Application of Papaya Leaves Level on Multinutrient Block as Feed Supplement upon Palatability and Feed Consumption of Thin Tailed Sheep

Papaya leaves as feed addition contain saponins, which has function as defaunation agents in the rumen. However, the saponin content can cause a bitter taste that is disliked by livestock. This study aims to evaluate the addition of several papaya leaves levels to the multinutrient block (MNB) as feed supplement for thin tail sheep on its palatability and feed consumption. The materials used in this study were 12 male sheep with an initial average weight of 22 ± 1.45 kg, MNB, papaya leaves, basal feed in the form of odot grass and concentrate. The design used in this study was a completely randomized design with 4 treatments in triplicate. The treatments consisted of: T0, basal feed + MNB 0% papaya leaves; T1, Basal feed + MNB with 4% papaya leaves; T2, Basal feed + MNB with 6% papaya leaves; and T3, Basal feed + MNB with 8% papaya leaves. Parameters observed were the consumption and digestibility of the feed as well as the average daily body weight gain. The highest feed consumption was obtained at T3 (971g/head/day on dry matter) with an average daily body weight gain of 115g/head /day. It was concluded that there was a significant difference in the effect of increasing palatability and feed consumption of thin tail sheep along with the increase level of papaya leaves in the multinutrient block.