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Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2016 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 725-731
DOI: 10.3923/ajava.2016.725.731
Effects of Graded Levels of Gmelina arborea and Brewer’s Dried Grains on Growth and Haematology of West African Dwarf Rams
Maria Kikelomo Adegun and Babatunde David Adelabu

Abstract: Background: The study was undertaken to determine the growth performance and haematology of West African dwarf rams fed diets containing dried cassava peels meal supplemented with graded levels of brewer’s dried grain and Gmelina arborea leaf meal. Methodology: About 8 weeks feeding trial using 30 yearling West Africa dwarf rams were used in a completely randomised design involving five dietary treatments 1-5 (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% Gmelina arborea leaf meal, respectively) and three replicates with two animals per replicate. Results: Animals on cassava peels meal with 0% Gmelina arborea leaf meal consumed 330.10 g day–1 feed on dry matter basis to produce average daily gain of 30.35 g day–1, metabolic weight gain of 1.28 kg0.75 and feed conversion ratio of 10.8. Animals on 40% Gmelina arborea leaf meal on the other hand, consumed 347.84 g day–1 feed on dry matter basis to produce average daily gain of 37.5 g day–1, metabolic weight gain of 1.58 kg0.75 and feed conversion ratio of 9.27. However, rams supplemented with 20% Gmelina arborea leaf meal diet had the best performance with dry matter intake, average daily gain, metabolic weight gain and feed conversion ratio of 347.47 and 39.29 g day–1, 1.65 kg0.75 and 8.84, respectively (p<0.05). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among means of packed cell volume, red blood cells and white blood cells of all the dietary treatments, with dietary treatment 1 having consistently poorer values. Conclusion: Concentrate supplements of cassava peels with graded levels of brewer’s dried grain and Gmelina arborea leaf meal improved productivity and health status of West Africa dwarf rams. Brewer’s dried grain and Gmelina arborea leaf meal can be supplemented at 20% in a cassava based concentrate feed to sheep.

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How to cite this article
Maria Kikelomo Adegun and Babatunde David Adelabu, 2016. Effects of Graded Levels of Gmelina arborea and Brewer’s Dried Grains on Growth and Haematology of West African Dwarf Rams. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 725-731.

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