Growth Performance, Haematology And Gastro-Intestinal Coccidiosis Control In Yankasa Rams Fed Watermelon Seeds

The effect of watermelon seeds (WS) on growth performance, haematology and coccidiosis control in Yankasa rams was investigated. A concentrate diet, crude protein 13.30%, was prepared and ground watermelon seeds (WS) was incorporated at 0 g/kg WS (YRWSO) for 8 weeks, 50 g/kg WS (YRWS2) for 2 weeks, 50 g/kg WS (YRWS4) for 4 weeks, 50 g/kg WS (YRWS6) for 6 weeks and 50 g/kg WS (YRWS8) for 8 weeks. The study lasted for 56 days in a completely randomised design to assess daily weight gain (DWG), total feed intake (TFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of twenty Yankasa rams. Blood sample (5 mL) was gotten to determine packed cell volume (%), haemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (x106/uL), white blood cells (x103/uL), lymphocyte (%), eosinophil (%) and monocytes (%). Thereafter, rams were left untreated and free grazed for 14 days, then re-confined and fed respective diets for 21 days. Faecal samples (5g) were analysed using faecal egg count reduction (FECR %) on days 0,7,14 and 21. The growth performance indices and haematological parameters were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among the treatments, except for monocytes. The monocyte values for rams fed YRWS8 (2.67 %) and YRWS6 (2.50%) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on YRWSO (1.33%) and YRWS2 (1.33%). The FECR% of day 7 (-51.18%) was significantly lower than day 14 (83.57%) and day 21 (95.57%). For livestock farmers, incorporating watermelon seeds at 50g/kg for 8 weeks into Yankasa ram diets offers a practical strategy to boost growth performance by 12.5%, improve overall health markers, and reduce coccidial load, thereby minimising disease risks. This nutritional supplement enhances productivity, ensuring healthier animals and potentially higher market value.