Growth performance and carcass traits of broilers fed with Allium sativum powders supplemented finisher diets

This study investigated the effects of dietary Allium sativum powder (ASP) on growth performance, haematology, carcass quality, serum biochemistry, and lipid profile of broilers. Before use, the ASP was phytochemically analyzed. 108 four-week old broilers were randomly assigned to four treatments (A, B, C and D) with three replicates of nine birds. They were fed for four weeks with broiler finisher diet supplemented with ASP at 0.00 (A, control), 20.00 (B), 30.00 (C) and (D) 40.00 g/kg. Weekly feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, haematology, serum biochemistry and lipid profile were determined. At week four, two birds from each replicate were randomly selected, humanely sacrificed and used to determine carcass quality. Ethanolic extract of ASP contained saponins, tannins, steroids and terpenoids. ASP supplemented groups consumed significantly more (p<0.05) feed on week three, had higher final body weight and recorded lower mortality. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in birds fed 20 g/kg/d than other ASP fed birds. The consumption of ASP had no significant effect (p>05) on cholesterol; high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and organ weights of broilers. White blood cell count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 20.00 and 40.00 g/kg ASP. Red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein and albumin contents of the broilers were increased by the additive.Keywords: Antibiotics, Broilers, Carcass traits, Garlic, Lipid profil

Effect of post-infection vaccination on immune status of Newcastle disease-infected chicken

This study investigated the response of chicks infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) to Newcastle disease vaccine - NDV-I2. A total of 90 day-old cockerel chicks were used for this study. At three weeks of age, the chicks were randomly separated intotwo equal groups of 45 chicks designated A and B. After separation, Group A chicks were vaccinated with NDV-I2 vaccine intraocularly, while Group B chicks were not vaccinated. At six weeks of age, Groups A and B chicks were further randomly separated into sub groups A1, A2, A3 and B1, B2, B3 of 15 chicks each respectively. After separation, chicks in subgroups A2, A3, B2, and B3 were exposed to chicks infected with NDV. Upon manifestation of clinical infections, chicks in subgroups A2 and B2 were revaccinated with NDV-I2 vaccine, while subgroups A3 and B3 were not vaccinated. Percentage morbidity was 42.86, 64.29, 100 and 92.86 % for subgroups A2, A3, B2 and B3 respectively, while percentage mortality was 14.29, 50, 100 and 71.43 % in subgroups A2, A3, B2 and B3 respectively. This study showed that vaccination of previously vaccinated chicks during Newcastle disease outbreak protects the chicks and reduces both morbidity and mortality significantly. Keywords: Cockerels, Newcastle disease, Vaccination, Revaccination, Geometric mean titre, Morbidity, Mortalit

Gut balance booster as a prospective alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in swine diet

This study accessed the effects of dietary inclusion of Gut Balance Booster (GBB) on performance of weanling pigs. Twenty four six week old  weaned Large White x Landrace pigs of mixed sexes were randomly assigned into two groups of 12 piglets each. Each treatment was replicated three times with four pigs in each replicate. They were fed diet A (normal starter diet without GBB) and diet B (starter diet with GBB at 2.00 Kg/ton). Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), haematology, serum lipid profile, faecal egg count, shedding of selected bacteria and cost- benefit of the additive were determined. Results showed that there was no significant difference (p≤0.05) in daily feed intake, FCR and weight gain. However, the values favoured the supplemented group (1.16 ± 0.10 vs. 1.06 ± 0.13 Kg, 2.61 ± 0.34 vs. 3.04 ± 0.23, 485.29 ± 59.12 vs. 355.00 ±40.30 g). Haemoglobin, PCV, RBC, WBC and lymphocyte counts were higher in group B. Lipid profile showed no significant difference (p≤0.05) in the two groups. The GBB reduced faecal strongyle eggs output, salmonella species, Escherichia coli and significantly increased Bacillus subtilis. Net revenue due to GBB supplementation significantly improved within the experimental period. It was concluded that in pigs, dietary inclusion of GBB at starter phase improves gut health, growth performance and is cost beneficial. Keywords: Swine, Antibiotics, Feed additives, Growth performance, Cost benefit