title: Influence of nickel supplementation from nickel sulphate hexahydrate and nickel-sodium monofluorophosphate on the performance of the West African dwarf kids.
abstract: The influence of nickel supplementation on the performance of the West African dwarf kids was studied. The investigation involved 12 kids, 3-4 months old with average weight of 5.99+/-0.18kg in a completely randomised design experiment. The treatments consisted of nickel in the forms of nickel-sodium monofluorophosphate (Ni-SMFP) and nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NiSO(4).6H(2)O) added to a corn-based diet at 10ppm of nickel. The control was the corn-based diet with no nickel supplement. Feeding was at 4% of body weight. Parameters for assessment were weight gain, feed intake, nitrogen intake and retention, urea, total protein, creatinine and glucose in serum, haemoglobin, erythrocyte and leucocyte counts. Feed intake, weight gain and nitrogen retention were affected (P<0.05) by treatment, Ni-SMFP having greater (P<0.05) influence than NiSO(4).6H(2)O. Nickel supplementation had no effect on serum creatinine, glucose, haemoglobin, erythrocyte and leucocyte counts. Ni-SMFP may be the better supplementary form of nickel in enhancing the performance of the young kid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
authors.forename: A A.
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeloye
authors.forename: M B.
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yousouf