Performance and Serum Biochemistry of Grazing Bunaji Bulls Fed Supplementary Combinations of Agro Industrial by Products and Crop Residues

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth response and serum biochemical profiles of grazing Bunaji bulls supplemented diets of combinations of agro industrial by products and crop residues. The agro industrial by products were brewers dried grain, palm kernel cake, maize offal, wheat offal and cassava peels while the crop residues were soy bean haulms and rice straw. The dietary inputs were included at same level in each of the diets that they were components of. A total of 16 intact Bunaji bulls aged two years and weighing averagely 161.25 Kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ and fed the diets at 2.0 Kg per day for a period of 90 days. Growth parameters measured were daily body weight gain, water intake, and final body weight gain while serum biochemical evaluated were urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), cholesterol and creatinine. Mean values for daily weight gain, water intake and final body weight were 0.30, 0.33, 0.41 and 0.70 Kg; 11.60, 12.50, 13.30, and 15.50 litres and 187, 191.70, 197.90 and 225 Kg respectively and showed significant differences (p<0.05) . Mean values of biochemical parameters fell within reference values and were all statistically (p>0.05) similar. It was concluded that the tested diets improved the growth performance and serum biochemical indices of the Bunaji bulls and were recommended safe for feeding to Bunaji bulls during the dry season.