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\hypersetup{pdftitle={Growth Performance and Haematological Characteristics of Weaner Grasscutters Fed Diets Containing Tropical Herbs},pdfauthor={Lucky Ebiakpo Daniel, Simeon .o.c Ugwu, Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe},pdfsubject={Tropentag 2016: Abstract},pdfkeywords={Grasscutter, growth performance, haematological, serum biochemical},pdfpagemode=None,colorlinks=true}
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\parbox[b]{13.4cm}{\centering \large{\textbf{Tropentag, September 18-21, 2016, Vienna, Austria}}\\[1ex] \Large{``Solidarity in a competing world ---\\fair use of resources''\\[2ex]}}
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\Large{\textbf{Growth Performance and Haematological Characteristics of Weaner Grasscutters Fed Diets Containing Tropical Herbs\footnote{\textbf{Contact Address:} Lucky Ebiakpo Daniel, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Animal Science, No. 71 Jetty Road Yenagoa Bayelsa State, 234~Yenagoa, Nigeria, \mbox{e-mail}: \email{ebiscobaby2000@yahoo.com}}\\[0.8ex]}}
\normalsize{\textsc{Lucky Ebiakpo Daniel$^{1}$, Simeon .o.c Ugwu$^{2}$, Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe$^{3}$}}
\end{center}
\begin{itemize*}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{1}$Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Animal Science, Nigeria}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{2}$University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Animal Science, }}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{3}$University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Animal Science, }}}
\end{itemize*}
\index[author]{Daniel, Lucky Ebiakpo}
\index[author]{Ugwu, Simeon .o.c}
\index[author]{Machebe, Ndubuisi Samuel}
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\textbf{Abstract}
\begin{abstract}
\normalsize{
This study investigated changes in growth performance and some biochemical and haematological parameters of weaner grasscutters (Thyronomys swinderianus"=a wild rodent) fed Ocimum gratissimum, \textit{Moringa oleifera} and Gongronema latifolia supplemented diets. The study was carried out at the grasscutter unit of the Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A total of 20 weaner grasscutters were used for the study.  Five grasscutters were randomly allocated to each treatment. Leaves were air dried under shade for ten days, all leaves were threshed carefully to separate leaves from twigs before blending. Twenty percent (\mbox{20\,\%}) of leaf meals were added to each supplemented diet. The proximate composition, nutritional factors and vitamin content of air dried leaves were separately analysed using standard methods. The results of the study showed significant differences ($p < 0.05$) among the treatment in final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and total body weight gain. The effect of treatment on feed conversion ratio were significantly different ($p < 0.05$) in favour of grasscutters on M. oleifera leaf meal T1 and G.latifolium leaf meal T2. Also, other growth performance parameters --- daily weight gain and final body weight were better ($p < 0.05$) and higher for grasscutters on M. oleifera leaf T1 and O. gratissimum leaf T3 diets. Average feed intake was higher for grasscutters in T1 (\unitfrac[1024]{g}{day}) and lowest for those in T2 (\unitfrac[830]{g}{day}). The feed cost/kg gain was lowest for grasscutters in T1 (\&\#8358;40.34). Results on blood and biochemical analysis indicates that the mean values of  haemoglobin concentration (HB), red blood cell count (RBC) and total white blood cell count (WBC) were affected by the treatments ($p < 0.05$). An increase in WBC and lymphocytes were recorded for grasscutters in the experimental groups. The treatments significantly ($p < 0.05$) increased the urea level in blood of grasscutters in the experimental group. It was concluded that the leaf meals of herbs administered at the dosages used and for the duration of the experiment had significant treatment effects on their growth performance and haemopoetic system of grasscutters with better effect on growth performance recorded for grasscutters on M. oleifera leaf and O. gratissimum leaf supplemented diets.







}

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\noindent \textbf{Keywords:} Grasscutter, growth performance, haematological, serum biochemical
\index[key]{Grasscutter}
\index[key]{Growth!performance}
\index[key]{Haematological}
\index[key]{Serum biochemical}
\end{document}
