The study was carried out to evaluate the physio-chemical characteristics, dry matter acceptability and nutrient digestibility of Corncob-Poultry Dropping silage by West African dwarf rams. The silage mixture comprises of T1: (Corncob (40%), Poultry Dropping (40%), Pineapple Pulp (20%), T2: (Corncob (50%), Poultry Dropping (30%), Pineapple Pulp (20%), T3: (Corncob (60%), Poultry Dropping (20%), Pineapple Pulp (20%),  T4: (Corncob (70%), Poultry Dropping (10%), Pineapple Pulp (20%).  Sixteen (16) rams were used in a completely randomized design, comprising of 4 per treatment in metabolic cages for digestibility while Acceptability and preference of sheep among the silage mixtures were determined in a cafeteria feeding method.

Result showed that the colour, smell and texture of the mixtures showed that all silages had acceptable physical attributes. The pH of silage varied from 4.77-5.54, Dry matter (DM) content of silage was 42.79, 33.09, 41.81, 44.37% while crude protein (CP) content was 8.40, 6.95, 4.13, and 4.02% for silage from T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. Crude fibre ranged from 25.68- 31.08 %, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) 59.71- 69.84% and acid detergent fiber (ADF) from 37.05 – 41.73%. The result for dry matter acceptability showed that T2 had the highest value for dry matter intake (514.86g/d); coefficient of preference (1.17) and percentage of preference (29.32%). The coefficient of preference (CoP) and percent preference showed that silage from T2 and T1 was more acceptable and preferred by sheep than other silage mixtures. Significant (p<0.05) difference were obtained for the digestibility percentages of all the proximate nutrients. The digestibility values recorded for T1 was the highest (P<0.05) for DM (73.97%), CP (78.39%), EE (68.94%).

The study showed that ensiling of poultry dropping with corn cob will improve and sustain ruminants during period of forage scarcity.

Keywords: Dry matter acceptability, digestibility, corn cob, poultry droppings, WAD rams