Growth performance, haematological and biochemical indices of grazed Red Sokoto bucks supplemented with dried ripe plantain peels.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and blood profile of grazed
Red Sokoto bucks supplemented with dried ripe plantain peels. Nine bucks were used for this
experiment. The goats were apportioned to three treatment diets and dried ripe plantain
peels incorporated at 0%, 5% and 10% inclusion levels for T , T and T respectively. The 1 2 3,
bucks were taken out for grazing in the morning (9.00am – 12noon) and thereafter fed the
experimental diet. The experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks. The animals were weighed at
the beginning of the experiment and weekly afterwards. Feed intake was calculated as the
difference between feed served and refusal. Blood samples of the bucks were collected to
determine the blood profile using disposable syringes and sterile needles. Results showed
that the final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) differed
significantly (P<0.05). The final body weight, body weight gain and FCR were 18.02kg,
2.01kg, 3.42; 20.75kg, 3.89kg, 1.26 and 21.35kg, 4.80kg, 1.10 for T , T and T respectively. 1 2 3,
Platelet, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), urea and creatinine values differed
significantly (P<0.05). The highest platelet was recorded for bucks on T (212.91x10 3/ul) 3
while the lowest was for bucks on T (202.30x103/ul). ALP, TP, urea and creatinine values 1
were 29.00u/l, 60.00g/l, 8.00m/mol,72.50m/mol; 30.30u/l, 52.30g/l, 10.00m/mol,
141.00m/mol and 42.00u/l, 53.30g/l, 9.70m/mol, 112.30m/mol for T , T and T , respectively. 1 2 3
The inclusion of supplemental dried ripe plantain peels in the diet of Red Sokoto bucks
enhanced the body weight and did not have any adverse effect on their blood profile.