ABSTRACT

The haemotological and some biochemical measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed with four different diets were detennined. Twelve (12) growing bucks aged 7-9 months with a mean live weight ranging between 6.5- 10kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments comprising (3) three animals per treatment in a complete randomized design (CRD), combining four (4) different diets (A,B,C and D) and blood collection was done on the last day. The animals were fed 0.40kg/head/day of the diets. The diet devoid of blood meal served as control ( diet A) while cassava peel and blood meal based diets served as dietary treatment B, C and D respectively. Blood sample was collected by jugular vein puncture from the animals, and were placed into well labelled bottles containing Ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) and into anticoagulant free well labelled bottles, blood samples containing EDT A were analyzed for White blood cell (WBC) count, ranging from 7.30- 18.33 x 10l, Red blood cell (RBC) count, ranging 6.63 - 12.47 x 10l Pack cell and Haemoglobin (Hb). The Red blood count and white blood count were not significantly different (P>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. However significant differences (P<0.05) were obtained in pack cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb). For biochemical parameters significance difference (P<0.05) was recorded for Albumin with goats on diet A and C recording the highest values of 2.83g/dl and 2.20 g/dl respectively. Based on the results, it is inferred that the nutritional health status of goats can be enhanced with the inclusion level of blood meal in dietary treatment C (at 12%).