@article{MAKHILLRJDS202014227806,
    title = {Impact of Dry Season Supplementary Feeding on Biological and Economic Performance of
Bull Calves in a Fulani Herd in Derived Savanna Zone of Nigeria},
    journal = {Research Journal of Dairy Sciences},
    volume = {14},
    number = {2},
    pages = {9-13},
    year = {2020},
    issn = {1993-5277},
    doi = {rjdsci.2020.9.13},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1993-5277&doi=rjdsci.2020.9.13},
    author = {A.A.,J.O.,J.A.,M.K.,S.O. and},
    keywords = {aematology,Bunaji,Ndama,bull calves,Fulani herds},
    abstract = {Inadequate nutrition remains a major
constraint to improved cattle production in the traditional
agropastoral system of derived savanna in Nigeria.
Consequently, a trial to study effect of supplementary
feeding of dried brewers spent grain to grazing cattle in
the dry season was carried out in four selected Fulani
herds located in the four axis of the derived savanna zone.
In the trial, studies were carried out on eight N’dama and
eight Bunaji bull calves in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of
complete randomized block design. The supplement
DBSG (24% CP) was fed at the rate of 1 kg/calf /day for
the period of 3 months. The calves on supplementation
consumed an average of 0.80 kg day<sup>&#150;1</sup> of the supplement.
The average daily weight gains were higher for
bull-calves on supplementary feeding (85/day for N&#146;dama
versus 56 g day<sup>&#150;1</sup> for Bunaji) than those without the
supplement (17 g day<sup>&#150;1</sup> for N&#146;dama versus 11 g day<sup>&#150;1</sup> for
Bunaji). Ndama cattle gained more weight than
Bunaji. Financial analysis showed that the net benefit
for the two breeds fed with or without
supplementation was higher for N&#146;dama than for
Bunaji. Supplementation had a significant (p<0.05)
effect on animal PCV, RBC and Hb values. There
were significant interaction between hematological
parameters and protein intake except for leukocyte
count. The study showed that dietary protein
supplementation had asignificant influence on
haemotogical parameters; body weight gains and the net
economic returns. Thus, dry season feed supplementation
with dried brewers spent grain had a positive effect
on Bunaji and N&#146;dama bull calves being raised in a
traditional Fulani herd and could be encouraged as a
strategy to boost cattle productivity during the critical dry
season.}
    }