The experiment was conducted with the aim of assessing the effect of increasing levels of protein and energy supplements on feed intake and body weight change of Black Head Somali sheep. Randomized complete block design was employed with 5 treatments and 6 blocks. The average initial weight of the yearling experimental sheep was 22.19 ± 0.21 kg. The supplement feed was formulated from groundnut cake, brewery dried grain and wheat bran; taking grass hay as a basal diet. The experiment lasted for 90 days and was preceded with two weeks of adaptation period. The Crude Protein (CP) and Metabolizable Energy (ME) content of grass hay in the study was 9.1% and 8.3 MJ /kg DM, respectively. Higher total CP intake (TCPI) and total estimated ME intake (TEMEI) and average daily body weight gain (ADBWG) were recorded (P<0.01) with increasing levels of supplementation. There was positive and high correlation among intake variables (DMI, EMEI and CPI) and with ADBWG. The highest (P<0.01) ADG was recorded for T5group. However, the most economically potential feed supplementation was attained with T4 (3.6MJ ME and 28,5%CP). Supplementry concentrate feeds is highly recommended for better fatting of Black-head Somali sheep fed natural grass hay.

Keywords: Intake, Body weight gain, CP, ME, Sheep