Abstract

Objectives: The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Leucaena leucocephala leaf -meal based diets on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of growing Red Sokoto Bucks (RSB) fed a basal diet of Digitaria horizantalis. Methods: Sixteen (16) growing Red Sokoto bucks averagely 8 - 9 months of age, weighing 10 - 11 kg +- 0.5 were used for the study. Four treatment supplement (0, 5, 10 and 15%) inclusion levels of leucaena leaf meal were formulated and designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. The bucks were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and weekly thereafter, while feed intake was recorded daily. The experimental design is a complete randomized design (CRD) the experiment lasted for a period of sixty-three (63) days after an adjustment period of 14 days. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Proximate composition of the supplemental diet, (Leucaena leucocephala Leaf meal) and the basal diet (Digitaria horizantalis) were determined using the methods of AOAC, (2005). Results: The result revealed significant (p<0.05) difference in all the Haematological and serum biochemical indices of the bucks, but almost all the values fell within the normal range of haematology and serum values for healthy Red Sokoto bucks. Conclusion: Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal can be included in supplement diets for red Sokoto goats up to 15% without adverse effects on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of red sokoto goats.