Effects of Graded Dietary Levels of Dried Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus L.) Leaves on the Performance of Djallonké Sheep in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The dry season is a critical period for ruminant feeding in Burkina Faso due to the low availability and poor quality of herbaceous forages. In this context, browse species represent a strategic resource, particularly Ficus sycomorus L., which is widely used by livestock farmers and appreciated by sheep. The inclusion levels of this browse fodder in animal diets are poorly documented. This study aimed to determine the optimal rate of inclusion of dried Ficus sycomorus L. (sycamore fig) leaves in the diet of sheep. Twenty Djallonké sheep, aged 18 to 36 months and with an average body weight of 20.81 ± 3.81 kg, were divided into five homogeneous groups and fed diets containing 0, 15, 30, 70 or 100% of dried F. sycomorus leaves. The measured parameters included voluntary feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The results showed significant differences among dietary treatments for feed intake, digestibility, and growth performance (p < 0.05). The diet containing 70% of F. sycomorus leaves recorded the highest rates of voluntary intake (924.96 g DM/day), dry matter digestibility (71.32%), and crude protein digestibility (55%). In contrast, the most efficient utilisation of the diets was observed at the moderate inclusion level of 30% dried F. sycomorus leaves, which resulted in an average daily gain of 48 g/day and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 15.94. These findings suggest that the inclusion of dried F. sycomorus leaves into diets based on low-quality forage during the dry season may improve the weight gain performance of sheep.