EFFECT OF VARYING INCLUSION LEVELS OF HOG PLUM (Spondias mombin) LEAF MEAL ON PHYSIOLOGICAL VALUES OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the physiological responses of hog plum leaf meal on red Sokoto goats (bucks). The bucks were randomly allocated to five treatment diets with 3 bucks per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design. The hog plum leaf meal was fed at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were offered to the bucks ad libitum. All physiological values were measured in accordance with routine clinical procedures. Rectal temperature was significantly higher (P<0.05) in bucks on 0, 10 and 40% hog plum leaf meal. The respiratory rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in bucks fed diets with 20 and 40% hog plum leaf meal and the lowest value was recorded on control diet. Heart rate was higher on bucks fed diets with 20 and 40% hog plum leaf meal than other treatments. The capillary refill time was significantly faster (P<0.05) in bucks fed 40% hog plum leaf meal than other treatments. A prolonged capillary refill time was observed in bucks fed on control diet. Which is a sign of shock and indicates dehydration in bucks, which was as a result of the absence of hog plum leaf meal in the control diet. It was concluded that Hog plum leaf meal could be used as feed resources to raise goat bucks without any adverse effect on physiological responses