Growth response and blood profile of Kano brown goats fed <i>Gmelina arborea</i> leaves and supplemented with diets containing water soaked sweet orange (<i>Citrus sinensis</i>) peels

Abstract

Twenty male Kano brown grower goats weighing 116.75 kg - 9.00kg, and aged between 5 - 8 months were used in a completely randomized design to assess the growth performance and blood profile of Kano brown goats fed Gmelina arborea leaves and supplemented with concentrate diets containing different levels of water soaked sweet orange peel meal (WSSOPM). The orange peels were collected from markets within Makurdi township and immediately soaked in a large plastic container for 24 hours, thereafter it was drained using baskets and sun-dried 3days. The dried orange peels were packed and crushed into a meal and bagged in synthetic bags for use. Four diets were formulated and compounded to contain 0%, 50%, 60% and 70% WSSOPM, and these were designated T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively in a forty-two day feeding trial. Results showed that there were no treatment effects (P>0.05) on mean daily weight gain, total forage intake and feed conversion ratio. However, treatment effect was apparent (P<0.05) on the total concentrate intake, total feed intake and mean daily feed intake. The haematological parameters measured did not show significant differences (P>0.05) except in neutrophil values. The neutrophil values of T4 (40.80%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of T1 (32.40%), T2 (37.40%) and T3 (38.60%). The serum biochemistry values were all similar (P>0.05) among the treatments except the cholesterol values. The cholesterol value of T1 (142.34mg/dl) was significantly higher than the rest treatments, while T2 (85.82mg/dl) was lower (P<0.05) than T3 (108.12mg/dl). Water soaked sweet orange peel meal can replace up to70% of maize offal in goat diets without adverse effects on the performance and blood indices.

Keywords: Performance, haematology, serum biochemistry, sweet orange peels, Kano brown goats