Udder And Teat Traits As Possible Selection Markers For Milk Yield In Local Goats Of Nigeria

This study was carried out at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria (October, 2003 – May, 2006) to investigate the effects of some factors (breed, stage of gestation, body condition score and stage of lactation) on udder and teat traits with their relationships with partial daily milk yield (PDM) in goats. The goat breeds studied were Red Sokoto, Sahel and West African Dwarf. The traits studied included udder circumference (UC), udder length (UL), teat length (TL), teat height to ground (THG) and teat circumference (TC). The results showed that during pregnancy these traits were significantly (

Influence of sensory attributes and storage media on quality of meat floss ‘‘dambun nama’’ processed from white meat

This study investigated the effects of storage period (≤ 5 weeks) and packaging media (glassware and stainless steel containers) on the quality of dambun nama processed from white meat (mature local chicken, duck, guinea fowl, turkey and fish). The results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences among the white meat type with respect to taste, appearance, tenderness, colour and acceptability. The results also revealed that flavour and aroma did not differ significantly across the meat types. There were many significant and positive correlations among the attributes studied. For instance, correlations between appearance vs colour (r = 0.66) (P<0.05) while the least correlation was between tenderness vs acceptability (r = 0.24) (P<0.05). However, the results also revealed significant (P<0.05) differences in the storage of dambun nama from the white meat studied. The quality of the product deteriorated with the increase in storage period. Dambun nama stored at lower weeks (1st and 2nd weeks) were better than those kept at 4th and 5 th week. However, dambun nama processed from guinea fowl and turkey meat deteriorated faster than the other types of white meat (fish, local chicken and duck) in terms of the total fungal and bacterial counts. However, at 5th week of storage dambun nama from duck meat had the lowest total microbes of 16.5 x 104cfu/g and followed by local chicken with 18.0 x 104cfu/g. There were also significant (P<0.05) differences in the storability of the two media; with stainless steel container having the lowest counts in terms of both the fungal and bacterial counts than glassware medium. The study suggests that variation existed in the shelf-life of dambun nama processed using the different white meat. Storage of dambum nama in stainless steel containers prolonged the shelf-life longer than glassware containers. It is also suggested that most panellists showed preference towards dambun nama from turkey and local chicken meat. However, the less preferred white meat can be greatly improved through artificial manipulation of the sensory attributes that have strong relationships. Key words: White meat, Dambun nama, Sensory attributes, Storage medi

An unsuspected yellow fever and lassa fever in a tertiary healthcare facility in Jos, North Central, Nigeria: a case report

Background: Yellow Fever and Lassa Fever are both zoonotic diseases (Mosquito borne flavirus and Rodent borne arenavirus, respectively) and classified as viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) because of their common clinical presentations – especially fevers and bleeding during the terminal stages of the diseases. After an incubation period of 3 – 6 days in Yellow fever, and 2 – 21 days in Lassa fever: they present with fevers, rigors, headache, myalgia, nausea, and vomiting. Jaundice is noticed in Yellow fever, while Lassa in addition to other symptoms also present with sore throat (with patchy tonsillar exudate), dysphagia, dry cough, chest pain, and cramping abdominal pain, diarrhoea or epigastric pains. Gradual deterioration is associated with oedema of the face and neck, respiratory distress, pleural and pericardial effusions, encephalopathy, and haemorrhage from various sites (including hypotension and shock, nonrelated to blood loss). The laboratory confirmation from a specialized virology laboratory was conducted for both disease conditions using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, with containment facilities (biosafety level 4).The management of each of these conditions is mainly supportive, although Ribavirin has significantly reduced mortality associated with Lassa fever; with best results obtained when drug is started early in the course of the illness. Reports of Yellow fever and Lassa fever co-infection are particularly scarce. The objective of this study was to report a successfully managed Case report in an Adolescent Child.Case Report: A 10 – year old boy with a positive history of contact with and adult (grandmother) who died from a febrile illness, bleeding from body orifices and jaundice; presented with high grade fever, sore throat abdominal pain and passage of loose watery stool. All these symptoms were persistent for more than twelve days despite antibiotics and antimalarial medications. He was ill looking, febrile, anicteric and had right upper quadrant tenderness/hepatomegaly. A diagnosis of viral haemorrhagic fever was made, he was admitted and nursed in the isolation ward, infection prevention and control measures were observed, he had baseline investigations, supportive care and Ribavirin. PCR results was positive for Yellow fever and Lassa fever. He responded to treatment, was discharged home, and recuperated well during his follow up visits.Conclusion: This case clearly illustrates the importance of having high index of suspicion following the significant history of contact with a probable case of viral haemorrhagic fever (absence of laboratory confirmation at the time of her death) by the index case, especially when there was non-response to routine treatment for common causes of fever in the community.Keywords: Yellow Fever, Lassa Fever, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Polymerase Chain Reactio

Constraints to adoption of artificial insemination techniques in livestock production in Bauchi LGA

constraints to adoption of artificial insemination techniques by livestock owners in Bauchi LGA were  investigated using some randomly selected respondents. Of the constraints considered, the most  important among the village livestock owners was lack of artificial insemination facilities (84. 3%) while the least was the free-range system of animal husbandry (18.9%). Conversely, some respondents  considered the greatest contraint to be the lack of well-defined breeding objectives (66.7%). While  personal dislike was the least (0.0%) considered constraint, others included unavailability of cryogens (66.7%), shortage of trained artificial insemination personnel (66.7%), lack of organisation to monitor the promotion and control of animal breeding (60.0~o), the extensive system of animal husbandry  (60.0%), etc. It can therefore be concluded that most Uvestock owners are prepared to use artificial insemination techniques in their breeding programmes if objectives are well defined and adequate artificial insemination facilities are made available and affordable. However, it is necessary that infrastructural facilities be developed in an integrated manner with essential manpower, financial input and built-in educational and training programmes, for bringing about the attitudinal change in the potential adoptors of Al.Key words: Artificial insemination, adoption, constraints

Comparisons Of Some Reproductive Parameters In Red Sokoto And Kano Brown Breeds Of Bucks

Some reproductive parameters of one-year-old 20 of each Red Sokoto and Kano Brown bucks were investigated. For the Red Sokoto and Kano Brown breeds of bucks, the mean (±S.E.) body weight, body condition score, scrotal circumference, testes weight, testes volume, epididymal length, epididymal volume, epididymal weigh~ testes sperm and epididymal sperm were 13M± 0.54 vs 11.69+ 0.35kg, 2.15±0.08 vs 2.10± 0.07, 19.83± 0.36 vs 18.27±. 0.49cm, 36.41± .1.89 vs 29.70± 1.98g, 35.63± 1.87 vs 29.48± 1.9ml, 10.67± 0.20 vs 9.66± 0.25cm, 6.16± 0.23 vs 5.44± 0.31m.J 6.46± 0.24 vs 553± 0.34g, 0.24± 0.02 vs 0.16± 0.01 x 109 a(ld 2.47± 0.16 vs 1.59± 0.16 x 109 respectively, and were significantly different between the breeds. The percentage epididymal segments mass and sperm were also depicted. There were highly significant correlations between many of the reproductive parameters in both breeds. The Red Sokoto bucks seem more adapted than the Kano Brown in terms of their reproductive make-up.Keywords: Reproductive parameters, Red Sokoto Bucks, Kano Brown Buck

Assessment of the productivity of livestock in and outside the Wase grazing reserve

The performance or livestock in Wase was assessed using flocks and herds in and outside the Wase Grazing Reserve. Age at first calving of cattle in and outside the grazing reserve was 5 years. The corresponding calving interval was 2 years. The calving percentage or 92 ror cattle in the grazing reserve was higher (P < 0.05) than that of 54 for cattle outside the grazing reserve. Ages at first lambing of sheep in and outside were 12.5 and 13 months respectively. Lambing interval however, was 8.6 months while corresponding lambing percentages were 75 and 71. Average age at first kidding in goats in the grazing reserve was 12 months while outside was 12.5 month. The kidding interval was 8 months while kidding percentage on the other hand was 56 in the reserve and 46 outside the reserve. The average lactation yield of cows (P > 0.05) in the grazing reserve was 401.5 litres while outside was 486.0 litres. The mean growth rates of calves between 6 and 12 months in and outside the grazing reserve were 9.8 and 5.6 kg/month respectively. The mean growth rates or lambs in and outside the grazing reserve were on the other hand 1.9 and 1.7 kg/month respectively, while the corresponding kids growth rates were 1.6 and 1.3 kg/month. Mortality rates recorded in adult cattle, lamb and kids in the grazing reserve were 4.8%, 7 and 7% while the rates outside the reserve were respectively 2.4, 5 and 18%.Keywords: Livestock, productivity, grazing reserve

Prevalence of peste des pestits ruminant (PPR) and helminthiasis in sheep and goats in Bauchi, Nigeria

No Abstract Bull Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2005) 53(2), 131-13

Contribution of different livestock species as sources of meat in Bauchi

The daily records of various species of livestock slaughtered for meat for 122 days from June to September, 1995 at Bauchi metropolitan abattoir were analysed. Livestock slaughtered comprised cattle, sheep and goats being 6, 15 and 79 percent respectively. A total of 35, 846 animals were slaughtered, 2, 151 were cattle, out of which 1856, 169, 119 and 7 were White Fulani, Red Bororo, Sokoto Gudali and Kuri breeds respectively. Chi-square analysis was used and within breed significant (P< 0.01) monthly differences in their contribution was observed only in Red Bororo breed. Out of the 5,373 sheep slaughtered 3,961,232, 1062 and 119 were Yankasa, Balami, Uda and crosses respectively. Sigificant monthly differences were observed in Uda (p<0.01) and Balami (P<0.05). Of the 28,321 goats slaughtered, the contributions of Sokoto Red, Kano brown, Sahel and West African Dwarf were 20,265; 7,469; 575 and 12 respectively. There were significant differences within Sokoto Red and Kabo Brown (p<0.01) and Sahel (p<0.05) breeds. The study showed that goat species especially Sokoto Red contributed the highest numerical value of all live livestock species slaughtered as sources of meat in Bauchi. This should have a bearing on their production.Keywords: Livestock, contribution, mea

Comparative study of goat production and management in Bauchi State, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (4) 2007: pp. 310-31