Evaluation of herbal leaf meal as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics on haematological parameter and serum biochemical indices of growing sexed pigs

This study was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in September 2019 to evaluate the influence of sex and sole or combined herbal leaf meal as alternative in-feed antibiotics on serum biochemical indices. A total of thirty large white sexed pigs of eight weeks were allotted into five (5) dietary treatments for 12 weeks. Dietary treatments had no significant effect on haematological parameters and serum biochemical indices. Sex did not influence the haematological and serum biochemical profile of pigs except for monocyte, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and cholesterol respectively. Dietary supplementation did not influence the haematological serum biochemical profile of pigs. This indicates that the haematological indices were not influenced by sex and diet except the significant values which were within the normal range for sexed pigs which reveals that sex and diet does not compromise the immune system of the sexed pigs

Growth Response and Carcass Traits of Birds Fed Diets Containing Three Differently Processed Discarded Vegetable-Bovine Blood-Rumen Content Mixtures

A total of 1,080 day-old Marshal broilers were fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P1), discarded vegetable-ensiled bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P2) and discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) at three levels of inclusion (0, 3 and 6 %) at the starter phase while 540 of the birds were transferred and redistributed in the finisher phase. Data on growth response, blood profile and carcass characteristics were taken. At the 8th week of the study, 3 broiler chickens were randomly selected from each replicate for carcass evaluation. Data were subjected to Completely Randomized Design in a 3 x 3 factorial experimental layout. At the starter phase, results showed that birds fed P1 and P3 had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight but birds fed P3 had the highest (P<0.05) survivability percentage compared with P1.The interaction of processing methods and levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) influenced the performance characteristics measured. In the interaction between processing methods and levels of inclusion showed a decrease (P<0.05) in the final weight as the levels of inclusion of P1 and P2 increased at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, the feed intake increased with increased levels of inclusion. The interaction between processing methods and levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) affected the performance characteristics measured Results of the carcass characteristics showed that birds fed 3% inclusion of P2 had the least (P<0.05) thigh weight while those fed 6% inclusion of P1 had the least value for abdominal fat. This study revealed that for enhanced growth performance; broiler chickens could be fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) up to 6% level of inclusion.Keywords: Growth response; carcass traits; processed mixtures; discarded vegetable; bovine blood; rumen content

Performance and Carcass Yield of Sexed Broiler Chickens Reared on Two Housing Types

In spite of availability of specially formulated feeds and other aids to intensive poultry production, the provision of appropriate housing remains the most basic requirement for successful poultry production. This study thereby determined the performance, carcass yield and meat composition of 300 sexed Arbor Acre broiler chickens reared on deep-litter and deep-litter with a run housing types. The birds were brooded for 2 weeks, differentiated into male and female by feather sexing and balanced for weight. Thereafter, 150 male and female chicks each were confined separately in deep litter and deep litter with a run. Weekly live weights and physiological parameters were taken. At the end of the study, 2 birds which were similar to the average weight of each replicate were selected for carcass analysis. Serum cholesterol and calcium were also determined at the end of the experiment. The data obtained were arranged in a 2×2 factorial experimental layout in a Completely Randomized Design. Male birds had higher final weights, weight gain and cost of feed per day of 2208.33g/b,44.41g/b/d and N21.96, respectively compared to female birds. Birds on deep litter had higher live weight and plucked weight of 2216.67 and 1985.00g, respectively. Female birds had highest percentage breast of 22.81. Serum cholesterol and calcium of birds on deep litter with run was higher. It was concluded that both male and female broiler chickens had higher carcass yield on deep litter housing type. However, for higher live weight gain female broiler chickens should be reared on deep litter while male broiler chickens could be reared conveniently on any of the housing types.Keywords: Performance, carcass yield, female broiler, male broiler, serum cholesterol, calciu

Quality characteristics of beef sausage containing varying levels of ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder

Quality of beef sausage with varying levels of ginger powder as seasoning was investigated. Batch 1 was the Control (0% Ginger powder), Batch 2 had 25% of the seasoning as Ginger powder ,  Batch 3 had 50% of the seasoning as Ginger powder of total  seasoning), Batch 4 had 75% of the seasoning as Ginger powder and Batch 5 had 100% of the seasoning as Ginger. Parameters measured were all subjected to one-way analysis of variance.  Results obtained were significantly (P<0.05) different. For cooking and refrigeration weight losses, batch 1 (0% ginger powder)) had the lowest percentage cooking weight loss of 9.01% while batch 2 (25% ginger powder) had the lowest percentage refrigeration  weight loss of 0.73%. Sensory evaluation showed that meaty  flavour in batch 1 was highest (6.50) compared to other batches. Crude protein was highest in batch 5 (100% Ginger powder) with a value of 26.66% and lowest for batch 1 (0% Ginger powder) with 18.40%. Up to 100% ginger inclusion improved refrigeration  stability and protein content of fresh beef sausages. Keywords: Beef Sausage, Zingiber officinal