Background: There is less information in Nigeria with regard the understanding of the use of exogenous enzymes widely used in monogastric diets in ruminant’s rations. The study evaluated the effects of supplementing xylanase and glucanase in combination in rations of Yankasa rams. Sixteen yearling Yankasa rams (average 21 kg) were used. Four treatments were evaluated: control (without enzyme combination), 50:50, 75:25 and 25:75 xylanase-glucanase combinations denoted as T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The basal roughage was cowpea husk and sorghum husk. The feeding trial was conducted using complete randomize design.Results: There were differences (p<0.05) with regard to nutrient intake and total digestibility coefficient except crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibility (p>0.05). The intake and digestibility increased with supplementation of xylanase and glucanase combination at 25:75 ratio respectively. It increased DM intake by 211.90 g/d, DM digestibility by 17.73%, ADF digestibility by 1.17% and NDF digestibility by 1.02%. The nitrogen balance in the body did not increase (p>0.05) with supplementation of 50:50 xylanase-glucanase combination. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization did not differ between the control and 50:50 xylanase-glucanase combination. Conclusion: The combination of xylanase and glucanase at ratio 25:75 respectively improved nutrient intake and digestibility but did not influence nitrogen utilization.

The investigation was carried out to examine the outcome of soybean curd residue (SCR) supplementation in the diets of Red Sokoto bucks on growth performance and some blood parameters. Five (5) mixed ration was formulated to contain 14% crude protein, four (4) of which was SCR based at inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5% denoted as T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 respectively. Twenty (20) Red Sokoto bucks were used for the experiment for a period of twelve (12) weeks. They were randomly assigned to the five dietary groups of 4 bucks each in a completely randomize design. Laboratory analyses were carried out on the SCR and the experimental diets. Parameters measured were on growth performance and some blood parameters. The results obtained showed that SCR was high in DM (93.53%), energy (3435.15 kcal/kg), protein (30.66%) and NFE (49.12%) values. The results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) among all treatments. The highest values for daily weight gain was observed in T5 (122.86 g/day); daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed in T3 (481.29 g/day and 4.66 respectively). High significant (P<0.05) values for packed cell volume and haemoglobin were observed in T5 (26% and 8.6 g/dl) compared to the control. Meanwhile, white blood cell was highest significantly (P<0.05) in T3 (8.50 ×109 /L). Most of the blood parameters observed in this study were within standard normal range for goat. This study showed that SCR did not pose any health risk to the bucks. It was concluded that supplementing soybean curd residue in the diets of goats up to 12.5% can produce a better performance.

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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.

This study evaluated the effect of chemical treated groundnut shells supplemented with xylanase and glucanase in rations of Yankasa rams on growth performance in Nigeria. It was carried out at the Small Ruminant Unit of Adamawa Sta\te University Teaching and Research Farm, Mubi. The study was designed in a 4×2 factorial arrangement with 4 rams per treatment in a completely randomised design. The experimental animals were housed in well ventilated environment and they were comfortable. Basic routine management were carried out. The experimental rations were formulated to meet the requirements of the rams. The experiment lasted for 90 days. Parameters under consideration were weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Significant (P<0.05) and non-significant (P>0.05) effects were observed from the results obtained. The results show that rams receiving glucanase and untreated groundnut shells improved both weight gain (8.71 kg) and average daily weight gain (103.64 g/d); and increased both feed intake (65.79 kg) and average daily feed intake (783.20 g/d). However, feed conversion ratio was relatively least in the group of rams receiving urea treated groundnut shells (7.18) compared to other treatments. It was concluded that untreated and urea treated groundnut shells supplemented with glucanase could improve weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency in Yankasa rams.