Effect of Dietary Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajana) on growth and some Blood Parameters of Desert Goats

The experiment was conducted in the Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, at Shambat for 6 weeks. The study aims to examine the effect of the dietary C. cajan on the growth of desert goat kids, chemical blood serum cholesterol, calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (I.P), glucose total protein. Iron (Fe) and blood haemoglobin (Hb).Twenty four male kids of ages ranging from 3.5-4 months and the animal average weight (10.27+ 0.69 kg) were divided into four equal groups of six animals each. The four groups were provided with basic diet consisting of sorghum grain, wheat bran and groundnut cake that supply male kids with all nutrients. Four experimental diets were formulated by addition of C. cajan to the basic diet at (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) in group A, B, C and D respectively. Results showed that there was a significant effect (P < 0.05) on growth and consumed feed when using C. cajan, group D (9% C. cajan) had a significant increase in the growth rate. In addition, such group had the larger amount of the consumed feed as well as the best feed conversion ratio (FCR). Chemical blood measurements showed that there is ascending increase in blood indices such as (Hb), the group who was fed with the ration containing 9% of C. cajan scored the significant (P < 0.05) increase, however, higher level of serum cholesterol observed on animal fed 6% C. cajan, but serum total protein, glucose, Ca, I.P and Fe were not affected by C. cajan. Feeding 9% of C. cajan, has no adverse effect on animal health and no bloat symptoms.