An experiment was conducted to determine feed digestibility and egg laying performance of layer chickens fed diets containing boiled false yam tuber meal (BFYTM). The false yam tubers were peeled with a knife and chopped into small chips (~2 cm), boiled for 2 hours in boiling water, sun-dried to a moisture content of about 12% and ground into a gritty meal. The BFYTM replaced maize at dietary levels of 0, 50, 75 and 100 g/kg in maize-fishmeal based diets. At 20 weeks of age, 16 Lohmann brown layer chickens were randomly allotted to the four dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design, with one hen per cage for the digestibility trials using the total collection method. At 19 weeks of age, 240 Lohmann brown pullets were randomly allotted to the four dietary treatments and fed diets containing BFYTM which replaced maize at dietary levels of 0, 50, 75 and 100 g/kg in maize-fishmeal based diets for 16 weeks. Each treatment replicated four times in a Completely Randomized Design, with initial mean live weight of 1.45 kg per bird per replicate. The birds were housed in deep litter pens. Feed and water were provided ad libitum from 19 to 35 weeks of age. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using GenStat. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the dry matter digestibility among treatment groups. The crude protein digestibility was not significantly (p>0.05) different between control birds and birds fed 50 g/kg BFYTM diet, but higher (p<0.05) than those birds fed diets containing 75 and 100 g/kg BFYTM diets. Hens on the 50 g/kg BFYTM diets exhibited a higher (p<0.05) fat digestibility than those on the control diet and their counterparts fed the 75 and 100 g/kg BFYTM diets. Ash digestibility was lower (p<0.05) for birds fed the control diets than those birds fed BFYTM based diets, but similar (p>0.05) ash digestibility was recorded within the diets containing BFYTM. Mean feed intake of the hens was similar (p>0.05) for all treatments. Mean egg weight and mortality were not significantly different (p>0.05) among treatments. Mean hen-day egg production, egg mass and feed efficiency of the control birds were higher (p<0.05) than those of their counterparts fed the BFYTM-based diets. Based on this study, it can be concluded that 50 g/kg BFYTM in the diet of layer chickens had no adverse effect on nutrient digestibility of feed, but had adverse effect on egg production.

This study was carried out to evaluate sequential treatment of false yam seeds as substitute for maize in broiler chicken diets on their growth, carcass, haematology and serum biochemistry. Ripped fruits of false yam plants growing in the wild were harvested by hand picking. The fruits were partially sun-dried to reduce their moisture content and facilitate cracking to obtain the false yam seeds (FYS). The fresh FYS were crushed with a stone to reduce size, increase surface area and facilitate processing. The freshly crushed false yam seeds were subjected to multiple-stage processing where seeds were first soaked in ordinary water (i.e., addition of fresh seeds in ordinary water at a ratio of 1:2, wt/vol) for 12 days with water being changed every 3 days. After the 12 days of soaking, the seed sample was washed with clean ordinary water. In the second stage of processing, soaked FYS was soaked in a solution of 1M concentration of potassium hydroxide at a ratio of 1:2 (wt/vol) for 24 hours, after which the sample was washed thoroughly with clean ordinary water. The last stage of processing involved blanching of potassium hydroxide-treated seeds, firstly by immersing the sample in hot water (900C) for 20 minutes and then transferring it into cold water (40C) for 40 minutes. The treated seed sample was then washed with clean water, sun-dried to approximately 12% moisture on a cement floor and ground into gritty flour using a hammer mill. The treated false yam seed meal was labeled as KOH_T FYSM. At 21 d of age, 128 birds were individually weighed and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments in quadruplicate lots. Each replicate had 8 male broilers. The mean live-weight of birds in each replicate was 883 g (±0.05). The four treatments included the control without KOH_T FYSM; treatments 2, 3 and 4 contained 100, 300 and 500g/kg KOH_T FYSM respectively replacing maize (wt. /wt. basis) in a completely randomized design. The birds were fed various diets for 35 d. The growth response of male broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with varying levels of KOH_T FYSM revealed no significant (P<0.05) difference in all growth parameters measured. Carcass dress weight and carcass dressing showed no significant (P>0.05) difference at 500g/kg. However, the relative weight of organs revealed a significant (P<0.041) increase in the heart weight and a reduction in the weights of the liver and the spleen. Haematological parameters evaluated revealed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration as KOH_T FYSM was increased in the diets. The economics of replacing maize with KOH_T FYSM in the diets of male broilers revealed that price per kg of feed reduces as the test material was increased in the diets. Inclusion of KOH_T FYSM up to 500g/kg in the diets of male broilers had no adverse effect on their growth performance. However, its inclusion influenced internal organ weights such as the liver, spleen and heart. Economics of feeding KOH_T to broilers did not increase cost of feeding, suggesting that, There is an economic value for using this product for broiler chickens as an alternative to maize during periods of scarcity and can be recommended for use by farmers where this plant is available.

This study evaluated feed preference and apparent nutrient digestibility of a maize-based diet and modified diets containing treated false yam seed meals (TFYSM). False yam seeds were sun-dried (Un_T), or first soaked in water and treated with one of the following: urea (Urea_T), sodium chloride (NaCl_T), sodium hydroxide (NaOH_T), or potassium hydroxide (KOH_T) and blanched. The TFYSM replaced maize (wt/wt) in experimental diets at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50%, respectively in a feed preference test (experiment 1). In that study, feed preference test was conducted with 6 × 4 broiler chicks aged 21 days in a randomized complete design; each level of each TFYSM was fed for 24 h and feed intake recorded. In experiment 2 of the study, apparent nutrient digestibility of TFYSM-based diets was evaluated for 15 days with 4-week-old chicks allocated to 5 groups of 20 birds which were further subdivided into 5 treatment groups of 4 birds (replicates) using the inclusion levels of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% respectively. The preference test data indicated that feed intake was not compromised when maize was substituted by NaCl_T, NaOH_T, Urea_T, and KOH_T FYSM at all levels, and Un_T FYSM up to 5% inclusion. Dry matter digestibility was generally high (> 75%) in all diets except for Un_T. Control diet and NaOH_T diets had similar CP digestibility, but higher than KOH_T diets, while Un_T diets had reduced CP digestibility. Digestibility of NFE ranged from (77.4%) (Un_T) to (93.8%) (KOH_T). Improving apparent nutrient digestibility of FYSM by sequential use of water-based and chemical treatment methods especially NaOH_T or KOH_T offers the potential to use this alternative feedstuff in broiler diets.

Feed shortage in urban and peri-urban areas has triggered the emergence of feed markets in Northern Ghana. These markets were surveyed at three locations (Tamale, Bolgatanga, and Wa markets) to determine types and prices of feedstuffs sold across seasons; early dry (November–January), late dry (February–April), early wet (May–July), and main wet (August–October). Semi–structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Three samples of each feed type in the markets were bought from three different sellers per market in each season. The samples were oven dried to constant weight and price/kg DM of each feed determined. The total respondents were 169. Out of this number, 41% were feed sellers, 46% buyers, and 13% retailers. The feedstuffs found were crop residues (groundnut haulm and cowpea haulm), agro-industrial by-products (bran of maize, rice, and sorghum), fresh grasses (Rotteboellia cochinchinensis), and local browses (Ficus sp. and Pterocarpus erinaceous). Prices of feeds differed (P < 0.05) among markets and were higher in Bolgatanga than Tamale and Wa markets. Prices of cereal bran were not different (P > 0.05) in all seasons but that of crop residues were higher (P < 05) in early to late dry season than the wet season. Majority (90%) of respondents opined that the feed market will expand due to increasing number of livestock population in the peri-urban areas.

The authors investigated the effects of replacing a portion of a commercial broiler feed with false yam tuber meals on broiler growth performance, feed conversion rate (FCR) and blood parameters. Furthermore, wood charcoal was added at various levels to the meals to explore their potential to attenuate toxic effects. One hundred and sixty-eight 28-day-old healthy female broiler chickens (average initial bodyweight 1081.1 +/- 66.20 g) were randomly assigned to 28 experimental groups (7 dietary treatments, 4 replicates) of six birds each, using a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included the control diet (commercial broiler feed) (C), raw false yam tuber meal (RFY) replacing 50 g/kg of the commercial broiler feed, false yam tuber meal soaked in water (SFY) replacing 150 g/kg of the commercial broiler feed, RFY with 30 g/kg and 60 g/kg wood charcoal, and SFY with 30 g/kg and 60 g/kg wood charcoal. Growth performance, feed intake and FCR were assessed over four weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from 21 birds (three from each dietary treatment) to analyse haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and simple regressions were used to evaluate the effects of the meals and charcoal. The results indicated that broilers fed 150 g/kg SFY had a significantly lower growth rate and poorest FCR. Consequently, highest bodyweights were observed for C and RFY diets. Additionally, blood serum proteins were below the references ranges for birds fed SFY, particularly with additional charcoal. In contrast, RFY could be included at 50 g/kg in broiler chicken diets without any adverse effects on their performance and blood (serum) parameters. Anti-nutritional substances contained in SFY at this substitution level are harmful to the birds, irrespective of whether charcoal is added or not. In contrast, RFY could replace commercial feed at the studied level (50 g/kg).

Two feeding trials involving young guinea fowls were conducted to determine the effects of processed false yam seed meals on their growth performance. Crushed seeds were divided into 2 lots. One lot was boiled for 2 h and labeled BFYSM, whereas the other lot was soaked for 12 days and labeled SFYSM. Both lots were washed with water after boiling or soaking, sun-dried for 8 days and ground into gritty meals. In Experiment 1, BFYSM was fed to 96 ten-week-old pearl guinea fowls; while in Experiment 2, SFYSM was given to 96 five-week-old pearl guinea fowls. In each Experiment, 4 dietary treatments containing the seed meal sample at 0, 5, 10 and 15% as partial substitute for maize were tested using a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated thrice with each replicate comprising 8 unsexed birds. In both experiments, mean feed intakes were similar (P>0.05) for all treatments. Mean live weight gain tended (P>0.05) to decrease slightly as the level of each seed meal increased in the diets. Gain/feed ratios were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatments in both experiments. Total feed cost was (P>0.05) similar for all treatments in both experiments. It is concluded that the processed false yam seed meals had no adverse effects on growth performance of guinea fowls when incorporated in their diets up to 15% was cost-effective.

The carcass and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken fed Albizia julibrissin leaf meal (AJLM) was studied. A total of 24 (6 from each treatment) 8 weeks old broiler chickens were randomly selected from 120 broiler chickens fed diets containing 0% (control, T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3) and 4% (T4) AJLM. The chickens were weighed and slaughtered after a 24 hour feed withdrawal. Carcass and viscera weights were taken, after which viscera and primal cuttings were bagged and labeled for carcass and sensory analysis. The breast muscles were grilled to an internal temperature of 70 o C for 15 minutes for sensory analysis. The results showed that, AJLM had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. In addition, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in colour, juiciness, flavour, flavour-liking and overall- liking. However, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in tenderness and taste. Tenderness of T3 was significantly better (P < 0.05) than T1, T2, and T4. Taste of T1 and T3 were significantly better (P < 0.05) than that of T2 and T4. Feeding of AJLM to broiler chickens up to 4% on weight basis has no adverse effect on carcass and sensory characteristics.

False yam (Icacina oliviformis) contains an anti-nutritional factor called resin or terpene and soaking the tuber in water may reduce the concentration of this factor and improve its nutritional value. The objective of this study was to determine the effects feeding three levels (0, 120 and150 g/kg) of the soaked false yam tuber on the growth performance of broilers. The tubers were peeled, chopped into smaller pieces, soaked in water (i.e. 1 part to 1.5 parts of water) for 15 d with continual changing of the water being every 3 d. After soaking, the chopped pieces were sun-dried (~85% DM) before being milled into gritty meal. The soaked false yam tuber meal (SFYTM) replaced maize (w/w) in a maizefishmeal-based grower mash (210 g/kg CP and 12.6 MJ/kg ME) at 0, 120 and 150 g/kg. A total of 90 chicks (21 d; 348 g) were divided into 9 groups of 10 chicks (6 males, 4 females) per replicate and assigned to the treatments in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were analysed by ANOVA using GenStat. Incorporation of SFYTM at 120 and 150 g/kg as substitute for maize resulted in significant (P<0.05) reductions in mean feed intake, live weight gain, gain/feed ratio and carcass yield of the broilers. These results suggest that feed including SFYTM at ≥120 g/kg had adverse effects on the growth performance of broilers. Keywords : False yam (Icacina oliviformis) tuber, soaking, nutritive value, broilers

A study was conducted using finishing broilers to determine the effect of varying boiling times of false yam seed meal on their performance. One hundred and twenty chicks (Cobb strain) were selected and randomly divided into 12 groups of 10 birds each. False yam seeds were boiled for 1 h, 2 h and 3 h, sun-dried and ground. Four dietary treatments comprising a control (no seed meal) and diets containing false yam seed meal boiled at 1, 2 and 3 h were tested in a grower diet at 100 g/kg using a completely randomized design and each treatment replicated thrice. Birds were fed from 4 to 8 weeks of age. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were analysed by ANOVA using “GENSTAT”. Birds fed the seed meals were similar (P>0.05) in terms of feed intake, live weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass yield. All birds fed the seed meals recorded lower (P<0.001) values of growth variables measured, but similar (P>0.05) carcass yields compared to those of the control birds. It was concluded that false yam seeds could be boiled for 1 h for feeding broilers.

An experiment was conducted using finishing broilers to determine the effect of processed false yam tuber (soaked/boiled) meal on their performance. One hundred and twenty chicks (Cobb strain) were selected and randomly divided into 12 groups of 10 birds each. False yam tuber chips were soaked for 12 days, boiled for 2 h and sun-dried. Four dietary treatments containing false yam tuber meal at 0, 80, 100 and 120 g/kg in grower diets were tested using a completely randomized design and each treatment replicated thrice. Birds were fed from 4 to 8 weeks of age. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were analysed by ANOVA using “GENSTAT”. Birds fed the false yam tuber meal at 100 and 120 g/kg diet consumed less (P<0.05) feed than their counterparts fed the control and 80 g/kg diets. All birds exhibited similar (P>0.05) live weight gains, feed efficiencies and carcass yields. It was concluded that the combined methods of soaking and boiling false yam tuber improved its feed value and could be fed up to 120 g/kg without adverse effect on performance of broiler finishers.

1. The Guinea Savanna in the tropics is characterised by high diurnal temperatures, often beyond the thermo-neutral zone of modern poultry, which imposes heat stress on them. 2. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of partially (12 h wet mash in the day and 12 h dry mash in the night) or wholly (24 h) feeding wet mash on the growth performance of broiler chickens. 3. Three treatments: dry mash (control), wet mash (day) + dry mash (night) and wet mash (day + night) were tested. At 28 d of age, a total of 120 broiler chickens (Hybro, Netherlands) were randomly divided, using a completely randomised design, into 12 groups of 10 birds, each with mean live weight of approximately 800 g/bird. A maize-soybean based grower mash (200 g CP/kg and 12·5 MJ/kg ME) was fed. The wet mash was prepared daily by addition of 1·3 parts of water to 1 part of dry mash and fed from 28 to 56 d of age. The birds were housed in raised-floor pens. Feed and water were given ad libitum and light provided 24 h. Mean daily room temperature was 28–29°C in the morning and 35–41°C in the afternoon. 4. Mean feed intake of birds fed the wet mash (174 g/day) or wet + dry mash (166 g/day) was higher than that of birds fed the dry mash (152 g/day). Mean live weight gain of birds fed the wet mash (64 g/day) or wet + dry mash (64 g/day) was higher than that of birds fed the dry mash (58 g/day). There were no differences in gain/feed ratios (0·38–0·39) of any of the treatments, neither were there any differences between the feeding of wet mash partly or wholly for all variables. 5. It was concluded that wet feeding, particularly during day-time, had the potential to improve growth performance of broiler chickens in a hot climate.

False yam (Icacina oliviformis syn. Icacina senegalensis) is a drought-resistant plant in West and Central Africa that produces a large tuber with a high starch content, but it contains antinutritive factors (terpenes). The objective was to evaluate its feed value for broilers when the tuber was sun-dried (SFYTM) or boiled (BFYTM). In experiment 1, the tubers were peeled, diced, sun-dried (5 d), and milled. In experiment 2, the diced tubers were boiled (2 h), dried (8 d), and milled. Each meal was substituted for corn (Zea mays, wt/wt basis) at levels of 0, 3, 6, and 9% in a basal broiler grower diet (21% CP; 2,967 kcal/kg of ME) and fed to broiler chicks from 21 to 56 d of age, using a completely randomized design (4 treatments, 3 replicates). Each replicate had 10 chicks. Nutrient concentrations (% of DM) of SFYTM were CP (5.41), ether extract (1.60), NDF (28.61), starch (48.63), ash (2.19), and gross energy (4,067 kcal/kg of DM), and those of BFYTM were CP (6.46), ether extract (0.98), NDF (32.37), starch (43.12), ash (2.76), and gross energy (4,139 kcal/kg of DM). The contents of total resins in the meals ranged from 2.28% (BFYTM) to 3.75% (SFYTM). In experiment 1, increasing the dietary level of SFYTM linearly (P < 0.001) decreased feed intake (P < 0.001), BW gain (P = 0.004), G:F (P = 0.041), and dressed carcass yield (P = 0.011). However, in experiment 2, no differences were observed in growth performance (P > 0.05) between any of the dietary treatments. In both experiments, mortality was 2.00% or less (P > 0.05). Inclusion of each meal in the diets did not affect the health of the birds, and no adverse changes in blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, and white blood cells were observed.

This on-station study evaluated the effects of whole cotton seed supplementation on the carcass and meat qualities of Djallonke sheep. Twelve sheep of similar age and weight were randomly selected and supplemented with whole cotton seed (WCS) for fifteen weeks in a completely randomized design. Three treatment levels of 0 g, 200 g and 400 g were offered with four replicates. Supplementation had no adverse effect on carcass quality but significantly (P<0.001) improved juiciness and overall liking of the meat. The results suggest that whole cotton seed could be used as a supplementary feed with 200 g being enough to ensure the survival and to improve the productivity and meat quality of the Djallonke sheep.

This on-station study evaluated the effects of whole cotton seed supplementation on the carcass and meat qualities of Djallonke sheep. Twelve sheep of similar age and weight were randomly selected and supplemented with whole cotton seed (WCS) for fifteen weeks in a completely randomized design. Three treatment levels of 0 g, 200 g and 400 g were offered with four replicates. Supplementation had no adverse effect on carcass quality but significantly (P<0.001) improved juiciness and overall liking of the meat. The results suggest that whole cotton seed could be used as a supplementary feed with 200 g being enough to ensure the survival and to improve the productivity and meat quality of the Djallonke sheep.

The need to meet animal protein demand of ever growing world population, currently at approximately 6.8 billion (US Census Bureau, 2010), is set to increase at an even greater rate as the economies of developing countries improve and their growing affluent populace alter their dietary habits. This means production of soybean, which is used extensively as animal feed, must increase beyond current production level of about 246 million metric tonnes (FAS/USDA, 2009). Soybean (Glycine max, L) is not only a source of high quality edible oil for humans, but also a high quality vegetable protein in animal feed worldwide. Its universal acceptability in animal feed has been due to favourable attributes such as relatively high protein content and suitable amino acid profile except methionine, minimal variation in nutrient content, ready availability year-round, and relative freedom from intractable anti-nutritive factors if properly processed. Also, attention has been focused on soybean utilisation as an alternate protein source in animal diets due to the changing availability or allowed uses of animal proteins coupled with relatively low cost. Despite soybean’s pivotal role in animal production, it cannot be fed raw because there are a number of anti-nutritive factors (ANFs) present that exert a negative impact on the nutritional quality of the protein. The main ANFs are protease inhibitors (trypsin inhibitors) and lectins (Liener, 1994), which fortunately can be destroyed by heat treatment. The trypsin inhibitors cause pancreatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia with consequent inhibition of growth, while lectins inhibit growth by interfering with nutrient absorption (Liener, 1994). The elimination of these ANFs and those of less significance can be achieved through various processing methods. These methods have different impact on the nutritional quality of the products derived such as full-fat soybeans, soybean meal and soybean protein concentrates. Of these, soybean meal has been the major ingredient in both poultry and livestock diets. This chapter discusses soybean production and consumption, primary soybean products and their nutritional value for feeding animals, anti-nutritive factors present and ways of eliminating them, and utilisation in animal feeds as well as future challenges of using soybeans as a major source of animal feed.