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Abstract

In the first part of this study, the relative in situ rumen degradabilities of some common Kenyan feedstuffs were estimated using two fistulated steers. The second part of the study attempted to manipulate rumen fermentation processes by heat treating dietary protein, and also by varying the hay particle size. The in situ dacron bag technique was used to estimate the feeding value of some common Kenyan forages. The rate and extent of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation in the rumen was then determined from the incubated samples. Effective DM and CP degradation was also estimated at various rumen digesta flow rates. Green maize chop, fodder sorghum, napier grass, kikuyu grass, Pennisetum trachyphyllum, rhubarb leaves, banana leaves, sweet potato vines, desmodium and lucerne had moderate to high DM and CP degradability (>50%). These feedstuffs would therefore offer greater potential for conservation for feeding dairy cattle in the dry season. Wheat straw, maize stover, red oats grass and naivasha stargrass had significantly (P