Haematology of the west African dwarf sheep under two different management systems in Nigeria

Abstract

The haematological parameters of the West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep under intensive and extensive management systems in Nigeria were determined. The intensively reared animals showed higher (P<0.001) Packed Cell Volume haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (P<0.01) than those under extensive management. Both groups of animals however had similar mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concenration; Red blood cell, Total white blood cell, Iymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte counts.

Keywords: - Haematology, West African Dwarf Sheep, Intensive, Extensive, Management