9 research outputs found

    Egg Production and Economic Response of Laying Pullets Fed Urea- Fermented Brewer’s Dried Grains Groundnut Cake Based Diets

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    The effect of urea-fermented brewer’s dried grains at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% graded levels in place of groundnut cake in pullet layers diets was investigated. Five treatment diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 17% crude protein and 2600kcal/kg metabolizable energy. One hundred and twenty pullet layers  (Goldline hybreed) were randomly allotted into five treatment groups of 24 birds each and replicated three times with 8 birds per replicate. They were fed ad libitum in deep litter for eight weeks. Daily feed intake, total eggs produced for the period, total eggs weight per bird and feed conversion ratio were not significantly (P>0.05) different, while significant (P<0.5) differences were observed in final body weight, body weight gain, total eggs produced per bird per week, average egg weight and hen day production. Hen day was similar for the control and up to 75% replacement levels. It was more economical and profitable to use urea-fermented brewer’s dried grains in replacing GNC in pullet layer’s diets. Keywords: Egg weight, Groundnut cake, Hen day production, pullet layers, Urea-fermented BDG

    Effect of water source and feed regime on development and phenotypic quality in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.): prospects for improved mass-rearing techniques towards release programmes

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    Abstract Background In many malaria-endemic sub-Saharan countries, insecticide resistance poses a threat to existing mosquito control measures, underscoring the need for complementary control methods such as sterile and/or genetically-modified mosquito release programmes. The sibling species Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii are responsible for malaria transmission in most of this region. In their natural habitat, these species generally breed in clean, soft water and it is believed that divergent preference in their larval breeding sites have played a role in their speciation process. Mosquito release programmes rely on the rearing of mosquitoes at high larval densities. Current rearing protocols often make use of deionised water regardless of the strain reared. They also depend on a delicate balance between the need for adequate feeding and the negative effect of toxic ammonia and food waste build-up on mosquito development, making managing and improving water quality in the insectary imperative. Methods Here, we investigated the impact of water source and feed regimes on emergence rate and phenotypic quality of mosquitoes in the insectary. First-instar larvae of An. gambiae (Kisumu strain) and An. coluzzii (Mopti and VK3 strains) were reared in three water sources with varying degrees of hardness (deionised, mineral and a mix of the two), with a daily water change. Larvae were fed daily using two standardised feeding regimes, solution and powder feed. Results Water source had a significant impact on mosquito size and development time for all strains. Earlier emergence of significantly larger mosquitoes was observed in mineral water with the smallest mosquitoes developing later from deionised water. Wing-length was significantly longer in mineral, mixed water and in powder feed, irrespective of sex, strains or water types. Deionised water was the least favourable for mosquito quality across all strains. Conclusions Mineral water and powder feed should be used in rearing protocols to improve mosquito quality where the optimal quality of mosquitoes is desired. Although results obtained were not significant for improved mosquito numbers, the phenotypic quality of mosquitoes reared was significantly improved in mineral water and mix water. Further studies are recommended on the impact mineral water has on other fitness traits such as longevity, fecundity and mating competitiveness

    Assessment of aflatoxin and heavy metals levels in maize and poultry feeds from Delta State, Nigeria

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    The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead cadmium, chromium and copper) in poultry feed and ingredients from two regions (north and central) in Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 120 samples collected (comprising of maize, soybean meal, layers mash and broiler finisher) directly from poultry farms, feed mills and poultry feed dealers were analysed for moisture content, total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium and copper) concentrations. Moisture content was analysed using standard Association of Official Agricultural Chemists method, while total aflatoxin and heavy metals concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. Total aflatoxins concentrations ranged from 12.0 to 20 µg/kg and 21 to 31 µg/kg in samples from north and central region, respectively. Apart from maize, aflatoxin content in other samples from the north was marginally lower (18–20 µg/kg) than permitted levels. On the other hand, aflatoxin levels in samples from the central were all above tolerable limits. Copper content in samples was less than permissible limit, while 44.4, 29.1 and 21% of samples had concentrations of lead, cadmium and chromium, respectively, above permissible limit. The presence of aflatoxin and lead in poultry feeds above permissible limits of 20 µg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively, may pose a risk for animal productivity and human health
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