EFFECT OF SODOM APPLE (Calotropis procera) FLOWER MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HEAMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RED SOKOTO GOATS DURING FIRST TRIMESTER IN SEMI ARID-REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was to determine the effects of C. procera flower meal on growth performance and haematological parameters of twenty Red Sokoto goats (RSG). Five experimental diets were formulated with Calotropis procera (CP) flower meal at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% at dietary levels designated as treatments T1 (control diet), T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Five treatments were allotted with four replications. Blood samples were collected from experimental animals via jugular vein during the first trimester for the determination of haematological indices. The growth parameters measured were body weight, feed intake (g/day) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Data generated were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. The results of growth performance showed significant (p<0.05) differences in final weight gain. Higher values were obtained in T3 (22.27 kg) followed by T2 (22.22 kg), T4 (21.29 kg), T5 (21.82 kg) and least was occurred in T1 (20.73 kg). Significant ((p<0.05) differences were observed in total weight gain recorded which was higher in T3 (9.34 kg) followed by T2 (9.18 kg). The results of Hematological indices showed significant (p<0.05) differences on Lymphocytes. This study concluded that the levels of CP flower at 5 and 10% in the diet of RSG increased body.