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<0.05) with variation across the dietary treatments. Broiler chickens on control diet showed elevated (p<0.05) mortality percentage when compared with other levels when either PLM or PRM was fed. An improved (p<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<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<0.05) drumstick and liver values compare to other treatments. Amidst other varying inclusion levels, abdominal fat was observed to be reduced (p<0.05) in 500ppm fed birds. Engagement of PLM and PRM at different levels showed significant (p<0.05) interaction effects on relative weight of wings, drumstick and thigh. Reduced (p<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

Evaluation of formulated agro-industrial wastes as dry season feed for sheep

The study was conducted to estimate the performance of rams on a dry season ration formulated from agro-industrial by-products and compared with the animals on free range for a period of 10 weeks. Eight rams were fed the test diet while 8 rams were left on free range with supplemented wheat offal. Feed intake, weight gain, chestgirth, back-bone length and height at withers were observed. Serum glucose, cholesterol and total protein were determined before and at the end of the experiment. Significant (

Iron bioavailability and utilization in rats fed cassava-based complementary diets

Iron deficiency anaemia is still a major nutritional problem in the world, affecting primarily infants, children, and fertile women in both developing and developed countries (UNICEF, 2006). Breast-fed infants generally have adequate iron status during the first 4-6 mo of life, after which stored iron is depleted. Additional dietary iron therefore needs to be supplied. Improved cassava–based diets can provide a large proportion of the daily intake of energy and micronutrients for poor populations in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the bioavailability of these micronutrients especially iron is a concern as most of the iron contained in the foods is not available to the body. The study evaluated the bioavailability and utilization of iron in rats fed on iron improved cassava-based complementary diets. Iron bioavailability expressed as HRE was higher in the rats that consumed the positive control diet than in those fed with experimental diets. The study confirmed that the overall iron bioavailability from composite flour formulated from cassava is very low

Nutritional evaluation of four optimized cassavabased complementary foods

Complementary foods were formulated and their nutritional composition analyzed from three yellow and one white cassava varieties. The composites were analyzed for proximate, mineral, fatty acids and amino acids. The mean values for the proximate composition of the diets are moisture(41.4gkg-1)wet weight, ash (47.4gkg-1), crude protein(145.8gkg-1),crude fat(106.7gkg-1),crude fiber(21.1gkg-1),total carbohydrate(633. 5gkg-1),and energy(409.2kcal).The diets supplied adequate amounts of most minerals, except iron(about 65% of the standard).The composites contained all the essential amino acids with adequate chemicals core for most amino acids. The complementary dies contained moderate to high proportion of –linolenic acids (18:3n3)and a high proportion of linoleic acid(18:2n6),which resulted in a high total n-6total n-3ratio and a high linoleic -linolenic acids ratio. Micronutrient improved cassava varieties can be effectively used to formulate complementary food as acceptable micronutrients supplement

Chemical, sensory qualities and microbial load of standardized Digitaria exilis (Acha) based dishes commonly consumed in Niger State, Nigeria

Background: The role of indigenous or traditional food crops in the improvement of food security in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. The availability of these local foods in their socially acceptable forms, and at affordable prices seems to be the key to overcoming the major constrains towards consumer utilization of locally available foods.Objective: The study investigated the chemical content, sensory and microbial qualities of standardized acha based dishes commonly consumed in Niger state, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Five acha based dishes (acha jollof, tuwo acha, acha porridge, acha kunun and steamed acha) commonly consumed in Niger state were selected fromfive zones and the recipes standardized in accordance with the standardization procedures. The dishes were assessed for consumer acceptability. Proximate, mineral, and nutrient inhibitor composition were analysed using standard methods. The dishes were also evaluated for microbiological quality using Aerobic Plate Count (APC).Results: The values of proximate, mineral, nutrient-inhibitor composition and sensory evaluation of the dishes were significantly different at p<0.05. The mean crude protein values of the dishes ranged from 0.75 to 6.03% while the carbohydrate contents varied from 13.4 to 24.50%.The mineral contents ranged from 3.40 to 33.00mg, 2.20 to 10.16mg 10.04 to 35.00mg, 15.90 to 70.43mg, 0.00 to 24.25mg and 4.50 to 37.20mg for phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron and calcium, respectively. The values of the nutrient-inhibitor of the dishes ranged from 89.05 to 147.50mg, 0.00 to 0.09 mg and 1.10 to 8.60mgfor phytate, tannin and oxalate, respectively. The values of the of the sensory attributes of the dishes ranged from 2.25 to 4.20, 3.00 to 4.33, 2.50 to 3.92, 2.75 to 4.08 and 3.00 to 4.50 for taste, flavour, colour, consistency and overall acceptability, respectively. The microbial load of the dishes within the 24 hours fell within the acceptable levels.Conclusion: The study showed that acha-based dishes had low nutrient inhibitors.Keywords: Acha dishes, standardized, nutrient, sensory qualities, microbial loa

Comparación de los efectos de la inclusión de antibióticos y enzimas en dietas para ponedoras

Se realizó un estudio para comparar los efectos de la inclusión de enzimas y antibióticos en la dieta de ponedoras. La inclusión de enzima solo o enzima alternado con antibiótico (enzima/ antibiótico) en una dieta estándar para ponedoras tiene el mejor efecto sobre la producción de huevos por gallina día y pienso por kg de huevos. El peso corporal fue mayor en las dietas donde se administró enzima/antibiótico. La calidad de los huevos, en términos de peso o unidades Haugh, fue mayor en las gallinas que recibieron enzima solo o enzima/antibiótico. Los índices de calidad del huevo como la forma, composición, color de la yema y manchas de sangre, no fueron afectados por las dietas. Se registraron residuos de antibióticos en los huevos de las gallinas alimentadas con dietas que contenían antibióticos solo o enzima/antibiótico

Comparación de los efectos de la inclusión de antibióticos y enzimas en dietas para ponedoras

Se realizó un estudio para comparar los efectos de la inclusión de enzimas y antibióticos en la dieta de ponedoras. La inclusión de enzima solo o enzima alternado con antibiótico (enzima/ antibiótico) en una dieta estándar para ponedoras tiene el mejor efecto sobre la producción de huevos por gallina día y pienso por kg de huevos. El peso corporal fue mayor en las dietas donde se administró enzima/antibiótico. La calidad de los huevos, en términos de peso o unidades Haugh, fue mayor en las gallinas que recibieron enzima solo o enzima/antibiótico. Los índices de calidad del huevo como la forma, composición, color de la yema y manchas de sangre, no fueron afectados por las dietas. Se registraron residuos de antibióticos en los huevos de las gallinas alimentadas con dietas que contenían antibióticos solo o enzima/antibiótico

Effect of dietary supplementation of guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf and root meals on nutrient utilization and intestinal morphology of finishing broiler chicken

A 56- day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding guinea hen weed leaf and root meals as phytobiotics on nutrient digestibility and intestinal  morphology of finishing broiler chickens 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. Digestibility parameters were influenced (p<0.05) by petiveria plant parts. Crude protein, ash and NFE digestibility of birds fed diet containing PRM were higher compared to birds fed PLM. Birds fed 1500mg/kg had the highest value of crude protein  digestibility compared to other dietary treatments. The interaction of plant parts and inclusion levels on the nutrient utilization showed that highest crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and NFE values were observed in birds on 1500mg/kg PLM compared to other dietary treatments. Intestinal morphology of finishing broiler chickens revealed that duodenal apical width, basal width and Jejunal villi height values were higher (p<0.05) in birds fed diet containing PLM. It was observed that supplementation of finishing broiler diets elicited improved nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology.Key Words: Guinea hen weed, broiler, digestibility, gut morphology, root meal, leaf mea