Characterization of Common Horse Feeds in Selected Areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Horses, along with a number of other domesticated species, are still used for work power animals in many developing countries. A study was conducted in Debrezeit, Adama, Debre brihan and Hawassa towns in Ethiopia in 2012/13 with the objective of determining the chemical composition of the common horse feed resources. Methods: Feed samples were collected from three major groups namely; carthorse owners, horse feed traders and feed processors as replication for determination of chemical composition. The samples were collected systematically. Feed analysis was done at the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) Bishoftu, Ethiopia, based on the proximate feed analysis method. Result: The overall mean dry matters of wheat bran in Bishoftu, Adama, Debre Berhan and Hawassa were 90.96%, 91.56%, 91.9% and 89.96% accordingly. The overall mean of crude protein of wheat bran were 7.39%, 16.64%, 5.07% and 18.83% in Adama, Debre Berhan, Bishoftu and Hawassa respectively. Dry matter and crude protein of wheat bran across towns was highly significant. The dry matter and crude proteins of barley grain were 91.29% &12.23% and 87.78% & 8.92% in Debre Berhan and Hawassa respectively. There is no significant difference over towns in all chemical composition of barley grain over towns in all proximate compositions. Conclusion: The chemical feed characterization indicated that there is a significant difference on the percentage of nutritive components of the feed pooled over towns. There is also a significant difference in dry matter and crude protein of wheat bran in all towns. However, there is a great difference utilizing percentage of all feed types in a proportion way. Authors recommend on the delivering of the inputs and improved technologies on types of feed based on the available resources, which is relevant to cart horse.