Performance and Blood Profile of West African Dwarf Goat Fed Concentrate Supplement containing Varying Levels of Corncobs

Abstract

his study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding concentrate with varying level of corncobs using twelve West African dwarf goats (WAD). Study Design and Duration: The study lasted for 84 days during which the performance and blood parameters were monitored in twelve WAD goats using a completely randomized design. Methodology: Four diets consisting of milled corncob at varying proportions of 0% (control), 15%, 30% and 45% respectively were formulated with other feed ingredients. Goats were offered concentrates and guinea grass at 09:00 and 14:00 respectively. Parameters monitored were feed intake, weight gain, haematology and serum biochemical indices. Results: Results obtained showed that bucks fed on 30% corncob inclusion had the highest dry matter intake (559 g/d), feed conversion ratio (7.89) and weight gain (7.08 g/d). There was no significant difference (P>.05) in the serum biochemical parameters of WAD goats among all the dietary treatments except in globulin and creatinine where goats on diet 3 had the highest values. No significant differences (P>.05) were also observed in the haematological parameters of WAD goats across all the dietary treatments. Conclusion: The study revealed that inclusion of corncobs in the diets of WAD goats had no deleterious effects on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters and could therefore be included in ruminant diets up to 30%.