EVALUATION OF THE DRIED CASSAVA LEAF MEAL AND MAIZE OFFAL AS CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENT FOR GOATS FED RICE STRAW: INTAKE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Abstract

A total of nine West African dwarf x Maradi crossbred goat of 10- 12  months, with an average weight of 8.5 kg and of mixed sexes, were used to evaluate the utilization of dried cassava leaf meal (DCLM) and maize offal (MO) of goats fed rice straw ad libitum. The animals were randomly distributed into three treatment groups of three animal each and each animal was a replicate. Diet 1 (70%MO: 30% DCLM), Diet II (50% MO: 50% DCLM) and Diet III (30% MO: 70%DCLM) were used. Each of the animals in the three treatment groups was given 140 g supplement per day while rice straw was fed ad libitum. Result obtained show that daily rice straw intake was significantly lower (p < 0.05) for diets 1 than diets II and III, but II and III were similar (p < 0.05). No significant difference existed in the digestible nutrient intake for all the treatments. The heamatological parameters studied were within normal range, though  significantly differences (P < 0.05) exist among dietary treatment. Therefore these materials could be safely used in feeding caprine species in areas where the same are in abundant quantities.