The study was conducted to determine the effect of storage period (0, 7, 14 and 21 days) and method: room temperature (control), black polythene bag (BPB), perforated black polythene bag (PBPB) and oiling (oil coated eggs) on proximate composition of commercial chicken eggs. The experiment was laid in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement in Completely Randomized Design with 3 replicates. Significant effects of time and storage method on crude protein and ether extract (P<0.05) were observed. Oil coated eggs had higher values for both crude protein (24.37 %) and ether extract (15.49 %) and these parameters decreased (P<0.05) with increases in storage time. Significant interaction effect (P<0.05) of storage method and time was evident on crude protein and ether extract. Except at 21 days of storage, oiling was observed to have the highest values for both crude protein and ether extract in all the storage time. Thus, chicken eggs could be preserved by oiling since its nutritional value at any storage period is higher than the other methods of preservation. Therefore, oiling is recommended for egg preservation specifically in rural environments were electricity for refrigeration is not readily available.
A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed varying levels of a commercial probiotic (Bactofort®) as replacement for antibiotics. A total of 255-week-old Ross broiler chicks were divided into five groups or 47 chicks per group and the groups assigned to five experimental diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75g Bactofort® for T1-T4 respectively while T5 contained Oxytetracycline (AGP). Each treatment was replicated thrice in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 17 birds per replicate. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Analysis System and significant differences between treatments means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. At the end of the starter phase, chicks fed the control diet had the best results in final weight (1161.20g/bird), weight gain (1034.70g/bird) and FCR (1.44) compared to chicks fed varying levels of Bactofort® in the starter phase. However, treatment group supplemented with 25g Bactofort® performed better in final weight (2524.94g/bird), weight gain (1334.52g/bird), TFI (3139.60g/bird) and FCR (2.36) compared to other treatments in the finisher phase. There were significant (P<0.0.5) differences in all apparent digestibility. Live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, prime cuts (drumstick, breast, back, wings), organs (kidneys, gizzard) and intestinal length were significant (P<0.05) across the treatment groups. Supplementation of Bactofort® at 25g/100kg of diet did not improve the growth of broiler chickens compared to the control at starter phase; it however significantly improved growth when compared to AGP at finisher phases.
The study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of different processing methods on mineral and anti-nutritional factors of cassava peel. The cassava peels collected were sundried for one (1) week before dividing them into four groups. Treatment 1(T1) is the control group and the cassava peels were only sun-dried. Cassava peels in Treatment 2 (T2) were processed by soaking in water. In Treatment 3 (T3), the cassava peels were boiled while fermentation was used as the processing method in Treatment 4 (T4). The cassava peels in all the four (4) groups were grinded and incorporated into the diet of goats each at 20% of the diet. Mineral and anti-nutritional factors in the four dietary treatments containing 20% of the cassava peel were analysed. The results of anti-nutritive factors showed that tannin, saponin, and hydro-cyanide all differ (P<0.05) among treatment groups but phytate content was found to be statistically similar among the treatment groups. Diets containing cassava peels processed by fermentation (T4) has the lowest (0.70 mg/kg) HCN content followed by T3 (boiled cassava peels) with a value of 0.87 mg/kg then T2 having an HCN content of 1.38 mg/kg and lastly T1 with the highest content of 1.56 mg/kg. The results of the mineral analysis revealed that Ca, Mg, K, P, Mn, Fe, and Zn were found to differ (P<0.05) among treatment groups. The diets which contained boiled cassava peels (T3) had the highest calcium content (136.67 mg/kg) followed by fermented cassava peels group (T4) with a value of 133 mg/kg, then the control group (105.30 mg/kg), and lastly T2 (72.30 mg/kg). The magnesium content of the diet ranges from 61 mg/kg in T4 to 200 mg/kg in T2. T2 (soaked cassava peels) also recorded the highest composition of both zinc and manganese with values of 31.67 mg/kg and 11.30 mg/kg respectively. The processing methods have been effective in decreasing the content of anti-nutritional factors in cassava peel is the fermentation method having the highest effect on reduction of tannin, hydrogen cyanide, and phytate. However, the boiling of cassava peels seems to have a minimum loss of nutrients like crude protein, ash, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. For micro minerals, soaking appears to conserve the nutrients better having the highest composition of zinc and manganese.
The chemical composition and preference of selected feedstuffs by giant African land snail (GALS) were investigated for a period of 14 days. Growing GALS (n=240) weighing 60±5g were sourced from the local market and randomly allotted to six experimental cubicles (40 snails/unit). Each experimental cubicle measured 1.25m×1.0m×0.74m. Using a cafeteria feeding system, 100g of each feedstuff; Maize Chaff (MCh), Pawpaw Leaf (PL), Pumpkin Leaf (PuL), Pawpaw Fruit (PF), Moringa Leaf (ML) and Formulated Feed (FF) containing 24% crude protein and 3200 kcal/kg ME were positioned semi-circularly away from the GALS in the cubicle between 17:00 and 19:00 hours and alternated daily. Feeding responses (number of visits/feed) were monitored using CCTV. Feed Intake (FI, g) and Co-efficient of Preference (CoP) were calculated. Results indicated that the crude protein of 33.15% (ML) and 32.31% (PL) were similar and significantly higher than 4.22% (MCh) which was the lowest. Crude fibre ranged from 4.26% in FF to 37.43% in PF while ether extract was significantly higher (p<0.05) in FF (4.51%) and least in MCh (1.55%). The GALS visitations to PF (398±12.5) were highest, followed by MCh (376±8.8) and least for PL (89±8.4). The FI of GALS on MCh (38.5), PF (15.3) and FF (5.12) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in PuL (1.59), PL (1.57) and ML (1.32). Only GALS on MCh (3.64) and PF (1.45) had CoP above unity. Maize chaff and pawpaw fruit were most preferred by the GALS. This preference in this study was adduced to higher crude fibre and lower fat content.
Four test diets based on untreated (UVB), autoclaved (AVB), roasted (RVB) and cooked (CVB) velvet beans, Mucuna sloaneivar. NPRI, and two standard diets based on soybean (SBM) and casein (CAS) were fed to weanling wistar rats in a 6x4 CBD for 36 days. The aim was to determine the faecal and urinal excretion of endogenous polyphenols from the bean; to examine body retention levels and the effect of this on growth. The group of rats fed UVB-diet, retained 51.4% of the 8.74g of VB-polyphenols ingested through feed; while 0.21g polyphenol was egested as component of faeces and 4.24g was excreted in the urine. The groups fed AVB and RVB-diets voided much of the dietary polyphenols in their faeces and urine, retaining much less in body tissue (8.13% and 1.82% respectively) while animal growth was hampered. Significantly higher but similar fractions of ingested polyphenols were retained in treatment groups fed CVB-diet (29.6%) and SBM-diet (22.1%) while animal growth was not hampered. There were no symptoms of toxicity observed for any treatment group. The control group fed SBN-diet recorded the best animal performance among all the treatments. This was followed by the trial group fed CVB-diet, which recorded significantly (p< 0.05) higher performance indices than other processed VB-diets. This suggested that cooking is the best method of heat treatment to improve its nutritional value. Increasing the cooking duration for velvet bean is hence recommended as a means to further reduce or eliminate the endogenous polyphenols, in order to achieve further improvement in animal performance.
Preservation of low quality grass with crop residue (orange-fleshed sweet potato vine) improved the feed value for ruminants during period of forage scarcity. This study evaluated the nutritive value of Pennisetum purpureum and orange-fleshed sweet potato mixed silage as potential feed resource for ruminants. Pennisetum purpureum (Pp) and Orange-fleshed sweet potato vines (OFSPV) were ensiled using experimental silo bottles at different proportions as follows: 100% Pp (P100O0), 75%Pp +25%OFSPV (P75O25), 50%Pp +50%OFSPV (P50O50), 25% Pp+75% OFSPV (P25O75) and 100%OFSPV (P0O100). Molasses and lactic acid bacteria inoculants (5% and 1.0 X 107 CFU/1000g fresh weight respectively) were added to all treatments as additives and were kept for 14 and 28 days at room temperature in the laboratory. At 14 and 28 days of ensiling, silages were analyzed for chemical composition, microbial population and fermentative parameters. The dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (35.14%, 41.55% and 27.40%) were highest in silage ensiled for 14 days while those ensiled for 28 days recorded the highest crude protein (CP) (13.45%). Increased in days of ensiling from 14 to 28 days resulted in higher dry matter intake (DMI), digestible dry matter (DDM) and relative feed value (RFV) of the silage. The ratios of Pp to OFSPV influenced (P 0.05). Silage of 28 days had the least (P < 0.05) pH value of 4.23 compared to 14 days silage (4.52). Lactic acid bacteria, total anaerobic bacteria and yeast counts were higher in silage ensiled for 28 days while silage of 14 days contained higher coliform bacteria counts. The pH, temperature and butyric acid concentration were more in silage containing 100% Pp (4.81, 28.28°C and 0.03% respectively). Lactic acid concentration and lactic acid bacteria counts increased with increase in OFSPV level. Inclusion of orange-fleshed sweet potato vine in Pennisetum purpureum silage of 28 days improved the fermentative, nutritive and feeding values of the silage.
This study was carried out to analyze risk perception and management strategies of poultry farmers Kaduna State. Primary data were collected in a multistage sampling procedure were obtained from 413 poultry farmers. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and Tobit regression models were employed for the analysis. It was found that Disease outbreak ( =4.58), rise in cost of poultry inputs ( =4.44) and low market demand was ( = 3.98) were the highest level of risk sources. The study further revealed that diversifying into off-farm income ( = 4.51), and weather forecast ( = 4.37) and Formation of cooperatives to attract bank loan ( = 3.94) were the most pronounced agricultural risk mitigating strategies adopted. The determinants of agricultural risk mitigating strategy were age, flock size and experience all significant at 1 percent LOS. These variables were positively related to the number of agricultural risks mitigating strategies adopted with exception of age which has inverse relationship with mitigating strategies. the farmers experienced different types of risk, however, the farmers adopted different types of management strategies against the agricultural risk encountered. Moreover, there’s passably, dissension between deliberation of sources of risk and management strategies, mainly due to deprived socio-economic background. In view of this, it is recommended that government and non-governmental organization should focus on investments on infrastructure to enables the farmers to manage risks better and enhancing the production of poultry to mitigate food insecurity.
Moringa oleifera seeds were evaluated for proximate and phytochemical components at three maturity stages of plant growth. Alkaloid content varied significantly (P 0.05) from 3.69 in 4th to the least concentration of 3.0, in the 6thyear of growth and then increased significantly (P 0.05) between the 6th and 7th year of plant maturity. Tannin content (mg/100g) increased significantly (P<0.05) from 1.79, in 4th year to the highest level of 13.71, in the 6th year and then decreased significantly to 5.12 in the 7thyear of plant growth. Mean values of proximate composition (g/100g) ranged from 32.80-43.33Crude protein, 3.46-6.31Ash, and 10.46-17.42 carbohydrate. Crude fibre values were 6.36-8.20, lipid: 21.03-30.36, and moisture: 9.15-9.37. Crude fibre, ash, protein and moisture levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher at the 6th than at 4th and 7th year of maturity. It is recommended that moringa seeds be exploited as supplements in nutrition and health.
Manually deboned and comminuted broiler meat was used to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) extracts. The synergetic effect of combined spice extracts (1:1 w/w) on the quality and shelf-life of nuggets stored for 12 days at 4°C was also determined using a completely randomized design. The results revealed that lipid oxidation of chicken nuggets was improved by the inclusion of spice extracts, with ginger and pepper (GP) combination performing better (P<0.05) than the other treatments. Total plate, coliform and fungal counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced following the addition of spice extracts, but the combined extracts of clove and ginger (CG) better suppressed the counts. Our results demonstrated that, spice extracts especially when combined are highly effective against microbial growth and lipid oxidation, highlighting their potential as natural stabilizers in chicken nuggets preservation.
A digestibility study was carried out as described by Osuji et al., (1993) at the end of a fattening trial that lasted 90 day, to determine the effects of replacing Groundnut haulm with Whole cottonseed at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels on the digestibility and nitrogen metabolism of Bunaji bulls. Dry matter digestibility (50.31%) was higher (P<0.05) on 0% replacement than (30.75%) on 75%) replacement. The digestibility of other nutrients (crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF),organic matter (OM), Ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were better on 0 and 25% replacement levels than other treatments. All the animals were in positive nitrogen balance though those on 50% replacement level retained more nitrogen than others. It was conclude that including WCS in a fattening diet for cattle above 25% depresses nutrient digestibility.
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and selenium supplementation and temperature humidity index (THI) on male rabbit reproductive traits. Fourty eight male New Zealand White rabbits (23 ± 1.4 weeks of age) weighing 2.8 ± 1.13kg, were randomly allocated to one of six isocaloric diets (n = 8 animals/ treatment) that differed in either protein content (14g/100g, 18g/100g and 22g/100g) or selenium content (0.4 and 0.7 mg Se/ kg diet). The experimental design was 3 x 2 factorial. The study ran from April 2012 to September 2012. Significant (P= 0.001) differences observed in semen pH levels (R 2 = 0.80, P= 0.010), reaction time [(libido)(R 2 = 0.85, P= 0.006)] and the proportion of abnormal sperm (R 2 = 0.44, P= 0.089) as time advanced suggesting positive relation with the changes in environmental THI. There were significant (P= 0.001) interactions between dietary protein level and Se on testis characteristics which seem to improve in Se supplemented group as dietary protein increased. The levels of THI experienced in this study were not sufficiently high enough to result in more pronounced responses on reproductive performance. Therefore there were no adverse effects on the rabbits reproductive traits fed dietary supplements in the tropics
Eighty seven pure bred New Zealand White female (NZWF), 12 New Zealand White male (NZWM), 12 California male (CFM) line rabbits, 43Pure F1 (NZWM X NZWF) and 35Cross F1 (CFM X NZWF) progeny were used to evaluate growth and physiological performance of Hyla rabbits raised under sub-humid tropical conditions. Pelletized feed and clean water was supplied daily. Results showed that morning Temperature-humidity index (THI) in the Rabbitry ranged from 26.9 in May to 22.4 in July while afternoon THI ranged from 31.2 in May to 26.5 in November. THI in the morning was below 27.8 and comfortable but up to 31.2 in the afternoon hence severely stressful for the rabbits. NZWF and CFM were heavier (p 0.05) for pure and cross F1 progenies. Live weight (p=0.02) and total weight gain (p=0.01) of rabbits at 17 weeks was significantly higher for male and female pure, and male cross rabbits than female cross rabbits. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate (p<0.001) were higher in NZWF than CFM and NZWM, while heart rate was highest for CFM followed by NZWF and NZWM. Rectal temperature was higher (p<0.001) in the hot-dry than cold-dry season while respiratory (p=0.018) and heart (p=0.05) rates were higher in the cold-dry than hot-dry season. Correlation between rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, weight gain and THI was negative though positive with temperature and feed intake. Respiratory rate had a positive relationship with heart rate, temperature, weight gain and THI and negative relationship with feed intake. The relationship between heart rate, temperature and THI was positive and negative with feed intake and weight gain. Ameliorating temperature effects especially in the afternoon could improve growth performance of rabbits in the tropics.
Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of heat stress oil pulse rate (P), respiratory rate (R), rectal temperature (I} and sweating rate (S) with respect to pregnancy, coat type, pigmentation and dium.al variation, and also the heat stress of the animal in each group. Non-pregnant ewes had lower P (90.7 vs 103.5 beats/min) and higher H (0.76 vs 0.65) (P 0.05). Sheep with smooth, curly and intermediate coat types differed significantly (P 0.05). Non-pigmented ewes had significantly higher (P<0.05), T (39.1 vs 38.9"C) and H (1.37 vs 1.30) than pigmented ones. However, the former had lower (P<0.01) sweating rate (13.5 vs 15.9 min) and sweat gland density than the latter, but P and R were not significantly affected by the pigmentation level of the animals. Time of sampling significantly affected (P<0.001) most of them.
A study on the effects of season, sampling time, sex and age-group on some adaptive physiological parameters of Yankasa sheep was carried out at Shika, in the sub-humid zone of Nigeria. Pulse rate (P) and rectal temperature (T) were significantly lower (P 0.05). P was highest (P 0.05). Time of sampling was significant (P<0.001) with higher P values in the morning than in the afternoon but for Rand T, the afternoon samplings were higher than the morning samplings.
