Haematological and biochemical characteristics of Uda lambs fed camel fore-stomach digesta ensiled with locust bean pulp and non protein nitrogen sources

Abstract

Sixteen growing Uda lambs weighing 20-25kg were used in this experiment to determine the haematology and biochemical characteristics of camel Fore-stomach Digesta (FSD) ensiled with Locust Bean Pulp (LBP) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources. The study was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Sokoto. The animals were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments groups A, B, C and D in a completely randomised design (CRD). The research lasted for 84 days of feeding and 14 days digestibility trial, Blood samples were collected and analysed for various parameters. The results indicate no significant difference in all the haematological parameters (P> 0.05). The results of biochemical indices showed that BUN, bilirubin and creatinine significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups. Glucose, Total protein, ALP, ALT, AST, Albumin and Globulin showed no significant (P>0.05) differences. It was concluded that ensiled camel fore-stomach digesta with locust bean pulp and NPN source (urea and poultry litter) fed to uda lambs did not affect haematology and blood chemistry of the animals and the study recommends that the test diets should be used for optimum production in dry season feeding of ruminant animals.