Performance and haematological parameters of West African dwarf goats fed varying levels of Newbouldia laevis inclusion

Abstract

Sixteen (16) male West African dwarf goat of between 9 to 12 months old were used in a 56-days feeding trial to determine the inclusion of Newbouldia laevis leaves on the performance and haematological parameters of WAD goats. The goats were randomly divided into four groups of four animals per group. Each group was randomly allotted to one of the four experimental diets containing 100%C, 95C:5NL, 92.5C:7.5NL and 90C:10NL respectively, in a completely randomized design. Result showed that there was significant difference among the proximate composition of the experimental diets except for crude protein. Goats on diet I (100%C 0%NB) had higher (p< 0.05) means value for DMI (272.10) and feed intake (300.33). The body weight changes reduced with increasing Newbouldia laevis leaves inclusion. The dietary treatments had a significant effect on the protein efficiency ratio but had no significant effect on protein intake. White blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the treatments while Pack cell volume, Haemoglobin Red blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced. Although some of the blood parameters differ significantly, the values were within the normal range recorded for West African dwarf goats. Inclusions with (95%C 5%NL) and (92.5C 7.5NL) had a better chance of improving the performance of West African Dwarf goats. Also, inclusion levels of Newboudia laevis leaves between 5-10% in ruminant feeding was well tolerated by the experimental WAD goats.