No abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding groundnut haulms, and cowpea husk supplemented with brewers' dried grain on variability in body Morphometric measurements and the reproductive organ characteristics of West African Dwarf goats. Body parameters measured were body length (BL), heights at withers (HW), girth circumference (GC), Height at rump (HR), abdominal circumference (AC) neck length (NL), neck circumference (NC) with live weights of animals. Reproductive organ parameters determined were scrotal length (SL), scrotal circumference (SC), Scrotal and testicular weight (STW), Testicular circumference (TC), Testicular volume (TV), penile length (PL) and (PW) penile weight. The ranges for the parameters were length of animal (LA) 30.33 to 38.92cm, height at rump (HR) 28.25 to39.71cm, abdominal circumference (AC) 18.79 to 22.29cm and neck length of 13.46 to 17.79 cm. All the results were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. The reproductive organ parameters, scrotal circumference and testicular parameters were measured with caliper and tape. Results revealed that ranges were scrotal lengths (SL) varying from 27.38 to 38.92 cm, Scrotal circumference (SC) 12.67 to 17.63cm, Scrotal and testicular weights (STW) from 36.92 to 45.67g, Testicular volumes 17.88 to 21.08 mls while for penile morphometry, the results ranged from 3.06 to 4.13cm for penile length (PL) and 3.21 to 3.79g for penile weights respectively. All parameters differed (P<0.05) significantly across treatments. It was concluded that the reproductive organ parameters especially scrotal circumference are useful indicators and important selection criteria to determine the reproductive organs development and breeding soundness in young animals. That, there is variability in body measurements and that these measurements can be exploited in predicting live body weight and hence the economic value of goats.

Blood profile and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed groundnut haulms and cowpea husk supplemented with brewers' dried grain, were investigated. Twelve growing WADn goats of average age of 12 months, mean live weight of 12 kg, were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments of T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T4 that had groundnut haulms at 10, 30, 70 and 90 % combined with cowpea husks at 90, 70, 30 and 10% basal diet and supplemented with 150g of brewers' dried grain (BDG). Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed in the study. Parameters determined were growth, carcass characteristics and hematological indices. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS (2001) package. Means were separated using Duncan's multiple range test (Duncan, 1955). Effects of the experimental diets on blood profiles of the animals showed PCV values of 39.61 to 41.23 %, haemaglobin (Hb) 5.75 -6.55g/dl, White blood cells, 9.20 to 11.00, Red blood cell counts (RBC) 4.75 -6.55mg/dl. Total proteins (mg dl -1 ), albumin (mg dl -1 ) and globulin (mg dl -1 ) of 3.95-4.51, 3.45-4.51 and 3.72-4.32 respectively were obtained in this study. Results of total proteins (g dl -1 ) showed no significant (P>0.01) differences between treatments T 1 -T 3 . In case of albumin (mg dl-1), there were significant (P>0.01) difference between treatment. Values for globulin (mg dl-1), also showed significant difference (P<0.01) among the treatment. For carcass parameters significant (p<0.05) differences were obtained across treatments with the exceptions of weights of flanks, rack and loins.

IntroductionIn most parts of the world, protein is specially the major nutrient deficient in people's diets. It is reported that an average Nigerian consumes about 5.5 g of animal protein per day which is by far lower than the recommended 77 g per day [1]. The low level of animal protein intake in Nigeria is due to the low level of productivity of our livestock and high cost of animal protein.

IntroductionIt was estimated that by 2020, the demand for livestock products will double and meat and milk production in the developing countries like Nigeria will grow at annual rates of 2.7 and 3.2% respectively [1]. Meeting these demands will be constrained by the inability of the producers to feed their animals adequately throughout the year. also stated that because of the direct competition between man and animals over the conventional feed resources, it becomes imperative to maximize the use of crop by-products in feeding animals especially the small ruminants [1]. This will involve finding alternative supplementary feed sources that are cheap and nutritionally adequate, readily available and not in direct use by humans [2]. The authors further stated that devising a means of evaluating agro-processing wastes to supplement limiting nutrients such as protein and energy becomes essential.Plant cell walls are degraded by a combination of bacteria, fungi and protozoa with bacteria and fungi contributing about 80% of the degradative activity and protozoa 20% [3]. They also reported that rumen microbes digest feed through the action of enzymes they produce. Contact between the enzymes and their substrate is necessary for hydrolysis to occur. Adhesion is absolutely essential for efficient digestion of forages and cereal grains in the rumen.The experiment examined the effects of replacements levels of maize cob for maize bran on nutrients utilization, rumen metabolites and microbes of 24 Red Sokoto goats. Maize cob replaced maize bran at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% levels designated as treatments T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 and T 6 respectively. Unto each treatment, was added 10% cotton seed cake. Cowpea husk was fed ad libitum as basal diet. The experiment ran for 21 days made up of 7 days adaptation and 14 days of data collection. Parameters determined were proximate composition of feed ingredients and experimental diets, dry matter intakes, nutrients digestibility, rumen pH, Ammonia Nitrogen, volatile fatty acids and bacterial counts before and after feeding of the diets. It was found that the nutrient compositions of the diets differed significantly (P<0.05) with increasing levels of maize cob inclusion in the diets. There was also significant (P<0.05) difference for dry matter and nutrients digestibility across treatments with treatments T 2 and T 4 having the highest for all the parameters. However, metabolic nutrient intakes significantly differed (P<0.05) among treatments. Rumen pH, Ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids decreased after feeding the diets while bacteria counts increased. Ranges of rumen pH (6.20-6.50), Volatile fatty acids (29.03-31.23 Mmol/100mls) bacterial counts (7.0-9.6×10 6 ) and Ammonia nitrogen of 10.65-12.20mg/100mls were found. It was concluded that despite the increase in maize cob inclusion in the diets, with increase in energy, crude fiber and decrease in crude protein levels, the diets still supplied adequate nutrients for the animals to maintain balanced rumen environment co...