep treated with 10% MOLM increased (P<0.05) white blood cells (WBC) than controls and those treated with 20% MOLM (10.5 vs. 6.40 vs. 7.20). It could be concluded that the level of 10% MOLM (20% soybean meal substitution) in a complete ration based on Dried Ipomea Aquatica Straw (DIAS) has a better effect on nutrient consumption, digested nutrients, retention N, hematology and ADG of JTTE.