Effects of partial replacement of groundnut cake with full fat soya on indigenous grower chicks

The effects of partial replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) with full fat Soya (FFS) on indigenous grower chicks' growth rate, performance efficiency ratio, weight gain and eviscerated weight was carried out. One hundred unselected, unsexed grower chicks with an average weight of 65 ± 0.12gm assigned to 4 treatment groups containing 20.0% GNCIO% RFFS 15% GNC/5% RFFS, 10% GNC/10% RFFS and 5% GNC/15% RFFS levels were used. Results indicated an average daily weight gain of 4.2gm, 4.8gm and 5.5gm for the treatment diets respectively. The 5% GNCI15% RFFS induced higher weight gain and feed conversion efficiency and performance efficiency ratio and carcass weight. Although there was negative correlation between full fat soya levels and the feed conversion efficiency while there was positive correlation between full fat soya level and growth rate performance efficiency and feed intake. Key Words: Indigenous chickens, Fulfat soya, Groundnut cake, Performanc

Effects of Zinc Supplement on Rabbits Performance and Growth Rate

Improvement on the quantity and quality of non traditional animal protein sources has become necessary in order to meet the need for adequate food and nutrition action plans of government at all level to ensure consistent and continuous supply of basic health need such as protein, vitamins and energy food. Dietary supplementation of rabbits with zinc was carried out to determine its effects on reproduction performance and growth rate of rabbits. Fifteen adult does were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 5 rabbits per group: the control group and two treatments groups. The control group was not supplemented with zinc while treatment groups A and B were supplemented with zinc of 20μg and 40μg respectively for 60 days. Zinc enhanced increase in litter size of treatment groups that recorded 25 and 22 kittens for 20μg and 40μg respectively against 7 kittens for the control. The difference was statistically significant at P <0.001. Though, there was geometric increase in size and weight in all the groups following weaning but the growth rate was independent of zinc treatment. Mortality was 60% and 81.87% among kittens kindled by does supplemented with 20μg and 40μg of zinc respectively against 42.86% of the control does. It is not unlikely that adaptive immunity from mammary gland of does fortified with zinc impacted the kittens and improved their survival rate

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

Proximate Analysis and Chemical Composition of Raw and Defatted Moringa oleifera Kernel

The proximate, mineral analyses and anti-nutrient compositions of Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) which are commonly used as nutritional and medicinal plant in Nigeria were carried out on both raw and defatted seeds. The nutrient and the anti-nutrients determination were done using various standards. Mean and standard error of means of the triplicate determinations were calculated. The result showed that defatting Moringa oleifera seeds increased the fibre, carbohydrate, vitamins B and C, iron and zinc content and significantly reduced the calcium, potassium and phosphate contents. The result also showed that defatting Moringa oleifera significantly decreased the tannin, alkaloids, saponin, phytate, oxalate levels but increased the cyanogenic glycosides level to a level lower than what is considered toxic to human beings and livestock. Hence, the defatted cake could be used in fortification of other food materials. Keywords: defatted, anti-nutrients, Moringa oleifera, kernels.

Evaluation of graded levels of cassava peels fortified with defatted moringa seed meal as replacement to wheat bran on performance, digestibility and blood profile of broilers

Evaluation of cassava peels fortified with defatted moringa seed at ratio 5:2 (C:MM) as a replacement to wheat bran at graded levels in broiler diet. Three diets were formulated, diet I with 0% C:MM and 20% wheat bran served as control, in diets II and III wheat bran was replaced at 50% and 100% respectively. Ninety 1 - day old broiler chicks were assigned unto these diets that lasted for nine weeks. The feed intake and body weight gain of birds on diet I and II were higher (P < 0.05) than III at both starter and finisher phases. Feed conversion ratio and apparent digestibility of those fed diets I and II were similar and differ from III. Among the hematological parameters determined, the packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), Red blood cell (RBC) and lymphocytes were affected (P < 0.05). Birds fed diets I and II had similar hematological values and these were higher compared to those fed diet III. The serum metabolites values of all the chicks were within normal range. Conclusively, fortified C:MM could replace wheat bran up to 50% without adversely affecting the broilers. Keywords: Moringa seed meal, cassava peels, wheat bran; broiler; performance; blood

Evaluation of the Proximate, Chemical and Phytochemical Composition of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal as Potential Food/Feedstuff for Man and Non Ruminant Livestock.

The increased interest in the utilization of the leaves of Moringa oleifera necessitated this study which evaluated the proximate, chemical and phytochemical composition, especially the presence of anti- physiological and toxic factors in the leaves. The results of the phytochemical analyses were: alkaloid 1.24 ± 0.141%; flavonoids, 4.90 ± 0.20%; saponins, 0.69 ± 0.124% ; tannins 0.03 ± 0.118% and cyanoglycosides 0.25 ± 0.112 %.The results showed crude protein to be 18.29 ± 2.6%; Nitrogen free extract, 44.52 ± 2.11%; crude fibre 15.87 ± 0.42 %; moisture, 9.33 ± 0.632%; ash, 13.67 ± 0.01 % and crude fat, 7.65 ± 0.009%. The results also showed Ca (0.49%) P (0.36%) Zn (46.70ppm) Iron (145ppm) and Cu (14.80ppm) were moderately high for a leaf meal. Quantitative chromatic analysis of MOLM hydrosylates revealed 9 essential amino acids which meet the minimum requirement (NRC) for broiler birds and in comparing its amino acid with those of hen's eggs shows an appropriate balance in all the essential amino acid but a deficiency of Methionine, Tryptophan and Histidine. The results of this study further showed that MOLM possess an appreciable quantities of all the dietary elements tested for, which, more or less could make them partial or complete substitutes for the conventional feed sources.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, phytochemicals, medicinal,nutritional and monogastric

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

Evaluation of the Chemical and Phytochemical Constituents of Alchornea Cordifolia Leaf Meal as Potential Feed for Monogastric Livestock

Phytochemical constituents, proximate and mineral composition of Alchornea cordifolia (Schum and Thonn) Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)) (Christmas bush) leaf meal obtained from the Campus of Niger Delta University was investigated in order to evaluate its nutritional value for non- ruminant livestock since it is well known that the presence of antinutrients and toxic substances severely limits the nutritional benefits of leaf meals. The result of proximate composition showed that the leaf meal contained moisture (9.96±0.40%), crude protein (17.94±0.41%), carbohydrate (39.53±0.21 %), crude fat (4.34±0.23%), fatty acid (3.47±0.24%) energy (3.37 kcal- g-), ash (11.38±0.26%) and crude fibre (16.85±0.16 %). Elemental analysis revealed that the minerals detected in the leaf meal and their concentrations were Calcium (288 mg- kg), Magnesium (22 mg- kg), Potassium (7.25mg kg-1), Copper (32.5mg- kg), Iron (192.5 mg - kg) Manganese (58.35 mg - kg) and Cobalt (40 mg-kg). Aluminium, zinc, Phosphorus, Selenium and Sodium were not detected. The quantitative analysis of the detected phytochemicals in the leaf meal were Phytate (1.21%), Oxalate (0.86 %), Saponins (2.04%), Phenols (1.16 %), Cardiac glycosides (0.11 %) and Hydrocyanic acid (22.30 mg-kg) while alkaloids, anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids and steroids were not detected. The results showed low concentrations of all the phytochemicals. The nutritional quality of plants and vegetables are severely limited by the presence of antinutrients (oxalate, phytate) and  toxic substances (cyanide, nitrate,). The low values of this substance in Alchornea cordifolia is an indication that the leaf meals may be recommended for non- ruminant and human consumption. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the leaf meal made from Alchornea cordifolia leaves contain nutrients and mineral elements that make the product comparable to other leaf meals such as Gmelina leaf meal, Leucena leucocephala leaf meal, Ipomea batatas leaf meal, Gliricidia leafmeal and cassava leaf meal