Diets containing melon husk (MH) and palm oil slurry (POS) were fed as alternative feed stuffs to sixteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats whose weight ranged between 9-10kg The WAD assigned 4 dietary treatments of replicates each, diets 0% MH POS(Control diet, Diet 1), 50% POS (Diet 2), 3), 4), respectively for 8 weeks finishing diets, Parameters such nutrient intake, digestibility growth perfor...

This study was carried out to evaluate testicular ultrasound as a breeding soundness examination (BSE) and biometric tool for West African dwarf (WAD) buck goats. Twelve bucks of proven breeding capability were selected for this purpose. Scrotal circumferences of these animals were measured using a flexible tape. Testicular ultrasound was carried out on the transverse and longitudinal planes on...

Anaesthesia was induced in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats using different combinations of propofol (P), xylazine (X), and ketamine (K), and the biochemical effect of the drugs determined. Twenty male (WAD) goats were randomly assigned to five treatment groups viz. Control (C) (2.5 mL IV normal saline); group K + X (5 mg/kg IV ketamine + 0.05 mg/kg IV xylazine), group P + X (5 mg/kg IV propofol ...

The aim of this study was to compare the duration of analgesia produced by epidural injection of ketamine, lidocaine and xylazine in West African dwarf goats. Three healthy West African dwarf goats of varying ages were used for this study. After administration of each drug, the onset of action was recorded and the duration of action of each drug was determine through pin prick method at ten (10...

Linear and geometric regression equations were used to estimate liveweight of two hundred eighty six semi-intensively managed West African Dwarf (WAD) goats from Chest girth (CG) Wither height (WH) measurements. CG accounted for 52 58% variation in the using linear respectively, thus showing a curvilinear relationship. WH 31% both equations. measurement was found be more reliable estimating WAD...

This study evaluated The association of breed, sex, age and location herd/flock (Village. peri-urban sales point) with prevalence distribution ticks in sheep goats Abeokuta its environs, A total 300 were randomly selected from the three locations. estimated age, breeds each animal determined. Thereafter, they examined for presence ticks, Ticks collected into universal bottles containing 1% form...

Vetiver grass was harvested at 4, 6 and 8-week regrowth and were ensiled with cassava peels at ratio 60:40 and 100% without cassava peels. The quality and chemical composition of the silages were assessed. The silages along with fresh unensiled re-growths of vetiver grass were fed to WAD goats in a cafeteria method to determine the coefficient of preference of the diets. Results showed that ens...

The immune systems are fundamentally vital for evolution and survival of species; as such, selection patterns in innate immune loci are of special interest in molecular evolutionary research. The interferon regulatory factor (IRF) gene family control many different aspects of the innate and adaptive immune responses in vertebrates. Among these, IRF3 is known to take active part in very many bio...

A study was undertaken to determine effect of nutritional value of Melon husk (MH) and Palm oil slurry (POS) on quality of chevon obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed finishing diets as follows: diet 1(0% MH, 0% POS); diet 2 (50% MH, 0% POS); diet 3 (0% MH, 50% POS) and diet 4 (50% MH, 50% POS), along with Panicum maximum as basal diet for all dietary treatment groups. After 60 days...

Haemoparasites of small ruminants reduce their productivity and could lead to high mortality. Information on the prevalence of haemoparasites in small ruminants in Lafia, Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria is scarce. Our study therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of haemoparasites of small ruminants in this area based on the parasite species, sex, age and breed. Seventy Two and 32 blood s...