A trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing wheat offal with rumen content on the growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150), one day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10% inclusion levels of sundried rumen content and 5 and 10% inclusion levels of roasted rumen content as a replacement to wheat offal. Each treatment was replicated three times with five (5) birds per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. The trial lasted for eight (8) weeks. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the final weights, daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio at the starter phase and finisher phases. Furthermore, no significant differences in the final weight (1346.60-1508.50g), daily feed intake (83.57-100.00g), and daily weight gain (36.43-39.53g), and were observed for the overall performance. However, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the feed conversion ratio with the highest being 2.69g and the lowest 2.33g in the overall performance. From these findings, it could be concluded that rumen content could replace wheat offal without any detrimental effect on the performance of broiler chickens.
The objective of this paper was to review the current status of poultry value chain in Ethiopia. According to the recent findings, there are about 59.5 million Chickens in Ethiopia. Out of the total chickens mentioned, 54.1 million (90.85%) are indigenous, 2.6 million (4.39%) are exotic and 2.8 million (4.76%) are hybrids. Scholars explained that poultry production in Ethiopia can be classified in various ways such as small, medium and large with yet poorly developed and traditional poultry value chain. Reports have shown that the poultry value chain distribution approach has been better practiced than the input-output approach mainly under smallholder production system. However: in large scale production system, both the input-output and the poultry value chain distribution approach have been undergone following the dynamics of poultry technologies and involvement of both national and international poultry research institutions (EIAR and ILRI), investments and interventions. Researchers indicated that the flow of information along the poultry value chain (Poultry Value chain Mapping) has not yet thoroughly investigated. Reports have shown that the poultry value chain actors are variable along the different areas of Ethiopia. Some of the poultry value chain actors studied were chicken multiplier and distributors as input supplier, poultry producers(for production purpose),poultry collectors and transporters, poultry wholesalers and retailers, restaurants and cafeterias and consumers (end users) as in the case of North Ethiopia (Adwa areas). Moreover; some of the poultry value chain actors in Southern part of the country were poultry producers, urban assemblers and Village assemblers, Wholesalers and retailers, Brokers, Processors, Supermarkets, Hotels and restaurants and consumers. Scholars have shown that the poultry value chain enabling environment has not yet conducive enough. The tax systems (import of essential inputs) have been indicated to quite challenging. The shortages of Foreign exchange, adequate supply of feed and insufficient knowledge base have additionally been cited as major hindrances of the poultry value chain. Literatures have shown that there has been a chronic shortage of day old chicks and fragmentation of distribution channels in the country. Some of the opportunities of poultry value chain have been mentioned as existence of governmental (MoAL) and non-governmental institutions (ILRI and Commercial companies), higher recent government prioritization and high population size (over 100 million). The poultry value chain is very fragmented and poor .The poultry production taxing system is also inadequate requiring key researches and policy interventions. Therefore, it is appropriate to recommend that there should be a need to develop clear policies and strategies for poultry value chain in Ethiopia through integrated effort of public and private sectors. There should also be capacity building (More practical oriented training) along the entire poultry value chain in the country as a whole. Keywords: Analysis, Poultry, Value chain, Status, Ethiopia
Trypanosomosis is a parasitic infection of man and animals caused by Trypanosoma spp. which occurs throughout the tropical regions especially in sub-Saharan Africa and the disease is a major constraint in cattle production. Toll-like receptors genes are crucial in triggering an innate immune response against pathogens. The study investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two toll-like receptors (TLR) 1 and 2 genes in Muturu and White Fulani cattle challenged with Trypanosoma vivax to determine their association with indices of trypanotolerance in these cattle breeds. Thirteen yearling Muturu and White Fulani bulls were used for this study. Four animals of each breed were intravenously inoculated with 2 x 106 trypanosome organisms per millilitre, while five animals served as uninfected control group. Data on haematological indices were collected twice weekly before and after Trypanosoma vivax inoculation for six weeks. A total of 16 SNPs were detected in the two TLR genes, out of which 7 were detected in TLR1 and nine in TLR2. Of the SNPs detected, 43.75% (n = 7) were transition and 56.25% (n = 9) were transversion. The trypanosomosis traits that were mostly associated with the TLR SNPs were WBC and PCV. The study concluded that 12TLR-SNPs in Muturu and White Fulani cattle were associated with WBC, 7 with PCV, 3 with RBC, 2 with eosinophil and none with monocyte. The significant relationships between TLR-SNPs and trypanosomosis traits if genotyped could provide important information that can be used in the control of the disease.Keywords: Toll-like receptors, single nucleotide polymorphisms, trypanosomosis, cattle Polymorphismes mononucleotidiques dans deux genes de TLR et leurs effets sur les traits de trypanosomose chez des bovins Muturu et Fulani blanc exposes au trypanosoma vivax au NigeriaLa trypanosomose est une infection parasitaire de l’homme et des animaux causee par Trypanosoma spp., qui est presente dans toutes les regions tropicales, en particulier en Afrique subsaharienne, et la maladie est une contrainte majeure a la production bovine. Les genes des recepteurs de type Toll (recepteurs TLR) sont cruciaux pour declencher une reponse immunitaire innee contre les pathogenes. L’etude a examineles polymorphismes mononucleotidiques (SNP) de deux genes des recepteurs TLR 1 et 2 chez des bovins Muturu et Fulani blancs infectes avec Trypanosoma vivax en vue de determiner leur association avec les indices de trypanotolerance chez ces races de bovins. Treize jeunes Muturu et Fulani blanc âges d’un an ont ete utilises pour cette etude. Quatre animaux de chaque race ont ete inocules par voie intraveineuseavec 2 x 106 organismes trypanosomes par millilitre, tandis que cinq animaux ont servi de groupe temoin non infecte. Les donnees sur les indices hematologiques ont ete recueillies deux fois par semaine avant et apres l’inoculation avec Trypanosoma vivax pendant six semaines. Un total de 16 SNP ont ete detectes dans les deux genes TLR, dont 7 detectes dans TLR1 et neuf dans TLR2. Parmi les SNP detectes, 43,75% (n = 7)etaient des transitions et 56,25% (n = 9) des transversions. Les traits de trypanosomose principalement associes aux SNP TLR etaient le WBC et le PCV. L’etude a conclu que 12 TLR-SNP chez les bovins Muturu et Fulani blanc etaient associes aux WBC, 7 au PCV, 3 au RBC, 2 aux eosinophiles et aucun aux monocytes. Les relations significatives entre les TLR-SNP et les traits de trypanosomose - s’ils sont genotypes - pourraient fournir des informations importantes susceptibles d’etre utilisees dans le controle de la maladie.Mots-cles : recepteurs TLR, polymorphismes mononu-cleotidiques, trypanosomose, bovins
A 56 d study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leafmeal, Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal and Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) meal on the growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. Four hundred (400) 1- d old unsexed Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to five diets consisting either a basal diet without supplement (negative control) or basal diet with 5mg/kg commercial antibiotic (positive control) or basal diet with 5mg/kg phytobiotics (moringa leaf meal (MLM),neem leaf meal (NLM) and bitter leaf meal (BLM) for 1-56 d. Each dietary treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 20 birds with a replicate being an experimental unit. The phyto-additives were assayed for chemical compositions. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloids, flavonoid, Phenol and Saponin. Birds fed diets supplemented with commercial antibiotic and MLM were heavier (p<0.05) while those on control and NLM had poorest weight at 28 d and 56 d. MLM and BLM diets were more consumed (p<0.05) by the starter birds. However, feed consumption was not influenced by the diets at the finisher phase. Birds on phyto-additives had higher percentage (p<0.05) of survival compared to those control and antibiotics at 28 and 56 d. Best feed:gain was achieved when the diet was supplemented with commercial antibiotics at 28 d and antibiotic and MLM at 56 d. The digestibility of dry matter (86.96%) and ash (75.34%) were higher (p<0.05) in birds given feed containing antibiotic improved (P<0.05) digestibility of crude protein and ether was observed in Birds fed diet containing commercial antibiotics.Keywords: Broiler chickens, phyto-additives, and performance characteristic Caracteristiques de performance et digestibilite apparente des nutriments des poulets de chair supplementes en phytoadditifsUne etude de 56 jours a ete realisee dans le but de determiner les effets de l’inclusion alimentaire de la farine de feuilles de Moringa (Moringa oleifera), de la farine de feuilles de Neem (Azadirachta indica) etde la feuille amere (Vernonia amygdalina) sur la croissance et la digestibilite apparente des poulets de chair. Quatre cents (400) poulets de chair Ross 308s des deux sexes, âges d’un (1) jour, ont ete aleatoirement repartis a cinq regimes comprenant soit un regime de base sans supplement (temoin negatif), soit un regime de base avec 5 mg / kg d’antibiotique commercial (temoin positif) ou un regime de base avec 5 mg / kg de phytobiotiques (farine de feuilles de moringa - MLM, farine de feuilles de neem –NLM- et farine defeuilles ameres -BLM) pendant 1 a 56 jours. Chaque traitement dietetique consistait en 4 repetitions de 20 oiseaux, une repetition etant une unite experimentale. Les phyto-additifs ont ete etudies pour determiner leurs compositions chimiques. Le depistage phytochimique a revele la presence de tanins, d’alcaloides, de flavonoides, de phenol et de saponine. Les oiseaux recevant des supplements d’antibiotiques commerciaux et de MLM etaient plus lourds (p <0,05) que ceux soumis au regime temoin, et ceux recevant NLM avaient le poids le plus faible aux jours 28 et 56. Les regimes MLM et BLM etaient plus consommes (p <0,05) par les jeunes oiseaux. Cependant, la consommation d’aliments n’a pas ete influencee par les regimes en phase de finition. Les oiseaux recevant des phyto-additifs avaient un pourcentage de survie plus eleve (p <0,05) que les temoins et les antibiotiques a 28 et 56 jours. Meilleur aliment : gain obtenu lorsque le regime etait complete avec des antibiotiques commerciaux au jour 28 et des antibiotiques au jour 56. La digestibilite de la matiere seche (86,96%) et des cendres (75,34%) etait plus elevee (p <0,05) chez les oiseaux recevant desaliments contenant des antibiotiques ameliores (P <0,05), la digestibilite de la proteine brute et de l’ether a ete observee chez les oiseaux recevant des antibiotiques commerciaux. Mots-cles : poulets de chair, phyto-additifs, et caracteristiques de performance
Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) causes contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in adult cattle however calves younger than 6 months develop mostly arthritis and associated lameness, but very few lesions in the lungs, suggesting that Mycoplasma does not easily colonize lungs of young calves. The aim of this study was to assess effects of CBPP in 7-month-old calves following infection by in-contact transmission; and manifestation in adult cattle and calves infected via intubation method. Both adult and seven month old calves developed respiratory indications of CBPP. Although none of the adult cattle developed arthritis, 7/10 and all 5 calves infected by intubation and in-contact transmission methods respectively developed arthritis. The results show that 7-month-old calves, whether infected by intubation or in-contact method develop respiratory signs similar to adult cattle as well as arthritis as seen in calves younger than six months. This suggests that at seven months, calves have developed susceptibility to lung lesions but still have a propensity for damage in the joints like very young calves.Key words: Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, Calves, intubation, in-contact transmission Manifestation de la pleuropneumonie contagieuse bovine chez des veaux de sept mois infectes avec un bronchoscope et par contactMycoplasma mycoides sous-espece mycoides (Mmm) est responsable de la pleuropneumonie contagieuse bovine (PPCB) chez les bovins adultes, mais les veaux de moins de 6 mois developpent essentiellement de l’arthrite et de la boiterie associee, mais tres peu de lesions pulmonaires, ce qui porte a croire que Mycoplasma ne colonise pas facilement les poumons des jeunes veaux. Le but de cette etude etait d’evaluer les effets de la PPCB chez les veaux de 7 mois infectes par contact, et les manifestations chez les bovins adultes et les veaux infectes par intubation. Les veaux adultes et ceux de sept mois ont developpe des signes respiratoires de PPCB. Bien qu’aucun des bovins adultes n’ait developpe de l’arthrite, 7/10 et tous les 5 veaux infectes par intubation et transmission par contact ont respectivement developpe de l’arthrite. Les resultats montrent que les veaux de 7 mois, qu’ils soient infectes par intubation ou par contact, developpent des signes respiratoires similaires a ceux des bovins adultes, tels que l’arthrite chez les veaux de moins de six mois. Ceci donne a penser qu’a sept mois les veaux ont developpe une susceptibilite aux lesions pulmonaires, mais ont toujours une propension d’endommagement des articulations comme les tres jeunes veaux.Mots-cles : pleuropneumonie contagieuse bovine, Mycoplasma mycoides sous-espece mycoides, veaux, intubation, transmission par contact
The assessment of macromineral concentration of Panicum/Stylosanthes mixtures was carried out at the Cattle Production Venture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Southwest Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the concentration of some macromineral elements in the grass/legume pasture grazed by the animals with the view of recommending an application of relevant fertilizers. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot design with two spatial distribution of biomass (dense and sparse) assigned to the main plot and three cut back heights (10, 15 and 20 cm above ground) allotted to the subplot. Main plots measured 15 x 5 m while sub-plots were 5 x 5 m. Samples of Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) and Stylosanthes guianensis were clipped and analyzed to determine the concentration of P, K, Ca, and Mg. Results showed that both forage types had sufficient levels of P, K, Ca and Mg to meet the requirements of ruminants. Calcium (9.10 g kg -1) and P (3.75 g kg -1) contents of P. maximum were (p<0.05) higher for the dense biomass cut back to 15 cm height. Stylosanthes guianensis in the dense biomass cut to 15 cm recorded higher value for Ca than other treatments. Magnesium concentration was higher for P. maximum in the dense biomass (6.68 g kg -1) cut to 10 cm and the same pasture type cut to 15 cm height above ground recorded (P<0.05) higher value (5.41 g kg -1) for S. guianensis. Cutting of forages with the aim of promoting the regrowth of young shoots appears to favour sufficient accumulation of minerals in both forage types. Since only a portion of the total forage available in a sward is useful to grazing animals based on sward characteristics (e.g spatial distribution), herbage with higher quality is preferred by ruminants. It can be concluded that dense pastures are highly nutritive and cut back to 10 cm above ground could potentially produce regrowth herbage with sufficient macrominerals which relegate the need for mineral supplementation in grazing animals and fertilizer application to the pasture sward.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Panicum maximum, Stylosanthes guianensis, cut back, grazing Evaluation de certaines teneurs en macromineraux d’un tapis d’herbes / graminees en fonction des besoins des animauxL’evaluation de la teneur en macromineraux des melanges de Panicum / Stylosanthes a ete realisee a la Cattle Production Venture de l’Universite Federale d’Agriculture d’Abeokuta, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. L’etude avait pour objectif de determiner la concentration de certains elements macromineraux dans les pâturages d’herbes / graminees frequentes par les animaux en vue de recommander l’application d’engrais appropries. L’experience a ete presentee selon un dispositif a parcelles divisees avec deux distributions spatiales de biomasse (dense et eparse) assignees a la parcelle principale et trois aires a hauteurs d’herbes reduites (10, 15 et 20 cm au-dessus du sol) attribuees a la sous-parcelle. Les parcelles principales mesuraient 15 x 5 m tandis que les sous-parcelles mesuraient 5 x 5 m. Des echantillons de Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) et de Stylosanthes hamata cv (Verano) ont ete coupes et analyses pour determiner la teneur en P, K, Ca et Mg. Les resultats ont montre que les deux types de fourrage avaient des teneurs assez suffisantes en P, K, Ca et Mg pour repondre aux besoins des ruminants. Les teneurs en Calcium (9,10 g kg -1) et en P (3,75 g kg -1) de P. maximum etaient plus elevees (p <0,05) pour la biomasse dense ramenee a 15 cm de hauteur. Stylosanthes hamata dans la biomasse dense coupee a 15 cm a enregistre une valeur plus elevee pour le Ca par rapport aux autres traitements. La concentration de magnesium etait plus elevee pour P. maximum dans la biomasse dense (6,68 g kg -1) coupee a 10 cm et le meme type de pâturage coupe a 15 cm de hauteur au-dessus du sol a enregistre (P <0,05) une valeur plus elevee (5,41 g kg -1) pour S. hamata. Le fait de couper les fourrages dans le but de favoriser les repousses semble favoriser une accumulation suffisante de mineraux dans les deux types de fourrage. Puisque seule une partie du fourrage total disponible dans une couche vegetale est utile aux animaux de pâturage en fonction des caracteristiques de la vegetation (par exemple, la distribution spatiale), les ruminants preferent les herbages de meilleure qualite. On peut en conclure que les pâturages denses sont tres nutritifs et qu’une coupure de 10 cm au-dessus du sol pourrait produire des repousses ayant suffisamment de macromineraux, ce qui relegue le besoin de supplementation minerale chez les animaux de pâturage et d’application d’engrais aux pâturages herbeux.Mots-cles : repartition spatiale, Panicum maximum, Stylosanthes hamata, reduction de hauteur, pâturage
Small ruminants are an important source of animal protein and of special importance in those areas where cattle are of lesser importance. The study was conducted determined current prevalence of fasciolosis in sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of northeast Nigeria. About 300 samples each from sheep and goats were collected and analysed for one year from June, 2015 to May, 2016. An overall prevalence of 9.65% and 9.15% was obtained in sheep and goats respectively. The prevalence of fasciolosis was higher in sheep (9.0%; CI: 8.8-16.2) as compare to goats (7.3%; CI: 4.9-10.9) during rainy season while during dry season, the prevalence was higher in goats (11.0%; CI: 7.9-15.1) than in sheep (10.3%; CI: 7.4-14.3) There was insignificant association (p>0.05) between the species in both seasons. Breed specific prevalence shows a significant association (p 0.05) observed between ages of sheep and goats in both season. Sex specific prevalence shows a significant association (p 0,05) entre les especes au cours des deux saisons. La prevalence specifique a la race montre une association significative (p 0,05) entre les âges des moutons et des chevres au cours des deux saisons. La prevalence specifique au sexe montre une association significative (p<0,05) chez les moutons pendant la saison seche. L’infestation par Fasciola etait repandue chez les moutons et les chevres de la zone d’etude. Nous recommandons un traitement precoce aux antihelminthiques ainsi que la destruction de l’hote intermediaire afin de tirer un benefice maximal des petits ruminants dans la zone semi-aride du nord-est du Nigeria. Mots-cles : fasciolose, prevalence, zone semi-aride, petits ruminants
The aim of the research was to contribute towards improved pig reproductive performance in Uganda, through determining community boar stud semen quality as affected by boar traits and comparing the performance of single and double insemination. Semen ejaculates (n=36) from mature boars (3Large white, 3 Camborough) were studied for quality in relation to breed, boar age and individual boar. In addition, single and double inseminations were carried out during in vivo fertility trials (n = 84). The data was analyzed for correlation using Spearman rank-order correlations and variance of means by Mann-Whitney test of SPSS version 20. There was a significant positive correlation between boar age and semen volume (rs = 0.849, p 0.05) from single insemination (89.6%). The mean litter size for single insemination was 8.16 ± 0.34, (range 2-13 piglets) while for double, it was 9.00±0.39, (range 4-16 piglets). There was a positive relationship between semen quality and boar age. The performance of single dose in terms of piglets per insemination was higher than in double dose. Thus, a single AI dose is as good as a double dose and should be promoted among smallholder farmers who need access to low cost but high gain from breeding services. The single dose protocol seem to reduce breeding costs, however, an investigation of cost benefit analysis is needed to establish its cost effectiveness in commercial artificial insemination. Key words : Boar traits, insemination protocol, semen fertility (in vitro & in vivo) Performance reproductive du protocole d’insemination artificielle simple et double chez les porcs Le but de la recherche etait de contribuer a l’amelioration de la performance reproductive des porcs en Ouganda, en determinant la qualite du sperme de verrats communautaires tel qu’affectee par les traits des verrats et en comparant les performances des inseminations simple et double. Les ejaculats (n = 36) de verrats matures (3Grand blanc, 3 Camborough) ont ete etudies pour determiner leur qualite sur base de la race, de l’âge du verrat et du verrat individuel. De plus, des inseminations simples et doubles ont ete realisees lors d’essais de fertilite in vivo (n = 84). Les donnees ont ete analysees pour determiner la correlation en utilisant les correlations de rang-ordre de Spearman et la variance des moyennes par test de Mann-Whitney de SPSS version 20. On a note une correlation positive significative entre l’âge du verrat et le volume du sperme (rs = 0.849, p 0,05) de celui de l’insemination unique (89,6%). La taille moyenne des portees pour une insemination unique etait de 8,16 ± 0,34 (fourchette de 2 a 13 porcelets) alors que pour la double insemination elle etait de 9,00 ± 0,39 (fourchette de 4 a 16 porcelets). On a releve une relation positive entre la qualite du sperme et l’âge du everrat. La performance d’une dose unique en termes de porcelets par insemination etait plus elevee qu’en double dose. Ainsi, une seule dose d’IA est aussi bonne qu’une double dose et devrait etre encouragee chez les petits exploitants qui ont besoin d’acces a un cout faible mais a un gain eleve des services de selection. Le protocole de dose unique semble reduire les couts de reproduction, cependant, une etude de l’analyse couts-avantages est necessaire pour etablir son rapport cout-efficacite dans l’insemination artificielle commerciale. Mots-cles : traits du verrat, protocole d’insemination, fertilite du sperme (in vitro & in vivo)
The nutritive value of Pennisetum purpureum grass with treated Enterolobium cyclocarpum seeds silage at varying proportions and at different ensiling periods was evaluated based on their chemical composition and in vitro fermentation. The study was a 7×2 factorial experiment with three replications. The factors were seven different proportions (100:0) as control, 85:15; 70:30) for boiled, toasted and raw E. cyclocarpum seeds ensiled with P. purpureum grass at varying proportions (85:15; 70:30 respectively) and two ensiling periods (30 and 60 days).The results revealed that crude protein (CP) contents of the silage ranged from 9.92 to 15.47 %, with 30% boiled seed+70% grass showing the highest CP contents. Silage that was ensiled for 60 days had significantly (P 0.05) higher total anaerobic bacteria counts. Ensiling of the seeds and grass at 60 days produced higher total anaerobic bacteria counts than in silage that was ensiled for 30 days. In conclusion, high CP, moderate fibre and better in vitro fermentation characteristics in P. purpureum ensiled with treated E. cyclocarpum seeds at varying proportions and at different ensiling periods suggests better nutritive alternatives to sole P. purpureum grass silage, as well as an appropriate feeding strategy which can improve ruminants’ performance especially during the dry season Keywords : Enterolobium cyclocarpum seeds, fermentation, nutritive value, processing, proportion, Pennisetum purpureum . Evaluation des effets de la proportion et de la duree d'ensilage sur la digestibilite et les caracteristiques on fermentaion des elements nutritifs des ensilages de pennisetum purpureum et d'enterlobium cyclocarpum en utilisant la technique de production de gaz invitro La valeur nutritive de l’herbe de Pennisetum purpureum avec ensilage de graines d’Enterolobium cyclocarpum traitees a des proportions variables et a differentes periodes d’ensilage a ete evaluee sur la base de leur composition chimique et de leur fermentation in vitro. L’etude consistait en une experience factorielle 7 × 2 avec trois repetitions. Les facteurs etaient sept proportions differentes - (100: 0) comme controle, 85:15; 70:30) pour des graines de E. cyclocarpum bouillies, grillees et crues ensilees avec de l’herbe de P. purpureum a des proportions variables (85:15, 70:30 respectivement) et deux periodes d’ensilage (30 et 60 jours). Les resultats ont revele que la teneur en proteines brutes (PB) de l’ensilage variait de 9,92 a 15,47%, les pourcentages 30% de graines bouillies + 70% d’herbe montrant les plus fortes teneurs en proteine brute. L’ensilage de 60 jours avait une teneur en PB significativement plus elevee (P 0,05). L’ensilage des graines et de l’herbe a 60 jours a produit des nombres de bacteries anaerobies totaux plus eleves par rapport a l’ensilage de 30 jours. En conclusion, une PB elevee, une teneur moderee en fibres et de meilleures caracteristiques de fermentation in vitro chez P. purpureum ensilees avec des graines d’E. Cyclocarpum traitees a des proportions variables et a differentes periodes d’ensilage semblent indiquer de meilleures alternatives nutritives par rapport a l’ensilage d’herbe pure P. purpureum, ainsi qu’une strategie d’alimentation appropriee qui peut ameliorer la performance des ruminants en particulier pendant la saison seche. Mots-cles : graines d’Enterolobium cyclocarpum, fermentation, valeur nutritive, traitement, proportion, Pennisetum purpureum.
Rabbit production is an attractive proposition for the supply of high quality meat especially in developing countries with little cereal surplus (Fayeye and Ayorinde, 2008).They are efficient converters of feed to meat. Thus, this study aimed to examine effects of vitamin E inclusion levels on performance and haematological parameters of growing rabbits. A total of forty eight (48) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes were randomly assigned into four treatments of twelve rabbits each. These rabbits were housed three (3) per cell. The rabbits were placed on four levels of vitamin E inclusion (0mg/kg {Control}, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg) in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on the growth, haematological and serum biochemistry of the growing rabbits. Results obtained showed that levels of vitamin E inclusion significantly (P 0.05) from values obtained at 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg inclusion levels. Best feed conversion ratio was obtained at 300mg/kg of vitamin E inclusion which differed significantly from other dietary treatments. Results obtained on haematological and serum biochemistry showed that levels of vitamin E inclusion did not significantly (P>0.05) influenced all the parameters measured. However, all the values obtained in this study on blood parameters are within the ranges of values reported as baseline data in growing rabbits by authors. It can be concluded that inclusion of dietary vitamin E at 300mg/kg in the diets of growing rabbits could help in enhancing growth performance of growing rabbits. Inclusion of dietary vitamin E in the diet of growing rabbits could help in improving immune responsiveness in growing rabbits has the result obtained in this study does not have any adverse effect on the haematological and serum biochemistry of growing rabbits. Keywords : Rabbits; growth; Vitamin E and haematology Parametres de performance et d’hematologie des lapins en croissance soumis aux regimes contenant differents niveaux d’inclusion de vitamine e La production de lapins est une proposition attrayante pour l’approvisionnement en viande de haute qualite, en particulier dans les pays en developpement ayant un faible surplus en cereales (Fayeye et Ayorinde, 2008). Les lapins sont des convertisseurs efficaces d’aliments animaux en viande. Ainsi, la presente etude avait pour objectif d’examiner les effets de differents niveaux d’inclusion de vitamine E sur les parametres de performance et d’hematologie des lapins en croissance. Au total, quarante-huit (48) lapins sevres de races mixtes et des deux sexes ont ete repartis de maniere aleatoire en quatre traitements de douze lapins par traitement. Ces lapins ont ete loges par groupe de trois (3) par cellule. Les lapins ont ete soumis a quatre niveaux d’inclusion de vitamine E (0 mg / kg {Control}, 100 mg / kg, 200 mg / kg et 300 mg / kg) selon un schema completement randomise. Des donnees ont ete recueillies sur la croissance, l’hematologie et la biochimie serique des lapins en croissance. Les resultats obtenus ont montre que les niveaux d’inclusion de vitamine E ont significativement (P 0,05) des valeurs obtenues aux niveaux d’inclusion de 200 mg / kg et de 300 mg / kg. Le meilleur indice de consommation a ete note pour le niveau d’inclusion de vitamine E de 300 mg / kg qui etait significativement different des autres traitements dietetiques. Les resultats obtenus pour la biochimie hematologique et serique ont montre que les niveaux d’inclusion de vitamine E n’ont pas influence significativement (P> 0,05) tous les parametres mesures. Cependant, dans cette etude, toutes les valeurs obtenues sur les parametres sanguins se situent dans les fourchettes des valeurs rapportees par les auteurs comme donnees de reference chez les lapins en croissance. On peut conclure que l’inclusion de vitamine E alimentaire a 300 mg / kg dans le regime des lapins en croissance peut contribuer a l’amelioration des performances de croissance des jeunes lapins. L’inclusion de vitamine E dans le regime alimentaire des lapins en croissance pourrait contribuer a ameliorer la reponse immunitaire des lapins en croissance, car le resultat obtenu dans cette etude a montre que la vitamine E n’a aucun effet negatif sur la biochimie hematologique et serique des lapins en croissance. Mots-cles : lapins ; croissance; vitamine E et hematologie
