A.I. Ukanwoko* and M. O. Ironkwe
A 56days experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Leucaena, Gliricidia and cassava leaf meal – cassava peel based diets on the growth performance and haematological values of WAD goats. Nine weaner bucks aged 6-7months and averaging 6.3kg in weight were divided into 3 groups of 3 animals and each group randomly assigned to one of the treatments in a Completely Randomized Design. Each animal received each diet for 56 days. Parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Feed intake was 298.54, 311.04 and 294.82g/d for diets A, B and C respectively. These values were significantly different (P<0.05). Goats on diet B had the least FCR (8.42) which was significantly different (P<0.05) from the FCR 0f goats on diet C (8.80) and diet A (9.95). Body weight gain (g/d) was significantly different (P<0.05) and was highest for goats on diet B. Hb values were significantly different (P<0.05) with the highest in goats that were on diet C. MCHC values were significantly different (P<0.05) and was highest for goats on diet C. Diet C appeared to be the best in terms of haematological values while diet B had the best body weight gain.
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