Field behaviour, habitat and food preference of the grasscutter (Rodentia: Thyronomyidae) in the Akpaka forest reserve, Onitsha, Nigeria

No Abstract.Bio-Research Vol. 3(2) 2005: 33-3

Productive Performance Of The Grasscutter (Rodentia: Thryonomyidae) Reared Under Three Different Housing Systems

The floor housing, open-cage and closed-cage housing systems for rearing grasscutters in captivity were respectively used to evaluate the performance of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temmnick, 1827) in the humid tropics of southern Nigeria. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the average initial weights of the grasscutters reared under the three different housing systems. But there were significant differences (P0.05) in the mean litter sizes, average litter mortality, and average number of litters weaned. But the numerical values of mean litter sizes and average number weaned were floor housing (2.85 and 2.44) greater than closed-cage (2.65 and 2.22) greater than open-cage (2.45 and 1.88) housing systems. The mortality rates (%) occurred in the reverse order of floor-housing (21.50) less than closed-cage (22.60) less than open-cage (24.90) housing systems. There were significant differences (

Determinants of undernutrition among primary school children residing in slum areas of a Nigerian city

Background: Undernutrition remains the largest contributor to the global disease burden. Different factors affecting the nutritional status of children need to be studied to determine those to be targeted in a country like Nigeria, characterized by widespread poverty and inequitable distribution of wealth.Objective: This study was aimed at ascertaining the relationship between prevailing socioeconomic and environmental factors, and the nutritional status of children residing in a typical urban slum.Materials and Methods: A cross.sectional descriptive study of 788 children aged 6-12 years selected by stratified, multistage random sampling method from public primary schools in slum and non.slum areas of Onitsha was carried out. Their nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measures. The socioeconomic and environmentalvariables of interest were analyzed to determine their relationship with undernutrition in the children.Results: Socioeconomic status was the major determinant of nutritional status in this study. Poor housing also affected the nutritional status of the slum children who were significantly from poorer families than those residing in non.slum areas (ƒÔ2 = 66.69, P = 0.000).Conclusion: This study highlights the need for an effective nutrition program targeted at school children in urban slums surrounded by factors predisposing them to undernutrition.Key words: Determinants, school.aged children, undernutritio

Genetic variablilities of body temperature and resting behaviour in three strains of egg-type chicken

The study was conducted to ascertain the body temperature and resting behaviours of three strains of egg-type pullet chickens (exotic [ISA brown], improved native [Alpha] and Native chickens). A total of 90 egg-type pullets aged 12 months and their day old, non-inbred progeny pullets numbering 90 were used for the study. Both the parents and their progeny were housed at 10 per pen and 3 replicates per genotype and their progeny. The parents were fed and watered ad-libitum between 52 – 63 weeks period of the experiment. The progeny of each genotype were kept for 0 – 12 weeks, during which time, chicks were fed and watered ad-libitum as in the parents and data were collected. During this period, body temperature and resting behaviour were collected with respect to the birds and their progeny. The result showed no significant (P > 0.05) genotype effects in the body temperature of both the parents and their progeny. This implies that neither progeny nor generation had effect on body temperature. The Alpha strain exhibited more resting behaviour than did the exotic and the pure native types. Majority of the birds rested in the afternoon at 2.00 pm. This could be attributed to the fact that at 2.00 pm the weather is hot and birds search for a quiet and cool place to reduce thermal stress.Keywords: Genetic variabilities, Body temperature, Resting behaviour, Strains, Egg-type chickenAnimal Research International (2012) 9(2): 1555 – 155