Effects of Inter and Intra Row Spacing on Growth Characteristics and Fodder Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Var. Kanannado) in the Semi-Arid North-Western Nigeria

A field trial was conducted during the 2009/2010 cropping season at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Farm at Dabagi to investigate the effects of inter and intra row spacing on the growth and fodder yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp Variety Kanannado). The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three each of inter and intra spacing of 50, 75 and 100cm and 25, 50 and 75cm respectively. The treatments were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. The result of the study showed that inter-row spacing influenced (P<0.05) stand establishment count and plant height while intra row spacing affected (P<0.05) stand establishment count, plant height, leaf width, number of leaves and canopy spread. Dry matter yield did not differ (P> 0.05) across the different spacing and the highest yield of 1020 and 970 kg ha-1 were recorded for the widest inter-row and intra-row spacing of 100 and 75 cm respectively. It was therefore concluded that wider inter-row spacing of 100 cm and intra-row spacing of 75cm produced the highest dry matter yield with Vigna unguiculata L. Walp Variety Kanannado in the semi-arid region of north-western Nigeria

Haematological and Biochemical Indices of Growing Lambs Fed Fore-Stomach Digesta and Poultry Litter Waste

Haematological values and blood urea nitrogen levels of growing Uda lambs fed forestomach digesta (FSD) and poultry litter waste (PLW) were studied. The experimental animals were randomly allotted (n=4/treatments) to diets A (20% FSD), B (20% PLW), C (10% each of FSD and PLW), D (6.67% FSD and 13.33% PLW) and E (13.33% FSD and 6.67% PLW). The experiment lasted for 84 days. Blood samples were collected prior to and after the feeding trial for haematological and blood urea nitrogen determination. Initial packed cell volume and final red blood cell counts were not significantly different between treatments (P>0.05). Initial haemoglobin concentration (HB) was similar (P>0.05) to those on treatments A, C, D, and E while final HB concentration was similar (P>0.05) for those on treatments B, C, and E. Initial and final values of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) for all treatments. There were no traces of eosinophils at the end of the feeding trial while monocyte counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. Total protein showed no significant difference in all the treatments at initial and final collections of blood. Similar results were observed for albumin and globulin concentrations. Haematological values and blood urea nitrogen were within normal values; indicating that there was no toxicity associated with the feeding of FSD and PLW alone or in mixtures to growing lambs. It was concluded that the test diets were not toxic to animals based on the haematological indices and blood biochemical parameters which were within recommended values. Key Words: Lambs, Fore-Stomach Digesta, Poultry Litter Wast

Effects of Feeding High Level of Cowpea Husk on the Haematological and Blood Urea Nitrogen of Uda Lambs

This study was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, to find out the effect of feeding high levels of cowpea husk on the haematological parameters and Blood urea nitrogen of Uda lambs. Fifteen (15) weeks feeding trial (including three (3) weeks digestibility trial) was conducted using sixteen (16) growing Uda lambs. Four diets with varying levels of cowpea husk were formulated. The diets were diet 1 control, 0% cowpea husk, diet 2, 20%, diet 3, 40% and diet 4, 60% cowpea husk. Blood samples were collected prior to and at the end of the feeding trial for haematological (blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin) studies. Results showed that incorporation of cowpea husk in the diet of growing Uda lambs up to 60% level gave an encouraging effect. Haematological parameters, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin obtained at the end of feeding trial were within the normal ranges reported in the literature. It could be concluded that cowpea husk has no detrimental effect on the haematological characteristics of growing Uda lambs

Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Uda Lambs Fed Graded Levels of Alkali -Treated Neem Kernel Cake

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding alkali- treated neem kernel cake (ATNKC) on haematological and biochemical parameters of Uda lambs. It was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with 20 male Uda lambs. The experimental animals were allotted (n=5) to diets A, B, C, D and E with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of inclusion of ATNKC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 84days. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment for analyses of haematological and biochemical parameters. Haematological and biochemical parameters of the experimental animals on control and test diets were normal. The mean values for per cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) in treatments E, D, C and B were not significantly (P>0.05) different from treatment A which served as the control. However, the white blood cell value in treatment A (11.67x109l) was similar to the values in treatments E (9.70 x109l), B (9.67 x109l ) and C(9.53 x109l) but significantly (P<0.05) different that of treatment D(8.90 x109). The values for neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil in the control treatment were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the test treatment except lymphocytes and monocytes. For biochemical parameters, the values to total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin in the control and test treatment did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference except in SGOT and unconjugated bilirubin. Urea nitrogen concentration, Creatinine and potassium values did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference between the control and test treatments. It was recommended in the study that alkali treated neem kernel cake can be safely included in feed of sheep up to 20% levels for lambs.Keywords: Uda lambs; Alkali- treated neem kernel cake; haematological and biochemical parametersNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2): 277-28

Utilization of Senna obtusifolia as a Potential Non-Conventional Feedstuff In Sheep

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 199 - 20