Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the effects of varying levels of Gmelina arborea bark supplementation with Afzelia Africana leaves on carcass characteristic of goats. Twenty five (25) bucks with body weight of 18.25-19.00 kg, were used for the study. The bucks were weighed and divided into five (5) groups. Each group of five (5) bucks were randomly assigned to one of the 5 treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Fresh Afzelia Africana leaves was fed as basal diet. The basal diet was fed ad libitum, while Gmelina bark was fed as supplement at the levels of 0, 100, 150,200 and 250 g/head/day for T1 (control), T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. Clean drinking water and mineral salt lick were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Data were collected on carcass characteristic, offals and organs weight. Significantly (P<0.05) different were observed among treatments groups on carcass measurement. The result of the offals and organ weights also differ significantly (P<0.05) between treatments except head, skin and omasum which did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments. Treatment 3, 4 and 5 recorded the highest fasting weight, slaughter weight, dresses weight, weight of neck and hind limb while T1, T2 T3 recorded the highest dressing percentage. T4 and T5 recorded the highest loin and fore limb weight while T1 and T2 recorded the lowest. Treatments T4 and T5 recorded the highest abdominal fat while T3, T4 and T5 recorded the highest weight of liver, heart and spleen. Treatment (3) recorded the lowest weight of abomasum.
Keywords: Buck, Gmelina bark, carcass, Offals and Organs.
Title: EFFECTS OF VARYING LEVELS OF GMELINA ARBOREA BARK SUPPLEMENTED WITH AFZELIA AFRICANA LEAVES ON CARCASS CHARCTERISTIC OF GOATS
Author: G. J. BANDAWA, E. Y. WABA, A. A. ALLAHOKI
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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