Peter-Damian Chukwunomso Jiwuba
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Francis Okechukwu Ahamefule
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Okechukwu Samuel Okechukwu
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Kingsley Ikwunze
Abstract A 90-day study was carried out with 36 West African Dwarf goats to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on feed intake, body weight changes and haematology of WAD does. Four diets were formulated such that diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 contained MOLM at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. The diets were offered to the goats, which were randomly divided into four groups of nine goats each in a completely randomized design. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and heamatology of the animals were determined and statistically analyzed. Results showed that ADFI, ADWG differed significantly (P<0.05) with T4 goats having better values. FCR was however best for does fed T4 diet. PCV, RBC, MCV and WBC differed (P<0.05) significantly among the treatments. Packed cell volume (29.50-32.75%) was improved (p<0.05) by MOLM supplementation at 15% inclusion level. White blood cell counts for goats in treatment groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher and better than the control. Incorporation of 15% MOLM in diets of WAD does enhanced their performance and heamatological profile. Moringa oleifera leaf meal supplementation level at 15% was recommended for optimum West African Dwarf goat production.
Evaluation of Cassava Peel – Cassava Leaf Meal Based Diets for Milk Production by the West African Dwarf Goats in South Eastern Nigeria
