Growth and Blood Indices of West African Dwarf Rams Fed Urea Treated Cassava Peels with Graded Levels of Gliricidia sepium Fodder

Abstract

To lessen the detrimental effects on ruminant growth and health during the dry season, several combinations of non-traditional diets are being researched. In order to better understand the growth, haematology, and serum biochemical indicators of West African Dwarf (WAD) ram lambs, a study was designed that included cassava peels ensiled with urea (UTCP) and graded amounts of Gliricidia sepium fodder (GSF). Sixteen yearling WAD rams with an average weight of 12±1 kg was randomly assigned into four treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4) in a ten-week trial. The rams assigned to T2, T3, and T4 were fed 90% UTCP+10% GSF, 80% UTCP+20% GSF, and 70% UTCP+30% GSF, in that order while T1 served as the control group. The data did not show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05) among any of the treatments in feed intake. The experimental animals’ final body weight was significantly low in T1 (p<0.05). Although the total weight and average weight gain showed similarities (p>0.05) across different levels of GSF inclusions in the experimental diets, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in treated groups (T2-T4) as compared to control group (T1). The FCR of the control diet was the poorest (p>0.05) at 8.09, whereas the FCRs of T2 (6.70), T3 (6.89), and T4 (6.56) did not vary (p>0.05). The results also showed that the diets had no significant effect on all the haematological parameters studied except lymphocyte and eosinophil. Lymphocyte was lowest (p<0.05) in T2 (23.33±1.53%) compared to similar (p>0.05) values obtained in the other treatments whereas eosinophil was highest (p<0.05) in T1 (3.00+0.00%) compared to the similar (p>0.05) values obtained in T2, T3, and T4. Additionally, the serum biochemical indices demonstrated typical immune reactions (p<0.05) to the test substances in total protein, globulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. In all these except alkaline phosphatase, the animals fed 30% GSF and 70% UTCP (T4) fared better than the animals on other treatments. Therefore, when the grasses in tropical regions dry up during the prolonged dry season, sheep can survive on urea-treated cassava peels and Gliricidia sepium fodder.