the performance of nubian goat kids feed on cajanus cajan

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and some haematological parameters of Nubian goat kids fed increasing levels (0, 10, 25, and 20%) of Cajanus cajan ,in replacement of groundnut cakes. The study was conducted in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Farm at Kuku, during two seasons (summer and winter). Each feeding trials lasted for seventy days .The experimental animals were forty, intact male Nubian kids. XIII The results have shown that animals fed high levels of Cajanus cajan (15 % and 20 %) have recorded the best values for the feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and some blood profile parameters. The highest feed lot performance values were obtained by groups fed (15 % and 20 %) level of Cajanus cajan in winter season, while the lowest values were recorded by groups fed (0 % and 10 %) level of Cajanus cajan in the summer trial. The mean daily feed intake values ranged between 0.38 kg as the lowest value obtained by group A control summer trial and 0.52 kg as the highest value obtained by group fed (20 %). The overall winter mean values were better than summer values. The highest weekly weight gain value was 0.67 kg obtained by group fed (20 %) Cajanus cajan in winter trial while the lowest value was 0.39 kg recorded for group fed (10 %) Cajanus cajan summer trial. The feed conversion ratio values ranged between 7.28 and 5.31 achieved by group fed (0 %) Cajanus cajan summer trial and group fed (20 %) Cajanus cajan winter trial group respectively. Most of the carcass characteristics best mean values were obtained by groups fed (15 and 20 %) Cajanus cajan winter trial groups. The best values were 47.93 %, 2.76%, 56.11% for the carcass yield, shrinkage and muscle percentage respectively. The worst values were 44.75 %, 6.02 % and 54.09 % for the carcass yield, shrinkage and muscle percentage respectively, obtained by the control group in summer trial. The overall mean values for nearly all parameters tested for the carcass characteristics were higher in winter than summer. The erythrocytic series RBCs count, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC best mean values were 12.81 × 106 ml, 11.98 mg/d , 31.37 % 10.05 (pg) , 23.95 (fl) and 33.96 % respectively, obtained by group fed (20%) Cajanus cajan. While the lowest values for the erythrocytic series were RBCs10.34 × 106 ml, Hb 9.09 mg/d, PCV 28.22%, MCH 7.70 (pg) MCV 20.2 (fl) and MCHC 32.33 % obtained by the control group summer trial. All erythrocytic overall mean values were higher in winter than summer. XIV The total leukocytes count did not vary among groups; neither season nor feed had a significant effect on the total leukocytes count.