Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding

*Youssouf Toukourou and Abdoulaye Moubarack*

## **Abstract**

Soy milk was administered to *Djallonké* Lambs in pre weaning. Three groups of 20 animals, all from a traditional farming, were performed. Group 1 (control) was deprived of soy milk. In the 2nd and 3rd group lambs received 50 and 100 ml soy milk respectively per head. Food supplementation with soy milk began a week after the lambs' birth. Soy milk was administered daily at the same time in one meal using a suckling bottle before leaving to the pasture. The results showed a significant delay of growth of the control group compared to the other groups. At the end of the 2nd week, the body weight difference was in average 0.32and 0.42 kg respectively for the control and the two other groups. At the end of the 12th week this difference became 2.55 and 3.22 kg respectively for the control and the two other groups. No significant differences were observed between the live weights' mean in the 2nd and 3rd group.

**Keywords:** growth, soy milk, food, *Djallonké* lambs, Benin

## **1. Introduction**

The nutritional importance of animal protein in the diet is well established. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make this food in sufficient quantity available to the populations, especially in developing countries. Yet these countries have sufficient local resources that can be better harnessed to meet the food and nutritional needs of their populations. The transformation, by animals, of primary plant resources into animal proteins with high nutritional value for humans remains the most effective means of ensuring populations a healthy and balanced diet. To this end, small ruminants, sheep and goats, represent a real opportunity for poor rural populations to improve the availability of food resources of animal origin. Indeed, these animal species are relatively easy to breed and therefore easily adapt to the socio-economic conditions of rural households. Despite these adaptive qualities and a strong aptitude for reproduction (view video in annex) (precocious puberty, good prolificacy, non-seasonal sexual cycle) [1], the milk yield of local breeds of small ruminants and in particular that of sheep in Benin remains low. This yield is estimated at 57.44 kg and 86.44 kg, for a lactation period of 105 days and 112 days, respectively for ewes with one and two lambs [2]. By crossing this level of milk production of ewes with the nutritional need for maintenance of lambs, which is estimated at 421 kj/kg of metabolizable weight [3], it is clearly seen that the lambs are being fed well below their physiological requirements. Indeed, such milk performance, obviously, does not adequately cover the nutritional needs of two, sometimes three lambs per birth, during the lactation period. Due to the low

milk production of females, young animals in pre-weaning fail to fully express their growth potential [4]. This results in sometimes chronic undernourishment leading to difficulties in the growth of young animals and a predisposition to diseases. The high mortality of lambs is therefore the main factor in the drop in productivity and varies according to the authors between 20 to 48% [3–6] and decreases (5 to 20%) after weaning and in adult animals [7]. To obtain better growth performance from young lambs during the suckling period, it is essential that the nutritional requirements at this stage of life are sufficiently covered. The ideal feed for this, at least during the first two weeks of lambs life, is sufficient natural sheep's milk. Other sources of milk, such as cow's milk or formula made from specific plant material can be used. Various plant products are used for the manufacture of milk drinks. These milk drinks represent for most people, an alternative to natural animal milk, because they do not support lactose, a sugar naturally contained in the milk of mammals. Plant milks also have the advantage of being rich in vitamins and minerals. These milks also contain unsaturated fats, which is more beneficial for health, as they do not contain cholesterol, like the saturated fats found in animal milk. Plant milks produced from legumes, such as soybeans, also contain essential amino acids that are essential for growth. Plant milks are rarely used in animal feed. In developed countries, where cows produce enough milk, its use in animal feed is very widespread. [8] investigated the possibility of raising lambs with milk replacer from cow's milk. [9] used soy milk to supplement pre-weaning lambs. The choice of using cow's milk to supplement the feed of pre-weaning lambs nevertheless poses the problem of availability and accessibility of this foodstuff under farming conditions in Benin. This milk comes mainly from extensive traditional breeding characterized by very low production [10]). This small quantity of milk is usually shared between man and calf which, as a result, cannot adequately cover its nutritional needs and therefore does not manage to fully express its growth potential. To mitigate the consequences of low local milk production, Benin regularly resorts to the massive importation of milk and dairy products. This strategy is proving too costly for a very low income country. Multiple livestock development projects involving the importation of reputed dairy breeds have not made it possible to permanently resolve this problem. However, Benin has diversified natural resources that can be developed. This is the case, among other things, with soy, which is a legume whose food and nutritional properties are highly appreciated [11]. This crop, well adapted to the climatic conditions of Benin, is widely practiced by agro-pastoralists. Rural households use soybeans for making cheese [12] which is perfectly anchored in the eating habits of the populations. Soy is also used in many countries for the manufacture of various foods and drinks commonly known as soy milk [13, 14]. It also finds wide use in animal feed, especially in the manufacture of feeds for monogastrics. Soybeans transformed into milk can be used as an alternative for this purpose to remedy the nutritional deficit of young animals during the lactogenic phase and at the same time contribute to freeing part of the milked milk for human consumption. The research question that emerges from this reflection is whether soy milk can enable *Djallonké* lambs to fill the food and nutritional deficit caused by the low milk production of the ewes during the suckling period.

## **2. Material and methods**

### **2.1 Study environment**

The animal material, object of the present study, is located in Tourou, a city district of the commune of Parakou located in the center of Benin between

**115**

*Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

350 m, it extends over an area of 441 km<sup>2</sup>

**2.2 Period and duration of the test**

**2.3 Preparation and administration of soy milk**

forage availability.

meal using suckling bottles.

**2.4 Animal material**

19° 21 'North latitude and 2° 36' East longitude. With an average altitude of

and good quality fodder resources are thus available for animal feed.

There is a Sudano-Guinean type climate with an average annual rainfall that varies between 1000 mm and 1500 mm and two seasons which alternate as follows: a rainy season which extends from mid-April to mid-October, and a dry season from mid-October to mid-April. Temperatures in this part of Benin oscillate between 28 and 35° C. The vegetation cover observed in Parakou is dominated by wooded and grassy savannah. Vegetation is abundant during the rainy season

The trial was conducted during the rainy season for a period of 3 months. The vegetation cover at that time was luxuriant and offered ruminants an abundant

The preparation of the soya milk administered to the lambs was carried out from seeds cultivated and marketed in Ouaké, a locality in Benin located about 172 km north of the study site. The soy milk used was obtained by mixing 1 kg of whole soya beans, previously cleaned, with 8 liters of water. After 24 hours of soaking, the seeds, once rinsed, are poured into two liters of water and then mixed using a kitchen Moulinex. The resulting mixture was mixed with six liters of water and then boiled for 30 minutes. After cooking, the resulting porridge was filtered using a very fine mesh sieve to separate the soy milk from the residual mass. Soymilk was fed to the lambs at a temperature of 38° C every morning at the same time as a single

The animal material used in the present study consists of 60 lambs (27 males and 33 females) of the Djallonké breed from 47 ewes, most of them multiparous. The animals, of which 34 were from a single birth and 26 from a double birth, came from ewes in traditional extensive herds (**Figure 1**). The animals are left to stray during the day and are tied to stakes in the evening when they return from pasture. By the age of 1 month all the lambs had received prophylactic treatment with Oxycline 20%, anti-diarrheal treatment and a vitamin complex by intramuscular injection. Three batches of lambs distributed at random were made. Lot 1 (control) is deprived of soy milk. The lambs of batches 2 and 3 received, from one week of

The data collected, recorded and analyzed during the present study focused mainly on the nutritional quality of soy milk, the quantity of soy milk served, refused and consumed, as well as on the live weight of the lambs. A sample of 500 g of soy milk was taken every four weeks and analyzed (**Table 1**). These analyzes made it possible to determine the chemical composition of soy milk according to official methods approved by the AOAC [5]. The measurement of the total amount of carbohydrate was estimated by subtracting the various nutrients: water, total nitrogen, fat, and crude ash from the original substance. The estimation of the gross energy of soy milk was carried out by considering that 1 g of carbohydrate and

age, respectively a supplement of 50 ml and 100 ml of soy milk.

**2.5 Measurement and data collection**

of which about 30 km<sup>2</sup>

are urbanized.

### *Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

*Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects*

milk production of females, young animals in pre-weaning fail to fully express their growth potential [4]. This results in sometimes chronic undernourishment leading to difficulties in the growth of young animals and a predisposition to diseases. The high mortality of lambs is therefore the main factor in the drop in productivity and varies according to the authors between 20 to 48% [3–6] and decreases (5 to 20%) after weaning and in adult animals [7]. To obtain better growth performance from young lambs during the suckling period, it is essential that the nutritional requirements at this stage of life are sufficiently covered. The ideal feed for this, at least during the first two weeks of lambs life, is sufficient natural sheep's milk. Other sources of milk, such as cow's milk or formula made from specific plant material can be used. Various plant products are used for the manufacture of milk drinks. These milk drinks represent for most people, an alternative to natural animal milk, because they do not support lactose, a sugar naturally contained in the milk of mammals. Plant milks also have the advantage of being rich in vitamins and minerals. These milks also contain unsaturated fats, which is more beneficial for health, as they do not contain cholesterol, like the saturated fats found in animal milk. Plant milks produced from legumes, such as soybeans, also contain essential amino acids that are essential for growth. Plant milks are rarely used in animal feed. In developed countries, where cows produce enough milk, its use in animal feed is very widespread. [8] investigated the possibility of raising lambs with milk replacer from cow's milk. [9] used soy milk to supplement pre-weaning lambs. The choice of using cow's milk to supplement the feed of pre-weaning lambs nevertheless poses the problem of availability and accessibility of this foodstuff under farming conditions in Benin. This milk comes mainly from extensive traditional breeding characterized by very low production [10]). This small quantity of milk is usually shared between man and calf which, as a result, cannot adequately cover its nutritional needs and therefore does not manage to fully express its growth potential. To mitigate the consequences of low local milk production, Benin regularly resorts to the massive importation of milk and dairy products. This strategy is proving too costly for a very low income country. Multiple livestock development projects involving the importation of reputed dairy breeds have not made it possible to permanently resolve this problem. However, Benin has diversified natural resources that can be developed. This is the case, among other things, with soy, which is a legume whose food and nutritional properties are highly appreciated [11]. This crop, well adapted to the climatic conditions of Benin, is widely practiced by agro-pastoralists. Rural households use soybeans for making cheese [12] which is perfectly anchored in the eating habits of the populations. Soy is also used in many countries for the manufacture of various foods and drinks commonly known as soy milk [13, 14]. It also finds wide use in animal feed, especially in the manufacture of feeds for monogastrics. Soybeans transformed into milk can be used as an alternative for this purpose to remedy the nutritional deficit of young animals during the lactogenic phase and at the same time contribute to freeing part of the milked milk for human consumption. The research question that emerges from this reflection is whether soy milk can enable *Djallonké* lambs to fill the food and nutritional deficit caused by the low

**114**

milk production of the ewes during the suckling period.

The animal material, object of the present study, is located in Tourou, a city district of the commune of Parakou located in the center of Benin between

**2. Material and methods**

**2.1 Study environment**

19° 21 'North latitude and 2° 36' East longitude. With an average altitude of 350 m, it extends over an area of 441 km<sup>2</sup> of which about 30 km<sup>2</sup> are urbanized. There is a Sudano-Guinean type climate with an average annual rainfall that varies between 1000 mm and 1500 mm and two seasons which alternate as follows: a rainy season which extends from mid-April to mid-October, and a dry season from mid-October to mid-April. Temperatures in this part of Benin oscillate between 28 and 35° C. The vegetation cover observed in Parakou is dominated by wooded and grassy savannah. Vegetation is abundant during the rainy season and good quality fodder resources are thus available for animal feed.

## **2.2 Period and duration of the test**

The trial was conducted during the rainy season for a period of 3 months. The vegetation cover at that time was luxuriant and offered ruminants an abundant forage availability.

## **2.3 Preparation and administration of soy milk**

The preparation of the soya milk administered to the lambs was carried out from seeds cultivated and marketed in Ouaké, a locality in Benin located about 172 km north of the study site. The soy milk used was obtained by mixing 1 kg of whole soya beans, previously cleaned, with 8 liters of water. After 24 hours of soaking, the seeds, once rinsed, are poured into two liters of water and then mixed using a kitchen Moulinex. The resulting mixture was mixed with six liters of water and then boiled for 30 minutes. After cooking, the resulting porridge was filtered using a very fine mesh sieve to separate the soy milk from the residual mass. Soymilk was fed to the lambs at a temperature of 38° C every morning at the same time as a single meal using suckling bottles.

## **2.4 Animal material**

The animal material used in the present study consists of 60 lambs (27 males and 33 females) of the Djallonké breed from 47 ewes, most of them multiparous. The animals, of which 34 were from a single birth and 26 from a double birth, came from ewes in traditional extensive herds (**Figure 1**). The animals are left to stray during the day and are tied to stakes in the evening when they return from pasture. By the age of 1 month all the lambs had received prophylactic treatment with Oxycline 20%, anti-diarrheal treatment and a vitamin complex by intramuscular injection. Three batches of lambs distributed at random were made. Lot 1 (control) is deprived of soy milk. The lambs of batches 2 and 3 received, from one week of age, respectively a supplement of 50 ml and 100 ml of soy milk.

## **2.5 Measurement and data collection**

The data collected, recorded and analyzed during the present study focused mainly on the nutritional quality of soy milk, the quantity of soy milk served, refused and consumed, as well as on the live weight of the lambs. A sample of 500 g of soy milk was taken every four weeks and analyzed (**Table 1**). These analyzes made it possible to determine the chemical composition of soy milk according to official methods approved by the AOAC [5]. The measurement of the total amount of carbohydrate was estimated by subtracting the various nutrients: water, total nitrogen, fat, and crude ash from the original substance. The estimation of the gross energy of soy milk was carried out by considering that 1 g of carbohydrate and

#### **Figure 1.** *Djallonké sheep herd in Benin.*


## **Table 1.**

*Nutritional value of soy milk during the test period compared to whole sheep milk.*

protein respectively release 4.1 kcal and that 1 g of fat releases 9.1 kcal [5]. The soy milk was administered individually every morning at the same time between 8 and 10 a.m. before leaving for the pasture. Likewise, individual weighing are carried out weekly on an empty stomach on the lambs and the corresponding weights are recorded on individual monitoring sheets.

## **3. Results**

## **3.1 Chemical composition and nutritional value of soy milk**

The nutritional values of soya milk, compared to that of sheep's milk, are shown in **Table 1**. These values show that the soymilk manufacturing process remained

**117**

**Table 2.**

*Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding*

**3.2 Lamb weight growth**

experiment.

**Trial period (weeks)**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

energetic than sheep's milk estimated at 108 kcal (**Table 1**).

broadly unchanged throughout the test. However, it emerges from this comparison that the soya milk used in the present study had a much lower dry extract, fat and crude ash content than ewe's milk. The total nitrogen content was slightly higher in soy milk than in ewe's milk [6]. Therefore, soy milk has a gross energy between 45.86 kcal and 50.48 kcal per 100 g of product. It was found to be significantly less

The body live weights of the lambs during the test period are shown in **Table 2**. At the end of the first week of testing, the lambs displayed an average body live weight of 2.34 kg, 2.40 kg and 2.36 kg respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. At the end of the first week of testing, the lambs displayed an average live weight of 2.34 kg, 2.40 kg and 2.36 kg respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. At the second week, the lambs of the control group, deprived of soya milk, displayed an average live weight of 0.32 and 0.42 kg significantly (p < 0.001) lower than those of groups 2 and 3 supplemented respectively with 50 ml and 100 ml of soy milk. The difference in live weight between the lambs in lots 2 and 3 was not significant (p > 0.05). This difference in weight growth between the batch of control animals and the two other batches was significantly (p < 0.001) accentuated and was located at 1.28 kg and 1.65 kg respectively for batches 2 and 3 at the 6th week. At the end of the experiment, at thirteen weeks of age, i.e. twelve weeks of soy milk treatment, the animals averaged a live weight of 6.01 kg, 8.56 kg and 9.23 kg respectively for lots 1 (control), 2 and 3 with a significant difference (p < 0.001) between lot 1 and the others. No significant difference (p > 0.05) could be noted between lots 2 and 3 throughout the

Apart from the level of soy milk consumption, other variables involved in the statistical analysis model had a more or less significant influence on the weight

 20 2.34a 0.04 20 2.40a 0.04 20 2.36a 0,04 20 2.78a 0.10 20 3.10b 0.10 20 3.20b 0,09 20 3.14a 0.11 20 3.74b 0.12 20 3.84b 0,11 20 3.42a 0.14 20 4.28b 0.15 20 4.40b 0,14 20 3.67a 0.17 20 3.80b 018 20 5.03b 0,16 20 4.02a 0.18 20 5.30b 0.19 20 5.67<sup>b</sup> 0,18 20 4.31a 0.21 20 5.78b 0.22 20 6.16b 0,20 20 4.61a 0.22 20 6.26b 0.23 20 6.74b 0,21 20 4.95a 0.23 20 6.77<sup>b</sup> 0.24 20 7.34b 0,22 20 5.29a 0.24 20 7.33b 0.24 20 7.97<sup>b</sup> 023 20 5.61a 0.25 20 7.93b 0.26 20 8.55b 0,24 20 6.01a 0.26 20 8.56b 0.27 20 9.23b 0,25

*Values with the same letters superscript on the same line are not significantly different at the 5% level.*

*Live weight of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk in pre weaning.*

**Treatments (Soy milk consumption) Lot 1 (control: 0 ml) Lot 2 (50 ml) Lot 3 (100 ml) N** μ **(kg) SE N** μ **(kg) SE N** μ **(kg) SE** broadly unchanged throughout the test. However, it emerges from this comparison that the soya milk used in the present study had a much lower dry extract, fat and crude ash content than ewe's milk. The total nitrogen content was slightly higher in soy milk than in ewe's milk [6]. Therefore, soy milk has a gross energy between 45.86 kcal and 50.48 kcal per 100 g of product. It was found to be significantly less energetic than sheep's milk estimated at 108 kcal (**Table 1**).

## **3.2 Lamb weight growth**

*Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects*

**116**

**3. Results**

*\*Source: [2].*

**Table 1.**

**Figure 1.**

*Djallonké sheep herd in Benin.*

protein respectively release 4.1 kcal and that 1 g of fat releases 9.1 kcal [5]. The soy milk was administered individually every morning at the same time between 8 and 10 a.m. before leaving for the pasture. Likewise, individual weighing are carried out weekly on an empty stomach on the lambs and the corresponding weights are

**Nutrients Soy milk during the test period Ewe's** 

Dry matter (%) 9.19 ± 1.11 9.02 ± 1.26 9.43 ± 1.09 16.47 Total Nitrogenous Matter (%) 5.93 ± 1.16 5.90 ± 1.39 5.88 ± 1.06 5.37 Fat (%) 2.38 ± 0.77 2.16 ± 0.32 2.70 ± 0.62 6.02 Crude ash (%) 0.38 ± 0.07 0.47 ± 0.10 0.41 ± 0.10 0.77 Carbohydrate (%) 0.50 ± 0.02 0.49 ± 0.01 0.44 ± 0.01 — Gross energy (kcal /100 g) 48.02 ± 6.13 45.86 ± 6.47 50.48 ± 6.66 108

**1st month 2nd month 3rd month**

**milk\***

The nutritional values of soya milk, compared to that of sheep's milk, are shown in **Table 1**. These values show that the soymilk manufacturing process remained

recorded on individual monitoring sheets.

**3.1 Chemical composition and nutritional value of soy milk**

*Nutritional value of soy milk during the test period compared to whole sheep milk.*

The body live weights of the lambs during the test period are shown in **Table 2**. At the end of the first week of testing, the lambs displayed an average body live weight of 2.34 kg, 2.40 kg and 2.36 kg respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. At the end of the first week of testing, the lambs displayed an average live weight of 2.34 kg, 2.40 kg and 2.36 kg respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. At the second week, the lambs of the control group, deprived of soya milk, displayed an average live weight of 0.32 and 0.42 kg significantly (p < 0.001) lower than those of groups 2 and 3 supplemented respectively with 50 ml and 100 ml of soy milk. The difference in live weight between the lambs in lots 2 and 3 was not significant (p > 0.05). This difference in weight growth between the batch of control animals and the two other batches was significantly (p < 0.001) accentuated and was located at 1.28 kg and 1.65 kg respectively for batches 2 and 3 at the 6th week. At the end of the experiment, at thirteen weeks of age, i.e. twelve weeks of soy milk treatment, the animals averaged a live weight of 6.01 kg, 8.56 kg and 9.23 kg respectively for lots 1 (control), 2 and 3 with a significant difference (p < 0.001) between lot 1 and the others. No significant difference (p > 0.05) could be noted between lots 2 and 3 throughout the experiment.


Apart from the level of soy milk consumption, other variables involved in the statistical analysis model had a more or less significant influence on the weight

#### **Table 2.**

*Live weight of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk in pre weaning.*


**Table 3.**

**119**

**Table 4.**

*Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding*

double birth mode.

**3.3 Average daily gain of lambs**

was still significant (P < 0.05).

**N**

1 20 59.76

2 20 42.50

3 20 50.05

μ **(g) SE**

**Trial period (month)**

the level of consumption of soy milk.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

growth of the lambs during the study. Thus, sex significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the mean live weight of lambs at the very start of the experiment. Its influence resulted in higher weights in males than in females after a week of testing. Thus, for all the lambs, the average live weight at one week of testing was 2.46 kg for the males and 2.27 kg for the females. Mode of birth as well as birth weight also had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the weight growth of lambs. While the signifi

cant influence (p < 0.001) of birth weight was already evident from the start of the experiment, that of mode of birth began a little later in the second week, especially in lambs born from a simple birth, and persisted until the end of the experiment. The results obtained and presented in **Table 3** showed that at the end of the first week of testing, the supplementation of soy milk had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the live weights of the lambs whatever the mode of birth. The sig

nificant effect of supplementing soymilk was evident from the second week of the test. At this time, single born control lambs, with an average live weight of 2.71 kg, showed on average a significant growth retardation (p < 0.001) of 0.48 and 0.67 kg respectively vis-à-vis lambs born single from lots 2 and 3. This growth retardation was only 0.17 kg between the twin control lambs and those from the other two lots from the same birth mode during the same period. After four weeks of testing, the weight loss in single born control lambs was 0.89 kg and 1.17 kg, respectively, compared to single born lambs in lots 2 and 3. In twin lambs, this delay from the control batch, although significant, was less pronounced and amounted to 0.84 kg and 0.80 kg respectively compared to batches 2 and 3. At the end of the experiment at twelve weeks of testing, this difference in live weight amounted to 2.69 kg and 3.78 kg respectively for the simple birth mode and to 2.4 kg and 2.66 kg for the

The results of the average daily gains are shown in **Table 4**. Overall, consumption of soy milk resulted in average daily gains (ADG) in lambs directly proportional to

After one month of testing, the animals displayed ADGs of 59.76 g, 90.84 g and

**Treatments (Soy milk consumption) Lot 1 (control: 0 ml) Lot 2 (50 ml) Lot 3 (100 ml)**

<sup>a</sup> 4.99 20 90.84b 5.29 20 95.25

<sup>a</sup> 4.75 20 71.21b 5.03 20 83.86

μ **(g) SE**

**N**

<sup>b</sup> 4.18 20 89.40

μ **(g) SE**

<sup>b</sup> 4,90

<sup>b</sup> 4,66

<sup>b</sup> 3,88

95.25 g respectively for batches 1, 2 and 3. Lambs from the control group had a significantly lower average daily growth (p < 0.001) than those from groups 2 and 3. Supplementation of 100 ml of soy milk in the lambs from batch 3 did not induce a significantly (p > 0.05) more accelerated growth rate compared to their congeners from batch 2 who received 50 ml. At weaning at 3 months, the ADG of the lambs was 50 g, 83 g and 89 g respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. The difference in ADG between the control batch, which did not receive soy milk, and the other batches

**N**

<sup>a</sup> 3.95 20 82.83

*Values with the same letters superscript on the same line are not significantly different at the 5% level.*

*Average daily gain of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk during the suckling period.*



 *Live weight of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk during the suckling period depending on the mode of birth.*

### *Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

*Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects*

**Lot 3 (100 ml)**

**118**

**Trial period (weeks)**

**Lot 1 (control: 0 ml)**

**Single birth**

μ **(kg)**

2.35a 2.71a 3.20a 3.54a 3.76a 4.06a 4.34a 4.66a 5.01a 5.40a 5.77a 6.16a

0.31 *Values with the same letters superscript on the same line are not significantly different at the 5% level.*

*Live weight of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk during the suckling period depending on the mode of birth.*

5.86a

0.42

8.85b

0.32

8.26b

0.45

9.94c

0.41

8.52b

0.32

0.30

5.45a

0.40

8.28b

0.31

7.57b

0.43

9.27c

0.39

7.84b

0.31

0.29

5.18a

0.39

7.64b

0.29

7.01b

0.41

8.65c

0.38

7.28b

0.30

0.27

4.90a

0.36

7.12b

0.28

6.43 b

0.39

8.02c

0.36

6.67b

0.28

0.26

4.57a

0.35

6.70b

0.27

5.83b

0.38

7.40c

0.34

6.08b

0.27

0.25

4.28a

0.33

6.20b

0.25

5.35 b

0.36

6.76c

0.33

5.56b

0.26

0.22

3.97a

0.29

5.74b

0.22

4.86c

0.31

6.28d

0.29

5.06c

0.23

0.20

3.58a

0.27

5.10b

0.20

4.51b

0.29

5.44d

0.26

4.61bc

0.21

0.17

3.29a

0.22

4.43bc

0.17

4.13bc

0.24

4.71b

0.22

4.09c

0.17

0.14

3.09a

0.18

3,87b

0.14

3.61a

0.20

4.12b

0.18

3.55a

0.14

0.11

2.84a

0.15

3.19b

0.12

3.01a

0.16

3.38b

0.15

3.01a

0.12

0.05

2.33a

0.07

2.42a

0.05

2.37a

0.07

2.44a

0.07

2.28a

0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 **Table 3.**

**SE**

μ **(kg)**

**SE**

μ **(kg)**

**SE**

μ **(kg)**

**SE**

μ **(kg)**

**SE**

μ **(kg)**

**SE**

**Double birth**

**Single birth**

**Double birth**

**Single birth**

**Double birth**

**Treatments (Soy milk consumption)**

**Lot 2 (50 ml)** growth of the lambs during the study. Thus, sex significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the mean live weight of lambs at the very start of the experiment. Its influence resulted in higher weights in males than in females after a week of testing. Thus, for all the lambs, the average live weight at one week of testing was 2.46 kg for the males and 2.27 kg for the females. Mode of birth as well as birth weight also had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the weight growth of lambs. While the significant influence (p < 0.001) of birth weight was already evident from the start of the experiment, that of mode of birth began a little later in the second week, especially in lambs born from a simple birth, and persisted until the end of the experiment.

The results obtained and presented in **Table 3** showed that at the end of the first week of testing, the supplementation of soy milk had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the live weights of the lambs whatever the mode of birth. The significant effect of supplementing soymilk was evident from the second week of the test. At this time, single born control lambs, with an average live weight of 2.71 kg, showed on average a significant growth retardation (p < 0.001) of 0.48 and 0.67 kg respectively vis-à-vis lambs born single from lots 2 and 3. This growth retardation was only 0.17 kg between the twin control lambs and those from the other two lots from the same birth mode during the same period. After four weeks of testing, the weight loss in single born control lambs was 0.89 kg and 1.17 kg, respectively, compared to single born lambs in lots 2 and 3. In twin lambs, this delay from the control batch, although significant, was less pronounced and amounted to 0.84 kg and 0.80 kg respectively compared to batches 2 and 3. At the end of the experiment at twelve weeks of testing, this difference in live weight amounted to 2.69 kg and 3.78 kg respectively for the simple birth mode and to 2.4 kg and 2.66 kg for the double birth mode.

## **3.3 Average daily gain of lambs**

The results of the average daily gains are shown in **Table 4**. Overall, consumption of soy milk resulted in average daily gains (ADG) in lambs directly proportional to the level of consumption of soy milk.

After one month of testing, the animals displayed ADGs of 59.76 g, 90.84 g and 95.25 g respectively for batches 1, 2 and 3. Lambs from the control group had a significantly lower average daily growth (p < 0.001) than those from groups 2 and 3. Supplementation of 100 ml of soy milk in the lambs from batch 3 did not induce a significantly (p > 0.05) more accelerated growth rate compared to their congeners from batch 2 who received 50 ml. At weaning at 3 months, the ADG of the lambs was 50 g, 83 g and 89 g respectively for lots 1, 2 and 3. The difference in ADG between the control batch, which did not receive soy milk, and the other batches was still significant (P < 0.05).


#### **Table 4.**

*Average daily gain of Djallonké lambs supplemented with soy milk during the suckling period.*

### **3.4 Lamb mortality**

No case of mortality was recorded, neither among the control lambs nor among those which benefited from a feed supplement with soya milk, throughout the trial. The sanitary arrangements made at the start of the experiment, namely a prophylactic treatment based on Oxycline 20%, an anti-diarrheal treatment and an intramuscular injection of vitamin complex certainly contributed to obtaining such a result.

## **4. Discussion**

Soy milk as a feed supplement was accepted by Djallonkés lambs in pre-weaning from the second week of life. Soymilk as a dietary supplement at the start of the breastfeeding period could not differentiate between the live weights of the Djallonkés lambs who benefited from it and those who did not. Obviously, natural ewe's milk has proven at this stage of the animals' life to be a food perfectly suited to their physiological needs. Studies have shown that sufficient ewe's milk is necessary to ensure rapid and steady growth in lambs during lactation [14]. The chemical composition of ewe's milk with particularly high dry matter, protein, fat and lactose contents, compared to goat's and cow's milk [15], clearly illustrates its nutritional quality for pre-weaning lambs. The early introduction of formula milk, such as soy milk, was ineffective in improving the weight growth of Djallonke lambs. However, it should be noted that the chemical composition of the soy milk administered to the lambs in the present study is far from meeting their nutritional requirements. Compared to sheep's milk, soy milk in the present study is clearly deficient in energy, particularly in protein and fat, two nutrients which contribute to the energy coverage of lambs. Improving the nutritional quality of soymilk could allow lambs to better express their growth potential. A special formulation of soymilk that takes into account the nutritional requirements of lambs can improve its effectiveness for this purpose. As the lambs got older, the effect of supplementation with soy milk became noticeable on their weight growth, especially between the lambs from the control lot (lot 1) on one side and those from the lots 2 and 3, with 50 ml and 100 ml respectively, on the other. Lambs from the control group, which did not receive soy milk as a feed supplement, were significantly retarded in their growth, compared to their congeners from lots 2 and 3. However, it emerges from the shape of weight growth curve, that from the sixth week, the weight difference between the animals in groups 2 and 3 became more and more visible although not significant (p > 0.05). The 50 ml difference in soy milk consumption between lots 2 and 3 was probably not enough to induce a substantial difference in their average live weight. [16] cited by [2] obtained for its part an average live weight of Djallonké lambs located between 6.61 and 7.13 kg at twelve weeks of age at the Okpara Farm, located in the Commune of Kika, 15 km from the city of Parakou, Benin. Tests carried out in the station also enabled [6] to determine live weights of 5.1 and 10.9 kg respectively on the 30th and 90th day in Djallonké lambs. These results are slightly higher than those obtained during the present study for the lambs of the control group. This is most certainly explained by the fact that animals reared in stations have benefited from better breeding conditions than their counterparts reared in a real environment.

For the same amount of soy milk consumed, lambs from a single birth tend to grow faster than those from a double birth. The difference in weight between lambs in lots 2 and 3, although not significant (p > 0.05), is more marked in singles than in twins. This suggests that lambs born single tend to benefit more from soy milk

**121**

**Author details**

**5. Conclusion**

significant.

Youssouf Toukourou\* and Abdoulaye Moubarack University of Parakou, Parakou, Republic of Benin

provided the original work is properly cited.

\*Address all correspondence to: ytoukourou@gmail.com

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

*Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

than their double born counterparts. [3] confirmed that insufficient milk feeding in Djallonké lamb could retard the weight growth of lambs from a double birth. At the end of the eighth week of the trial, a slight decrease in ADG was recorded in all batches of animals, regardless of feed level. Lambs at this stage of life are probably out of the accelerated phase of their growth. [17] observed a similar evolution in station in Djallonkés lambs in pre-weaning. The trend between the different lots remained nevertheless maintained with a slightly more accentuated gap between lots 2 and 3. The soymilk rationing imposed on lambs in the present study, combined with an eight-week pre-weaning limitation period, partly explains the average weight growth performance recorded. It is not excluded that an ad libitum supplementation based on soy milk over a regularly breastfeeding

The use of soy milk as a dietary supplement during the pre-weaning period has proved to be a promising strategy to improve the weight performance of Djallonkés lambs in the commune of Parakou in Benin. The consumption of soy milk allowed the Djallonkés lambs to better express their growth potential. A quantity of 50 ml of soy milk in addition to natural sheep's milk was sufficient for the Djallonkés lambs to significantly improve their growth performance. Beyond this quantity, the Djallonkés lambs continued to improve their growth performance, although not

period of twelve weeks, improves the weight performance recorded.

### *Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

than their double born counterparts. [3] confirmed that insufficient milk feeding in Djallonké lamb could retard the weight growth of lambs from a double birth.

At the end of the eighth week of the trial, a slight decrease in ADG was recorded in all batches of animals, regardless of feed level. Lambs at this stage of life are probably out of the accelerated phase of their growth. [17] observed a similar evolution in station in Djallonkés lambs in pre-weaning. The trend between the different lots remained nevertheless maintained with a slightly more accentuated gap between lots 2 and 3. The soymilk rationing imposed on lambs in the present study, combined with an eight-week pre-weaning limitation period, partly explains the average weight growth performance recorded. It is not excluded that an ad libitum supplementation based on soy milk over a regularly breastfeeding period of twelve weeks, improves the weight performance recorded.

## **5. Conclusion**

*Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects*

No case of mortality was recorded, neither among the control lambs nor among

Soy milk as a feed supplement was accepted by Djallonkés lambs in pre-weaning

For the same amount of soy milk consumed, lambs from a single birth tend to grow faster than those from a double birth. The difference in weight between lambs in lots 2 and 3, although not significant (p > 0.05), is more marked in singles than in twins. This suggests that lambs born single tend to benefit more from soy milk

from the second week of life. Soymilk as a dietary supplement at the start of the breastfeeding period could not differentiate between the live weights of the Djallonkés lambs who benefited from it and those who did not. Obviously, natural ewe's milk has proven at this stage of the animals' life to be a food perfectly suited to their physiological needs. Studies have shown that sufficient ewe's milk is necessary to ensure rapid and steady growth in lambs during lactation [14]. The chemical composition of ewe's milk with particularly high dry matter, protein, fat and lactose contents, compared to goat's and cow's milk [15], clearly illustrates its nutritional quality for pre-weaning lambs. The early introduction of formula milk, such as soy milk, was ineffective in improving the weight growth of Djallonke lambs. However, it should be noted that the chemical composition of the soy milk administered to the lambs in the present study is far from meeting their nutritional requirements. Compared to sheep's milk, soy milk in the present study is clearly deficient in energy, particularly in protein and fat, two nutrients which contribute to the energy coverage of lambs. Improving the nutritional quality of soymilk could allow lambs to better express their growth potential. A special formulation of soymilk that takes into account the nutritional requirements of lambs can improve its effectiveness for this purpose. As the lambs got older, the effect of supplementation with soy milk became noticeable on their weight growth, especially between the lambs from the control lot (lot 1) on one side and those from the lots 2 and 3, with 50 ml and 100 ml respectively, on the other. Lambs from the control group, which did not receive soy milk as a feed supplement, were significantly retarded in their growth, compared to their congeners from lots 2 and 3. However, it emerges from the shape of weight growth curve, that from the sixth week, the weight difference between the animals in groups 2 and 3 became more and more visible although not significant (p > 0.05). The 50 ml difference in soy milk consumption between lots 2 and 3 was probably not enough to induce a substantial difference in their average live weight. [16] cited by [2] obtained for its part an average live weight of Djallonké lambs located between 6.61 and 7.13 kg at twelve weeks of age at the Okpara Farm, located in the Commune of Kika, 15 km from the city of Parakou, Benin. Tests carried out in the station also enabled [6] to determine live weights of 5.1 and 10.9 kg respectively on the 30th and 90th day in Djallonké lambs. These results are slightly higher than those obtained during the present study for the lambs of the control group. This is most certainly explained by the fact that animals reared in stations have benefited from better breeding conditions than their counterparts reared in a real

those which benefited from a feed supplement with soya milk, throughout the trial. The sanitary arrangements made at the start of the experiment, namely a prophylactic treatment based on Oxycline 20%, an anti-diarrheal treatment and an intramuscular injection of vitamin complex certainly contributed to obtaining such

**3.4 Lamb mortality**

a result.

**4. Discussion**

**120**

environment.

The use of soy milk as a dietary supplement during the pre-weaning period has proved to be a promising strategy to improve the weight performance of Djallonkés lambs in the commune of Parakou in Benin. The consumption of soy milk allowed the Djallonkés lambs to better express their growth potential. A quantity of 50 ml of soy milk in addition to natural sheep's milk was sufficient for the Djallonkés lambs to significantly improve their growth performance. Beyond this quantity, the Djallonkés lambs continued to improve their growth performance, although not significant.

## **Author details**

Youssouf Toukourou\* and Abdoulaye Moubarack University of Parakou, Parakou, Republic of Benin

\*Address all correspondence to: ytoukourou@gmail.com

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

## **References**

[1] Osuagwuh A I A, Akpokodje J U. An outbreak of abortion in West African Dwarf Goats due to malnutrition . 1986

[2] Amégée Y. Etude de la production laitière de la brebis Djallonké en relation avec la croissance des agneaux. Rev. Elev. Med. v&. Pavs trop. 37 (3): 1984. p. 311-335

[3] ARC Agricultural Research Council. The Nutrient Requirements of Ruminant Livestock. Technical Review by an Agricultural Research Council Working Party, Common wealth Agricultural Bureau, Farnham Royal, UK (1980)

[4] Vallerand F, Branckaert R. La race ovine Djallonké au Cameroun. Potentialités zootechniques, conditions d'élevage, avenir. Revue. Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays trop., 28, 1975. P. 523-545.

[5] Strutz C, Glombitza K F. Les moutons Djallonké élevés par les villageois au Congo, peuvent-ils être sélectionnés pour l'augmentation du poids ? *Rev. Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays Trop*., **39**, 1986. P. 107-111

[6] Filius P, Weniger J H, Teuscher T. Untersuchungen über die Nutzleistung des Djallonkeschafes; Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis einer westafrikanischen Schafrasse. Journal of animal breeding and genetic. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388. tb00706.x. Volume 102, Issue 1-5 1985 p. 371-384.

[7] London J C, Weniger J H. 1996b. Investigation into traditionally managed Djallonké-sheep production in humid and sub humid zones of Asante, Ghana. V. Productivity indices. *J. Anim. Breed. Genet*. 113, 483-492

[8] Pinot R, Teissier J.-H, Bauchau P. l'allaitement artificiel des agneaux. I. - Comparaison entre différents laits de remplacement et le lait de brebis. Annales de zootechnie, INRA/EDP Sciences, 1965, 14 (3), pp.261-278. hal-00886848

[9] Toukourou Y, Abdoulaye M, Attakpa Y E, Alkoiret I T. Croissance des agneaux Djallonkes nourris avec du lait de soja, Tropicultura 2016 vol. 34 no. 2 p. 150-157

[10] Kassa S K, Salifou C F A, Dayo G K, Ahounou G S, Dotché O I, Issifou T M, Houaga I, Kountinhouin G B, Mensah G A, Yapi-Gnaoré V, Youssao A K I. Production de lait des vaches Bororo blanches et Borgou en élevage traditionnel au Bénin. Livestock Research for Rural Development 28 (9) 2016

[11] Toléba S S, Youssao A K I, Dahouda M, Missainhoun U M A, Mensah G A. Identification et valeurs nutritionnelles des aliments utilisés en élevage d'aulacodes (*Thryonomys swinderianus*) dans les villes de Cotonou et Porto-Novo au Bénin. *Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin Numéro 64 – Juin 2009.*

[12] FAO. http://www.fao.org/3/ CA2804FR/ca2804fr.pdf

[13] Bokossa I Y, Tchekessi C K C, Dossou-Yovo P, Egounlety M, Dossa R M. Substitution partielle du lait en poudre par le lait de soja pour la production du yaourt. *Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin. Numéro 69 – Juin 2011*

[14] CNUCED. Soja. Un profil de produit de base par INFOCOMM. Fonds de la CNUCED pour l'information sur les marchés des produits de base agricoles. Nations Unies. New York et Genève, 2016. https:// unctad.org/fr/PublicationsLibrary/ INFOCOMM\_cp10\_SoyaBeans\_fr.pdf

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*Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding*

[15] BELABBES M M. Qualité Nutritionnelle et Aptitude de

Vie. Thèse de doctorat. 2019

Tropicultur*a,* **20**, 2, 70-75.

2009. p. 67-70

[17] Senou M, Dahouda M C,

Adandédjan C, Aboki V, Alimy S, Tondji P M. Pre- and post-weaning growth in Djallonké lambs; Livestock Research for Rural Development 21 (6); Trop. Vet. 4,

[16] Gbangboché A B, Abiola F A, Laporte J P, Salifou S, Leroy P L. 2002. Amélioration des ovins dans l'Ouémé et le Plateau en République du Bénin: enjeux de croisement des ovins Djallonké avec les moutons du Sahel. ;

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

Transformation Technologique du Lait de Brebis selon le Système d'élevage. Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la *Use of Soy Milk in Lamb Feeding DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94029*

[15] BELABBES M M. Qualité Nutritionnelle et Aptitude de Transformation Technologique du Lait de Brebis selon le Système d'élevage. Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie. Thèse de doctorat. 2019

[16] Gbangboché A B, Abiola F A, Laporte J P, Salifou S, Leroy P L. 2002. Amélioration des ovins dans l'Ouémé et le Plateau en République du Bénin: enjeux de croisement des ovins Djallonké avec les moutons du Sahel. ; Tropicultur*a,* **20**, 2, 70-75.

[17] Senou M, Dahouda M C, Adandédjan C, Aboki V, Alimy S, Tondji P M. Pre- and post-weaning growth in Djallonké lambs; Livestock Research for Rural Development 21 (6); Trop. Vet. 4, 2009. p. 67-70

**122**

*Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects*

[1] Osuagwuh A I A, Akpokodje J U. An outbreak of abortion in West African Dwarf Goats due to malnutrition . 1986

de remplacement et le lait de brebis. Annales de zootechnie, INRA/EDP Sciences, 1965, 14 (3), pp.261-278.

[9] Toukourou Y, Abdoulaye M, Attakpa

[10] Kassa S K, Salifou C F A, Dayo G K, Ahounou G S, Dotché O I, Issifou T M, Houaga I, Kountinhouin G B, Mensah G A, Yapi-Gnaoré V, Youssao A K I. Production de lait des vaches Bororo blanches et Borgou en élevage traditionnel au Bénin. Livestock Research for Rural Development 28 (9)

[11] Toléba S S, Youssao A K I, Dahouda M, Missainhoun U M A, Mensah G A. Identification et valeurs nutritionnelles des aliments utilisés en élevage d'aulacodes (*Thryonomys swinderianus*) dans les villes de Cotonou et Porto-Novo au Bénin. *Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin Numéro* 

[12] FAO. http://www.fao.org/3/ CA2804FR/ca2804fr.pdf

[13] Bokossa I Y, Tchekessi C K C, Dossou-Yovo P, Egounlety M, Dossa R M. Substitution partielle du lait en poudre par le lait de soja pour la production du yaourt. *Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin.* 

[14] CNUCED. Soja. Un profil de

produit de base par INFOCOMM. Fonds de la CNUCED pour l'information sur les marchés des produits de base agricoles. Nations Unies. New York et Genève, 2016. https:// unctad.org/fr/PublicationsLibrary/ INFOCOMM\_cp10\_SoyaBeans\_fr.pdf

*Numéro 69 – Juin 2011*

Y E, Alkoiret I T. Croissance des agneaux Djallonkes nourris avec du lait de soja, Tropicultura 2016 vol. 34 no. 2

hal-00886848

p. 150-157

2016

*64 – Juin 2009.*

[2] Amégée Y. Etude de la production laitière de la brebis Djallonké en relation avec la croissance des agneaux. Rev. Elev.

[3] ARC Agricultural Research Council.

Ruminant Livestock. Technical Review by an Agricultural Research Council Working Party, Common wealth Agricultural Bureau, Farnham Royal,

Med. v&. Pavs trop. 37 (3): 1984.

The Nutrient Requirements of

[4] Vallerand F, Branckaert R. La race ovine Djallonké au Cameroun. Potentialités zootechniques, conditions d'élevage, avenir. Revue. Elev. Méd. Vét.

Pays trop., 28, 1975. P. 523-545.

[5] Strutz C, Glombitza K F. Les moutons Djallonké élevés par les villageois au Congo, peuvent-ils être sélectionnés pour l'augmentation du poids ? *Rev. Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays Trop*.,

[6] Filius P, Weniger J H, Teuscher T. Untersuchungen über die Nutzleistung des Djallonkeschafes; Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis einer westafrikanischen Schafrasse. Journal of animal breeding and genetic. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388. tb00706.x. Volume 102, Issue 1-5 1985 p.

[7] London J C, Weniger J H. 1996b. Investigation into traditionally managed Djallonké-sheep production in humid and sub humid zones of Asante, Ghana. V. Productivity indices. *J. Anim. Breed.* 

[8] Pinot R, Teissier J.-H, Bauchau P. l'allaitement artificiel des agneaux. I. - Comparaison entre différents laits

**39**, 1986. P. 107-111

*Genet*. 113, 483-492

371-384.

p. 311-335

**References**

UK (1980)

## *Edited by Małgorzata Ziarno*

This book presents certain aspects of the consumer, nutritional, and technological approach to plant-based milk substitutes. It also provides a useful overview of cow's milk substitutes produced from raw materials along with their composition and quality, shelf life, nutritional value, human health significance, and consumer acceptance. Nutrition issues and consumer acceptance of plant-based foods are extremely important, especially for vegans or individuals with allergy and intolerance issues. These issues are also important for the agriculture industry in developing countries, as they also apply to feed farm animals.

Published in London, UK © 2021 IntechOpen © NaokiKim / iStock

Milk Substitutes - Selected Aspects

Milk Substitutes

Selected Aspects

*Edited by Małgorzata Ziarno*