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Rumen characteristics and blood parameters of West African dwarf goats fed vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanoides. L. Roberty) ensiled with cassava peels at different ratio


O.O. Falola
O.O. Olufayo

Abstract

Vetiver is a perennial grass of tropical origin, commonly used as edge row plants for the control of erosion. Being leafy and with a high tillering ability, it has not been properly integrated as forage for ruminants. Thus, an experiment was carried out to determine the effect of ensiling a four week re-growth of vetiver grass with cassava peels on rumen and blood metabolites of West African dwarf goats. Sixteen goats were used for the study. A completely randomized design was used with four animals per treatment. Vetiver grass was ensiled with cassava peels at ratio (A) 80:20, (B) 70:30, (C) 60:40 and (D) 50:50 were provided ad-libtum at 5% body weight. Rumen and blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment which lasted for 90 days. Results of the study showed rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH -N) concentration of 7.25-7.93mg/100mL, and pH of 6.75-6.81. Variations among the 3 treatments were within the acceptable range for rumen microbial activity. There was a uniformly low plasma urea (4.36-5.16mm/l). Glucose (85.36-89.04g/dL), total protein (6.42- 7.50g/dL), cholesterol (60.95-66.19g/dL), haemoglobin (10.9-12.7g/100ml), packed cell volume (30.0-31.0%) and white blood cell (10.25-10.67×103/ul) were within the range reported for healthy goats. Ensiled vetiver grass with cassava peels had no detrimental effects on the rumen and blood parameters of the experimental animals.


Keywords: Vetiver grass, cassava peels, silage, WAD goats, rumen fluid and blood metabolites


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eISSN: 0331-2062