Blood profile and Carcass Characteristics of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Groundnut Haulms and Cowpea Husk Supplemented with Brewers’ Dried Grain

Abstract

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.