ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical indices of West African Dwarf ram fed sundried and toasted poultry droppings. Three diets were formulated to contain sundry and toasted poultry droppings at 0%, 10% and 10% respectively. Nine weaned rams averaging 8kg to 11kg body weight and age 4 to 6 months were used for the experiment. The rams were divided into 3 groups of 3 rams housed in pens and each group assigned to one of the three treatment diet for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein of the animal at the end of the feeding trial for evaluation of haematological and biochemical indices of the animals. Packed cell volume (P01), white blood cell (WBC), Neutrophil and urea differed (p< 0.05) significantly among the treatments diets. The values were 35.83, 27.50, 30.17 and 82.97, 71.00, 80.17 and 30.00, 33.00, 44.00 and 62.67, 70.67, 70.33 for diets 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The diets promoted lower P01, WBC, Lymphocytes and higher Neutrophils values in sheep. Hb, Eosinophil did not differ (p> 0.05) significantly among the diets. Total bilirubin (mg/dl) did not differ (p > 0.05) among the diet. The diet promoted lower conjugated bilirubin and higher creatinine and glucose values in sheep. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were not significantly different among the diets. The values were 14.00, 13.53 and 16.51 (g/dl). The haematological and biochemical indices of rams fed sundried and toasted poultry dropping were within the range recommended for sheep. The dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ash, nitrogen free extract, ether extract and metabolizable energy content of sundried and toasted poultry droppings were not significantly influenced. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment showed that animals on T³(toasted poultry droppings) had better performance; therefore it can be included in the diet of sheep up to 20% without adverse effect on the performance of the animals.