Hematology and Carcass Characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats Fed Diets Incorporated with Non-Conventional Feed Stuffs in Nigeria

Abstract

Hematology and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (bucks) fed diets containing maize (T_M) and non-conventional feed resources of Cassava peels (T_CP), Yam peels (T_YP) and Plantain peels (T_PP) was conducted.  On the last day of a 30-day experimental feeding trial, two sets of blood samples were taken from 2 WAD bucks per dietary treatment via jugular venipuncture using a 10 ml 20 guage syringe and one animal per treatment was slaughtered at a pre-determined live weight of 7.49 kg for carcass analysis.  Blood samples (5 ml) were collected into plastic tubes containing the anti-coagulant ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of haematological parameters. Results revealed that there was significant (P < 0.05) differences in White blood cells (WBCs), Red blood cells (RBCs), Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Platelets (PLT), while the Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and Lymphocyte (LYMPHC) values were not significantly (P > 0.05) different for the treatment groups. Results of the carcass characteristics of all the parameters (fasted live weight, carcass weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage and whole or retail parts) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different for the treatment groups. However, irrespective of the variability of the blood parameters among all the treatment groups of bucks their values still fell within the normal reference range for healthy goats hence were not harmful to the experimental animals. It is therefore recommended that WAD goat diets formulated with non-conventional feedstuffs should be suitable alternatives for feeding small ruminants.