Nutritional impact of hydroponic fodder supplementation on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in West African Dwarf rams
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Livestock production in the tropics is constrained by the limited availability and low nutritive value of forage, particularly during the dry season, compounded by insufficient land for cultivation. Hydroponic fodder production, a method of growing plants using water-based nutrient solutions in minimal land space, has the potential to address these challenges. This study evaluated the effects of hydroponic fodders irrigated with poultry manure nutrient solution on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams, with implications for their nutritional and physiological health.
Methodology: Twenty-five WAD rams (average weight: 9.55 ± 0.25 kg) were randomly allocated into five treatment groups (n = 5 per group) in a completely randomized design. All groups were fed a basal diet of Megathyrsus maximus hay, supplemented with hydroponic fodders (maize, millet, sorghum, or wheat) as treatments, while a control group received a concentrate supplement. Key parameters measured included dry matter intake, crude protein content, and hematological and serum biochemical indices after an 84-day feeding trial.
Main Results: Hydroponic maize fodder exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) crude protein content (17.54%) among treatments, and rams fed this fodder achieved the highest dry matter intake (831.18 g/day). Hematological indices such as mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell count, and lymphocytes fell within normal ranges across treatments. However, rams-fed millet and sorghum fodders exhibited suboptimal hemoglobin and packed cell volume levels. Serum protein and urea nitrogen levels in all treatment groups remained within the normal range, indicating no adverse effects on physiological health.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hydroponic fodders, particularly maize, can be a sustainable and nutritionally adequate supplement for WAD rams during feed-scarce periods, supporting optimal health and performance without detrimental effects on hematological or biochemical parameters. The findings underscore the potential of hydroponics as a practical solution for enhancing livestock productivity in resource-constrained settings.
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