Background and Objective: Wheat offal is one of the abundant AIBs whose application is limited in monogastric animals due to poor nutritional value.Fermentation improves the nutritional value of feedstuff.This experiment was conducted to evaluate rumen filtrate fermented wheat offal as (RUFFWO) a feed ingredient in the diet of broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: Six diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of broiler chickens at the starter and finisher stages using RUFFWO at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of the diets.As 180 days old broiler chicks were randomly weighed and allotted to six treatment groups of 30 birds each, respectively.Each treatment was divided into three replicates of 10 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD).Data on the feed intake, body weight gain feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and cost-benefit were generated and analyzed.Results: The result of the experiment revealed a significant (p<0.05)decrease in feed intake, body weight gain and final weight of broiler chickens with an increase in dietary RUFFWO at the starter phase.Feed conversion ratio and mortality were significantly lower in the RUFFWO group compared to the control at the finisher phase.Feed cost and cost/kg gain were higher in the RUFFWO group at the starter phase.No significant effect was found at the finisher phase.Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that broiler chickens can tolerate up to 25% fermented wheat offal without detrimental effects on performance.As 20% inclusion of RUFFWO is recommended for broiler chickens at the finisher stage.
Background and Objective: Protein deficiency is a public health problem in developing countries.The search for available and less vegetable protein is recommended as a solution.Nevertheless for their efficient use knowledge of their bio disponibility is recommended.The objective of the present study was to develop sesame seeds as a source of protein to contribute to the resolution of protein-energy malnutrition.Materials and Methods: Thus, the overall composition of these seeds was first determined and then an animal experiment was carried out on 12 growing Wistar rats, with soybean as the control food.Two iso-energetic and iso-protein regimes (sesame based diet (SBD), Soybean Based Regime (SBR)) have therefore been formulated.The experiment made it possible to evaluate the growth parameters, blood biochemical and biometrics of the organs of the animals.Results: The results for the overall composition gave 7.8% ash, 20.72±0.08% protein, 52.47±0.19%fat, 15.08±0.2%total carbohydrate with an amount of energy of 543.54±1.05Kcal/100 g MS.In terms of blood biochemical parameters and organ biometrics, the comparative analysis revealed similar values in the rats subjected to the two diets, except the total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels, which were higher in the rats subjected to the sesame diet.Conclusion: Sesame, therefore, appears to be a good alternative to common vegetable proteins and a means of reducing protein-energy malnutrition.
Background and Objective: Identifying a suitable salt for preparing a buffer to formulate an egg-yolk extender for turkey semen dilution and preservation may be a good approach to improving fertility in turkey species.An experiment was conducted to evaluate the buffering potentials of three common salts (tris, sodium citrate and sodium phosphate) for dilution and preservation of tom semen.Materials and Methods: Three buffers were prepared and added to the egg yolk in the same proportion.Semen was ejaculated from five toms, pooled and divided into four and diluted at the ratio of 1:4 (semen to extender).Samples were evaluated for motility, viability and membrane integrity immediately after dilution and semen was stored for the period of 4, 24 and 48 hrs at 4-8EC.Results: The pH result revealed that the tris egg-yolk extender (TEY) has the highest pH of 7.3.It was observed that the percentage of sperm motility showed no significant difference (p<0.05)across the treatments at 0 hr.From 4 to 48 hrs of preservation, (TEY) and sodium citrate egg-yolk (SCEY) were statistically similar and had a significant (p>0.05)higher percentage of motile sperm compared to un-extended semen and sodium phosphate egg-yolk (SPEY).Viability values recorded for tom semen diluted with egg-yolk extender containing different buffers showed no significant (p<0.05)difference from 0 to 48 hrs.Membrane integrity also showed no significant difference (p<0.05) at 0 hr.However, from 4 to 48 hrs of preservation, TEY and SCEY extender were statistically similar but significantly higher (p>0.05) to undiluted semen and SPEY.Conclusion: Tris and sodium citrate buffer exhibited good buffering capability for the formulation of egg-yolk extender for turkey semen dilution and preservation.
Background and Objective: Since the world population reaches nine billion by 2050, both humans and animals may experience further malnourishment and starvation.It is crucial to comprehend the current state of the alternative plant.The study was carried out to evaluate the potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) as a rich source of fibre and nutritional benefit for high-quality ruminant feed production in Malaysia.Materials and Methods: The fibre content and nutritional elements of raw kenaf tree (3 months old) and two types of kenaf processed products (bast and core fibres) were evaluated using the standard procedure of proximate analysis.The nutritional elements (i.e., dry matter, crude protein, metabolizable energy, ether extract, crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, organic matter digestibility and total digestible nutrient) of different groups were assessed proximately using standard techniques.Results: The result revealed that nutrient elements such as dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients were significantly (p<0.05)higher in the leaves of raw kenaf plants while metabolizable energy, ether extract and organic metabolizable energy differed insignificant (p>0.05) between leaves and stems and crude fibre and acid detergent fibre in stems were substantially higher (p>0.05).For the processed kenaf plants, nutrient elements such as dry matter, ether extract and total digestible nutrients varied significantly in both bast, 1st and 2nd processed cores, while nutrient elements including crude fibre, metabolizable energy, crude protein, acid detergent fibre and organic matter digestibility were insignificantly differentiated (p>0.05) from one another.The combination of kenaf samples both raw and processed products detected potential nutritional values for ruminantsʼ consumption.Raw kenaf is good in nutritional values supply whereas, processed kenaf is good for its longer shelf life and fibre content.Conclusion: Therefore, the findings of this study suggested that raw and processed kenaf products have the potential to be formulated into high-quality animal feed.
Background and Objective: Adverse effect of antibiotics is a major concern.On the other hand, the therapeutic properties of turmeric are well known, which are locally grown in the region and available in abundance.Hence, the present study was conducted to use turmeric as an alternative to antibiotics.The current study was designed to determine body weight, growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, carcass traits and the economics of broiler chicken production as influenced by different levels of turmeric powder dietary supplementation.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 day-old commercial broiler chicks of the Cobb 430 Y strain were randomly divided into four treatments (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 ) each consisting of five replications consisting of ten birds, each following a Randomized Block Design.The experimental birds were fed a standard broiler starter (0-21 days) and finisher ration (22-42 days).The birds were subjected to four dietary treatments containing 0, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g kgG 1 of feed, respectively.Body weight, weight gain and FCE were recorded weekly, while the total calorie intake was recorded daily.On the 42nd day, four birds from each treatment were sacrificed to study the carcass characteristics.Results: The dietary supplementation with turmeric powder did not significantly affect body weight or weight gain and feed intake had the best FCE recorded in T 4 .Mortality was nil in turmeric supplemented group.Hence, livability was recorded as 100 percent.Carcass weight was unaffected by turmeric supplementation, but it showed a significant effect on dressing percentage and organ weights.The highest net profit per bird and BCR were observed in T 3 .Hence, the performance index, net profit per bird and BCR were found to be best in T 3 .Conclusion: As a result of the above findings, supplementation of turmeric powder at 0.6 g kgG 1 of feed can be recommended under Nagalandʼs agro-climatic conditions.
Background and Objective: The low fertility of diluted and preserve tom semen for short periods at cold temperatures have prompted the standardization of some potential extender agents used for the dilution and preservation of other farm animal species semen for liquid preservation of turkey semen.This study was designed to standardize fresh cow milk (FCM) for liquid preservation of tom semen.Materials and Methods: One litter of fresh cow milk was collected from the Fulani cattle kraal and heated for 5 min.The FCM extenders were prepared using different concentrations of FCM viz: 25, 50, 75 and 100%.Five toms were ejaculated individually and pooled.The pooled semen was divided into five portions making five treatments and extenders were added to it in a ratio of 1:3 (semen extender).The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design.Microscopic semen parameters such as motility and viability membrane integrity were examined and recorded for freshly extended semen preserved semen for 4, 24 and 48 hrs at 4-8EC.Results: The result showed that no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in 0 hr.However, from 4 to 48 hrs of preservation, tom semen preserved with 25, 50 and 75% FCM were statistically similar (p>0.05)but, significantly different (p<0.05) in motility and membrane integrity from un-diluted semen and 100% FCM.However, 75% FCM has the highest motility values of 75.00, 60.00 and 36.67% and membrane integrity values of 60.67, 56.33 and 42.00% at 4, 24 and 48 hrs, respectively.At 0 and 24 hrs, tom semen preserved with 50% FCM extender has the highest non-significant percentage live sperm value of 89.67 and 80.00%, respectively compared to tom semen preserved in 25 and 75% FCM extender.While at 4 and 48 hrs, no significant difference was observed among the treatments.Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that 75% FCM supplemented with 25% sodium citrate buffer preserved tom semen for 48 hrs better than other combinations.
Background and Objective: Territrem B, tremorgenic mycotoxin elaborated by A. terreus is neurotoxic and cause a variety of neurological disorders.Therefore, it was aimed to analyze histopathological changes in some of the vital organs of chicks consumed territrem B through the feed.Materials and Methods: A set of 5 days old checks were given measured quantity.Aspergillus terreus infested feed for 6 weeks.At the end of 2, 4 and 6 weeks a batch of chicks was sacrificed and pathological symptoms were examined by microtome sectioning of different vital organs.Results: There was a marked loss of body weight in chicks during 6 weeks of their growth receiving A. terreus infested feed.Intoxication was also observed by reduced emotive behaviour.On grass postmortem examination of liver and kidney revealed significant pathological changes.Consumption of A. terreus infested feed caused degeneration of nephrons and necrosis of renal tubular epithelium resulting in nephrotoxicity.It was also hepatotoxic as it caused necrosis of hepatocytes and dilation of bile ducts resulting in biliary hyperplasia.Conclusion: From the present investigations it is clear that territrem B is neurotoxic and causes malfunctioning of the liver and heart.The present study revealed that importance of providing healthy feed to poults and prevents health hazards of primary and secondary exposure of territrem B to livestock and man.
Background and Objective: The effect of a blend of three essential oils, eucalyptus oil, pine oil and lavender oil, was investigated on dairy cows' performance.The trial's main objective was to evaluate the performance of Natural Oil Blend Formulation as antibiotics and growth promoter replacement by maintaining the milking quality and quantity.Materials and Methods: Thirty Holstein Friesian crossbred lactating cows, averaging 514 kg b.wt., were assigned into two groups, 15 cows in each group.The experiments lasted for ten weeks, with the first two weeks as the adaptation period, followed by eight measurement weeks.All cows were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment.Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein at the end of the trial.The parameters studied were lactation dairy cattle on dry matter intake, body weight and milk production.Results: The trial outcome stated that the addition of Natural Oil Blend Formulation (NOBF) has no adverse effect on Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Fat-Corrected Milk (FCM) 4%.However, cattle in the treatment group tend to be higher in DMI (0.51 kg, p = 0.12) and higher in ADG (0.19 kg, p = 0.11).The blood biochemical were unaffected by treatment.However, calcium tends to be higher (p<0.1)compared to control.Conclusion: In conclusion, NOBF supplementation may improve milking cows' feed utilization and performance, however, the underlying mechanisms leading to this improvement merit further investigation.
Background and Objective: Forage is the main source of fiber in herbivorous diet, in the context of sustainable development, valorization of agricultural by product is a huge priority.Current article deals with the study of banana plantain ash (ECB) and bean haulms (ECH) extracts on cocoa pod husk and measured its effect on chemical composition and digestibility in rabbits.Materials and Methods: A total of 64-six months old local breed rabbits of average weight 3000±155 g were randomly distributed into 8 experimental rations in a complete randomized designed with 8 rabbits per replicate and each rabbit served as experimental unit.From the control ration T (0-) without cocoa pod husks and T (0+) ration with untreated hulls, six other rations of which three (BT1, BT2, BT3) were formulated with hulls treated with extracts of ash from banana plantain leaves and three others (HT1, HT2, HT3) treated with bean haulms at respective concentrations of 7.5, 10 and 12.5 kg/100 L of water for 12 hrs.Results: The results revealed that treatment with as extract lead to a decrease in NDF, ADF, crude proteins and lipids as compared to the control (T0) without treatment.In contrary the level of crude fiber increases with ash treatment.The levels of theobromine and tannin decreases with increasing concentration of ash.Digestibility of CP, NDF, ADF was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals fed rations containing treated hulls compared to those fed with untreated hulls (T0+).Conclusion: Results of this study concluded that ash extract from bean haulms at 12.5% concentration could be used in the treatment of cocoa pod husks to improve its digestibility by rabbits.
Background and Objective: Maggots seem to be one of the promising alternatives of animal protein for livestock.One of the characteristics of the Far-North Region, Cameroon, is the abundance of house flies during the hot ambient periods of the year.The present work aims to produce maggots and assess the growth performance and physiological status of cockerel-fed maggot meal as a protein substitute for fish meal.Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 40 cockerels (6 weeks), weighing 151.08±35.27g, all from a producer of layer chicks, were used.Birds were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, each containing 10 cockerels.The 4 treatment groups were respectively fed different diets from the beginning to the end of a 5th week experiment.Formulated diets contained maggot meal (MM) and substituting fishmeal (FM) at graded levels, 0, 25, 50 and 75%.Throughout the experiment, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded weekly.At the end of the experiment, haematological parameters and production costs were evaluated.Results: The daily feed intake, the daily energy intake, the daily protein intake and the feed conversion ratio were not significantly (p>0.05)different between treatments.As compared to a diet containing only fish meal (R 0 ), the daily body weight gain of cockerels fed on a diet containing 75% maggot meal was significantly lower (p<0.01).As compared to a diet containing only fish meal, the feed cost per kg of body weight gain, obtained in cockerels fed a 75% maggot meal diet, increased by 14.5%.Haematological parameters were not affected by treatments (p>0.05).Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the house fly maggot meal can be used safely in cockerel nutrition but fish meal replacement by house maggot meal should not exceed 50% in cockerel.
Background and Objective: PAX7, a member of the paired box family of transcription factors, plays a critical role in forming skeletal muscles and regulating the satellite cell in vertebrates, including chickens.In this study, the genetic association of the PAX7ʼs 31-bp indel with carcass traits of Noi chicken, a recognized Vietnamese native breed was analyzed.Materials and Methods: A total of 355 Noi broilers (164 males and 191 females) were slaughtered at 91 days old to evaluate carcass characteristics.Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction.Genotyping the PAX7ʼs 31-bp indel was based on the length of different fragments such as 588 and 557 bp corresponding to E and F alleles.Results: Its was owed that the genotypes of PAX7 were significantly associated with wing weight and drumstick weight of the Noi chicken (p<0.05),whereas chickens with the FF genotypes always displayed the highest values.Moreover, the interaction between these genotypes of the PAX7 and bird sex was statistically significantly associated with most of the observed traits (p<0.05),except the weight of abdominal fat (p>0.05).Conclusion: These results suggested that the 31-bp indel PAX7 may be a potential molecular marker for breeding Noi chicken.
Background and Objective: Breeder age strongly influences egg weight, as well as egg quality and composition, however, literature on the optimal age that influences such are scarce.This study was therefore carried out to understand the optimum age of breeder broilers (Ross 308 strains) for enhanced production, internal egg performance and 7 day mortality of chicks using regression models.Materials and Methods: A total of 1188 sexed breeder broiler chicks comprising of 117 males and 1071 females (1:10 ratio) were randomly assigned to pens of 3 treatment groups for this experiment, all reared to maturity.The production, internal egg performance and 7 day mortality parameters measurements were taken at ages 29, 42 and 55 weeks.Results: The production parameters showed that the breeder age affected the average egg weight, percentage fertility, hatch percentage and chick hatch weight significantly (p<0.05).The breeder age also had a significant effect on fertile egg protein, fat, carbohydrate, dry matter, ash and 7 day mortality.A significant linear relationship was established (p<0.05) between the breeder age and the production performance, internal egg and 7 day mortality of the broiler chickens.Optimal ages were established for hatch percentage, number hatched, protein, fat, dry matter and ash at ages of 37.8, 37.6, 40.0, 52.8, 49.3 and 47.5 weeks with a very high coefficient of determinations but only significant for protein content.Conclusion: This implies that between the ages of 37-53 weeks, most production and internal egg performance were at the optimal output for the Ross 308 broiler breeder strains.
