BLOOD PROFILE OF WEANER PIGS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF YAM AND SWEET POTATO PEEL MEAL

Abstract

Animal nutritionists in Nigeria have been persistently challenged by the quest for alternative feeding options for monogastric animals particularly pigs. A study was conducted to investigate the blood profile of weaner pigs fed diets containing graded levels of combined yam peel and sweet potato peel meal. They were allocated to four dietary treatments. Each treatment was replicated thrice, and each replicate had two (2) pigs in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Diet one (D1) was a maizebased diet while combination of and yam and sweet potato peel meal replaced maize quantitatively in a ratio 3:2 in diet 2, 3 and 4 at 5%, 10% and 15% levels respectively. The proximate % and gross energy composition of the test feed stuffs (combined sweet potato peel and yam peel meal) were as follows: crude protein 9.11%, ether extract 1.20%, crude fibre 3.47%, ash 6.89%, dry matter 89.10% and gross energy 3.010 (Kcal/kg). There were no significant differences (p<0.05%) in all the haematological parameters measured except for White blood cell (WBC) counts which was within the normal range of WBC of weaner pigs. The blood chemistry values for pigs in all the diets were within the normal range of biochemical values for weaner pigs. It was concluded that yam and sweet potato peel meal had no deleterious effect on the blood constituents (haematology and biochemical indices) of weaner pigs.