College of Animal Science & Livestock Production

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Browsing College of Animal Science & Livestock Production by Author "ADEBOYEJO TITILOPE TAIWO"

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    RESPONSE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF EWES TO GRADED LEVELS OF SUNDRIED RIPE PLANTAIN PEEL (Musa paradisiaca) MEAL CONCENTRATE DIETS
    (2025-07-20) ADEBOYEJO TITILOPE TAIWO
    ABSTRACT Globally, the low feed input and labour requirements of sheep husbandry make them adesirable choice for many smallholder farms. The study investigated the response of West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes to varying levels of graded concentrate diets supplemented with ripe plantain peel (Musaparadisiaca). A total of sixteen (16) WAD ewes (18.87± 0.05kg/ewe) were subjected to a feeding trial for 90days, assigned to four treatment groups, each receiving a different inclusion level of ripe plantain peel (0 %,5%, 10%, and 15% SPPM) in their concentrate diets. The chemical compositions of the diets were assessed. In-vitro gas production, dry matter digestibility, performance characteristics, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of experimental animals were also determined after the feeding experiment. Results showed that the proximate parametersof dry matter and crude fiber were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 10% SPPM. Fibre fractions, including NDF, ADF, HEMI, and NFC, were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 5% SPPM. The in-vitrogas production of the experimental diets of dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, fermentation efficiency, metabolizable energy, and short chain fatty acids is higher (p < 0.05) at 10% SPPM with values 35.32, 6.64, 4.68, 8.00, and 3.34, respectively. Growth performance in terms of dry matter intake g/day, weight gain (g/day),and feed conversion ratio is significantly high in ewes fed 10% SPPM diets. All the nutrient digestibility parameters of dry matter (crude protein, crude fibre, ash, and nitrogen-free extract) were highest at 10% SPPM, except for ether extract, which was highest in 0% SPPM (control). The nitrogen retention varied from 50.80% to 62.44%(0 to 15% SPPM).Haematological parameters,including the PCV (%). HC (g/dl), RBC (x106/uL), WBC (x103/uL), LYM (%), MCU (%), MCH (%), MCHC (%) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in ewes fed with 10% SPPM. All parameters analysed for serum were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the diets offered, except the Alanine Transferase (ALT),with nosignificant differences across the experimental groups. This study concludes that sundried plantain peel can be included in the diets at 10% for optimal growth and productivity of West African Dwarf eweswithout negative impacts on feed efficiency or health of the animals.