Blood components and growth indices of West African dwarf goats fed various levels of boiled rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed meal

Abstract

Growth, haematological and biochemical components of West African dwarf (WAD) bucks fed various inclusion levels of boiled rubber seed meal (Hevea brasiliensis) were investigated in this study. Sixteen WAD bucks aged 6-7 months were randomly assigned to the four dietary treatments (0-30%) of boiled rubber seed meal (BRSM). Each treatment has four bucks with a buck as replicate, in a completely randomised design. The experiment lasted for 56 days. Average daily feed intake (g) were 417.90; 428.93; 322.00 and 288.10 for diets A, B, C and D, respectively. Corresponding average daily weight gain (ADWG) were 31.69; 53.92; 46.62 and 34.64 with feed/gain ratio being least (6.90) for goats fed diet C (20% BRSM) which did not differ (P>0.05) significantly from animals fed diet B (7.95 BRSM). Apart from blood cholesterol, all haematological and biochemical parameters were not influenced by dietary treatments. Though all the inclusion levels (10-30%) of boiled rubber seed meal were safe as feed for WAD goat, diet B of 20% inclusion of boiled rubber seed meal enhanced best performance and is therefore recommended for use in formulating supplementary diet for WAD goat.