Blood Count and Serum Biochemistry Profile in West African Dwarf Goats Fed Ensiled Mixtures of Cocoa Pod, Cassava Pulp and Acacia Leaf

This study investigated the effects of feeding ensiled graded combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp and Acacia leaf on haematological and serum biochemical of West African Dwarf goats. In the bid to control environmental pollution, the wastes of cocoa and cassava were applied as alternative feed ingredients for the goat in spite of its low nutrients’ quality and digestibility. A total of Twenty-eight (28) WAD goats (bucks), aged 4 to 5 months with average body weight of 7.00±0.2kg was used in a completely randomized design for a 45 days study to evaluate the blood profiles of goats fed diet combinations (0:60:40) to (60:0:40). The results revealed significant differences in some of the blood parameters measured among the treatments. The red blood cell, packed cell volume and haemoglobin ranged from 4.90-7.87x106/ul, 19.25-26.83% and 7.33-11.15g/L respectively. The concentrations of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05), white blood cell (5.57-9.75x109L) were comparable and lymphocytes (%) ranged from 43.85-55.67. For serum biochemistry, values obtained for total protein and albumin with sodium followed the same trend while cholesterol, urea, creatinine and glucose followed the same trend. Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase varied significantly (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. Since the parameters measured were within the normal range for goats’ blood profile, combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp with acacia leaves in the ratio of 0:60:40 to 20:40:40 as browse plants do not have any deleterious effect on the health of the animals.

Morphological characteristics of goat breeds in Nigeria using discriminant analysis approach

Information on morphological characteristics is a prerequisite to sustainable breed classification and conservation for proper management and utilization. The present study aimed to identify morphological characteristics that best classify the Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats of Nigeria. A total of 584 goats of both sexes; Sahel (N = 163), Sokoto Red (N = 171) and West African Dwarf (N = 250) were randomly sampled and used for this study. The body parameters measured included body weight (BWT), height at wither (HW), body length (BL), paunch girth (PG), heart girth (HG) and ear length (EL). Multivariate technique of discriminant analysis procedure of SPSS 20.0 statistical package was used to classify the Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats into their original breed. Accuracy of the classification was checked using cross-validation (leave-one-out, jack-knife or split-sample) procedure. Results showed that the mean body weight (kg) of Sokoto Red was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of Sahel and West African Dwarf goats (23.596, 17.117 and 14.800 respectively). Highest correlation values were recorded between body weight and height at withers (0.777) in Sahel, body weight and paunch girth (0.707) in Sokoto Red and body weight and heart girth (0.797) in West African Dwarf goats. The discriminant analysis on body weight and the linear body measurements revealed that paunch girth and height at withers were the most discriminating variables and clearly separated and classified the three goat breeds into their breeds of origin. The discriminant function obtained correctly classified 99.0% of individuals from the sample of known goat populations. The classification accuracy of the function was cross-validated using the split sample method, and indicated a 99.0% success rate (97.5%, 100.0% and 99.2% of Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats respectively). It was concluded that there was a clear separation between Barcha and Atlas goats. It was concluded that discriminant tool may be used successfully in the field to classify Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf in the field, however there is need to complement this with molecular characterization using DNA marker for better conservation and improvement programme of indigenous goat genetic resources. L'information sur les caractéristiques morphologiques est une condition préalable à la classification et à la conservation durables des races pour une gestion et une utilisation appropriées. Cet étude visait à identifier les caractéristiques morphologiques qui classent le mieux les chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest du Nigeria. Un total de 584 chèvres des deux sexes ; Sahel (N = 163), Sokoto Red (N = 171) et West African Dwarf (N = 250) ont été échantillonnés au hasard et utilisés pour cette étude. Les paramètres corporels mesurés comprenaient le poids corporel (PC), la hauteur au garrot (HG), lalongueur du corps (BL), la circonférence de la panse (CP), la circonférence du cœur (CC) et la longueur des oreilles (LO). La technique multivariée de la procédure d'analyse discriminante du progiciel statistique SPSS 20.0 a été utilisée pour classer les chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest dans leur race d'origine. L'exactitude de la classification a été vérifiée à l'aide d'une procédure de validation croisée (en laisser un, un couteau ou un échantillon divisé). Les résultats ont montré que le poids corporel moyen (kg) de Sokoto Red était significativement (P<0,05) supérieur à celui des chèvres naines du Sahel et d'Afrique de l'Ouest (23,596, 17,117 et 14,800 respectivement). Les valeurs de corrélation les plus élevées ont été enregistrées entre le poids corporel et la hauteur au garrot (0,777) au Sahel, le poids corporel et la circonférence de la panse (0,707) chez le Sokoto Red et le poids corporel et la circonférence cardiaque (0,797) chez les chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest. L'analyse discriminante sur le poids corporel et les mesures corporelles linéaires ont révélé que la circonférence de la panse et la hauteur au garrot étaient les variables les plus discriminantes et ont clairement séparé et classé les trois races caprines dans leurs races d'origine. La fonction discriminante obtenue a correctement classé 99,0 % des individus de l'échantillon de populations caprines connues. La précision de la classification de la fonction a été contre-validée à l'aide de la méthode de l'échantillon divisé et a indiqué un taux de réussite de 99,0 % (respectivement 97,5 %, 100,0 % et 99,2 % des chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest). Il a été conclu qu'il y avait une nette séparation entre les chèvres Barcha et Atlas. Il a été conclu que l'outil discriminant peut être utilisé avec succès sur le terrain pour classer le Sahel, le rouge de Sokoto et le nain d'Afrique de l'Ouest sur le terrain, mais il est nécessaire de le compléter par une caractérisation moléculaire à l'aide d'un marqueur ADN pour une meilleure conservation et un programme d'amélioration de la génétique caprine indigène. Ressources.

Goats (Capra hircus) from different selection lines differ in their behavioural flexibility

Artificial selection by humans has likely affected animal’s ability to learn novel contingencies and their ability to adapt to changing environments. In addition, the selection for specific traits in domestic animals might have an additional impact on subject’s behavioural flexibility, but also their general learning performance, due to a re-allocation of resources towards parameters of productivity. To test whether animals bred for high productivity would experience a shift towards lower learning performance, we compared the performance of dwarf goats (not selected for production, 15 subjects) and dairy goats (selected for high milk yield, 18 subjects) in a visual discrimination learning and reversal learning task. To increase the heterogeneity of our test sample, data was collected by two experimenters at two research stations following a similar protocol. We did not find differences between selection lines in the initial discrimination learning task, but in the subsequent reversal learning task - dairy goats were slower to reach the learning criterion compared to dwarf goats (9.18 sessions versus 7.74 sessions, respectively). Our results indicate that the selection for milk production might have affected behavioural flexibility in goats. These breed-specific differences in adapting to changing environmental stimuli might have an impact on welfare-relevant parameters, e.g. when subjects are transferred or re-housed/re-grouped.

NUTRIENT INTAKE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIETARY MODELS OF ENSILED CASSAVA PEEL MEAL FORTIFIED WITH CALCIUM-PHOSPHORUS SALT

Objective: This study was conducted to determine nutrient intake of growing West African Dwarf goats fed different dietary models of ensiled cassava peel meal fortified with Calcium-Phosphorus salt mix. Methods: Twenty (20) growing West African Dwarf female goats aged 6–8 months with an initial weight of 8.2 kg ± 0.25 were used for the study. They were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with five goats per treatment in a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were Diet 1 (block), Diet 2 (crunchy), Diet 3 (pellet), and Diet 4 (mash). Results: Results obtained indicated that dry matter intake ranged from 466.18 g/d to 575.53 g/day with significantly (p<0.05) higher value in pellet model while crude protein intake was higher in mash model than other treatments. Ether extract and crude fiber intake values were higher 40.13 g/day and 148.08 g/day in pellet feed model. Ash intake ranged from 61.32 g/day to 95.86 g/day. Block and crunchy models had significantly (p<0.05) higher value for ash intake while values obtained for nitrogen-free extract intake was also higher (p<0.05) in pellet model 22.62 g/day than other models. Values of fiber fractions intake obtained were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary models with higher values for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose in mash while acid detergent lignin was significantly (p<0.05) for pellet model. Conclusion: It can be concluded that supplementing goat diets with different dietary models of ensiled cassava peel meal fortified with Calcium- Phosphorus salt mix can boost intake of goats for better productive performance and productivity.

Effect of feeding Tephrosia bracteolate on the bioavailability of macro minerals in goat

Sixteen West African Dwarf Goats (8 bucks and 8 does) were balanced for age, sex and weight (average of 5.79±0.60 kg), to evaluate the effect of Tephrosia bracteolata (Tb) on macro mineral utilization. To examine the effect of Tephrosia bracteolata (Tb), different levels of Tb were used (Tb20, Tb40, Tb60 and Tb80). Ca absorbed (gm) ranged from 0.64 (Tb20) to 1.57 (Tb80) and Ca retention was from 0.62 (Tb20) to 1.56 (Tb80) which was partially linear. In both absorption and retention of Ca, Tb20 and Tb80 found the lowest (P<0.05) and the highest (P<0.05) value respectively. Like Ca, P also followed the same trend in case of retention and absorption as well. Concerning Mg, the lowest (0.41, 0.40) and the highest (0.67, 0.65) absorbed and retained value (g/day) was observed in Tb 20 and Tb 80 respectively. Tb80 showed significantly higher Na absorption than Tb20. In case of Na retention, Tb80 showed the highest (P<0.05) retention than other groups. In K absorption (g/day), increasing trends (P<0.05) were observed from Tb20 (0.44) to Tb80 (1.25). In case of retention, Tb80 found the highest (P<0.05) K retention than other groups. These positive balances of minerals result linearly appreciating with the increase of T. bracteolata in the diets which might be due to leguminous properties in T. bracteolata. T. bracteolata can be used as a roughage source for goats without any remarkable adverse or, side or ill effects which affect the well-being of animals feeding. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (2): 119-127

A preliminary study on nutrient digestibility by West African dwarf goats fed graded levels of shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) cake-based rations

Feed shortage which rises from seasonal feed deficits, erratic supply of feed ingredients with competition between humans and livestock for available feed resources, possesses a major constraint to goat production in Nigeria. This has led to low level of livestock productivity. In this regards, there is need to search for alternative but cheaper feedstuffs. Shea nut cake (SNC), an agro industrial waste product could be used as one of the economic strategy to ameliorate feed shortage. The current study was focused on the effect of dietary inclusion of Shea nut cake on nutrients digestibility of West African Dwarf goals using six (6) growing males WAD goats. Diets consist of 0%, 10% and 15% shea nut cake inclusion levels in combination with wheat offal, corn bran, cassava peel, cowpea husk, and the dietary treatments were designated as T1, T2, and 73 respectively. The experimental animals were allotted to three treatments in a completely randomized design with two animals per treatment. The animals were transferred into a wooden metabolic cage fitted with facilities to collect faeces which lasted for 14 days. Crude protein, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre concentrations of the experimental diets were 9.18-11.37%, 2.03-2.79, 9.63-12.11% and 30.69-48.51% respectively. The result obtained for average daily weight gain was higher (p<0.05) for T2 (64.29g) compared to T1 (35.72g) and T3 (35.72g) which were similar. The feed conversion ratio showed no significant (p<0.05) effect among T1 (14.32) and T3 (14.07) while T2 (8.00) is significantly higher. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among treatment groups for nutrients digestibility. The goats placed under T2 (10%) recorded the highest digestibility coefficient for all the nutrients. However the crude protein, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were between 45.76-74.26%, 57.19-67.73%, 56.09-76.66% and 55.28-78.28% respectively. It was however observed that T2 (10%) SNC inclusion had the highest digestibility coefficient in all the nutrients by West African dwarf goats.

Nutritional evaluation of varying proportions of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii leaves in the diet of young West African dwarf goats.

Sixteen (16) male of West African dwarf goats, aged 6 to 8 months and weighing 4.85 to 6.80kg were used in protein utilization study to monitor performance. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group was fed foliages of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii mixed in varying proportions such that 0% (diet 1), 25% (diet 2), 50% (diet 3) and 75% (diet 4) of Gliricidia were replaced with Ficus. The feeding lasted 70 days during which dry matter intake, DM1, and changes in body weight were monitored. At the beginning of the last 10days of the trial animals were trans­ferred to individual metabolic cages for daily collection of faeces and urine for 7 days after the 3 days set aside for adjustment to the cages. Results showed that the mean DM1 was 185.15g day', which amounted to about 2.9% of body weight while digestibility coefficient was 65%. The daily weight gains observed for animals on diets containing 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of Gliricidia replaced with Ficus leaves were 34.30, 34.29, 37.10 and 36.79g day' respectively. The metabolic faecal nitrogen, MFN, and endogenous urinary nitrogen, ELTN, values were 9.42g kg' DM and 0.85g day­'Kg BW0.745 respectively. Regression model that described the relationship between nitrogen, N, balance and corresponding absorbed N values indicated that the combination of Gliricidia and Ficus leaves could furnish nutrient (3.68g day' kg' BW0..75 digestible crude protein, DCP) which might support young WAD goat requirement for maintenance. Data obtained suggested that all the three combinations of diets could be fed to goats but the inclusion of Gliricidiaand Ficus at equal level of 50%p produced highest weight gain (37.10g day-1) and supported better performance

Digestion and utilization of citrus by-products by two breeds of West African goats

TWELVE young goats, consisting of 6 West African Dwarf (Fouta Djallon), (10.19 to 15.45 kg).and 6 Red Sokoto (Maradi), (9.09 to 14.09 kg), were used throughout the experiment (3 trials). The 12 goats were maintained on basal forage (Cynodon nlemfuensis) in Trial 1 but in Trial 2, they were divided into two groups with two animals per sub-group. Animals in a sub-group were maintained on basal forage plus 25, 50 or 75 % fresh citrus pulp. In Trial 3, six West African Dwarfs were maintained on similar levels as in Trial 2 but using dried citrus pulp. The results showed that protein content of citrus pulp was low (6%) with high crude fibre value of 15% high moisture content (84%), and high nitrogen-free extractive (NFE) value (57%). Dry matter (DM) intakes of basal forage ration were higher than those of mixtures of basal forage and fresh citrus pulp (P < 0.01) due probably to high moisture content of the pulp, because the DM intakes of dried pulp mixtures were higher than those of basal rations (P < 0.01). The rations with 50% fresh or dried pulp was consumed more than the other mixture. Fresh pulp significantly depressed nutrient digestibilities at all levels of supplementation relative to basal forage (P < 0.05), while those of dried samples were about the same with the values for the basal ration. Red Sokoto and West African dwarf goats retained 39.29 and 41.34g/N/100g/N consumed respectively when fed on forage only, but 11.43 and 17.03, 14 11 and -14.22, -2.48 and 15.23g N/100g N consumed respectively when fed on grass/fresh citrus mixtures. The corresponding N retention for West African dwarf goats were 38.51, 31.86 and 40.01g N/100g N when fed the forage dried citrus mixtures. The digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes for these animals were optimal at the 25 and 50% citrus supplementation. There was highly significant correlation between ME intake and liveweight changes throughout the experiment (P <0.01]). Animals fed on forage fresh pulp mixtures lost weights (-0.59 <0.01 kg/ animal/week) in Trial 2, while those on forage-dried citrus mixtures gained weights (0.05 <03 kg/ animal/week) in Trial 3.