HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF GROWING BALAMI RAMS FED FOUR VARIETIES OF HYDROPONIC SORGHUM FODDER WITH SUPPLEMENTS

Abstract

The study evaluated the effects of four varieties of hydroponic sorghum fodder with supplements on haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing Balami rams. Twenty growing Balami rams with an average body weight of 20±1kg were randomly allocated to four treatment groups, each receiving a different variety of hydroponic sorghum fodder (Red Chakalari, White Chakalari, Kaura and Jigari varieties as V1, V2, V3 and V4 respectively) with supplements. Blood samples were collected after a 70-day feeding trial to determine the effects of the diets on haematological parameters (packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, erythrocytic indices) and serum biochemical indices (glucose, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine etc). The results showed no significant variations (P>0.05) in some haematological parameters before morning feeding but they differed significantly (P<0.05) four hours after feeding. The serum biochemical parameters among the treatment groups were significantly (P<0.05) different at four hours after feeding in all the parameters except blood glucose and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Thus, most of the values obtained before morning feeding were not (P>0.05) statistically varied among the groups. However, all haematological and biochemical parameters fell within normal ranges for sheep, indicating that the hydroponic sorghum fodder varieties with supplements were not detrimental to the health of growing Balami rams. The study suggests that hydroponic sorghum fodder can be a viable feed option for sheep, however further research is needed to optimize its nutritional benefits.