BLOOD PROFILE OF GROWING YANKASA RAMS FED SORGHUMSTOVERSUPPLEMENTEDWITHGRADEDLEVELSOFDRIEDPOUL TRYDROPPINGSBASEDDIETS

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the blood profiles of growing Yankasa rams fed sorghum stover supplemented with Sun-Dried Poultry Droppings diets (SDPD). Poultry dropping is a good source of protein supplement. Its high nitrogen content suggests feeding it to ruminants would bean excellent avenue to convert nutrients in the waste into animal products.But a major challenge for it utilization is the danger of pathogenic organisms. Sun-drying of the droppings can render the waste free of pathogens. Thirty growing Yankasa rams aged 9-12 months, weighing 11.5-15.5 kg were randomly divided into five groups (3 in each) and assigned to five experimental diets T1-T5 which contained 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%SDPD. Blood samples were analyzed for haematological and biochemical parameters. Results showed that WhiteBlood Cell (WBC), Haemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were significantly influenced by SDPD.TheirvalueswereWBC,10.6,12.9,9.5,7.0and10.7L_1,Hb,8.6,9.3,8.6,8.4 and 9.7 g dL_1, and PCV, 22.9, 29.4, 27.1, 23.6 and 21.5%, respectively. Additionally, urea, sodium and totalprotein were significantly influenced by treatment diet. Their values were urea, 6.1, 6.3, 6.8, 6.9 and8.1 mg dL_1, sodium, 102.9, 128.8, 129.2, 130.7 and 130.7mmol L_1, totalprotein, 6.3, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2and 7.1 g dL_1,.Most haematological and biochemical values obtained were within the normal range for sheep. SDPD diet can satisfactorily supplement sorghum stover without any deleterious effect on the blood chemistry and haematological
profile of growing Yankasa rams.