Growth performance, haematological and biochemical indices of grazed Red Sokoto bucks supplemented with dried ripe plantain peels.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and blood profile of grazedRed Sokoto bucks supplemented with dried ripe plantain peels. Nine bucks were used for thisexperiment. The goats were apportioned to three treatment diets and dried ripe plantainpeels incorporated at 0%, 5% and 10% inclusion levels for T , T and T respectively. The 1 2 3,bucks were taken out for grazing in the morning (9.00am – 12noon) and thereafter fed theexperimental diet. The experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks. The animals were weighed atthe beginning of the experiment and weekly afterwards. Feed intake was calculated as thedifference between feed served and refusal. Blood samples of the bucks were collected todetermine the blood profile using disposable syringes and sterile needles. Results showedthat the final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) differedsignificantly (P<0.05). The final body weight, body weight gain and FCR were 18.02kg,2.01kg, 3.42; 20.75kg, 3.89kg, 1.26 and 21.35kg, 4.80kg, 1.10 for T , T and T respectively. 1 2 3,Platelet, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), urea and creatinine values differedsignificantly (P<0.05). The highest platelet was recorded for bucks on T (212.91x10 3/ul) 3while the lowest was for bucks on T (202.30x103/ul). ALP, TP, urea and creatinine values 1were 29.00u/l, 60.00g/l, 8.00m/mol,72.50m/mol; 30.30u/l, 52.30g/l, 10.00m/mol,141.00m/mol and 42.00u/l, 53.30g/l, 9.70m/mol, 112.30m/mol for T , T and T , respectively. 1 2 3The inclusion of supplemental dried ripe plantain peels in the diet of Red Sokoto bucksenhanced the body weight and did not have any adverse effect on their blood profile.