Haematological and serum biochemical assay of west African dwarf goats fed yam peel and gmelina leaf meal-based diet supplemented with multi nutrient blocks

Abstract

The haematological and biochemical indices of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed yam peel and gmelina leaf meal based diet supplemented with multinutrient block were studied for 8 weeks. Twelve WAD bucks, 5 – 6 months old, with an average weight of 5.6 kg were used. The bucks were randomly assigned to four treatments with three bucks per treatment in a completely randomized design. The bucks in treatment one (control) were fed yam peel and gmelina leaf only. While, bucks in treatments two, three and four were fed yam peel and gmelina leaf supplemented with different multinutrient block compositions. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and analysed. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) across treatments for packed cell volume, white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts. Total protein, creatinine, urea and albumin were significantly different (P<0.05) across treatments. The haematological and biochemical indices were within the normal range for goats. Therefore, yam peel and gmelina leaf-based diet can be supplemented with multinutrient blocks in the diets of West African dwarf goats for sustainable ruminant production