Influence of varying dietary energy levels supplemented with ginger or probiotics on performance of broiler chickens under a semi-arid environment

This study evaluated the effects of varying dietary energy levels supplemented with ginger or probiotics on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in a semi-arid environment. A total of one hundred and forty four (144) Arbor acre day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six (6) dietary treatments with four replicates of six chicks each. Three metabolizable energy levels (3100, 2900, and 2700 ME/kcal/kg) were supplemented with either ginger (5g/kg) or probiotic (0.505g/kg) to give six experimental diets for the starter and finisher phases respectively. The experimental diets were fed ad libitum throughout the eight week experimental period. Feed intake increased (P<0.001) with decreasing dietary energy from 3100 to 2700Kcal/kg. The medium energy diet gave greater (P<0.05) live weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower mortality. The medium energy diet had better (P<0.001) dressing percentage compared to the other levels. Ginger sustained higher (P<0.001) dressing percentage than probiotic. While the interactive effects of energy levels with either ginger or probiotics showed that the low dietary energy combination with probiotics gave the lowest (P<0.001) dressing percentage. It was concluded that feeding broiler chickens a medium energy (2900Kcal/kg) diet with ginger as an additive improves growth performance and carcass yield of broilers under a semi-arid environment.Keywords: Broiler chickens, energy, ginger, probioti

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of finisher broiler chickens in semi-arid zone of Nigeria

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of addition of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as feed additive on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of finisher broiler chickens. One hundred and forty four (144) finisher broiler chickens were individually weighed (325±6g) and randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups of thirty six (36). Each group was replicated three times with each replicate comprising of 12 birds. The design was a complete randomized and the study lasted for eight weeks (8). The dietary treatment groups had T1 (0%), T2 (2%), T3 (4%) and T4 (6%) levels of ginger as feed additive. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and where significant differences occurred, means were separated using least significant difference (LSD). The results showed no significant (P>0.05) difference for final weight, daily feed intake and daily weight gain among the dietary treatment groups. Feed conversion values however varied significantly (P<0.05) among treatment. It is concluded that ginger can be included in finisher broiler diet as feed additive without detrimental effects on growth performance. However, finisher broilers fed 6% level as additive performed better compared to their counterparts and is therefore recommended. Key words: Broilers, Ginger, Additive, productive performance and digestibilit

Estimation of model parameters of the japanese quail growth curve using gompertz model

This study was conducted to describe the growth pattern of Japanese quails with the Gompertz growth model using body weight measurements from an unselected, random bred quail population. The coefficient of determination (R 2 ) was high for both male and female (0.98) indicating that the growth curves of the observed data were adequately described by the Gompertz model. However, male and female Japanese quails did not have identical growth patterns. Generally, females appeared to be heavier than males at all ages and this difference increased with age. Both male and female Japanese quail were 4 % mature at hatch but reached 98 and 96 % respectively, of their mature weights at 12 weeks of age. Thus, males matured faster than females though the latter had higher weights. Asymptotic weight (A) was higher (p<0.05) in females (168.83 g) than males (132.71 g) as was the case with integration constant (B). In contrast, maturity rate (k) was higher (p<0.05) in males (0.3765) compared to females (0.3262). Thus, a strong and negative relationship (–0.7981 and –0.8498 for male and female respectively) between maturation rate and asymptotic weight was observed. Age, weight and maximum gain at point of inflection for male and female Japanese quails were 2.48 vs. 2.91 weeks, 48.82 vs. 62.11 g and, 18.38 vs. 20.26 g res- pectively. Males reached the inflection point at a significantly (p<0.05) earlier age than females. Similarly, they had lower inflection weight and gain than female quail. And it explains difference between males and females Japanese quail in Nigeria.Este estudio fue realizado para describir el crecimiento de la codorniz japonesa, mediante el modelo de Gompertz, empleando medidas del peso corporal, tomadas al azar, de una población no seleccionada de codornices. El coeficiente de determinación (R 2 ) fue elevado (0,98) tanto para machos como para hembras, indicando que las curvas de crecimiento generadas con los datos obtenidos fueron adecuadamente descritas em- pleando el modelo de Gompertz. Sin embargo, los modelos de crecimiento de las codornices machos y hembras, no son iguales. Generalmente las hembras parecen más pesadas que los machos a cualquier edad y esta diferencia se incrementa con la edad. Tanto los machos como las hembras de codorniz japonesa estaban al 4 % de su madurez al nacimiento, pero alcanzaron, respec- tivamente, el 98 y 96 % de sus pesos maduros a las doce semanas de edad. Es decir, los machos maduraron más rápidamente que las hembras aunque éstas tenían pesos más elevados. El peso asintótico (A) fue más alto (p<0,05) en las hem- bras (168,83 g) que en los machos (132,71 g), lo mismo sucedió con la constante de integración (B). En contraste, la tasa de maduración (k) fue mayor (p<0,05) en los machos (0,3765) que en las hembras (0,3262). Así, se observó una fuerte correlación negativa (–0,7981 y –0,8498 para machos y hembras respectivamente) entre la tasa de maduración y el peso asintótico. La edad, peso y ganacia máxima en el punto de inflexión para machos y hembras de codorniz japonesa fueron: 2,48 vs. 2,91 semanas; 48,82 vs. 62,11 g y 18,38 vs. 20,26 g, respectivamente. Los machos alcan- zaron el punto de inflexión a edad más joven (p<0,05) que la de las hembras. De modo similar mostraron menor peso de inflexión y ganancia que las hembras. Ello explica las diferencias entre codornices japonesas machos y hembras en Nigeria

Scholars Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Testicular Morphometry of Red Sokoto Bucks Fed Cotton Seed Cake

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of cotton seed cake inclusion on testicular morphometry of Red Sokoto bucks. Sixteen sexually matured Red Sokoto bucks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with four animals per treatment. Treatment compared were T1 = 0% cotton seed cake (CSC), T2 = 10% CSC, T 3 = 20% and T4 = 30% CSC respectively. The results of chemical composition show that the crude protein (CP) content was generally high in all the diets. The ash, ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and gross energy values (GE) were all highest in T3. The extra gonadal sperm reserve showed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in all the parameters observed except for left caput epididymides and right caudal epididymides. Testicular morphometry showed significant effect (p&lt;0.05) in all the parameters observed. Results indicate that 10 and 20% levels of CSC inclusion do not have any negative effect on testicular morphometry of Red Sokoto buck

Influence of tamarind pulp on growth and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

A study was conducted to determine the influence of an aqueous solution of tamarind pulp on growth and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty, one week old broilers were divided into 4 treatment groups replicated 4 times in a completely randomized design. The control group was given 0g/L tamarind pulp (TP) while the other groups received 20g/L, 30g/L and 40g/L tamarind pulp in drinking water. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the 49 days experimental period. Results showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in feed intake with increased tamarind pulp. The group that was given 30g/L TP had higher (P<0.05) final weight, body weight gain and feed efficiency. There were no significant (P<0.05) difference observed for water intake, slaughter weight, dressed weight and dressing percentage. Tamarind pulp had significant (P<0.05) influence on all cut- up parts. It was concluded that aqueous solution of 30g/L tamarind pulp in drinking water will improve performance without adverse effects on carcass measurements of broiler chickens