Nutritive value, growth performance and haematological parameters of West African dwarf sheep fed preserved pineapple fruit waste and cassava by- products

Abstract

Twelve West African dwarf sheep, aged between 6 to 8 months and weighing 9 to 10.5 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments consisting of ensiled pineapple fruit waste and cassava root meal (CRM+PFW); sun-dried pineapple fruit waste (PFW); ensiled cassava peels and pineapple fruit waste (CP+PFW); cassava peel and cassava root meal (CP+CRM), to determine the performance, digestibility and haematological parameters in a completely randomised design in a 56 day feeding trial. The results revealed that there were differences (p<0.05) in the daily weight gain of the animals. Animals fed CP+PFW had significantly (p<0.05) higher daily weight gain than other treatments. Daily DM intake also followed the same trend. Daily weight gain observed for CRM+PFW, PFW, CP+PFW, CP+CRM were 23.57g/day, 59.28g/day, 66.43g/day and 40.71g/day, respectively. Sun-dried pineapple fruit waste diet induced (p<0.05) the highest water intake of 1.93litre/day. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices were influenced (p<0.05) by the treatments. Packed cell volume (PCV) ranged from 28% to 37%, while haemoglobin concentration (Hb) ranged from 9.5g/dl to 12.5g/dl. Albumin and total protein values ranged significantly (P<0.05) from 32.7 to 37.8g/dl and 41.7 to 78.2 g/l respectively. It was concluded that animals on CP+PFW had the best growth performance, hence, ensiled pineapple fruit waste +cassava peels can be recommended to sheep farmers for better intake and performance especially during the austere periods.