ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of concentrate supplementation on haematological and biochemical blood profile of lactating West African Dwarf Goats (WAD). Six lactating WAD goats in early stage of lactation were isolated and grouped into two. Each group consisting of three animals were subjected to one of two different nutritional regimens. Animals in group I Diet A (control) were maintained on forage sward only. Group 2 were in addition, given concentrate supplementation formulated to contain Maize offal, Brewer's dried grain, Palm kernel cake and Molasses. The animals were fed the diets at 3% of their body weight. The trial lasted for 9 weeks. Parameters measured included: haematological and biochemical blood profile of the animals fed the experimental diets. The study revealed significant (P<0.05) differences in Packed Cell Volume, Eosinophil Count and Basophil Count among the treatment diets. Higher values of PCV among (31.67%), HbC (12.07g/dl), RBC (15.27 x 10°pl), MCV (22.651), MCH (7.61pg) and MCHC (38.15g/dl) of animals in group 2 were recorded compared to the corresponding values in the control group. This suggests that improving the nutrition of lactating goats will help improve their physiology and health status and make for enhanced productivity. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the blood biochemistry profile of lactating West African Dwarf goats in the two groups. However, higher numerical values of Blood glucose (58.44mg/dl), Albumin (3.4 lg/di), and Total cholesterol (109.09mg/dl) of animals in group 2 compared with Blood glucose (46.58mg/dl), Albumin (3.04g/dl), and Total cholesterol (96.97mg/dl) of animals in group l suggest that concentrate supplementation could help in improving the blood profile of lactating goats. Haematological and biochemical indices of farm animals have significant effects on lifetime yields hence higher haematological and biochemical values obtained from the supplemented group is an indication that concentrate supplementation of lactating goats will help to improve over-all performance of goats. Hence, proper balance of nutrients through concentrate supplementation will improve the quality and quantity of milk available to kids, thereby helping to increase their survival rate and over-all productivity.