Comparison of two processing methods for pigeon (Cajanus cajan) pea seeds as protein source for broiler starters

No Abstract Available E. Afr. Agric. For. J Vol.68(4) 2003: 191-19

The Substitution Of Pigeon Pea Seed (Cajanus Cajan) For Groundnut Cake And Maize In Broiler Finisher Ration

One hundred and twenty 4 - week old broilers were used to study the effect of substituting pigeon pea seed meal (PPSM) for groundnut cake and maize in broiler finisher rations. The 4 diet groups contained O, 30, 40, and 50% PPSM and measurements taken in the 3 week study were weight gain, feed intake feed conversion ration and protein efficiency ratio. Results showed that body weight gain of the birds increased as the proportion of PPSM in the diets increased. The final body weights were 1.47, 1.64, 1.71 and 1.73kg for 0.30, 40, and 50% respectively. Feed and protein intake significantly increased as a result of replacing groundnut cake and maize with PPSM up to 40%, but did not show significant difference between 40 and 50%. Feed intake figures were 96.80, 129.90, 144.30 and 142.60g and corresponding protein intake figures were 20.67, 27.64, 30.72 and 30.57g for 0, 30, 40 and 50% inclusion of PPSM respectively. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio did not significantly differ among the diets.Keywords: Pigeon-pea, Broiler, Groundnut cake, Finisher ratio

Replacement of soybean meal and maize offal with Bambara groundnut offal in broiler diets

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 35 2004: pp. 133-14

Replacement Value of Soybean Meal and Maize with Raw or Boiled Pigeon Pea Seed Meal in Exotic Pullet Diets

A study to determine the replacement value of raw or boiled pigeon pea seed meal (PSM) for soybean meal and maize in the diets of exotic pullets (1-56 d) was conducted with 324 pullet chicks. The experimental design was 2 x 5 factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD). The factors were form (raw and boiled) and inclusion level (0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) of PSM in the diets. Each treatment was replicated three times with 12 pullet chicks per replicate. Measurements were live weight at 8th week, weight gain, feed and protein intakes, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Results showed that raw or boiled PSM included as 15, 20, 25 and 30% of the diet replaced 20.16, 26.87, 33.60 and 40.30% maize, respectively and correspondingly 25.92, 34.59, 43.21 and 51.89% soybean meal, respectively. Pullets fed raw PSM diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake (32.26 g), FCR (5.11), daily protein intake and significantly (P<0.05) lower PER (1.10) and cost per kg of diet (₦58.78) than pullets fed boiled PSM diet. Diet of 25% PSM significantly (P<0.05) lowered daily weight gain more than 0, 15 and 20% PSM diets did. Cost per kg diet also significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increasing levels of PSM in the diets. The conclusion was that raw or boiled PSM could be included up to 30% in pullet chicks’ diets, replacing 40.30% maize and 51.89% soybean meal.Keywords: Exotic pullets; maize; pigeon pea seed meal; replacement; soybean meal

Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Intestinal Environment of Weaned Rabbits Fed Diets Supplemented with Organic Acids in the Humid Tropics

The performance, nutrient utilization and intestinal environment of weaned rabbits fed diets supplemented with organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid and formic acid) were investigated with 24 (6-week old) rabbits in a completely randomized design. The control diet was not supplemented while others were supplemented with 0.5% of each of the organic acids. Measurements were live weight, live weight gain, feed intake, carcass and organ characteristics, feed cost, nutrient digestibility, gut pH and intestinal microbial population. Organic acids had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the performance of the rabbits except mortality. Formic acid supplemented diet produced the highest values for shank (2.18%), back-cut (13.47%) and intestine (5.60%). Mortality was significantly (P<0.05) reduced with use of acetic acid diet (16.67%) against 50% for the control diet. Organic acid supplemented diets did not significantly (P>0.05) affect nutrient digestibility coefficients and feed cost indices. Rather, acetic and formic acids significantly (P<0.05) reduced the pH of the small and large intestine digesta compared to the control diet while organic acids had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the pH of caecum digesta. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the microbial population in the small intestine, large intestine and caecum. It was concluded that supplementation of rabbit diets with acetic or formic acid have some beneficial effect on rabbit production, significantly reduced mortality and intestinal pH but had no significant effect on feed cost, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass and organ characteristics, and bacteria (Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli) population in the intestine

The Effect Of Feeding Graded Levels Of Raw Pigeon Pea Seed (Cajanus cajan) Meal On The Performance, Nutrient Retention And Carcass Characteristics Of Weaner Rabbits

An 8-week study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding graded levels of raw pigeonpea seed (Cajanus cajan) meal (PSM) on the performance, nutrient retention and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits 24 rabbits of initial average liveweight of 600-700g in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four experimental diets were formulated such that diet 1 (control) was maize-soybean meal based with 0% PSM. Treatments 2, 3 and 4 had 10, 20 and 30% PSM, respectively replacing part of maize and soybean in the diets. Results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the rabbits fed the raw and control diets in all the performance measurements considered. The diet of 30% PSM significantly reduced (P<0.05) feed cost of weight gain and significantly improved (P<0.05) dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility more than other diets. It was concluded that raw PSM could be included up to 30%, replacing 28.57 and 71.43% of maize and soybean meal, respectively in the rabbits diets without any adverse effect on performance.Keywords: Rabbit, performance, nutrient, pigeonpea seeds, digestibility

Effect of finisher diets treated with organic acids on carcass and internal organs of broiler chickens

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of different organic acids (OAs) on carcass yield and internal organ characteristics of broiler chickens. The OAs were ethanoic acid (acetic acid - AA), butanoic acid (butyric acid - BA), citric acid (CA) and methanoic acid (formic acid - FA). One hundred and fifty (150) day old AborAcre-plus chicks were used. There were five dietary treatments. Diet 1 which served as control (CON) contained no OAs, while 0.25% of AA, BA, CA and FA replaced palm kernel cake in diets 2 – 5. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate, arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Diets were both isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks during the finisher phase. Feed and water were given ad libitum. At the end of 4 weeks, 3 birds from each replicate giving a total of 9 birds per treatment were slaughtered for carcass and internal organ evaluation. Result from the carcass evaluation showed that dressed carcass, breast, thigh, wing and drumstick of OA treated groups were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the control. The backcut was significantly (P<0.05) heavier in control than in AA and CA. Abdominal fat in birds fed OAs was statistically similar to the control. The liver weight was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by BA and FA while the weight of spleen was reduced (P<0.05) by all the OAs. The caecum and the large intestine were significantly (P<0.05) enlarged in the control. There was non effect (P>0.05) on other internal organs.Keywords: broiler chickens, carcass yield, organic acids, internal organ characteristics

The effect of feeding graded level of palm kernel meal diets on performance, Carcass quality and organ characteristics of pigs maintained in the humid tropics

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 38 2007: pp. 108-11

Performance of pure and crossbred progenies of Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats in the Rainforest Zone of South Eastern Nigeria.

This study is a report of part of a planned breeding programme to evaluate the performance of pure and crossbred progenies of Red Sokoto (RS) and West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in a rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. A total of 56 kids produced by four breeding goat units consisting of pure Red Sokoto (RS x RS), pure West African Dwarf (WAD X WAD), main cross (RS x WAD), and reciprocal cross (WAD X RS) were used to investigate performance and cost benefit of producing progenies of these indigenous goats. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with genetic group and sex as the factors of interest. Results showed that at birth, the male RS X RS kids weighed significantly (P<0.05) highest (1.84±0.23kg), followed by WAD X RS (1.43±0.14kg), RS X WAD (1.37±0.56kg) while the WAD X WAD kids had the lowest birth weight (1.15±0.39kg). However, the RS X WAD female kids, at birth weighed significantly highest (1.5±0.54kg), followed by the RS X RS (1.33±0.98kg), WAD X RS (1.31±0.17kg) and WAD X WAD (1.09±0.12kg).Body weight at 18 weeks was significantly higher for RS X RS (9.82±0.79kg) than the RS X WAD (8.34±0.85) which in turn was significantly higher than the WAD X RS (7.61±0.13kg) and WAD X WAD (7.51±0.61kg). The male and female kids of the RS X WAD had improved body weight and the linear body measurements namely, body length, height-at-withers and heart girth. This genetic group had a higher average daily gain (46.03 ± 1.41g/d) and better feed conversion ratio (5.38 ± 0.27) than the RS x WAD (6.64 ± 0.18) and WAD x WAD (7.02 ± 0.21). It also had the lowest cost of production (N953.40=$6.60) and as such the highest gross margin (N2,111.06 =$14.60) in 18 weeks. Individuals in this group appeared more promising hybrid goats for commercial meat goat production in the rainforest zone of South Eastern Nigeria.Keywords: Red Sokoto and WAD goats, crossbreeding, linear body measurements, cost benefit, rainforest zone