Effect of Feeding Open-Air Dried Broiler Litter on Nutrient Digestibility, Growth and Carcass Composition in Growing-Finishing Pig Diets

Fifty-four (Large White strain) grower pigs were used to evaluate broiler litter as potential feedstuff for growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments; O, 15 and 30 % broiler litter inclusion levels. Each treatment was replicated six times with three pigs/replicate in a completely randomized block design. Test diets were formulated to contain 20% crude protein and 3200 kcal/kg digestible energy. Pigs were housed in total confinement in a concrete-slatted floor house containing twenty pens; each measuring 7.4 × 1.75 m and equipped with feed and water troughs that were about 3.6 m apart. The apparent digestibility of nutrients decreased with increasing incorporation of broiler litter in the diets of growing-finishing pigs, especially crude protein. The apparent digestibility of crude protein and the daily growth rate were depressed by the increasing inclusion of broiler litter in the diet. Daily feed intake was increased and the feed conversion ratio was highest at 30% broiler litter feeding. Animals on broiler litter-based diets had lower body weight at slaughter while carcass length and backfat thickness decreased with increasing level of broiler litter inclusion. Percent spleen was increased by the inclusion of broiler litter. Ash content of the muscles increased whereas ether extracts and crude protein decreased with increase in the levels of broiler litter in the diet. Feeding broiler litter at 30% level gave higher moisture content (3.8%), calcium (0.04%), phosphorus (0.8%) and a lower gross energy (5649 kcal/kg) content for muscle composition. The inclusion of broiler litter in growing-finishing pigs’ rations reduced growth performance; but improved the carcass quality when fed at 30% inclusion level and reduced feed cost at 15% inclusion level. Appropriate feeding strategies are required to optimise performance, carcass quality and feed cost.Keywords: Carcass quality, feed cost, muscle composition

The chicken or the egg? Exploring bi-directional associations between Newcastle disease vaccination and village chicken flock size in rural Tanzania

Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral disease of poultry with global importance, responsible for the loss of a potential source of household nutrition and economic livelihood in many low-income food-deficit countries. Periodic outbreaks of this endemic disease result in high mortality amongst free-ranging chicken flocks and may serve as a disincentive for rural households to invest time or resources in poultry-keeping. Sustainable ND control can be achieved through vaccination using a thermotolerant vaccine administered via eyedrop by trained "community vaccinators". This article evaluates the uptake and outcomes of fee-for-service ND vaccination programs in eight rural villages in the semi-arid central zone of Tanzania. It represents part of an interdisciplinary program seeking to address chronic undernutrition in children through improvements to existing poultry and crop systems. Newcastle disease vaccination uptake was found to vary substantially across communities and seasons, with a significantly higher level of vaccination amongst households participating in a longitudinal study of children's growth compared with non-participating households (p = 0.009). Two multivariable model analyses were used to explore associations between vaccination and chicken numbers, allowing for clustered data and socioeconomic and cultural variation amongst the population. Results demonstrated that both (a) households that undertook ND vaccination had a significantly larger chicken flock size in the period between that vaccination campaign and the next compared with those that did not vaccinate (p = 0.018); and (b) households with larger chicken flocks at the time of vaccination were significantly more likely to participate in vaccination programs (p < 0.001). Additionally, households vaccinating in all three vaccination campaigns held over 12 months were identified to have significantly larger chicken flocks at the end of this period (p < 0.001). Opportunities to understand causality and complexity through quantitative analyses are limited, and there is a role for qualitative approaches to explore decisions made by poultry-keeping households and the motivations, challenges and priorities of community vaccinators. Evidence of a bi-directional relationship, however, whereby vaccination leads to greater chicken numbers, and larger flocks are more likely to be vaccinated, offers useful insights into the efficacy of fee-for-service animal health programs. This article concludes that attention should be focused on ways of supporting the participation of vulnerable households in ND vaccination campaigns, and encouraging regular vaccination throughout the year, as a pathway to strengthen food security, promote resilience and contribute to improved human nutrition

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H5N1 in Africa: A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Characterization of Isolates

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/H5N1 was first officially reported in Africa in early 2006. Since the first outbreak in Nigeria, this virus spread rapidly to other African countries. From its emergence to early 2008, 11 African countries experienced A/H5N1 outbreaks in poultry and human cases were also reported in three of these countries. At present, little is known of the epidemiology and molecular evolution of A/H5N1 viruses in Africa. We have generated 494 full gene sequences from 67 African isolates and applied molecular analysis tools to a total of 1,152 A/H5N1 sequences obtained from viruses isolated in Africa, Europe and the Middle East between 2006 and early 2008. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of the 8 gene viral segments confirmed that 3 distinct sublineages were introduced, which have persisted and spread across the continent over this 2-year period. Additionally, our molecular epidemiological studies highlighted the association between genetic clustering and area of origin in a majority of cases. Molecular signatures unique to strains isolated in selected areas also gave us a clearer picture of the spread of A/H5N1 viruses across the continent. Mutations described as typical of human influenza viruses in the genes coding for internal proteins or associated with host adaptation and increased resistance to antiviral drugs have also been detected in the genes coding for transmembrane proteins. These findings raise concern for the possible human health risk presented by viruses with these genetic properties and highlight the need for increased efforts to monitor the evolution of A/H5N1 viruses across the African continent. They further stress how imperative it is to implement sustainable control strategies to improve animal and public health at a global level

Animal Science as a bridge between livestock farmers and consumers

No Abstract

Observations on growth body dimensions and carcass traits of Nigeria indigenous pigs

No Abstract

Observations on growth, body dimensions and carcass traits of Nigeria Idigenous pigs

Observations were made on 79 Nigerian Indigenous (NI) and 24 Large White pigs. There was a three month delay in growth acceleration in NI pigs as compared with LW pigs. Growth acceleration started at 7 and 4 months for NL and LW respectively. Over all ages studied, NI differed markedly from LW in live weight, body length, height , depth and ham dimensions but this difference was much less between males than between females. In NI boars serially slaughtered, live and carcass weights doubled between 7 and 10 mouths of age while dressing percent and carcass length reached peak values at 10 months. Carcass backfat measurements were higher and more consistent at the shoulder than at the loin or rump. Combined longitudinal and dissection studies are needed to elucidate the groy.rth curve, the true genetic potential for growth and the body fat deposition pattern in the NI pigs

Gross margin estimation of rural poultry production in Osun State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Application of a real-time linear array ultrasound system to the evaluation of live cattle

No Abstract