The feed resource base and feeding amanagemnt of the traditional draught oxen fattening practice by smallholder farmers in the eastern Hararghe highlands

A survey was conducted to generate quantitative information on the feed resource base and the feeding management of the traditional draught oxen fattening by smallholder farmers in eastern Hararghe. The study was conducted at Alemaya and its surrounding area within about 20 kilometers' radius taking eastern Hararghe small holder farmers' traditional draught oxen fattening is based on strategic utilization of the seasonally available feed supply. The fattening practice is carried out generally by intensive feeding of the available feed supply to young oxen used for draught power until the animals grow and attain the required live weight for sale. Feed is offered at Libitum during periods of abundant feed availability and restricted proper rationing during times of secarcity. In order to maximize the animal's daily feed consumption the greater daily feed offering takes place during the cooler time of the day and night. Thinning (54.27%; leaf strip (10.02%) and part of maize and sorghum plants (7.06%) are the major feeds offered to the fattening animal during the main and the early dry seasons. Weeds (7.23%), leave tops of sweet potato (3.66% and small quantity of common salts and locally available mineral licks are used to supplement the major feeds types during these seasons. Maize stover (26%), dry sorghum leaf strip (25%) and some native grass hay (26%) are the common feed types offered to the animal as a store feed during the dry season and the small rainy season. In some cases these feeds are supplemented with wheat bran (14%) and weeds (9.5%). Analysis of the chemical composition and wheat brain (14%) and weeds (9.5%). Analysis of the chemical composition and estimates of the nutritive values of the common feeds offered to the fattening animals during the main and the early dry seasons consist on the average 11.63 plus or minus 1.63% CP, 70.3 plus or minus 1.68% IVDMD, 51.39 plus or minus 6.85% NDF and 11.56 plus or minus 1.79% CP, 64.80 plus or minus 1.88% IVDMD, 53.74 plus or minus 6.25% NDF respectively. The corresponding nutrient values of the feeds used during the dry season consisted on the average 5.36 plus or minus 1.99% CP, 61.45 plus or minus 1.45% IVDMD and 58.78 plus or minus 7.66% NDF.