Authors : T.B. Olayeni, G.O. Farinu , V.A. Togun , O.S. Adedeji and A.O. Aderinola
Abstract: A feeding trial lasting 49 days was conducted using 16 weaner pigs of mixed breeds (Large White x Landrace) with initial average weights of between 8.13±0.80 kg and 8.25±0.85 kg to determine the effects of different levels of wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A Gray) leaf meal on their growth, haematology and organ characteristics. The animals were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using Complete Randomized Design (CRD). There were four individually penned animals per treatment. The Wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (WSLM) was included at 0, 10, 15 and 20% levels. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum. Records of growth performance, blood parameters and organ characteristics were taken. The values of average final weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed gain ratio were not significantly influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments. Significant differences were not indicated (p>0.05) in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. However, platelets, white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly influenced (p<0.05). Kidney weight significantly increased (p<0.05) as levels of WSLM increased while heart, liver and spleen weights were not different significantly (p>0.05). It is evident that WSLM can be incorporated into the diet of weaner pigs at 200 g/kg
Olayeni, T.B. , G.O. Farinu , V.A. Togun , O.S. Adedeji and A.O. Aderinola , 2006. Performance and Haematological Characteristics of Weaner Pigs Fed Wild Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A Gray) Leaf Meal. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 499-502.