Effects of Diets Containing Varying Levels of Cashew Nut Shell on Scrotal Morphometric Characteristics of Growing West African Dwarf Bucks

Abstract

A total of twenty (20) growing West African dwarf bucks were used to evaluate the effect of diets containing graded levels of cashew nut shell on scrotal morphometric characteristics. The goats were fed supplements containing 0% 10%, 15%, and 20% levels of inclusion of cashew nut shell at 100g/goat/day. The goats were also fed bamboo leaves at 200g/goat/day 1 hour before the supplement was fed. The experiment lasted for 50days after an adjustment period of 7days. Scrotal morphometric measurement was taken on weekly basis as well as scrotal weight on the last day of the experiment. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the values for initial and final scrotal length as well as initial and final scrotal circumference. They were however significant (p<0.05) differences in the values for the increase in scrotal length and scrotal circumference. The scrotal weight showed significant (p<0.05) difference with T2 (85g) having the highest. It was therefore concluded that animals in T2 (10% level of inclusion of cashew nut shell) had the best scrotal morphometric values. Further experiments using weaner bucks as well as weaner cattle and sheep were recommended.