Abstract
Sixteen West African dwarf bucks) were allotted into four (4) treatments of four goats each. The goats were fed leaves fromGmelina, (Gmelinaaborea) Tamarind, (Tamarindusindicus, Neem (Azadirachtaindica) and Teak (Tectonagrandis) at 300g/goat/day forTreatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively and a concentrate supplement diet at 100gper goat/dayfor a duration of thirty five (35) days. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, data were analysed using a one way analysis of variance and least significant difference to separate the significant means. Concentrate and browse samples were analysed using the methods of AOAC, the blood samples for serological studies were collected in sample bottles from the jugular veins of the goats, using needles and syringes. Values for daily supplement intake (75.33 – 94.43g), daily browse intake (134.22 – 245.44g) and total daily feed intake (225.53 – 339.87g) were significantly different at 5% level, values for urea (0.84 – 1.38Mmol/l), cholesterol, (4.83 – 6.02) creatinine (16.00 – 18.50mol/l, and blood sugar (38.96 – 44.32mg/dl) were significantly different, alkaline phosphate values ranged from 56.93 – 58.20 and were not significantly different. It was therefore concluded that the four browse species were safe for the goats, nutrients in the concentrate diets and the four browse species were adequate for the goats. Gmelinaarborea was the most preferred by the goats in terms of intake, The four browse species were therefore recommended for goat feeding especially during the long dry season. Further research using other breeds and classes of goats as well as other species of ruminants such as sheep and cattle was also recommended.
Highlights
Inadequate feeding is a major setback to ruminant livestock production in Nigeria
The protein content of the browse and concentrate diet were within the values of 12-18% recommended for growing ruminants in the tropics [12]
Theether extracts values for the browse were within recommended values, while that of the concentrate diet was above the values of 5-6% whichif exceeded may impede appetite and fibre digestion [13]
Summary
Inadequate feeding is a major setback to ruminant livestock production in Nigeria. This has led to low milk and meat production, high mortality of young stock and low growth rate. The use of agro by-products as well as some browse plants that tend to retain their leaves during the dry season were recommended by Ocheja et. Whenusingnon conventional feeds, it is important to assess the health status of the animals because some are known to affect blood parameters. [5] A readily available and fast means of assessing the clinical and nutritional health status of the animals in feeding trial may be the use of blood analysis. Whenusingnon conventional feeds, it is important to assess the health status of the animals because some are known to affect blood parameters. [5] A readily available and fast means of assessing the clinical and nutritional health status of the animals in feeding trial may be the use of blood analysis.
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