Nutritional Evaluation of whole Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed meal in Rats

The study reported herein evaluates with rats the nutritional quality of raw and roasted kenaf seed as sources of nitrogen. Some safety aspects regarding possible feed use were also investigated. Wistar rats were fed four purified diets viz: a basal diet (nitrogen-free), a reference diet that contains casein and two diets made of kenaf seeds. Dietary treatments significantly influenced performance, biological indices and blood parameters (P<0.05). The performance of rats on kenaf based diets was inferior to that of rats on casein diets. The levels of serum glucose were significantly elevated for rats on kenaf based diets compared to rats on casein diet. However, the levels of serum total protein, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were significantly elevated for rats on the casein diet compared to rats on kenaf based diets. Among the kenaf test proteins, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) values of 1.87 and 1.65; Net Protein Ratio (NPR) values of 0.56 and 0.50; Biological Value (BV) of 65.04 and 63.05 and Net Protein Utilization (NPU) values of 44.23 and 42.56 were obtained respectively for a raw kenaf seed meal RKM) and roasted kenaf seed meal (HKM). There was no significant difference in results obtained for both RKM and HKM

SALMONELLA ORGANISM TRANSMISSION IN HATCHING BROILER EGGS

The vertical transmission of Salmonella organism in hatching broiler eggs were investigated in selected states in South Western Nigeria. Hatching eggs obtained from five major hatcheries located within each state were used to isolate and characterize salmonella in shell, yolk and albumin of eggs. The study revealed that Salmonella gallinarum and Salmonella arizorae were isolated from hatcheries in Lagos State while some hatcheries in Oyo State respectively were positive for salmonella organism in hatcheries A &amp; B for organism in hatcheries B while yolk &amp; albumin were positive for salmonella organism in Lagos State (Hatchery A)

INDIGENOUS POULTRY PRODUCTION IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA: A CASE OF YEWA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

A study was conducted to determine the types and spatial distribution of Indigenous Poultry (IP) in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Five locations (Idofoi, Ibese, Imasai, Eggua and Ayetoro) were randomly selected across the geographical distribution of the Local Government Area. Data were collected from 75 respondents comprised of 15 each from the locations using a well structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result revealed that women were more involved (57.3%) in indigenous poultry production in the area. Fowl (chicken) population dominated (57.3%) and was widely distributed followed by duck (24.5%) and guinea fowl (8.60%) while turkey recorded the least population (2.4%). Eggua recorded the highest (27.3%) chicken population whereas Ayetoro had the least (15%). However, Imasai had the overall highest (22.90%) indigenous poultry in the study area while the least was recorded in Ibese (16.2%). Major challenges militating against IP in the area were disease (33.3%), pilfering (14.6%), and socio-taboo (8.0%). Only 2.7% respondents indicated feeding as a problem militating against IP. The study concluded that female and the aged were major indigenous poultry farmers in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State and the prevailing indigenous poultry were chickens, ducks and guinea fowls with turkey having the least population. Imasai had the highest poultry population followed by Eggua while Ibese had the least population. Majority of the people in Yewa North Local Government Area reared indigenous poultry for income and domestic use.Â

Effect of natural plant; guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) parts on growth and carcass indices of finishing broiler chickens

A 56- day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding guinea hen weed (Petriveria alliacea) leaf and root meals as phytobiotics on growth, carcass, haematological and serum indices of finishing broiler birds using 192 day old chicks. Eight treatment groups were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangements of 2 plant parts; Petiveria leaf meal (PLM) and Petiveria root meal (PRM) at 4 levels (0mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg). Each group was replicated three times with 8 birds per replicate. The results of the main and interaction effects revealed that for all growth parameters measured, only mortality was significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) with variation across the dietary treatments. Broiler chickens on control diet showed elevated (p&lt;0.05) mortality percentage when compared with other levels when either PLM or PRM was fed. An improved (p&lt;0.05) dressing, drumstick and breast percentages were observed in broiler chickens on PLM compared to their counterparts on diet containing PRM. Different levels of inclusion of Petiveria plant parts revealed (p&lt;0.05) effects on dressing percentages which were linearly improved for birds on control diet. Broiler chickens fed diet containing 1500 ppm showed highest (p&lt;0.05) drumstick and liver values compare to other treatments. Amidst other varying inclusion levels, abdominal fat was observed to be reduced (p&lt;0.05) in 500ppm fed birds. Engagement of PLM and PRM at different levels showed significant (p&lt;0.05) interaction effects on relative weight of wings, drumstick and thigh. Reduced (p&lt;0.05) wings were obtained in broiler chickens fed 1000 and 1500 ppm in comparison to other dietary treatments with drumstick poorer in broiler chickens fed with diet containing 1000ppm of PRM. The study concluded that feeding of guinea hen weed as phytobiotic additive elicited improved carcass variables in finishing broiler chickens. Keyword: Guinea hen weed, finishing broiler, growth, carcas

Effects of antibiotic, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation in broiler diets on performance characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility

A total of 180-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used to determine the effects of antibiotic, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation in broiler diets on performance characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility in an 8-week feeding trial. The birds were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments including control diet (basal diet without additives), OXYT diet (basal diet with 600 ppm of the antibiotic oxytetracycline), GRO-UP diet (basal diet with 500 ppm probiotic), and MOS-500 or MOS-1000 diets (basal diet with 500 or 1000 ppm mannan oligosaccharide prebiotic, respectively) with 3 replicates of 12 birds each. No significant difference (P&gt;0.05) was observed in the performance of broiler chickens except for reduction in mortality in the birds fed with feed additives. There were significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in the apparent nutrient digestibility at the end of weeks 4 and 8. Inclusion of dietary prebiotic and probiotic had no significant effect on broiler performance but reduced mortality rate and enhanced apparent nutrient digestibility.Keywords: antibiotic, probiotic, prebiotic, broilers, performance, nutrient digestibilit

EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE INDICES OF STARTER PULLETS IN A HOT - HUMID ENVIRONMENT

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of starter pullets reared at different seasons (harmattan season and rainy season) in a hot humid environment. Two hundred and forty day-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 8 weeks during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected.&nbsp; Results showed significant (p&lt;0.05) effect of treatments on feed conversion ratio of birds fed dietary treatments. Season of presentation of ascorbic acid significantly affected (p&lt;0.05) feed intake with higher value obtained in the rainy season compared to the dry season (41.89g vs. 39.59). &nbsp

Performance of broilers fed with maize colonized by either toxigenic or atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus with and without an aflatoxin-sequestering agent

Open Access Journal; Published online: 26 Sept 2019In warm agricultural areas across the globe, maize, groundnut, and other crops become frequently contaminated with aflatoxins produced primarily by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Crop contamination with those highly toxic and carcinogenic compounds impacts both human and animal health, as well as the income of farmers and trade. In Nigeria, poultry productivity is hindered by high prevalence of aflatoxins in feeds. A practical solution to decrease crop aflatoxin content is to use aflatoxin biocontrol products based on non-toxin-producing strains of A. flavus. The biocontrol product Aflasafe® was registered in 2014 for use in maize and groundnut grown in Nigeria. Its use allows the production of aflatoxin-safe maize and groundnut. A portion of the maize treated with Aflasafe in Nigeria is being used to manufacture feeds used by the poultry industry, and productivity is improving. One of the conditions to register Aflasafe with the national regulator was to demonstrate both the safety of Aflasafe-treated maize to avian species and the impact of Aflasafe as a public good. Results presented here demonstrate that the use of maize colonized by an atoxigenic strain of Aflasafe resulted in superior (p < 0.05) broiler performance in all evaluated parameters in comparison to broilers fed with toxigenic maize. Use of an aflatoxin-sequestering agent (ASA) was not sufficient to counteract the harmful effects of aflatoxins. Both the safety and public good value of Aflasafe were demonstrated during our study. In Nigeria, the availability of aflatoxin-safe crops as a result of using Aflasafe allows poultry producers to improve their productivity, their income, and the health of consumers of poultry products

Preparation of Cass-Soya concentrate for inclusion in poultry diets (in-vitro studies)

A study was conducted to determine the best means of processing cassava and soybeans together in a suitable proportion to produce a concentrate of good physical and nutritive quality for feeding to poultry. Samples of cassava and soybeans were subjected to six different processing techniques and mixed together in different proportions viz. 80:20, 60:40 or 50:50. The processing techniques were as follows: toasted soybeans and dried cassava chips were mixed together and ground in sample A while toasted soybeans and cassava were ground separately before mixing in sample B. Samples C and D included raw cassava and soybeans mashed together before being sun-dried or oven dried respectively. For samples E and F raw cassava and soybeans were boiled together before being sun-dried or oven-dried respectively.Results showed that when cassava and soybeans were boiled together and dried, the product was of good physical texture as indicated by its flaky texture. Nutritive quality was also high in terms of protein and energy contents. For these samples, sun-drying was preferred to oven-drying due to the ease of the method of drying as well as the cheaper cost involved in drying. Proportions of either 50:50 or 60:40 are preferred to take advantage of both energy and protein contents of the final product.Keywords: Cass-Soy Concentrate, Poultry Diet

Effect of aerobic fermentation of cassava on the nutrient composition of its product

No Abstract

The economic implication of substituting cocoa pod husk for maize in livestock feeds in Nigeria.

A study was conducted to estimate the amount of maize that could be conserved by substituting cocoa pod husk (CPH) for maize in livestock feeds. For this purpose a conversion coefficient between dry cocoa beans and dry CPH was estimated by using data collected from a survey of 50 cocoa farms. Some livestock feed millers in Nigeria were also surveyed to obtain the composition of feeds for different livestock species.Using the conversion coefficient between dry cocoa beans and dry CPH together with dry cocoa bean outputs between 1970 and 1996 it was estimated that Nigeria produced an average of 274,800 metric tonnes of CPH per year.Using the amount of livestock feed consumption in Nigeria from 1977 - 1996 and the percentage of maize component of the rations, the amount of maize utilized in livestock feeds for the period was estimated. Further, using the safe levels of CPH substitution in the various livestock feeds as suggested by research conducted in the past, the amount of maize which could be conserved by incorporating CPH in the various feed types was estimated as an annual average of 39,473 metric tonnes of maize. This saving was found to bridge the deficit between demand and supply as given by supplementation done by importing maize.The study concluded that by utilizing CPH in compounding various livestock feed rations, the high price of maize arising from excessive demand can be reduced. The limiting role of maize in making available livestock feeds will be alleviated. Futher-more, increased revenue to cocoa producers would accrue as a result of additional revenue generated from sale of CPH and good environmental sanitation reducing the incidence of black pod disease and consequently reducing investment in chemicals and labour for the control or the disease. Finally, more maize would be available for human consumption and the supplementation that was done in form of maize importation may not be necessary.Keywords: Cocoa pud husk, maize, substitution, feeds