Hematological and Biochemical Profile of Red Sokoto Goats Fed Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Husk

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding pigeon pea husk on the hematological and biochemical profile of Red Sokoto bucks. The pigeon pea husk was sourced locally and milled with a crushing machine to enable homogenous mixing with other ingredients which were packaged and stored in jute bags until it was used. Four Red Sokotogoats of about 11-12 months of age with average live weights of 13.50 kg were used for the study in a latin square arrangement. Blood was collected from the jugular vein into two different test tubes (one containing EDTA and the other without) and taken to the laboratory for hematological and biochemical analysis. The result for hematological parameters was significantly (p<0.05) influence by inclusion level which increased with level of inclusion (20%, 40% and 60%) and decreasing at 80%. Most of the biochemical parameters were affected (p<0.05) by inclusion level but were within the normal range with a few slightly above and below the normal range. It can be concluded that pigeon pea husk can be utilized as feed for Red Sokotogoats up to 60 % level of inclusion without affecting the hematological and biochemical parameters.