Pearl Millet as an Alternative to Maize or Sorghum in the Diets of Broilers in Sokoto, Nigeria

The performance of broilers fed maize, sorghum or millet as sources of energy was studied for 8 weeks using two hundred and seventy six day-old chicks. The birds were randomly allocated to three treatment groups, each replicated four times such that each replicate had 23 chicks. The study was divided into two phases i.e. starter (0-4 weeks) and finisher (5-8 weeks). Three diets were formulated for each phase. Maize, sorghum or millet was used as the major source of energy in each of the three diets for each phase. Data on daily feed intake, weight gain and mortality were recorded. Feed conversion ratio was later calculated using feed intake and weight gain records. Results showed that at the starter phase, feed intake and weight gain of broilers fed pearl millet was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those fed maize or sorghum. Feed conversion ratio was also better (P<0.05) for broilers fed the two cereal grains compared to those fed pearl millet. At the finisher phase however, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in all parameters monitored. This indicates that pearl millet may not particularly be as suitable as source of energy for broilers at the starter phase as maize or sorghum. It is however a good alternative to maize or sorghum for broilers in the finisher phase

Nutrient Retention and Haematological Indices of Broiler Starters Fed Lablab Seed Meal as the Source of Protein

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of feeding diets containing lablab seed meal (LSM) to replace groundnut cake (GNC) or full fat soya (FFS) as the major source of protein on nutrient retention and haematological parameters of broilers at the starter phase. Apparent crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract retentions (%) were highest (P0.05) between those fed LSM and FFS diets, but significantly lower (

Apparent Nutrient Retention and Haematology of Shika Brown Pullet Chicks Fed Three Plant Protein Sources

An experiment was carried out to determine apparent nutrient retention and haematological indices of pullet chicks fed three plant protein sources. 243 day old Shika Brown chicks were divided into three treatment groups of 81 chicks subdivided into three replicate groups of 27 chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain groundnut cake (GNC) Full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM) and fed to the chicks for five weeks (3-8 weeks of age). At the 8th week three chicks per replicate were kept in metabolic cage and fed for faecal sample collection. Feed and faecal samples were weighed, oven dried and analyzed for proximate and mineral composition. Blood samples were collected via wing vein from 1 chick per replicate and stored in EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. Results indicated that retention of dry matter, nitrogen free extract and calcium were similar for chicks fed GNC and FFS but significantly different (P<0.05) from those fed LSM. Crude fibre retention was higher (P<0.05) in chicks fed FFS than those fed GNC and LSM, which were similar. Magnessium and sodium retentions were similar for chicks fed FFS and LSM but significantly different from those fed GNC. Only packed cell volume (PCV) varied significantly between treatment means. Other haematological parameters were similar across treatments and within normal ranges. Nutrients in LSM could be well utilized and safely too as those of GNC and FFS

Assessment of yeast supplementation on the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown layers fed high levels of rice bran during growing period

The study assessed the effect of feeding grower pullets with high levels of rice bran supplemented with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. The treatment groups were: treatment 1, 0% rice bran without yeast, treatment 2, 45% rice bran without yeast, treatment 3, 50% rice bran without yeast treatment 4, 45% rice bran supplemented with yeast and treatment 5, 50% rice bran supplemented with yeast. These diets were fed from the 9th to 20th week of age. Thereafter, a common layer diet was fed to all treatment groups from 20th - 40th week. Results of the study indicated that feeding rice bran at the growing phase did not affect age at point of lay. Indeed the birds fed rice bran diets without yeast reached point of lay earlier than the control group. Similarly, birds on high rice bran + yeast reached peak production earlier than the control group. However, hen-day egg production was higher for the birds fed control diet. It could be concluded therefore that feeding diets containing up to 50% rice bran with or without yeast supplementation during the growing phase did not adversely affect the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown pullets.Keywords: Yeast, rice bran, pullets, eg

Association between diabetes mellitus and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis:a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has emerged as a challenge to global tuberculosis (TB) control and remains a major public health concern in many countries. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly recognized comorbidity that can both accelerate TB disease and complicate its treatment. The aim of this study is to summarize available evidence on the association of DM and MDR-TB among TB patients and to provide a pooled estimate of risks. METHODS: All studies published in English before October 2016 will be searched using comprehensive search strings through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and WHO Global Health Library databases which have reported the association of DM and MDR-TB in adults with TB (age > =15). Two authors will independently collect detailed information using structured data abstraction form. The quality of studies will be checked using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort and case-control studies and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tool for cross-sectional studies. Heterogeneity between included studies will be assessed using the I(2) statistic. We will check potential publication bias by visual inspection of the funnel plot and Egger's regression test statistic. We will use the random effects model to compute a pooled estimate. DISCUSSION: Increases in the burden of non-communicable diseases and aging populations are changing the importance of different risk factors for TB, and the profile of comorbidities and clinical challenges for people with TB. Although classic risk factors and comorbidities such as overcrowding, under-nutrition, silicosis, and HIV infection are crucial to address, chronic conditions like diabetes are important factors that impair host defenses against TB. Thus, undertaking integrated multifaceted approach is remarkably necessary for reducing the burden of DM and successful TB treatment outcome. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016045692

Effect of Lablab purpureus Seed Meal fed at Grower State on Sexual Maturity and Subsequent Laying Performance of Shika Brown Layers.

A study was conducted to find the effect of the inclusion of lablab seed meal (LSM) in the diets of Shika brown growers on their sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. Two hundred and thirty four (234) 20 weeks old point of lay pullets previously fed diets containing groundnut cake (GC), full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM), as the major sources of plant proteins, were raised on a common diet. Each treatment group had three replicates of 26 birds. The feeding trial lasted for 20 weeks during which records were kept on body weight changes, egg production, egg weight and egg quality parameters. Results showed that pullets previously fed on LSM had similar performance in terms of age at first egg, 5%, 50% and peak production and weight of eggs. Except for body weight changes, for which pullets reared on FFS gained significantly (P<0.05) more weight, other performance characteristics and egg quality parameters did not differ significantly between treatment groups. It was however less expensive to rear growers on LSM. It could be concluded that lablab seed meal could be used as a source of plant protein in the diets of Shika brown growers without compromising their subsequent laying performance.Keywords: Lablab, Sexual Maturity, Laying Performance, Shika Brown Layers

Supplemental value of avizyme in diets of rabbits containing graded levels of wheat offal

Growth performance, nutrient retention and hematological parameters of rabbits fed graded levels of wheat offal supplemented with Avizyme were studied. A total of 24, 9-week old New Zealand rabbits were fed for 49 days (7 weeks) on four experimental diets. Avizyme was added at the rate of 1 g kg-1 of wheat offal based diets containing 30, 40 and 50% of the wheat offal. The basal diet (without Avizyme supplementation) served as the control treatment. The results of the study indicated significant differences (