THE EFFECTS OF GRADED LEVELS OF WILD SUNFLOWER MEAL ON GROWTH AND BLOOD PARAMETERS IN WEANER RABBITS

The study was undertaken to know the effects of graded levels of wild sunflower meal (WSM) on the growth and haematological changes in thirty-six (36) weaner rabbits. Six (6) rabbits were placed on each of the 6 dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% wild sunflower meal. The average daily feed intakes for the dietary treatments were 55.86 ± 1.70, 52.77 ± 2.20, 50.42 ± 1.6, 48.33 ± 1.20, 46.29 ± 1.60 and 43.29 ± 1.50, respective. The daily weight gains were 12.64 ± 0.58, 14.80 ± 0.66, 12.04 ± 0.59, 13.06 ± 0.63, 12.90 ± 0.55 and 11.34 ± 0.5g/d for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% (WSM) inclusions, respectively. No significant differences were observed amongst all dietary treatments for the growth parameters considered (P>0.05). The blood parameters equally did not show any significant difference (P>0.05) except for RBC values (P>0.05). It is therefore concluded that weaner rabbits can tolerate up to 25% wild sunflower meal (WSM) inclusion in their diets without negatively affecting the growth and haemotological parameter

Stylosanthes hamata spacing effect on utilization of Andropogon tectorum by west African dwarf sheep

Twenty four West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep of an average initial weight range of 10.14- 10.50 kg were used to investigate the feed intake and digestibility of Andropogon tectorum interplanted with Stylosanthes hamata at varying inter-row spacing of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5m. The grasses cut from experimental plots were used as experimental diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Animals were randomly distributed (after acclimatization) to the four treatments using a completely randomized experimental design (CRD). The initial weight, final weight and average feed intake were monitored while average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance were determined. All the data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as packaged by SAS (2000). The nutrient intake was significantly (

Influence of Age and sex on body weight and some body linear measurements of Extensively Reared wad Goats in Derived Savannah zone of Nigeria

Body weight and body linear measurement (Diagonal body length, Height-at-withers, sac pelvic width, Heart girth) of 259 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (both sexes) in three age groups (Kid, yearling and Adult) were measured. The least square means for body weight were 6.40, 10.5 and 18.9 kg for kid, yearling and Adult respectively. Means of other body linear measurements also vary within each age group. The variables measured vary positively with age of the animals and the correlations of body weight with diagonal body length, Height at whither, sac-pelvic width and heart girth were high, positive and significant (