The potential of selected forages was evaluated using West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Six forages namely, Andropogon tectorum, Panicum maximum, Aspilia Africana, Gmelina arborea, Alchornea cordifolia and Bambusa vulgaris designated as T1 to T6, respectively were the only feed source used for the study. Thirty West African Dwarf goats aged 8 to 9 months, with an average bodyweight of 9.17 to 10.10 kg were used for the study. The goats were assigned to six treatment groups based on the forages used in a completely randomized design. The results obtained showed significant (p<0.05) differences for average total weight gain and feed dry matter intake. Animals on Aspilia africana (T3) recorded the highest (1120.18 g/day) feed dry matter intake whereas Panicum maximum (T1) had the lowest 890.30 g/day. Andropogon tectorum (T1) and Gmelina arborea (T4) recorded 410.0 g each for average total weight gain. Initial haematology and serum indices had no significant (p>0.05) differences in the parameters tested. However, the PCV values were reduced in the final haematological profile. Similarly, carcass characteristics had no (p>0.05) significant differences among the treatment means. Animal on Andropogon tectorum (T1) gave the best (50.29%) dressing percentage with the least (40.47%) in Panicum maximum (T2). It can be concluded that performance of West African Dwarf goats can be better if the forages are offered in combination at equal amounts.

An experiment was conducted to determine the growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf bucks fed different types of processed Panicum maximum. Twelve West African Dwarf bucks aged between 6 and 8 months with initial mean weight of 7.26 kg were intensively managed for 56 days. The experimental diets are wilted Panicum maximum, fresh Panicum maximum, ensiled Panicum maximum and Panicum maximum Hay designated as T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The results revealed that goats placed on wilted Panicum maximum (T1) (135.18g/day) and hay, (T4) (139.29g/day) were similar in respect to concentrate intake. Forage intake showed significant (P<0.05) differences. Goats fed wilted Panicum (T1) (607.78g/day) and fresh Panicum maximum (T2) (634.46g/day) had similar intake but differed from goats placed on ensiled Panicum maximum (T3) and hay Panicum maximum (T4). Daily dry matter intake (DMI) differed (P<0.05) significantly among treatments. Total daily feed intake of goats on wilted Panicum maximum (T1) (42.96g/day) and fresh Panicum maximum (T2) (759.80g/day) were similar and differed from total daily feed intake of goats placed on ensiled Panicum maximum(564.28g/day) and Hay Panicum maximum484g/day. Goats fed wilted Panicum maximum produced higher value of live weight which did not differ (P>0.05) from other treatments.Bucks on fresh Panicum maximum (T2) had higher value of bled weight (7.40kg) but did not significantly differ (P>0.05). Heavier dressed weight (35.62) was recorded by goats fed wilted Panicum maximum (T1) but did not significantly differ (P>0.05) from other treatments. Dressing percentages, thigh, loin, internal organs and bone to lean ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05) from each other. The use of Panicum maximum in any form has no effect on conversion of forage into meat and formation of any part.

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.

In the subtropic and perhaps worldwide a novel plant Caladium bicolor (wild cocoyam, Ikpong Ekpo) has not actually been utilized as food for man, livestock or poultry, though in abundance. Also, the effective utilization of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor) tubers in livestock and poultry feed is limited by the presence of anti-nutrient components which requires some form of processing. The effect of boiling and soaking on gross energy, mineral composition, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and proximate composition of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait), Vent) were determined with the aim of investigating its suitability as a feed ingredient. The soaked, raw and boiled tubers were dried, milled and analyzed for chemical compositions. Crude protein contents of raw and processed Caladium bicolor tubers range were 7.58% - 8.28% and the crude fibre values ranged between1.92 - 2.12%. The gross energy value of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was higher (2.85kcal/g) and also statistically similar (p>0.05) to both raw and soaked Caladium bicolor tubers. The micro and macro mineral composition of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to soaking method. Values obtained for boiled Caladium bicolor tubers were significantly (p<0.05) lower in all the toxic substances determined, except for the HCN content being above the tolerable limit for ruminant animals. The results indicate that processing techniques adopted enhanced the proximate composition, caloric components, mineral contents and significantly (p>0.05) lowered in the level of anti-nutrients present in wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait). Vent) tubers with boiling being the best and hence the recommended processing method for use in detoxifying C. bicolor.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of breed, haemoglobin (Hb) and potassium (k) types on blood profiles of agro-pastoral goat herds in NorthWestern Nigeria. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) agropastoral lactating does comprising of 109 Red Sokoto (RS), 26 Sahel (SH), 34 Kano Brown and 81 Crosses (CRS) were involved in the study. Blood was sampled from all the animals and analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration [Hb], sodium (Na), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glob) and glucose (Glu). The effects of breed, haemoglobin and potassium types on blood biochemical profile were determined using General Linear Model (GLM) procedures of SAS, significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The electrophoretic analysis showed three haemoglobin genotypes HbAA, HbAB and HbBB and two potassium types were observed; low potassium (LK) and high potassium (HK). The results showed that all the blood parameters measured were within the range of normal values of serum electrolytes of goats. The breeds of goats had no significant influence on blood biochemical profiles sampled except Sahel goats which had higher Total Protein (64.44±0.49 g/l) and Albumin (31.12±0.37 g/l). It was concluded that haemoglobin and potassium types had no influence on blood biochemical profile of the herd of goat studied.