A study was conducted for 22 weeks to determine the effects of concentrate supplementations at three crude protein (CP) levels, i.e. low protein diet-LPD 12.42% CP (124.93 g day); medium protein diet-MPD 14.18% CP (145.87 g day) and high protein diet-HPD 16.35% CP (168.19 g day) on some pregnancy variables, reproductive performance, birth types and weight of kids kidded by pregnant Kalahari Red goats grazed on Chloris gayana. Thirty-three matured Kalahari Red goats of first parity within age range of 2 to 2/ years with an average body weight of 38.10 ± 1.13 kg were randomly allotted to the diets with 11 goats per treatment. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomised design. It was observed that goats fed HPD had the highest (p < 0.05) values for products of pregnancy (10.35 kg) taken within 24hour before kidding and foetal growth rate (88.37 g day) during pregnancy. Goats fed MPD had the lowest values (p < 0.05) of 9.28 kg and 80.07 g day for each of the respective parameters. Afterbirth weight was also the highest and lowest (p < 0.05) for goats supplemented with HPD (3.38 kg) and MPD (3.04 kg), respectively. On the other hand, MPD-supplemented goats had the highest values (p < 0.05) for litter size (2.14) and litter weight (6.80 kg) at birth, the value which was the least for HPD supplementation. From the results obtained from this study, it could be concluded that concentrate diet supplementation with 14.18% CP improved litter size and weight at birth with resultant reduction in weights of pregnancy variables of pregnant Kalahari Red goats grazed on Rhodes grass.
Twelve West African dwarf sheep, aged between 6 to 8 months and weighing 9 to 10.5 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments consisting of ensiled pineapple fruit waste and cassava root meal (CRM+PFW); sun-dried pineapple fruit waste (PFW); ensiled cassava peels and pineapple fruit waste (CP+PFW); cassava peel and cassava root meal (CP+CRM), to determine the performance, digestibility and haematological parameters in a completely randomised design in a 56 day feeding trial. The results revealed that there were differences (p<0.05) in the daily weight gain of the animals. Animals fed CP+PFW had significantly (p<0.05) higher daily weight gain than other treatments. Daily DM intake also followed the same trend. Daily weight gain observed for CRM+PFW, PFW, CP+PFW, CP+CRM were 23.57g/day, 59.28g/day, 66.43g/day and 40.71g/day, respectively. Sun-dried pineapple fruit waste diet induced (p<0.05) the highest water intake of 1.93litre/day. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices were influenced (p<0.05) by the treatments. Packed cell volume (PCV) ranged from 28% to 37%, while haemoglobin concentration (Hb) ranged from 9.5g/dl to 12.5g/dl. Albumin and total protein values ranged significantly (P<0.05) from 32.7 to 37.8g/dl and 41.7 to 78.2 g/l respectively. It was concluded that animals on CP+PFW had the best growth performance, hence, ensiled pineapple fruit waste +cassava peels can be recommended to sheep farmers for better intake and performance especially during the austere periods.
Evaluation of blood parameters, testosterone and digestibility serve as an index of general physiology and performance of animals. A total of twenty (20) West African dwarf ( WAD) bucks of about six (6) to eight (8) months of age with an average weight of 7.2±0.11 kg were used in the experiment for a duration of 98 days. The animals were allocated to 0,5, 10 and 15 % Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM)-based diets of three goats per treatment in a completely randomized design experiment. However, in 0, 5, and 15% MOLM, CP contents range from 7.93 to 8.54 %. All the experimental animalshad adequate total dry matterintake (DMI) which ranged from 382.59 to 391.39 g/animal/day (p>0.05). The mean percentage crude protein digestibility value tended to be lowest in 0 % MOLM-based diet and increased with increasing proportion of MOLM in the diets (p<0.05). Total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase, were similar (p>0.05) while Alanine amino transferase was significantly different (p<0.05). In the present study, inclusion level of 10% MOLMcaused the testosterone level to increase from5.16 ng/ml to 5.30 ng/ml which was the highest level. Conclusively, Moringa oleifera leaf meal improved nutrient intake blood, indices and digestibility in WAD bucks. Animal protein intake could be improved by the incorporation of MOLM-based diets for WAD goats.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.