Carcass Characteristics Of Wad Goat Fed Varying Ratio Of Panicum Maximum And Achornea Cordfolia As Replacement For Maize Offal

ABSTRACT

This experiment carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics of WAD goat fed varying ratio of Panicum maximum and Achornea cord folia as replacement for maize offal was conducted at the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike livestock farm located at Latitude 050 27" N and 070 32" E. Twelve (12) West Africa Dwarf Goats (WAD) aged between 5-8 months old were used for this study, four experimental diets with three replicates were used for the experiment. I he inclusion levels were at the ratio 01 U.O'/o, 40M(r/o, .LO'7o and O.4O'7o designated Ti, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The animals were assigned to the diets and water was given throughout the duration of the experiment which lasted for 56 days (8 weeks). The parameters measured include Live weight, Empty body weight, Warm carcass. Dressing percentage, Legs percentage, Loin percentage Sets percentage, End percentage, Shoulder percentage, Abdominal fat, Bone, Liver, Lung, Kidney, Spleen, Heart, Full gut, Empty gut. The animals at the experiment were slaughtered and evisceration made to remove the various organs and body parts that were weighed and recorded.