An inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal (FSLM) at 0 %(T1), 25%(T2), 50%(T3) and 75%(T4) in Urea treated maize cob based complete diet was evaluated. Four Red Sokoto goats averaging 15 ± 1.5kg live body weight were used to measure feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance. Urea treatment of maize cob resulted in two fold increase in crude protein. Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) affected by inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus. Although the intake of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 and decreased with increase in the level of inclusion of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal. Significant (P<0.05) intake of crude protein (CP) was observed in T3. DM digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher with supplementation. T2 had higher DM digestibility (46.52), followed by T1 and T3 which were statistically lower and similar (43.39 and 41.36, respectively).The least DM digestibility was observed in T4 (37.69). Inclusion of FSLM significantly (p<0.05) decreased Nitrogen retention with increase in the level of inclusion observed in this order (14.34, 11.59 and 8.45g/day) for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. T1, T2 and T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher and similar absorbed N, while T4 had a lower absorbed N. Ficus sycomorus can be included up to 50% in a urea treated maize cob based complete diets for feeding goats, without any adverse effects.Key words: complete diet, ficus, maize cob, urea treatment

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding varying levels of lablab hay on carcass characteristics of Red Sokoto bucks. Twenty (20) male, non castrate Red Sokoto bucks of average initial weight range of 9.30-11.87± 0.1kg, were used for the experiment. They were randomly assigned to five treatment diets containing lablab hay at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels of inclusion, respectively. The bucks were individually pen-fed with the concentrate diets at 2% body weight in a Randomized Complete Block Design for a period of 90 days, before they were slaughtered. Results revealed that a 50% inclusion level of lablab hay in the diet led to 79% higher (P<0.05) dressed weight compared to the control diet (35%). The length of small intestine increased by 51% (P<0.05) at 100% level of inclusion of lablab hay compared to the control diet (25%). Also, there was a 45% increase (P<0.05) in the head weight of the bucks at 75% level of lablab hay inclusion. Similarly, including lablab hay at 100% in the diet led to 55% decrease (P<0.05) in the abdominal fat content compared to the control diet. Generally, lablab hay inclusion in the diet of Red Sokoto bucks led to increased (P<0.05) weight of other prime cuts and organs. It was therefore concluded that lablab hay is a potential feed supplement for Red Sokoto bucks under smallholder systems and should be adopted by the farmers for better performance, heavier carcass weight and lean meat production in Nigeria.Key words: Carcass, diet, goats, lablab, Nigeria

A study was conducted on the inclusion level of Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GLM) in cowpea shell base complete diet for red Sokoto buck. Four red Sokoto goats of average weight 13.4kg were used for the study to measure the feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance involving four dietary treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0% 10% 20% and 30% levels of inclusions of Gmelina arborea respectively, in a 4X4 Latin square, with each period lasting 21days of 14 adjustment and 7days collection period. The result showed significant (p<0.05) difference in dry matter (DM) intake. T3 had the highest DM intake (789.41g/day), while T1, T2 and T4 had statistically similar and lower DMI. The organic matter (OM) intake were significantly (p<.05) different. T3 and T4 had similar and significantly (p<0.05) higher OMI, while T1 and T2 had significantly (p<0.05) similar and lower OMI. Crude protein (CP) intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals fed T3 (118.28), while T1, T2 and T4 were similar, but significantly (p<0.05) lower. Also,for crude fiber (CF) intake, T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher while T2 and T4 were not significantly (p>0.05) different.T1 had the least. There was no significant (p>0.0%) difference in DM, OM CP and CF digestibility, however, numerically there was a reduction with increase in the level of GLM inclusion in the complete diets across treatment. Nitrogen balance result showed a significant (p<0.05) difference across the dietary treatments. T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher N intake (118.28g/day) whereas T1 T2 and T4 were statistically similar and lower. Fecal N excreted showed significant (p<0.05) difference between treatments. Higher fecal N was recorded in animals fed on T3, while T2 and T4 had similar fecal N output and the least was observed in T1. Animals fed T3 diet had significantly (p<0.05) higher N retained and N observed, followed by T1, T2 and the least was in animals fed T4 diet. N retained as percent of intake showed T1 to be significantly (p<0.05) higher than T2, T3 and T4, which were lower (p<0.05) and similar. From the result of this study, G. arborea can be included at 20% in cowpea shell base complete diets for goats.Keywords: Buck, Cowpea shell, Gmelina arborea, red Sokoto

This study examines the use of morphological parameters to predict live weight of male working donkeys in three locations of northwest Nigeria. The study employed the use of measuring tape to measure some morphological parameters from 127 male working donkeys selected at random from three locations namely: Giwa (Kaduna state), Kofar Dan ‘agundi (Kano state) and Zandam (Jigawa state). Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and regression analysis. Results indicated that length of neck of donkeys was 40% higher (P<0.05) in Giwa than Kofar Dan’agundi. However, donkeys in Zandam had 5% and 6% higher (P<0.05) length of ear and body length, respectively compared to those in Giwa. Predicted live weight of donkeys was 34% higher (P<0.05) using allometric model II (144 kg) than model I (95 kg), regardless of the location. Heart girth and body length of donkeys were the best predictors of live weight (P<0.001; R2 = 0.99, se = 0.01 and R2 = 0.72, se = 0.10), respectively. Predicted live weight relates positively with body length of donkeys in the study areas (R2 = 0.73). It was therefore concluded that equations developed to estimate live weight of donkeys using morphological parameters could be used in Nigeria with high degree of certainty. Considering the fact that weight is sexually dimorphic, similar research should be conducted on female donkeys to have a wider understanding of Nigerian donkeys for sustainable development.Key words: Donkey, heart girth, live weight, morphology, Nigerian