Dietary effects of Graded levels of Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed meal on the Performance Characteristics of Goats

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance characteristics and haematological indices of West African dwarf goats fed diets containing graded levels of Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed Meal (TSM) as a replacement for Cassava wastes. Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed Meal was included in the diets of goats at 25 %, 50 % and 75 % to replace Cassava wastes and designated as Diet B, Diet C and Diet D respectively while Diet A was the control (P>0.05). Four dietary treatments were formulated. Twenty (20) growing goats were randomly allotted to the four treatments and replicated five times in a completely randomized design model. Feeding and watering were done ad-libitum for seventy (70) days. The results revealed increasing crude protein and crude fiber contents for the Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed Meal-based diets (B, C and D) compared to the control (A). There were significant differences in the Dry Matter Intake, Crude Fiber Intake, Ether Extract Intake and Ash Intake among all the diets (A – D) (P<0.05). However, Dry Matter Intake of Diet A was numerically higher but similar (P > 0.05) to that of Diets[H1]  B and Diet C while Dry Matter Intake of Diet D was lower but similar (P > 0.05) to Diets B and C. The crude protein intake of the Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed Meal based diets (B – D) was comparable with the control (Diet A) (P>0.05). The crude fiber intake was highest for Diets C > D > A > B in that order. Conversely, the ether extract intake was highest for the control (Diet A) followed closely by diets D, C and the least was Diet B. The highest ash intake was recorded for Diet A and the least for Diet D. With the exception of higher crude fiber digestibility recorded for Diet D, other nutrients digestibility was higher for the control (Diet A) compared to the Teak (Tectona grandis) Seed Meal  based diets (B – D). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the haematological parameters measured except eosinophil concentration. Additionally, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the creatinine and total protein contents of the serum of the experimental animals. While significant variations (P < 0.05) were recorded for the glucose, ALT, ALP and AST contents measured. It was concluded from the study that up to 75 % TSC could be used to replace Cassava wastes in the diets of goats without adverse effects on the health and improved feed intake, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites  of West African dwarf goats.