Entrepreneurial Characteristics And Constraints Of Poultry Enterprises In Imo State, Nigeria

The, entrepreneurial characteristics marketing strategies, poultry drugs distribution methods and constraints were studied among 110 poultry enterprises in Imo State, Nigeria. Ten types of poultry businesses were identified with commercial feeds retailing, egg and broiler productions being the most frequently practiced (18.1, 15.3 and 15.2% respectively). Guinea and Top feed brands were the most popular commercial poultry feeds, with each rating 28.1 and 23.4% respectively. Thirty-five(55.6%) of poultry farmers use commercial poultry feeds in feeding their flocks. Small-scale commercial poultry farms (40.4%) were more as against middle and large scale units that averaged 30.8 and 28.9% respectively. 82.9% of the poultry farmers sell their products unprocessed either by retails and wholesales (41.9%), or by retail only (20.9%). Twenty-three (79.3%) of poultry drugs sellers in the state are not qualified to sell such drugs, while a higher percentage of the farmers consult veterinary doctors before administering drugs. Antibiotics (23.9%), coccidiostats (23.1%), vitamins (17.4%) and vaccines (14.1%) were the most frequently sold poultry medicinal products. Practitioners identified high cost of livestock inputs (31.3%) lack of adequate finance (26.6%) and disease (17.2%) as major constraints to their business. Researching for cheaper sources of raw materials (30.8%), visiting farms for advice (23.1%) and producing animals with higher feed efficiency by animal production scientists and financial support in forms of soft loans, credits and subsidies from government (58.33%), were listed as the highest expectations of the practitioners. Key words: Nigeria, poultry business, veterinary drugs, poultry feeds, Poultry farmers Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 25-3

Dressed and internal organ weights of broilers fed toasted pigeon pea seed meal diet

Toasted seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), a tropical legume grown in Nigeria were investigated to determine its effect on the dressed weight and internal organ weight characteristics of broilers. The dry, brown coat coloured pigeon pea seeds were toasted at 100&#176C for 15minutes, cooled, made into a meal and stored in feed bags labeled TPSM. The TPSM at 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% dietary levels each replaced 0%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of soybean meal and 0%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of maize respectively in formulated broiler starter diets. TPSM also replaced 0%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 100% of soybean meal and 0%, 18.18%, 27.27%, 36.36%, and 54.54% of maize respectively in formulated broiler finisher diets. Each diet was fed to 5 replicates of 6, 7-day old hubbard broilers in two regimes of 28 days each, for the starter and finisher diets respectively. At 63days of age, 3 broilers of comparable live weights per replicate were selected, starved of feed for 12 hours, slaughtered and eviscerated to determine the dressed weights and internal organ weights. The results obtained indicated a progressive increase in dressed weight with increasing levels of TPSM in the diet. Birds fed 50% TPSM recorded significantly (

Egg Production Potentials of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) Raised Under Three Management Systems in the Humid Tropics

Egg production potentials of Muscovy duck was evaluated in three management systems; semi-intensive management system (SI), intensive management system with wallow (IW) and intensive management system without wallow (IO). Sixty female Muscovy ducks were divided into three groups of 20 each on weight equalization basis. The groups were randomly assigned to three management systems in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. Each group was replicated and raised in deep litter compartments. Ducks in IW and IO were fed ad libitum while those in SI were fed same quantity and quality of feed on a restricted basis [morning (07.00 – 08.00hours) and evening (16.00 – 18.00hours)]. Ducks in intensive management systems came into lay significantly (P<0.05) earlier, (IO, 203 days and IW, 207 days) than ducks in semi-intensive management system (248 days). Eggs from ducks in IO and IW were significantly (P<0.05) heavier (76.35 and 76.27g, respectively) than eggs from those in SI. Clutch sizes were significantly (P<0.05) larger IO and IW (19 and 18.73 eggs, respectively) than SI (16.23 eggs). There was however, no significant difference (P>0.05) between ducks in IO and IW in all the parameters measured. Ducks in the intensive management systems (IO and IW) appear to exhibit better egg laying potentials than those on Semi intensive management system

Priority issues in tropical animal health management

The potential of livestock to sustain family and local economies have been acknowledged worldwide. However, the major constraints to the attainment of this potential especially in the tropics have been the incidence of disease and sundry ill health. Thus the development of an effective animal health management strategy will not only improve productivity but also ensure the sustainability of tropical livestock production system. Several strategies have been put in place in different regions of the world based on issues that are of priority in such areas. These range from legislation and control, mass campaigns against specific diseases, education, research and provision of veterinary services. However, before any of these strategies can be successfully employed, issues of production systems, which are often predicated on the objective of such production, needs to be clearly outlined and integrated to the strategy to ensure that local problems and circumstances are properly accommodated. This is more so when one considers the fact that strategic issues that may be effective in animal health management in one region may at best be partially successful and at worst, find no application in other regions especially in the tropics. Most regions of the world have evolved relatively successful indigenous knowledge based systems and ethno veterinary medical practices in solving their problems almost successfully. The prioritization of animal health management issues in the tropics must therefore take cognizance of these indigenous strategies. In doing this, the participatory approach where the potential beneficiaries of such strategies are carried along from conception to execution must be stridently explored. Such approach would produce a structured marriage of the conventional and indigenous practices for the benefit of, and acceptance by all in the tropics. Keywords: tropics, livestock production, animal health, veterinary services, indigenous knowledge, participatory research Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 1(2) 2005: 83-9

Effect of different combination levels of palm kernel cake, yam peel and plantain peel meals as partial replacement for maize in broiler starter diets.

Ninety six unsexed day old Marshall broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups of 3replicates each on weight equalization basis (42.87 – 43.24g). The chicks were usedto determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with combinations of palmkernel cake (PKC), yam peel meal (YPM) and plantain peel meal (PPM) in broilerstarter diets. Four broiler starter diets were formulated such that diet T1 (control)contained 54% maize. Diets T2, T3 and T4 contained PKC, YPM and PPM in theratios, 1:1:2, 1: 2:1 and 1: 1: 2 replacing 50% of maize. The chick groups were eachrandomly assigned to one of the experimental broiler starter diets in a completelyrandomised design (CRD) experiment. The feed and water were offered ad libitum.Results indicated that birds on diet T4 recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher(861.63g) body weight gain than those on other diets. Feed intake followed similartrend with birds on diet T1 recording significantly (p<0.05) lower (1564.63g) valuethan other groups. Feed conversion ratio was comparable (p>0.05) for all groupswhile feed cost savings relative to the control diet ranged from 23.51 – 24.51%. Birdson diets T4 recorded the lowest feed cost per kg body weight gain. It is concluded thatcombinations of PKC, YPM and PPM could safely replace 50% of maize in broilerstarter diet with 1: 1: 2 combination ratio producing a superior performance.Key Words: Combinations, Palm kernel cake, Yam peel, Plantain peel, Broiler

Evaluation of sun-dried cassava fufu meal as a source of dietary energy for starter broilers

Sun-drying of cassava fufu was investigated as a method of processing cassava to eliminate its cyanide content and dusty nature so as to enhance its nutritive value as a source of energy in starter broiler diets. Cassava tubers were prepared in the traditional way into fufu and dried in the sun by flattening in bits on polyethylene sheets. The dried cakes were milled using a 2 mm sieve to produce sun-dried cassava fufu meal (DCFM). The raw cassava tubers and the DCFM produced were analyzed for proximate and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) contents. Two broiler starter diets were made such that diet 1 (control) contained maize as the main source of energy, while in diet 2, the maize was completely replaced with DCFM. The diets were balanced for crude protein. Ninety-six (96) starter broilers were divided into 2 groups of 48 birds each and each group randomly assigned to one of the diets, using completely randomized design. Each group was further sub-divided into 3 replicates of 16 birds and fed the experimental diets for 4 weeks. No trace of HCN was detected in the DCFM, whereas the raw fresh cassava tubers contained about 800 ppm HCN. DCFM resembled milled polished rice in appearance, but did not differ much in proximate composition from the fresh cassava tubers on dry matter basis. The birds on DCFM diet consumed significantly (p<0.05) lessfeed than the control (82.73 g/d vs 94.93 g/d) and gained significantly (p<0.05) more body weight. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (p<0.05) enhanced by DCFM (2.39 vs 1.89).Keywords: Cassava tubers, cassava fufu meal, dietary energy, starter broiler

Performance of broilers fed different combinations of Bambara groundnut offal, cassava root meal and yam peels as energy source

Feeding trials were conducted with broiler starters and finishers to determine the effect of replacing maize with three combination ratios of bambara groundnut offal (BGO), cassava root meal (CRM) and yam peels (YP). Four broiler starter diets were formulated such that maize which made up 50% of the control diet (diet S 1) was completely replaced in the three subsequent diets by BGO, CRM and YP combined in the ratios 3:5:2 (diet S 2), 5:2:3 (diet S 3) and 2:3:5 (S 4) respectively. Thereafter, each diet was randomly assigned to 3 replicates of 8, one-week-old broilers. The feeding trial lasted four weeks. Similarly, four broiler finisher diets were formulated such that combinations of BGO, CRM, and YP as in the broiler starter diets completely replaced the 60% maize of control diet (F 1) in diets F 2, F 3 and F 4 respectively. Eighty-four, 5 weeks old broilers were then divided into four groups of 21 birds each. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the broiler finisher diets; each group was further subdivided into 3 replicates of 7 birds each. The finisher phase lasted four weeks. At the starter phase, average daily feed intakes were 42.85, 57.21, 65.80 and 65.03g. Average daily weight gains 24.29, 18.21,21.43 and 21.79g, while feed conversion ratios (FCR) were 1.76, 3.14, 3.07 and 2.85 for broilers on diets S 1, S 2, S 3 and S 4 respectively. Average daily feed intakes were significantly (

Dermatologic conditions in teenage adolescents in Nigeria

Eshan B Henshaw,1 Olayinka A Olasode,2 Evelyn E Ogedegbe,3 Imaobong Etuk4 1Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, 2Department of Dermatology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, 3Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, 4Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Background: Skin disorders are common in adolescents, and the impact on quality of life can be enormous, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the visibility of skin diseases and the psychologically vulnerable period of adolescence. However, few studies have documented the magnitude of skin disorders in this subset of individuals. We therefore estimated the point prevalence and pattern of dermatologic conditions in adolescents attending various secondary schools in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, relevant sociodemographic information was obtained from 1,447 teenage adolescents from eight secondary schools. Thereafter, a whole body examination was conducted to determine the presence and types of skin disorders seen. Results: Skin diseases were seen in 929 students. The point prevalence was higher in males (72.1%) than in females (58.3%). Private schools had a higher prevalence than public schools. The six most common dermatoses were acne vulgaris, pityriasis versicolor, nevi, tinea, miliaria, and keloid/hypertrophic scars, and accounted for over 80% of the dermatoses seen. Conclusion: The point prevalence of dermatoses in senior secondary school adolescents was 64.2%. Although a large number of skin disorders were observed, only a handful accounted for a significant proportion of the diseases seen. This increases the ease of training community health workers in the recognition and treatment of common skin diseases. Age, race, and climatic factors are important determinants of skin diseases in adolescents in Nigeria. Keywords: skin diseases, adolescents, Nigeri

Evaluation of Soybean Hulls in Grower Turkey Diets

A 42 day study was carried out to evaluate the effect of soybean hulls (SBH) in diets of grower turkeys. Four experimental turkey grower diets were formulated such that soybean hulls made up of 0.0 (control diet), 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0% of the diets respectively replacing maize and soybean meal. These diets were offered randomly to ninety six (96), six week old black coloured local turkeys divided into four groups of 24 birds each replicated 3 times with 8 birds per replicate in a completelyrandomized design experiment. Results indicated that grower turkeys on the diet (0.0% SBH) produced significantly (p0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0% SBH diets. Feed intake increased significantly (p0.05) feed cost per kg weight gain

Phytochemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Raw and Fermented Alchornea cordifolia seed meals on the performancce of Broiler Chicks.

Phytochemical and feeding values of raw and fermented Alchornea cordifolia seed meals were investigated. Raw and fermented seed meals were screened for some phytochemical compounds and also tested on the performance of starter broilers. The meals were included in broiler starter diets at 10% raw and, 10 and 20% fermented, respectively. The diets were fed from 0-28 days of age. Raw Alchornea seed meal contains phytic acids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavnoids, alkaloids and anthraquinone. Fermenting the seed meal caused 56.2% reduction in the phytic acid content and totally eliminated its anthraquinone content. With 10% raw Alchornea seed meal, broilers grew significantly slower, gained 60.1% of control but feed intake was not statistically different. Inclusion of 10% fermented meal resulted in better weight gain, and feed conversion ratio than the raw seed meal and by 28-days, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not statistically different from the control. At 20% dietary level, fermented Alchornea seed meal, promoted much better growth and efficiency than raw but the values were less (p<0.05) than control. It is concluded therefore that fermentation partially destroyed the anti-nutritional factors present in Alchornea seeds; thus allowing successful use of 10% fermented seed meal in starter broiler rations. Higher level of the fermented seed meal reduced performance although the result was much better than in the raw seed meal. Keywords: Alchornea seed, fermentation, toxic factors, broilers, performanc