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Asian Journal of Animal Sciences

Year: 2020 | Volume: 14 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 103-110
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Authors

M.K. Adegun

M.K. Adegun

D.B. Adelabu

Keywords

Research Article

Nitrogen Utilization and Blood Analysis of West African Dwarf Rams Fed Yam Peel Based Diets

M.K. Adegun M.K. Adegun's LiveDNA and D.B. Adelabu
Background and Objectives: The need for utilization of alternative feed sources that are far removed from human and industrial interests are now being stressed as a panacea to improve productivity in livestock. The replacement value of yam peel for maize in terms of nitrogen utilization, haematology and serum chemistry in sheep was evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: Yam peel meal (YPM) was incorporated to replace maize at 0% (T1), 33.3% (T2), 66.6% (T3) and 100% (T4) in a supplemental diet fed to West African Dwarf (WAD) Rams. The treatment groups were designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. A total of 32 yearling WAD rams were weighed and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with four replicates of two animals per replicate in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The basal diet of Panicum maximum was fed at 2.5% while the supplemental diets were offered at 1% of the bodyweight of the animals. Results: Results revealed higher crude protein, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract for YPM compared with maize. Significant differences (p>0.05) exist in the mean values obtained from digested nitrogen (DN), urinary nitrogen (UN), nitrogen balance (NB) and nitrogen retention (NR). T3 had consistently highest values in DN, NB and NR. Significant differences exist (p>0.05) only among the White blood cell with values which ranged from 11.60±0.3 g dL–1 in T2 to 13.60±0.8 g dL–1 in T4. Conclusion: Yam peel replacement for maize up to 100% did not pose any health hazard to WAD rams. Combination of maize and YPM at 33.3 and 66.6%, respectively improved nitrogen utilization better than all other treatment groups.
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