Comparative Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance of Maize Bran, Wheat Offal and Rice Bran in West African Dwarf Goats

Nine bucks West African Dwarf goats (WADg) of 8-10 months with average initial weight of 8.5±0.05 were allotted to individual metabolic cages in a CRD in a 21-days experiment to compare the digestibility and nitrogen balance of maize bran (MB), rice bran(RB) and wheat offal (WO) in WADg. Results shows that DM value ranged between 83.20% MB and 90.30% in RB while WO had the highest 11.43% of CP, ADF value ranged between 58.00% in WO to 63.00% in MB. CP intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in goat placed on WO than other animals.. The value of CF, ADF, NDF and Ash intake was significantly similar (p>0.05) in goat fed WO and RB. The DM digestibility were significantly (p<0.05) higher (56.00%) in goats fed WO followed by RB and MB with 42.08% and 40.57% respectively. The apparent digestibility of CP were similar (p>0.05) in all the animals, CF digestibility were lower (10.80%) in animals fed WO. Acid detergent fibre (ADF) and NDF digestibility were significantly (p<0.05) higher (88.52%) and 58.33% in animal fed with RB. Nitrogen intake varied significantly (p<0.05) across the treatments with 1.96g/day in goat fed MB followed by 2.66g/day MB and 3.84g/day in animal fed WO. Animals fed WO and RB had highest significantly (p<0.05) 2.16g/day and 2.20g/day of N-balance. The positive N-balance observed in all goats suggested that N absorbed was well tolerated and utilized by the animals, so the treatments gives a better chance for dry season feed or when animals are tethered without any adverse effects

Replacing Maize with Cassava Feels in Finisher Ration of Cockerels. The Effects on Cut-Up Pieces of the Eviscerated Carcass

The effects of partial replacement of maize with graded levels of sun dried cassava peels in the finisher ration of cockerels on the yields of various cut-up pieces of eviscerated carcass were determined in a 7 -week study using 2,835 13-week old cockerels of Isa White breed. Seven finisher rations containing 0, 5, 10,15, 20, 25 and 30% sun dried peels were respectively given to a group of 405 cockerels. The results showed that the birds fed 25 and 30% cassava peels rations had the least response in terms of body weight and eviscerated weight. The proportions of head, shank and viscera were significantly higher in the cockerels fed these rations than those fed with lower grades. This indicates that 25 and 30% cassava peel rations induced the development of inedible offals at the expense of edible meat. Finisher ration containing 20% cassava peels supplied the optimum nutrients for optimum performance in terms of eviscerated yield, growth, body weight and feed conversion efficiency beyond which these parameters started to dedine. The results also showed that the low cost of production of cockerels fed rations or highest level of cassava peels (30%) compensated for the drop in their performance. Including 20% cassava peels in the cockerel finisher ration for optimum edible meat yield and 30% cassava peels for potential economic gain is therefore recommended.Keywords: Cockerel, Carcass, Cassava Peels, Finisher Ratio

Sodium requirements for maintenance and growth of West African dwarf goat

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Performance of female West African dwarf (Fouta djalion) goats fed Spondias mombin plus concentrate

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Preliminary study On The Use Of Margaritaria Discoidea Leaf In The Diet Of West African Dwarf Goats

A preliminary estimation of the chemical composition of Margaritaria discoidea and its effects on West African dwarf goats in terms of dry matter intake, growth rate and feed conversion in a 90 - day feeding trial was carried out. Margaritaria discoidea was accepted at 2.42 to 3.42% body weight and rich in gross energy (4.512Kcal/g) that will be more than sufficient for daily energy requirement of small to medium size breeds of goats. The maximum growth rate (73.3g/d) optimum dry matter intake (0.39kg/w0.75kg) and feed conversion (0.534) were promoted by 50% browse plus 50% concentrate diet. However, feeding M.discoidea leaves as sole diet still promotes satisfactory growth performance (46.1g/d) over time and completely eliminates the cost of concentrate diet in goat production. From the predictive function, there was a significant relationship between the level of browse fed and growth rate (r= 0.87, P<0.05). It appears that M. discoidea has good potentials as fodder for dry season feeding in small ruminant production. Keywords: Chemical composition, growth rate, goat, Margaritaria lea

Pre-sowing treatment, agronomic performance and nutritive potential of Tephrosia bracteolate (Guill. et Perr.) at four different stages of growth

Presowing treatments, agronomic performance and nutrients profile of Tephrosia bracteolata at different stages of growth were assessed. Six presowing treatments were used (T1-Untreated, Control); T2- Ash solution; T3-Sand treatment; T4- Soaking in boiled water for 15 min; T5- 24 hrs soaking in cool water; T6- Partial burning. Plant height (PLH), leaf length (LFL), and leaf breath (LFB) were measured with tape rule; leaf number (LFN) and   branches number (BRN) were counted at four different stages of growth 8, 12, 16, 20 weeks after planting (WAP). Soil analysis was done before and after the trial. T. bracteolata plants were sampled for proximate composition and mineral content at different stages of growth. The results indicated that there was a slight increase in organic   matter, N, Ca, Na, K and Zn in the soil after the trial. Sand-treated seeds had the highest percentage germination (85%) followed by seeds soaked in boiled water for 15 minutes (62%). There was a significant (P < 0.05) increased in PLH, LFN and BRN at 20 WAP. The highest (P <0.05) CP was noticed at early stages 8 and 12 WAP compared to other stages of growth. Ether extract, NDF and ADF were similar (P > 0.05) at 12, 16 and 20 WAP, while ash content were higher (P < 0.05) at 8 and 12 WAP. Conclusively, T. bracteolata has the ability to improve the fertility of the soil; its nutrients profile at different stages of growth were adequate in meeting the maintenance and reproduction requirements of animal especially ruminant animals without any fortification in the diets at any different stages of growth.Key words: Pre-sowing treatments, Agronomic parameters, Tephrosia brateolata, Nutrients, Stages of growth and Soil fertility

The Use Of "Kaun" (Local Potash) As A Mineral Source In The Diet Of West African Dwarf Sheep

The study was conducted for 48 days to assess the use of kaun as a source of mineral for West African Dwarf sheep. The study was in two parts. Experiment I involved the use of milled kaun mixed with formulated concentrate consisting of wheat offal (50%), palm kernel cake (25%) and dried brewer's grains (25%). Experiment II was the use of dissolved kaun administered to the animals in form of drenching. Each group of animals in experiment I was allocated to experimentaldiet containing milled kaun (0.00, 0.14, 0.28, 0.45 and 0.56g/kg body weight/ram/day) and to kaun solution (0,2,4,6 and 8g/10ml of water/ram/day) in experiment II. In experiment I, significant (P<0.05) effects of the diets were observed on average daily gain, dry matter intake and water consumption. The rams on D3 significantly (P<0.05) performed better in daily gain, dry matter intake and feed efficiency than those on other dietary treatments. Water consumption increased with increasing level of kaun in the diets. Animals on D5 had the highest water consumption. No significant (P>0.05) effects of the diets were observed on faecal and urinary mineral outputs of the rams fed kaun supplemented diet. The concentration of these minerals was higher at the end of the experiment than at the beginning thereby giving positive balance. Significant (P<0.05) negative mineral balance was noticed between serum mineral before and after the experiment. This couldsuggest that mineral utilization was encouraged by kaun inclusion in the concentrate feed. ln Experiment II. there were significant (P<0.05) effects of the test diets on average daily gain, dry matter intake and water consumption. Diet 4 (6g/10ml of water/ram/day) and D5 (8g/10m/ of water/ram/day) performed better with an average daily gain of 100g/d and 92.9g/d; dry matter intake, 70g W0.75kg and 66g/W0.75kg; feed efficiency 0.700 and 0.710, respectively. Water consumption also increased with increase in the concentration of kanu solution but water consumption in treatment groups was lower than in the control (0. 10L/kg body weight). The results of this study suggest that 0.28g kaun/kg body weight/ram/d) promoted better performance inexperiment I while 6g kaun/10ml of water, or 8g kaun 10ml of water/ram/d promoted better performance in experiment II. These levels of kaun as a source of mineral in sheep production are therefore recommended for optimum performance.Keywords: Kaun, serum mineral, daily gain, West African dwarf shee

Digestibility and nitrogen balance of sole malted sorghum sprout, maize stover and rice straw in West African Dwarf goat

A study on digestibility and nitrogen balance of sole Malted Sorghum Sprout (MSS), Maize Stover (MST) and Rice Straw (RSW) in West African Dwarf goat was x-rayed, nine male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with body weight of 9-11kg allotted to individual metabolic cage in complete randomized design for 21-days experiment. Results shows that DM% ranged between 78.00 – 92.50%, CP content of 4.75% in MST, RSW (8.57%) while 14.25% CP was   recorded for MSS. Crude fibre was higher (36.44%) in MST. Apparent digestibility of CP was low (6.04%) in goat fed sole MSS followed by MST (17.05%) and RSW 21.24%, EE digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in goat fed MSS, while ADF digestibility were similar (P>0.05) in animals placed on sole RSW and MST, ash digestibility was  similar (P>0.05) in goat fed MSS and MST. Voluntary feed intake was significantly (P<0.05), higher (600g/day) in the goats offered sole MSS but water intake in all the goats were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Nitrogen   intake, faecal nitrogen, absorbed nitrogen, urinary nitrogen and total nitrogen retention were significantly (P<0.05) higher in goat fed sole MSS, while goats on MST had the least significant (P<0.05) N-intake (0.76g/day), faecal-N (0.50g/day), absorbed N (0.26%/day) and total N-retention (0.63g/day). Goats fed RSW had higher significant  (P<0.05) N-balance (0.29g/day) compared to other goats on MSS and MST which were similar (P>0.05) in  N-balance. Conclusively, none of the experimental feedstuffs can be fed as sole diet to goats since the nutrients and digestibility are lower than recommended values. It can be recommended from these results that these  feedstuffs should be supplemented with other feedstuffs to give a balanced diet before being fed to West African Dwarf goats to improve their performance.Key words: Nutrients, Digestibility, Nitrogen balance, Crop residue and Goat

Animal traction technology in Ogun State, Nigeria. Potentials and Constraints

This paper presents the finding of a survey on the potential of Animal traction technology in Ogun State of Nigeria. A total of fifteen settlements (Camps) and silty households were purposively selected and surveyed using a combination of structured interview schedule and participatory Rural Appraisal technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Fulani of Kwara State of Nigeria origin settled in Ogun State with their cattle for over 25 years and are pursuing sedentary lifestyle as agro-pastoralists. They operate under a relatively secure tenurial arrangement that allow them to settle and practise arable crop farming. They prepare the land for planting using the ridge system, which favours the use of animal traction. The very cost of hired labour represents a major incentive for adoption of animal traction technology. The average cattle herd size is 30. All the respondent were aware of the use of animal traction. Although none of the respondent had used the technology in Ogun State, they nevertheless believed that the technology can be used in the State. They all indicated readiness to release their cattle for training if the technology is to be introduced. The paper discussed animal traction in rural economy, its potential and constraints.Keywords: Animal traction, technology, Ogun state, Nigeria

Influence of feed quantity offered on growth performance, carcass yield, organs weight and back-fat composition of finishing pigs

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feed quantity offered (1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 kg) on growth performance, carcass yield, organs weight and backfat composition. A total of 48 Large White grower male pigs with initial average weight of 36.48±2.25 kg were allotted to 3 treatments of 16 pigs per treatment and were further replicated into 4 with 4 pigs per replicate. Data were collected on weekly basis and carcass characteristics were performed when the pigs on each experimental group attained an average weight 70 kg. Final body weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) increased by feeding level with highest mean values obtained by the pigs fed 2.5 kg feed daily. Pigs on 1.5 kg daily feeding level took 108.31 days to attain the target weight of 70 kg which was significantly (P<0.05) longer than 92.23 and 79.94 days obtained by those on 2.0 and 2.5 kg daily feeding levels respectively. Most of the parameters considered for carcass yield were not significantly (P>0.05) enhanced by feed quantity offered. The weight of ham (11.54, 12.18 and 13.41 %) increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feeding level while kidney weight decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feed quantity offered. Heart values of the pigs fed 2.0 and 2.5 kg feed daily were similar but differed significantly from those fed 1.5 kg feed daily. The depth of fat at first and last ribs, and subcutaneous fat depth increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feeding level. These results showed that quantity of feed offered greatly influenced growth performance (final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and days to target weight), ham, kidney, heart and backfat composition of finishing pigs, hence, it could be used as a management tool to improve growth performance and carcass traits of pigs.Keywords: Feed quantity offered, performance, carcass yield, organs, finishing pig