TITLE:
Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Blood Constituents of Growing Male West African Dwarf Goats Fed Concentrates Varying in Pueraria phaseoloides Leaf Meal Content
AUTHORS:
Abel Adebayo Akingbade, Paul Shinngu, Kayode Jacob Onaleye, Aderibigbe Ezekiel Adebiyi, Christianah Adifagberu
KEYWORDS:
Growth, Intake, Blood, Goats, Pueraria phaseoloides
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.6 No.8,
August
19,
2015
ABSTRACT: The study examined feed intake, growth performance and blood constituents of growing male West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed concentrates varying in Pueraria phaseoloides leaf meal (PPLM) content. Four experimental diets that differed in PPLM content; Diets 1 (0% PPLM), Diet 2 (10% PPLM), Diet 3 (20% PPLM) and Diet 4 (30% PPLM) were fed to the WAD goats using the 4 × 4 Change-Over Latin Square Design in a study that lasted twelve weeks (four weeks of pre-trial acclimatization period inclusive). The trial period comprised four weeks of pre-trial acclimatization and four weeks of trial periods; with the first, second and third trials being sandwiched by two acclimatization periods; each period lasting one week. The measured parameters were fed intakes, live weights, blood proteins (total protein, albumin and globulin) and micro-mineral elements (Iron, Copper and Zinc). Crude protein contents of diets ranged between 19.24% and 20.12%. Differences in treatment means of feed intakes, changes in live weights, blood proteins and micro-mineral elements were not significant (p > 0.05).