Effects of levels of Boer goats and Dorper sheep on feed intake, digestibility, growth, and slaughter characteristics in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Twenty-seven male goats (6-9 mo) and 27 male sheep (3-5 mo) were used in 90-d experiments. Animals were indigenous or Local goat and sheep genotypes of the central highlands of Ethiopia (LG and LS, respectively) and crossbreds of Local with 25 and 50% Boer (B) goats or Dorper (D) sheep. Grass hay (9% ash, 6% CP, and 64-67% NDF) was consumed ad libitum supplemented with 2% BW (DM basis) of concentrate (46% noug seed cake, 28% wheat bran, 24% sorghum grain, and 2% salt; 8% ash, 24% CP, and 24% NDF). Initial BW was 18.1, 20.8, and 24.9 kg for Local, 25%B, and 50%B, respectively (SE=0.77) and 14.8, 20.3, and 17.9 kg for Local, 25%D, and 50%D, respectively (SE=0.74). Total DMI ranked (P