EFFECTS OF REPLACEMENT VALUE OF KENAF GRAIN MEAL FOR PALM KERNEL CAKE IN CASSAVA PEEL BASED-DIET ON BLOOD PROFILE OF SHEEP

Abstract

Kenaf seed is an emerging non-conventional feed resource for ruminants. However, information about kenaf grain meal inclusion as a replacement for palm kernel cake in the ruminant ration is limited. Hence, the effects on the blood profile of West African Dwarf sheep fed cassava peel ration containing varying inclusion of palm kernel cake with kenaf grain meal was investigated. Sixteen female WAD sheep with an average live weight of 9.71± 0.05 kg were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments in a complete randomised design with four animals per treatment. The results showed that the Packed cell volume, haemoglobin and red blood cells were significantly highest (p<0.05) for sheep fed Diet 1 than other treatment groups fed Diets with kenaf grain meal inclusion.The WBC of sheep fed Diet 4 (0%PKC +25%KGM) was lowest (4.20 x 103 /µL) and highest (5.55 x 103 /µL) for sheep fed Diet 3 (5%PKC + 20%KGM).While the albumin, glucose and cholesterol levels of sheep were not affected (p>0.05) by the inclusion of kenaf grain meal, serum protein and urea were significantly affected (p<0.05). Serum urea was lowest (22.04 mg/dL) in sheep offered Diet 4 and highest (30.98 mg/dL) for sheep fed Diet 1. In conclusion, 20-25% kenaf grain meal could replace palm kernel cake in cassava peel based-diet without deleterious effects on the health status of West African Dwarf sheep.