African Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Animal Production

Volume 30 Number 1 2003
ABSTRACTS

Non-Ruminant Nutrition and Production Evaluation of Microdesmis puberula leaf meal as feed ingredient in broiler starter diets

B. O.Esonu¹, F. C. Iheukwumere², T. C. Iwuji¹, N. Akanu¹, and O.H. Nwugo¹

¹Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri- Nigeria

²Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Abia State University, P. M. B. 7010, Umuahia- Nigeria

Abstract

A 21- day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the leaf meal of Microdesmis puberula as feed ingredient in broiler starter diets. Microdesmis puberula is a preferred tropical browse plant. The leaves were harvested, chopped to facilitate drying, spread evenly in a room for four days until the material become crispy while still retaining it’s greenish colouration. The material was milled using a hammer mill to produce the leaf meal. Microdesmis puberula leaf meal contain 17.32% crude protein, 6.52% ether extract, 12.25% total ash, 24.84% crude fibre, 24.06% NFE and an appreciable percent of minerals. Three broiler starter diets were formulated to contain the meal at dietary levels of 0%, 5% and 10%. One hundred and eighty (180), 14 –day old hubbard broiler chicks were divided into three groups of sixty birds each and randomly assigned to the three treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on feed intake, body weights and feed conversion ratio. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the group on the control (0%) diet and the groups on diets containing 5% and 10% inclusion levels of the leaf meal. The group on the control (0%) diet performed significantly (P<0.05) better than the groups on the leaf meal diets. The results of this study suggest that dietary inclusion of Microdesmis puberula leaf meal at 5% and 10% levels significantly (P<0.05) depressed performance of broiler chicks.

Keywords: Microdesmis puberula leaf meal, feed ingredients, broiler starter diet.

Effects of dietary ammonium sulphate (AS) on the performance and abdominal fat of broilers

J.O. Oyedeji¹, J.O Atteh² and O.O Ogbonini²

¹Benson Idahosa University, Institute of Continuous Learning, P.M.B 1100, Benin City.

²Department of Animal production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Abstract

Two experiments were designed to investigate the response of broilers to dietary inclusion of ammonium sulphate. In experiment 1, day old chicks were fed diets with 0,1,2 or 3 % ammonium sulphate (AS) during the starter phase (0 –4 weeks). In experiment 2, broilers chicks were raised on a standard diet from 0 – 4 weeks of age and then switched to diets with 0,1,2 or 3% ammonium sulphate during the finisher phase ( 5- 8 weeks). In experiment 1, feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) suppressed by the dietary ammonium sulphate, while weight gain at market age was not significantly affected (P>0.05). however, in experiment 2, both feed intake and weight gain at market age were significantly suppressed (P<0.05) by the dietary ammonium sulphate. There was no significant effect of dietary ammonium sulphate on feed to gain ratio among broilers in any of the two experiments (P>0.05). Dietary ammonium sulphate did not affect broilers liveability at any of the period. Protein retention was comparable (P>0.05) while fat availability was significantly reduced (P<0.05) at 3% inclusion of ammonium sulphate in broilers diets. Abdominal fat was significantly increased (P<0.05) at 2% dietary ammonium sulphate during the starter phase while there was no significant effect (P>0.05) of dietary ammonium sulphate on the abdominal fat during the finisher period. It was concluded that ammonium sulphate can be used as a feed intake suppressant and would be more effective in the broiler starter diet than in the finisher diet.

Keywords: Ammonium sulphate, Feed intake, weight gain Abdominal fat

The chemical composition of Caesalpinia pulcherima

J.O. Omole

Department of Food Technology, Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B. 50,Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherima, a member of the family Leguminosae were analyzed for their chemical composition. Studies also include the fatty acid composition and characteristics of the extracted oil. The results of the analyses revealed that the crude protein and crude fat of the seeds were 33.50% + 1.50 and 16.80% + 0.20 respectively. The fatty acid profile indicated that the glycerides of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid account for 82.46% of the total glycerides. Iodine value and Saponfication Number are 104.09 + 9.8, 195.0 + 2.82 respectively, while the unsaponifiable matter showed a high value of 20% + 0.50.

Keywords: Chemical composition, Caesalpinia pulcherima, essential fatty acid.

Nutritional qualities of corn cob and waste paper incubated with edible mushroom

M.A. Belewu

Ruminant Nutrition and Microbial Technology Laboratory, Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate corn cob and waste paper cultured with edible mushroom (Pleurotus sajor) as a mean of improving their nutritive value for livestock animals. Waste paper and corn cob were 14.2 and 47.7% DM respectively. Crude fibre degradation was 25.0% for corn cob and 7.21% for waste paper which was intermediate to 34.0 and 10.30% of the untreated samples. Digestibility of the fungus treated paper and corn cob were assessed using 24 Wistar Albino rats. Dry matter digestibility of the paper and the corn cob were improved by incubating with the mushroom with an increase of 30 and 40% waste paper and corn cob respectively. The crude protein digestibility and crude fibre digestibility were improved by incubation with mushroom compared with untreated samples. It was concluded that such biodegradation and the concurrent 30.2 and 27.8 percentage unit increases in crude protein digestibility of corn cob and waste paper may in fact improve the nutritive value for livestock with no detriment to the health (organ and blood of the animals.

Keywords: Nutritional qualities, waste paper, corn cob, Pleurotus sajor caju

Protein and energy value of maize and millet milling wastes for rabbits

O.O. Balogun, A.A. Adeniji and J.T. Azua

Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Abstract

Thirty-six mixed rabbits were utilized to determine the protein and energy value s of maize milling waste (MZMW) and millet waste (MLMW). Parts of these wastes were autoclaved (AMZMW and AMLMW) and also fed to test rabbits. There was a significant higher (P<0.05) feed intake by rabbits on the MLMW and AMLMW than on the MZMW and the AMZMW. The AMLMW gave the best net protein utilization of 44.21% which was comparable (P<0.05) with 34.79% obtained for the MLMW but significantly different (P<0.05) to 26.03 and 25.67% obtained respectively from AMZMW and MZMW. The biological values obtained are 41.48,53.00, 39.25, and 61.61% for MZMW, MLMW, AMZMW and AMLMW respectively. The autoclaved ingredients gave higher metabolizable energy of 15287.25 and 14832.00KJ for AMZMW and AMLMW respectively against 14620.75 and 13664.38KJ for MZMW and MLMW respectively.

Keywords: Rabbits, maize milling waste, millet milling waste, autoclaving; livestock feed.

Chemical composition of some plants used as feed for rabbits in Bauchi metropolis

Bello Khadijat Musa

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi

Abstract

The study examined the nutrient composition of twelve plant species used as feed for rabbits in Bauchi metropolis. They were collected during the month of April which is considered the peak of the dry season. The plants were divided into four groups: Trees, grasses, leguminous herbs, and non-leguminous herbs. The result showed that the crude protein content ranged from 13.61% for the leguminous herbs to 17.9% for non-leguminous herbs. The crude fibre content ranged from 14.12% for non-leguminous herbs to 18.95% for leguminous herbs. The result also showed that the plants have light nitrogen free extract and mineral contents. It can be concluded that most of the plants examined could satisfy the nutrient requirement of rabbits with little supplementation especially during the dry season when there is acute shortage of feeds.

Keywords: Chemical composition, plants, dry season, rabbits

Ruminant Nutrition and Production

Evaluation of cassava foliage as a protein supplement for sheep

J.K. Alli-Balogun, C.A.M. Lakpini, J.P. Alawa, A. Mohammed and J.A. Nwanta

College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the potential of cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage (leaves and petioles) as a protein supplement for sheep. In the first trial, nylon bag degradability of cassava foliage was studied. Proximate analysis of cassava foliage was conducted before and after the incubation. Rumen Ammonia Concentration (RAC) and pH were determined at 0, 4 and 8 hours after feeding cassava foliage diet (30%). Proximate composition of sundried cassava foliage was (%) DM 91.25, CP 18.55, NDF, 31.41, ADF, 29.2, EE, 6.6, Ash, 12.95. Nylon-bag dry matter disappearance (DMD) increased significantly (P<0.05) from 15.75% to 75.5%. RAC values increased significantly from 8.20mg NH₃/100ml at zero hour to 11.41mg NH₃/100ml at 8 hours post feeding. Rumen fluid pH was not significantly changed by the 30% cassava foliage diet. In the second trial lasting 56 days, twenty-eight Yankasa/WAD yearling rams of initial average weight of 18kg were balanced for weight and randomly allotted to seven treatments. All rams except those on control diet were fed cassava foliage or groundnut haulms or both at 1.0% or 1.5% of body weight (BW) as supplements to a basal diet of Gamba hay. Feeding Gamba hay alone (control) resulted in weight loss (-30.5g/day) but with cassava foliage or groundnut haulms supplementation at 1.0% BW, significantly higher gains of 39.2 and 44.6g/day were achieved respectively. At 1.5% BW level of supplementation with cassava foliage or groundnut haulms higher weight gains of 41.2 and 51.7g/day were achieved while feeding the (50.50) combined supplements at 1.0 and 1.50% BW resulted in live weight gains of 65.1 and 69.3g/day respectively. The third trial consisted of a four week grazing trial followed by a metabolic study. Twenty-one Yankasa/WAD yearling rams were randomly allotted to seven treatments and were balanced for live weight. All rams were allowed to graze standing digitaria hay as basal diet, except the rams on control diet. Those on treatment were fed cassava foliage or groundnut haulms or a (50:50) combination of both at 0.5% and 1.0% (BW). The metabolic study consisted of a seven day adjustment period and a seven day total collection period. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the live weight gains of rams on the control diet compared with those supplemented except for those supplemented with cassava foliage and groundnut haulms combined at 1% level where the weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05).Feed intake was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by feeding either supplement. Supplementing digitaria hay with cassava foliage at both 0.5% and 1.0% BW did not significantly increase the nitrogen retention values, but groundnut haulms supplemented at 1.0% BW significantly (P<0.05) increased the nitrogen retention values.

Keywords: Cassava foliage, nylon-bag degradation, rumen-ammonia, concentration incubation, dry matter disappearance, nitrogen retention.

Chemical composition and rumen degradation of diet combinations of cottonseed cake, dried brewer’s grains and Lablab purpureus hay incubated in the rumen of fistulated N’dama steers in South-western Nigeria

*G. O. Tona ^a, K. Agyemang ^b, J. A. Adeneye ^a and J. A. Akinlade ^c

 ^aAnimal Science Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

 ^b International Trypanotolerence Centre (ITC), Banjul, Gambia

 ^c Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria.

Abstract

The chemical composition and dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradation characteristics of four diet combinations at four total digestible nutrients (TDN) levels of cottonseed cake (CSC), dried brewer’s grains (DBG) and Lablab purpureus hay (LL) which were fed to ruminants in the humid zone of Ibadan, South-west Nigeria, were evaluated. The TDN levels used were 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 kg TDN. The CSC and DBG used are agro-industrial by-products which are used in feeding livestock while the LL is a leguminous plant which is not used much as human feed but is usually grown as forage legume for animal feeding. The completely randomized design with four treatments and three replicates was used. The experiment was carried out in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria during the wet season (June to July). The diets were high in crude protein contents so that they had high nutritional potential for ruminants feeding and productivity. The potential degradability (PD) of dry matter (DM) values ranged from 75.24 to 79.47 g/ 100g DM, while that for the nitrogen (N) degradability ranged between 88.36 and 94.30 g/100g N. The soluble fraction a value of DM degradation and the crude fibre (CF) content of the chemical composition of the diets were significantly correlated (r= 0.644; P= 0.007). The potential degradability (PD) values for both the DM and N degradabilities were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the four treatment diets combinations.

Keywords: Chemical composition, degradation, N'dama steers, cotton seed cake, dried brewer’s grainsLablab purpureus

The grazing pattern of Muturu cattle under range system

 B.O. Nweze

Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Abstract

Eighty Muturu cattle were grazed on rangeland, twice daily for two years to determine their grazing pattern. Twenty bulls and cows each between two to four years and forty calves between one to three months were used. The field grazing time (FGT), active grazing time (GT) and grazing travel time (GTT) were monitored. The density of the grazing area was also determined. The result showed that as the body increase, GT increased significantly, while travel distance (TD) decreased. The body weight (BW) correlated positively with GT, with expression BW = 39.14 + 11.31Gt and BW = 7.12 + 8.76Gt for morning and afternoon respectively. The grazing time (GT) increased while TD decreased with increase in forage density. However, GT and TD decreased significantly at higher density with D+326.2 + 114Gt, r =4.7 and D=203.15 + 156GT,r= 3.2 for morning and afternoon respectively. The results showed that TD was highest when the forage species are scarce (Jan and Feb in South East, Nigeria). The grazing pattern of Muturu cattle was affected by the age of animal, forage availability and temperature of the day.

Keywords: Grazing time, grazing travel time, forage density, muturu cattle

Growth, nutritive value and dry matter degradability of three Tephrosia species

O.J. Babayemi¹, M.A. Bamikole², I.O. Daniel³, A. Ogungbesan¹and A. Babatunde¹

¹Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

²Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

³Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Two trials were carried out to evaluate the potential of Tephrosia bracteolata (TB), Tephrosia candida (TC) and Tephrosia linearis (TL) for animal feed. In an 18-week growth experiment, Tephrosia species differed (P<0.05) in leaf number (LN) and stem height (SH). TB and TL had apparent (P<0.05) early and persistent growth than TC until weeks 12 – 18 when all retarded in growth at the commencement of flowering. TC however, increased geometrically in LN and SH. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among the species in dry matter (DM) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). The DM, CP, NDF, ADF, EE and ash range from 30.0 – 41.8, 24-26.5, 62.3 – 68.5, 45.8 – 48.4, 2.3 – 2.6 and 5.6-6.2% respectively. Calcium and sodium were highest (P<0.05) in TB and TL species but had similar composition in P, Mg and K. In the second trial, dry matter disappearance and CP release were determined. The Tephrosia species were not significantly (P>0.05) different in degradation characteristics. Lower amount of crude protein (10 – 14.81%) was released in the three Tephrosia species. As a result of rapid growth, high nutritive value and easily rumen degradable dry matter of Tephrosia shrubs, ruminants could benefit immensely from the plants.

Keywords: Nutrient, utilization, dry matter degradation Tephrosia species

Evaluation of formulated agro-industrial wastes as dry season feed for sheep

O.A.Oladotun; *A.B.J. Aina, and E.B. Oguntona

College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to estimate the performance of rams on a dry season ration formulated from agro-industrial by-products and compared with the animals on free range for a period of 10 weeks. Eight rams were fed the test diet while 8 rams were left on free range with supplemented wheat offal. Feed intake, weight gain, chestgirth, back-bone length and height at withers were observed. Serum glucose, cholesterol and total protein were determined before and at the end of the experiment. Significant (P<0.05) positive relationships were observed between feed intake and chestgirth (r=0.97213), feed intake and backbone length (r=0.947) and feed intake and height at withers (r=0.79049) for animals fed experimental diet. Significant increases (p<0.01) were observed in the levels of the serological parameters. The mean values (mg/dl) increased from 12.08 + 0.43 to 20.88 + 0.64 for serum glucose; 7.78 + 0.30 to 152.63 + 0.68 for serum cholesterol and 7.22 + 0.39 to 52.75 + 0.25 for serum total protein for rams on test diet. The mean value (mg/dl) for serum glucose, cholesterol and total protein also increased from 12.30 + 0.80 to 22.75 + 0.75, 7.97 + 0.12 to 154.50 + 1.89 and 6.15 + 0.45 to 53.75 + 0.85, respectively, for rams on free range. The rams on the test diet significantly (P<0.05) grew faster than those on free range (48.6 vs 13.4gld). There were also significant (P<0.05) dietary effects on chestgirth gain (0.71 vs 0.03 cm/d), back-bone length gain (0.045 vs 0.020cm/d) and height at withers gain (0.041 vs 0.029 cm/d) in rams fed experimental diet and those on free range, respectively.The results of the study suggest that when poultry droppings and sawdust ash are contained in forage-based diet for small ruminants, significantly (P<0.05) high growth rate, increases in chestgirth, backbone length and height at withers could be obtained than by the animals on dry season free range although with supplement.

Keywords: Performance, rams, dry season feed, agro-industrial, by-products.

Livestock Economics/Extension Services

Producer response to retail egg price in Ogun State Nigeria: implications for increased egg production

C.A. Afolami and O. Oladimeji

Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,Nigeria.

Abstract

Much has been said about farmers’ responsiveness to price incentive with the inference that increasing producer price would be an effective incentive for increasing production. Against the backdrop that the nation’s animal protein consumption is 5 grams / caput / day which is a far cry from the recommended level of 35 grams / caput / day of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), this paper examined producer response to retail egg price which has been rising geometrically. This is to check whether there is price incentive for increased egg production to meet the nation’s animal protein need through increased egg production. The study location is AdoOdo/ Ota LGA in Ogun State, an area with many commercial poultry farms. The exact study locations were Obasanjo, Oginni, Okegbenro, Kanmi and Evergreen farms, where the egg prices of five producers, five wholesalers and five retailers were collected weekly for a period of eight months and the average price for each category of marketers was used in the analysis. The analysis involved the regression of average producer egg price on location dummy variables and the average retail egg price. From the model, the producer average egg price elasticity with respect to the average retail egg price was estimated. Results showed that only 33 per cent of the increase in retail egg price is passed to producers. Producers are thus likely to run into financial difficulties in expanding their output particularly in the post SAP period when the costs of inputs for poultry production have increased tremendously. An attractive and adequate credit scheme with good moratorium period and concessionary interest rate than hither to available is suggested. In addition an overhaul of the egg marketing strategy to favour the producers is necessary, if the nation’s animal protein problem is to be alleviated.

Keywords: Producer egg price, retail egg price, elasticity, Ogun State.

Livestock production pattern of agropastoralists in peri-urban centres of south-west Nigeria

E.A.Iyayi^1*, V.O. Okoruwa², O.J. Babayemi¹, A. A. Busari³ and O.F. Peters¹

¹Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

³International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), IITA, PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

The remarkable reduction of tsetse fly and its vector disease trypanosomosis in the South West zone of Nigeria has led to the development of agropastoralism in the zone. This study was carried out by administration of structured questionnaires to farmers in three towns (Oyo, Ogbomosho and Saki) in order to highlight some of the factors influencing production in the area. It was found that in all the three towns animals were maintained on free range grazing, browsing and offer of crop residues. The most favoured breed kept is the Bunaji and Ogbomoso had the highest concentration (52.16%) of this breed. Labour allocation among agropastoralists was based on sex. Diarrhoea was the prevalent disease among the adult animals in wet and dry seasons while sand eating was common among the calves. In all the centres, cattle constituted the major ruminant in stock (77%) while sheep and goats accounted for 15% and 8% respectively. A preponderance of female cattle over the male for all the breeds was recorded in all the towns. But Saki had the highest number of cattle in stock and Oyo the lowest. Feed supplements offered all year round were salt lick and grains. Most of the agropastoralists depended on the use of local herbs and such other orthodox methods of combating diseases affecting the herd.

Keywords: Livestock production, agropastoralism, peri-urban, SouthWest, Nigeria.

Economics of poultry manure utilization in land quality improvement among integrated poultry-maize-farmers in South-western Nigeria

A.S. Bamire^1* and B.J. Amujoyegbe²

¹Deparment of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State,Nigeria

²Deparment of Plant Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The rapid growth of Nigerian’s poultry has made it more advantageous in terms of providing the essential raw material for soil fertility enhancement than other livestock. This paper evaluates the benefits of poultry manure use among integrated poultry-maize farmers in Ekiti and Osun States of Nigeria for improved land quality and continuous food production. Data were collected using structured survey questionnaires administered on 500 randomly selected respondents in the two States. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and costs and returns techniques. Respondents were small holders, with land area grown to maize varying between 0.01 and 3.00 hectare. Majority of the respondents have personal farms but applied poultry manure only on small portions (25%) of the total cropped area of their farmlands. On the average, 53% of the respondents used poultry manure on their farms. Respondents were fairly literate with a mean age of 43 years. Major constraints to poultry manure use include odour, transportation, scarcity, wetness, bulkiness and time wastage in descending order of importance. While odour and transportation were identified as common problems among poultry manure users in Ekiti and Osun States, bulkiness was an additional constraint for non-user respondents in both states. Poultry manure material constituted about 91% of the total cost of inputs; transportation cost was 8% while labour cost averaged 2%. The mean net income earned per annum by poultry manure users was 1.40 times higher than that for non-users. The difference in mean net income users and non-users of poultry manure constitutes an important land improvement technique capable of enhancing farm production and income levels. Thus, technologies aimed at packaging it in such a way as to remove the associated social constraints to its use by farmers need be put in place.

Keywords: - Economics, poultry manure, farmers, land improvement, Nigeria.

Animal Health and Diseases

Antimicrobial resistance of non-clinical Escherichia coli strains from chicken in Nsukka, South-east Nigeria

K.F. Chah*, S.C. Okafor and S.I. Oboegbulem

Department of Veterinary Pathology/Microbiology,University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine resistance profiles of Escherichia coli strains isolated from clinically healthy chickens in Nsukka, southeast Nigeria. A total of 324 E. coli strains isolated from cloaca swabs from 390 chickens were tested against 16 antimicrobial agents using the disc diffusion method. The antibiotics used in the study were: ampicillin (25µg), amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (30µg), gentamicin (10µg), streptomycin (30µg), cefuroxime (20µg), cephalexin (10µg), nalidixic acid (30µg), ciprofloxacin (5µg), norfloxacin (10µg), ofloxacin (5µg), pefloxacin (5µg), tetracycline (30µg), chloramphenicol (10µg), cotrimoxazole (50µg), colistin (25µg) and nitrofurantoin (100µg).

The strains demonstrated high rates of resistance (34.6% – 66.1%) to ampicillin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, cefuroxime and cotrimoxazole. None of the isolates was resistant to colistin, ofloxacin and pefloxacin. For each antimicrobial agent (except cephalexin), strains from the intensively reared chickens (layers and broilers) displayed higher resistance frequencies than those from the local birds. A total of 49 resistant patterns were recorded for the 228 strains resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, with AmTeCoS and AmTeCfN being the predominant patterns.

Because of the great variation in the drug resistance patterns of the Esherichia coli strains, use of antimicrobial agents in the management of E. coli infections in the study area should be based on results of sensitivity tests.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, resistance, patterns, Escherichia coli, chicken.

Bacteriological investigation of sheep and goats milk for brucellosis in government farms in Northern Nigeria

J.O.O. Bale, S. Nuru,, P.B. Addo^*, and I. A. Adeyinka

National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

Bacteriological investigations of sheep and goats brucellosis were carried out in Northern Nigeria. Seven government or quasi-government farms were investigated. A total of 418 sheep and goats milk samples were examined culturally. Investigation revealed a 34.75 per cent and 15.88 per cent rate of infection in goats and sheep by milk ring test. Of 277 sheep and 141 goats milk samples examined culturally, brucellae were isolated from four sheep and six goats giving a total of ten isolates. Biochemical and serological studies of the isolates revealed that they were Br. melitensis indicating Br. melitensis as probably the common cause of brucellosis in sheep and goats in the areas surveyed. The results show that there was greater chance of isolating Brucella from milk which were strongly positive than from those which were weakly positive. The economic importance and public health significance of brucellosis in sheep and goats are discussed.

Keywords: Brucellosis, sheep, goats, Nigeria

Physiology

Artificial insemination practice in Nigeria – review of the dangers of disease transmission

J.O.O. Bale

National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

The first documented cattle artificial insemination (AI) in Nigeria dated back to 1949. Other recorded cattle artificial insemination in the country could be traced to when the Federal Government of Nigeria under the auspices of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, established Artificial Insemination Unit at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) in 1976. Various limiting factors and constraints that prevented artificial insemination from being popular in the country were mentioned. Various causes of infertility in animals were listed. The success or failure of artificial insemination practice as could be affected by microorganisms in the semen, semen preservatives, semen extenders and storage temperatures were discussed in relation to work already done in Nigeria and other countries.

Keywords: Artificial insemination, semen, diseases, livestock

Effects of quantitative feed restriction on the semen quality of Nigerian local cocks

A.G. Ezekwe, I.J. Udozor and C.O. Osita

Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Abstract

Twenty (20) mature local cocks were randomly assigned to five feeding treatments with four cocks in each treatment. Group I cocks (full-fed control) received 90g of a 16% CP commercial growers ration per cock per day. Cocks in Groups II, III, IV and V received 63g, 45g, 27g and 18g of the same ration per cock per day, representing 70%, 50%, 30% and 20% of Group I intake, respectively. The feeding trials lasted for 8 weeks during which two ejaculates per week were collected from each cock using the massage technique. Ejaculated semen samples were subjected to both physical and biochemical evaluations. Results showed that cocks that were severely underfed (i.e. Groups IV and V) took significantly longer time (P<0.01) to ejaculate. Also ejaculation failures were encountered more frequently with the severely underfed cocks than in cocks that were moderately underfed (i.e. Groups II & III). There were no significant differences in most of the biochemical parameters between cocks in all the treatment groups. However, ejaculate volume, progressive sperm motility and sperm concentration were significantly depressed (P<0.01) in the severely underfed cocks than in the moderately underfed cocks. It was thus concluded that providing breeding local cocks with one half to three quarters (i.e. 50-70%) of their normal daily ration would neither undermine their semen producing ability nor affect their semen quality adversely.

Key Words: Local cock, feed restriction, semen quality

Quantification of the Ovarian follicles of water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

O.F. Smith

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Former address: Institute of Graduate Studies, Central Luzon State University, Munoz, Nueva Eeija 3120 Philippines

Abstract

Ovarian samples were collected either through ovariectomy or slaughtering of Philippine water buffaloes at the Philippine Carabao Research and Development Centre (now Philippine Carabao Centre), Central Luzon State University, Philippines. From the young buffalo (6 –7 months, 2 pairs of ovaries); pubertal (2 year; n=1 pair); adults (7 –8 year; n = 3 pairs) and old (12 – 14 years; n = 3 pairs) were used for the study. The ovaries were fixed, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax and were serially sectioned at 10 microns. The sectioned ovaries were then stained with periodic acid/schiffs-Hematoxylin (PAS-H). Ovarian follices of the following categories (primary, growing, secondary, tertiary and atretic) were quantified in the young, pubertal, adult and old water buffaloes. In the young and pubertal buffaloes, the average follicular population of 75,604 and 85,358 primary follicles were counted, respectively. The numbers of primary follicle decreased as age of the animal increased, meaning the follicles are either ovulated or become atretic during the course of the estrous cycle. The growing follicles were highest in the pubertal animals with an average follicle number of 7,317, which is 8.75 percent of the primordial follicles. The young and adult buffaloes had an average count of 71 and 18 growing follicles respectively. The tremendous increase in the number of growing follicles during the pubertal stage may indicate that follicle are continually being recruited and they grow from stage to stage and end life by becoming atretic or become ovulated. The number of secondary follicles found in each age group decreased with age. The high number of secondary follicles counted in the pubertal revealed that there was a transition of the growing follicles to the secondary stage. Further decline in the number of tertiary follicle occurred, while the average number for tertiary follicles in the young, adult and old were 3,9,7, respectively which is quite low. Data showed that there was a high incidence of atresia occurring in the ovarian follicles of buffaloes ranging from 127 in the young to 142 in the pubertal.

Keywords: Quantification, Ovarian follicle and water buffaloes

Fisheries

The response of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (Burchell 1822) to the diet containing Housefly maggot (Musca domestica) (L)

A.B. Idowu, A.A.S. Amusan and A.G. Oyediran

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract

Ten Fingerlings each of Clarias gariepinus were fed with five experimental diets compounded with major nutrient sources with varying percentages of protein obtained from housefly Musca domestica maggot meal (HFMM) at 0%, 12.5%, 50% and 100% inclusion in diets 1,11,111, and IV respectively. Diet V was made up of HFMM only. The effect of the varying protein content on the growth and development of the fingerlings were studied for 8 weeks. The best-feed conversion ratio was observed in diet 11 (25% maggot inclusion) while the least was in diet V (whole maggot). Feed utilization was highest in diet I (0% maggot). Fish fed on diet I recorded the highest growth rate (SGR) and was least in fish fed on diet V (whole maggot). Also, the highest protein efficiency ratio (PER) was recorded in fish fed on diet 111 and least in fish fed with diet V. Proximate analysis of fish fed on the different diets revealed that crude protein was least in fish without experimental diet (70.05%) and highest in fish fed with whole maggot (diet V) 76.31%. The ash content of fish carcass composition before and after feed trial did not follow a definite pattern. The results of the study showed that the survival and the development of fingerlings were best when maggot was used as supplement.

Keywords: Fish, maggot, and feed.