Effect of feeding graded levels of biscuit waste based diet on non-carcass components of Yankasa rams

Five experimental diets B0 (0%, control), B1 (25%), B2 (50%), B3 (75%) and B4 (100%) were formulated with combined biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meals and fed to 20 Yankasa rams for 91 days to evaluate their effects on non-carcass components of the rams. The rams were slaughtered at the expiration of the experiment and non-carcass components were measured which included external and internal offals, blood, bones and diaphragm. The results revealed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the non-carcass components of all the rams fed different diets. It was further observed that diets B1 (25%) and B2 (50%) biscuit waste inclusion had the best (P < 0.05) effects on non-carcass components of the rams followed by diets B3 (75%) and B4 (100%) biscuit waste inclusion in that order compared with control diet B0 (0%) biscuit waste inclusion. It was therefore recommended that diets B1 and B2 be utilized for optimum results if non-carcass variables are desired in  Yankasa rams

Performance and carcass characteristics of Yankasa ram fed with variable levels of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala based diets

A study was conducted to find out the performance and carcass characteristics of sheep fed diet in which biscuits waste (BWM) and Leucaena leucocephala leaf hay (L/h) mixture were used to replace maize and wheat offal mixture at zero (control), 25, 50, 70 and 100% replacement levels. In a completely randomize design, the experimental diet where designated B0, B1, B2, B3, B4, respectively. The 20 growing Yankasa rams aged between 9 to 11 months with an initial average life weight of 12.17 ± 0.33 kg were randomly assign to the 5 dietary treatment with four rams per treatment. Data were collected to estimate dry matter intake (g/d /W0.7 kg), daily mean life weight gain (g/d), feed efficiency and carcass indices. Dietary replacement of maize and wheat offal mixture with biscuit waste meal and L. leucocelphala leaf hay mixture significantly (P< 0.05) influenced the entire variable measured. However, animal on diet B1 and B2 in which biscuits waste and L. leucocephala leaf mixture replaced 25 and 50% maize and wheat offal mixture, were better when compared to the control (B0) and other test diet in terms of performance and carcass characteristics. This was evident by higher DMI (77.18 and 76.84 g/d /W0.75 kg), ADWG (134.40 and 129.52 g/d), feed efficiency (0.199 and 0.195), live shrunk weight (21.50 and 20.10 kg), dressing percentage (85.81 and 84.33%), chilled carcass weight (18.33 and 16.83 kg), wholesale cuts leg (9.18 and 8.73%), rack (3.11 and 2.78%), BSF (4.53 and 3.83%), neck added (2.51 and 1.78%) and rib eye area (6.06 and 8.29) which were obtained from the animal on these two diets. Broadly, the result in the present study indicated that 25 and 75% replacement level of maize and wheat offal mixture with biscuits waste and L. leucocephala leaf hay mixture are ideal for ruminant animal production because it improve both the performance and carcass characteristics of rams.Key words: Performance, carcass, biscuit waste, Yankasa ram

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and physical body measurements of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed whole cassava (Manihot esculenta) root meal fortified with selected fermented protein sources

Grasscutter serves as a major tool for improved household income generation, nutrition and bio-diversity in Nigeria. It provides a quick turnover, foreign exchange earner and reduce unemployment rate of the country.In order to assess the feeding values of concentrates used as supplement, studies were conducted in captivity to evaluate the performance of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) using 20 growing Grasscutters comprising 16 females and 4 males who were balanced for weight and grouped into four treatments. Inclusion of whole cassava meal that was incorporated at 80% of the total bulk acted as the control(T0) while 10% of whole cassava root meal was replaced by fermented soybean meal in (T1), fermented locust bean meal in (T2) and fermented melon seed meal in (T3) respectively were considered as experimental using a complete randomized design. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as the basal diet and water were given ad libitum. There were significant difference in the final body weight gains (P<0.05) between treatments. The mean final body weights were 1175.0 ±302.01, 1266.7±302.01, 1215±302.01 and 1143.0±302.01g for animals on T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The corresponding mean for final body weight gains were found to be 481±209.55, 536.7±209.55, 507±209.55 and 407±209.55g for T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the trunk length in T1 over T2, T0 and T3 and were recorded at the level of4.78±0.19, 4.56 ±0.18, 4.55 ± 0.18 and 4.12 ± 0.16 respectively. The nutrient digestibility of CP, EE, NFE, ADF and ADL were significantly different (P<0.05). The whole cassava root that was combined with fermented soybean meal supported a highest growth rate than those of other treatments. It was therefore concluded that fermented soybean meal may be used as an ideal diet for sustainable Grasscutter production when whole cassava root is combined with this ingredient

Performance Characteristics And Nutrient Utilization Of Growing Yankassa Rams Fed Varying Levels Of Corn Cobs Treated With Fermented Poultry Droppings

Sixteen growing Yankassa rams, aged 11-13 months and weighing between 14.50 and 14.75kg were fed for 84days on diets containing poultry dropping treated corn cobs fermented with water. The fermented cobs were included at 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% at the expense of maize and wheat offal on the diets Co, C33, C67, and C100 respectively. Feed intake values varied significantly (

Preliminary observation of genital secretions, growth rate and behaviour of caged cane rats

Cane rats are large terrestial rodents which have the potential to increase animal protein intake. There is paucity of information on the genital secretions and growth rate of caged cane rats. This study observed the genital secretions, growth rate, feeds, feeding and the behaviour of caged cane rats. When animals adjusted to cage conditions, they received feed (sugar cane) directly orally. Some of the cane rats captured around the stream did not adjust to the cage as they died 10 days after capture from the wild. The doe attained puberty at age 11weeks (2months 3weeks). At this age, reproductive activities commenced in the doe with a slight opening of the vulva and the presence of colourless mucous fluid in the vagina. At 11weeks, the vulva was opened for 3weeks plus 6days and by the 4th week the crust had covered the vulva. The vulva opened for a minimum of 1 week and maximum of 4 weeks. The vulva closed for a minimum of 3 weeks and maximum of 4½ weeks. During the intermittent opening between closures, there were always colourless mucous secretions or sometimes thick yellowish mucous and the buck did not chase the doe for mating. The buck withdrew completely from the doe. When the vulva opened and the vagina was dried, the buck made a chase of the doe. Environmental influences (rain splashes) do not affect the opening and closing activities of the vulva in the doe. At between 18 - 27 weeks, the doe had a better growth rate in cage and had gained 0.5kg. This study has revealed that cane rat has an estrous period hence it is a break through for the cane rat breeders and farmers. Breeders/farmers need not to keep the buck with the doe until it kits thus they would be able to maximize the useage of their breeding buck to serve many doe. This also calls for other studies on the physiological variations to be carried out in the intra and inter populations of cane rat.Key words: cane rat, feeding, mucous, vulva, vagin

Carcass and primal cuts yield evaluation of African antelope (Antilope cervicapra) caught at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state, Nigeria

Four African antelopes were purchased freshly killed from local hunters at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria and were transported to the Meat Science Laboratory of the Department of Animal Production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yewa Campus, Ayetoro, Ogun State, where the study wasconducted. The Antelopes were dressed conventionally, eviscerated, washed and weighed. They were dissected into two halves and chilled at 40C for 24 hours. One half carcass of each antelope was weighed after chilling and was fabricated into primal cuts namely; leg, shoulder, rib, loin and breast, shank + flank (BSF) and weighed. Weight of chilled half carcass and primal cut as well as the proportions of primal cuts relative to chilled half carcass weight percentage cook yield, cooking loss, lean meat, bone as well as meat to bone ratio were determined. The results showed that leg cut had highest percentage weight of 40.11, followed by shoulder cut (16.94%), while loin cut had the least (10.72%). Percentage cook yield was highest in leg cut (71.69%), followed by BSF (70.85%) and least in rib cut (66.39%). The percentage cooking loss was highest in shoulder cut(37.09%), followed by rib cut (33.61%), and while leg cut had the least (27.81%). The leg cut gave the highest lean meat weight of 436.25 g followed by the shoulder cut with 187.50 g, while loin cut gave the least (59.00 g). Similarly, the leg cut had highest bone of 103.75 g, followed byshoulder cut (42.75 g) and least in loin cut (19.50 g). The lean to bone ratio was highest in shoulder cut 4.39:1 closely followed by leg cut 4.20:1, while loin cut had the least 3.03:1 lean-tobone ratio. The results on yield of carcass and primal cuts of Antelope obtained from this study compared well with those of sheep and goats. It is therefore, suggested that domestication of Antelope be expedited in order to shore up the supply of animal protein for growing world population, especially in developing countries where animal protein consumption is low.Keywords: African antelope, carcass yield, primal cuts, meat, animal protei

Some Haematological And Serum Biochemical Parameters Of Goats Fed Cynodon nlemfuensis, Spondias mombin and Gmelina arborea Based Diets

Haematological and serum biochemical analyses of West African Dwarf goats fed three different diets was carried out. Eighteen (18) growing bucks aged 7 – 7.5 months with a mean live weight ranging between 6.67 – 7.02 Kg were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments comprising six (6) animals per treatment. A 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a completely randomised design (3) different diets (A, B and C) and four collection periods (day 0, 21, 42 and 63) of blood samples was used. The animals were housed in wood shavings bedded individual pens (1.5 x 1.2 x 1.0) m3 and fed 0.30 Kg/head/day of the diets. The Cynodon nlemfuensis based diet served as the control (diet A) while Spondias mombin and Gmelina arborea based diets served as dietary treatments B and C respectively. Prior to the commencement of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected (day 0) by jugular venipuncture from the animals and at 21 days interval, during the trial which lasted sixty three (63) days. Collected blood samples, which were placed in well labeled heparinized bottles (2.5ml) and into anticoagulant-free well labeled plastic tubes (2.5ml), were analyzed within four hours of collection for Erythrocyte, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin(Hb) and total leucocyte count. Total serum protein, albumin and globulin, PCV and white blood count (WBC) were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments and collection periods. However significant differences (

Biochemical response of ouda sheep to water contaminated with NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer

The study of was conducted to assess the biochemical response of sheep to water contaminated with NPK 15-15-15 inorganic fertilizer. Twenty (20) growing ouda rams between 10 and 13 months old with an average live weight of 20.01 &#177; 0.35 kg were used in the trial that lasted for 21 days. The animals were divided into five(5) groups of four ram each, balanced for weight and served drinking water contaminated with NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer at the level of 0ppm,100ppm,200ppm,300ppm and400ppm.The groups were designated fo (control), f1, f2, f3 and f4 respectively. Also, biochemical examinations of fasting blood glucose(FBGL), total serum protein(TSP), serum albumin(S.ALB), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serumcreatinine(S.CREAT.), serum phosphate(S.PO4), aspartate amino transferase(AST), alanine amino trasferase(ALT) and alanine amino phosphatase(ALP) Were carried out at 0, 24, 48,72,120,168 and 336hours of the experiment following standard procedures. The result showed that all the parameters measured were significantly affected by water treatment. However the evidently higher (p&gt;0.05) concentrations offasting blood glucose, total serum protein, serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum phosphate and the listed enzymes after forty eight hours of NPK 15-15-15 inorganic fertilizer administration could lead to pancreatic dysfunction, hepato-cellular damage, renal dysfunction, impairment and insufficiency especially in animals on F3(300ppm) and F4(400ppm). In conclusion the contamination of water with NPK 15-15-15 inorganic fertilizer beyond 200ppm could be detrimental to sheep health and ultimate performance

Evaluation of the meat quality Yankasa rams fed graded levels of biscuit waste

Twenty Yankasa rams aged between 10 and 12 months with average weight of 12.15kg were used to evaluate the effect of different levels of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meal inclusion in diets on the quality of their meat samples. The rams were randomly assigned to five treatment diets of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% an d100% of combined biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala in replacement for combined maize and wheat offals or B , B , B , B and B diets with four rams per diet for 91 days. Data were collected 0 1 2 3 4 on physical, chemical and sensory variables of meat samples. The results showed that there were significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in the cooking loss, water holding capacity, crude protein and overall acceptability of meat samples from the rams. All the parameters measured were better in meat samples from rams fed treatment diets B (25%) and B (50%) 1 2 inclusion of biscuit waste and Leucaena leucocephala meal. The results revealed that feeding biscuit waste to Yankasa rams can improve the quality as well as the consumer acceptability of Yankasa rams meat (mutton). Keywords: Yankasa rams, physicochemical, sensory, biscuit waste, meat

Response of growing rabbits to graded levels of fermented and unfermented pineapple peel

Forty growing rabbits were allocated equally to five groups in a 2 x 3 factorial layout and caged individually for a 56-day trial period in hutches. They were used to compare the effects of two processing methods (unfermented and fermented) and three dietary replacement levels of Pineapple peel meal (PPM) at 0%, 12.5% and 25% of maize on weight for weight basis. Parameters evaluated during the trial period included: growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost. Results show that average daily weight gain (ADG) reduced (P&lt;0.05) as dietary inclusion level of PPM increased, although rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level compared favourably (P&gt;0.05) with those fed the control diet (0%). However, ADG of rabbits fed fermented PPM was statistically higher (P&lt;0.05) than that recorded for rabbits fed unfermented PPM. No significant (P&gt;0.05) difference was observed in daily feed intake of rabbits as a result of dietary inclusion level or processing type of PPM. Better (P&lt;0.05) feed efficiency was recorded in rabbits fed PPM at 12.5% dietary inclusion level than those fed at 25%. Fermentation enhanced the nutritional value of feedstuff and also improved feed efficiency. Total feed cost reduced (P&lt;0.05) by 21.39% when PPM was included in the diet at 25%. However, production result was not comparable with the control. But feeding fermented PPM at 12.5% inclusion level resulted in the best (P&lt;0.05) economy of production. Processing type or dietary inclusion level of PPM had no significant (P&gt;0.05) effect on dressing-out percentage of experimental animals. There were neither significant (P&gt;0.05) effects of processing type nor dietary inclusion level on retail cuts of the rabbits fed the different experimental diets. In all feeding rabbits with diets containing fermented PPMup to 12.5% replacement level for maize encouraged optimum performance. Keywords: Rabbit performance. Pineapple peel meal. Fermentation. Retail cuts. Economy of productio