Evaluation of Carcass and Non-carcass Characteristics of West African Dwarf Rams Fed Bambusa vulgaris Leaves with Neem Seed Cake and Guinea Grass

Abstract

Eighteen West African Dwarf rams balanced for weight (8.00 ± 0.20kg) were fed with Bambusa vulgaris leaves with neem seed cake and guinea grass to evaluate their carcass and non-carcass characteristics. The rams were assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with six rams per treatment. The compared dietary treatments were as follows. Diet A(70% guinea grass and 30% concentrate diet); diet B(mixture of 50% Bambusa vulgaris leaves with 20% neem seed cake and 30% concentrate diet) and diet C(combination of 45% Bambusa vulgaris leaves with 25% neem seed and 30% concentrate diet). The results showed that diet A was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in average total feed intake (11.13kg), chilling losses (15.04%) and rumen / reticulum (2.04%) than diets B and C. Slaughter weight (11.33kg), empty body weight (10.32kg), hot and cold carcass weights (6.01 & 5.54kg), hot and cold carcass yield (53.05 & 48.90%), true yield (58.24%), liver (2.01%), kidneys (1.12%) and lungs (1.35%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in diet B than diet A or C. No significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in initial body weight, heart, spleen, omasum, abomasums, blood, skin and head among the treatment diets. It could be concluded that mixture of 50% Bambusa vulgaris leaves with 20% neem seed cake and 30% concentrate diet has the potential to improve carcass and non-carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf rams.