Nutrigenetic Effect of Moringa oleifera Seed Meal on the Biological Growth Programme of Young Broiler Chickens.

A Nutrigenetic study of the effects of graded levels (0%, 5% and 10%) of undecorticated undefatted Moringa oleifera Seed Meal (UUMOSM) on the biological growth programme of 48 young broilers of two genotypes (Marshall and Arbor Acres) was conducted. Rates of change (%) of Body Weight (WTR), Length (BLR) and Girth (BGR), and Lengths of Shank (SLR), Thigh (TLR), Wing (WLR) and Keel (KLR) between 1 and 4 weeks age were measured. The effect of Genotype and Diet on growth rate was defined by fitting a univariate General Linear Model, while the strength of relationship between traits was examined by use of Pearson's bivariate correlation method. Only BLR was significantly (P<0.05) affected by genotype, while diet significantly (P<0.05) determined WTR, BGR, TLR, WLR, and KLR. Significant (P<0.05) effects of Genotype x Diet interaction on WTR, BLR, BGR, WLR and KLR were observed. The level of correlation between trait rates varied with increasing levels of UUMOSM in both genotypes; exhibiting a direct, inverse, parabola or inverted parabola shaped relationship curve. These results showed that subtle variations in dietary levels of UUMOSM significantly influence the biological growth programme of young broilers, with implications for size and interrelationship of body parts, including shape/conformation. They further showed that substructures within populations such as clusters with non-overlapping nutritional habits (voluntary or forced) influence overall population estimates of inter-trait relationships. The transcriptomic (gene expression) and metabonomic correlates of the phenomenon reported here will be examined in further studies and should yield evidence of underlying mechanisms.Keywords: Moringa oleifera seed meal, Broiler, Growth rate, Correlationand Regression

Awareness and Usage of the Baobab in Rural Communities in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study investigated awareness and usage of the Baobab plant in rural communities in Kwara State, Nigeria. It examined the determinants of the plant’s usage as well as constraints to its usage in the State. A three stage random sampling procedure produced the 200 respondents from which primary data used for the study was collected using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics including frequency counts, percentages and means was employed in presenting the findings of the study. The logit regression model was used in the determination of the factors of usage among the respondents. The study revealed that the level of awareness of the uses and benefits of the plant as well as its usage in the state is poor. Level of awareness at p<0.05 and income at p< 0.1 were found to be the determinants of usage of the baobab in the State. The strong negative socio-cultural belief held about the plant, poor level of awareness about its benefits and the poor knowledge of its processing were the major constraints against its use in the State. The study recommends the need to increase awareness of the benefits of the plant and also to provide information on the processing methods applicable to the baobab. The various agricultural extension agencies in the State in collaboration with agricultural research institution in the State can go a long way in ensuring that the potentials of the baobab plant is optimized among rural communities in the State.Keywords: Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), Awareness, Usage, Logit Regression Model, Kwara State

Relationship between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in Fulani ecotype chicken

Three hundred (300) Fulani Ecotype (FE) chicken eggs collected from free ranged Fulani Ecotype chicken were used to study the effect of egg weight on hatch weight and subsequent body weight. Eggs were grouped into twoaccording to their weight (small and medium) and incubated. Body weight of the chicks was measured from the day of hatch to 12 weeks of age on weekly basis. Mean of the body weight gain from day old to 12 weeks of age in FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size in this study were 306.73g and 311.36g, respectively. There was no significant correlations between egg weight, hatch weight and subsequent body weight in FE chicks obtained from small egg size, while a significantly (P<0.01) high and positively correlated relationship existed between hatch weightand egg weight of chicks obtained from medium egg size. Positive and significant inter-correlation (0.51 to 0.98) existed between body weight of FE chicks obtained from small and medium egg size. Linear regression equations showed a significant coefficient of determination for hatch weight, body weight at 2, 4, and 6 weeks using both small and medium egg weight values. The results of this findings indicated that both small and medium Fulani Ecotype eggs are settable. However, medium eggs produce larger chicks than the small eggs

Effects of Heterosis and Direction of Crossing on Production Performance of F 1 Offspring of Dominant Black Strain and Fulani Ecotype Chickens.

The objectives of this study were to determine the mode of gene action of determinants of performance (i.e. positive or negative heterosis) in F chickens produced by mating  Fulani Ecotype (FE) and Dominant Black strain (DB) chickens, and whether the direction of crossing (DBxFE or FExDB) influenced the mode of gene action. Analysis of all F data  irrespective of cross direction (combined) showed that the effect of 1percentage heterosis was positive but weak for Weight Gain (WG) = 0.04, Feed Intake (FI) = 3.83, Body Weight at First egg (BWF) = 0.76, Egg Weight (EW) = 11.28, and 0 for Egg Number (EN) and Mortality (M) during the laying period. The combined heterotic effects were negative for Hen Day Production (HDP), Feed efficiency (FEf), Age at Sexual Maturity (ASM), and mortality from day old to 21 weeks of age (-0.16, -4.33, -9.15 and -67.74% respectively). Positive but low heterosis was obtained for BWF (0.76), and EW (11.28) and WG, FEf, EN, ASM, HDP and M showed negative heterosis (-100.00 to - 0.28) in the DBXFE cross bred. The mean performance of the FEXDB showed positive heterosis ranging from 1.08 to 100% in WG, FI, BWF, EW, EN, HDP and M during the laying period, while negative heterosis; -67.74, -4.54 and -8.22 was observed for M (0- 21days), FEf and ASM. The reciprocal effects showed F FEXDB were superior in ASM, 1 BWF and EW, while F DBxFE were superior in EN, HDP and M. 1Key words: Exotic laying strain, Fulani Ecotype chicken, Heterosis, Reciprocal effects

Evaluation of Reproductive Performance, Egg Production and Egg Quality Traits in the Fulani Ecotype Chicken Raised Intensively

Five hundred and ten (510) indigenous Fulani Ecotype (FE) chicken eggs collected from three different Fulani Kraals in Kwara state were used to evaluate the reproductive performance of intensively raised FE. The results revealed that 98.0, 79.2 and 65.8% were settable, fertile and hatchable, respectively. At 18 weeks of age, seventy two (72) adult females FE were housed singly in battery cages and evaluated for egg production from sexual maturity to 52 weeks in lay. The results showed that age at sexual maturity, body weight at first egg, total egg number and egg weight were 26 weeks, 1437g 128 and 44.11g, respectively. Clutch size ranged from 3-9, pause length ranged from 7-10days. Percentage hen housed production (HHP) was 53.10% while the percentage hen day production (HDP) was 57.6%. Age had significant (P<0.05) effect on some of the egg quality traits measured at 15, 30, 45 and 52 weeks in lay. Haugh Unit, Yolk Index, and Shell Thickness of FE eggs were above 80, 60 and 0.50, respectively. This study indicates the reproductive potentials of FE chicken that could be useful in developing an indigenous chicken with desirable egg production traits

Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Stalk Plus Enzyme on Phenotypic Correlation between Zoometric Traits in Marshall Broiler Chickens Starter Phase

The relationship between rates of change of Body weight (BWR), Body length, (BLR), Body girth (BGR) Drumstick length (DLR), Shank length (SLR), Thigh length (TLR), Wing length (WLR) and Keel length (KLR) between 1 and 4 weeks age was examined in Marshall Broiler Birds placed on diet containing 0, 5, 10% and 10%+enzyme cocktail Moringa oleifera leaf stalk Meal MOLSM). Pearson’s bivariate correlation analysis indicated that body weight was significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated with BLR and DLR (0.371 and 0.468), GLR was significantly correlated with BLR (0.460), while DLR was significantly correlated with GLR (0.448) in ALL. Diet significantly (p<0.05) affects rates of change of body weight (R2=.455) and body girth (R2=.291) but not other trait rates when all birds are examined irrespective of diet (ALL). At 0 and 10% MOLSM inclusion levels none of the body parts measured was significantly correlated with BWR. SLR was significantly correlated with KLR (0.768) at 5% MOLSM inclusion level, and BWR was significantly correlated with DLR (0.679) at 10% plus enzyme MOLS level.These results show that significantly correlated rates of change of body parts are reliable indicators of bodyweight development in the young Marshall Broiler strain regardless of inclusion levels of MOLSM, and inform the breeder and nutritionist of the likely proportionate gain in body-parts associated with gains in body-weight during feeding of graded levels of MOLSM as a non conventional feedstuff.Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf stalk Meal, Phenotypic Correlation, Body weight, Broiler

Vitamin and mineral analysis of fish liver oil, some locally available spices and vegetables

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the vitamin and mineral contents of some locally sourced ingredients such as fish liver oil, Adansonia digitata , Telfaria occidentalis, Celosia spp, Amaranthus cruentas leaves, Xylopia aetiopica, Capsicum frutenscen, Saccharomyces cerevicae, rice bran, palm oil and colostrums. The results indicated that fish liver oil was the most potent source of vitamins A, D, E and B12 represented by 9x10 6 iu/100g, 48000icu/100g, 30mg/100g, and 40.5mg/100g, respectively. The B-Complex vitamins were present among the spices and vegetables analyzed. Saccharomyces cerevicae was observed to a potent source of thiamin (9.4mg /100g) and niacin (41.8 mg / 100g). Capsicum spp and Telfaria occidentalis had ample amounts of riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. Rice bran had the highest amount of pyridoxine, 28.6mg/100g, while panthothenate was present more in the milk (8.2mg/100g) than other materials analysed. The mineral composition of the materials analysed showed that they have fairly uniform potency. Amaranthus cruentas was found to contain more mineral with 3.0, 1.4, 5.13, 1.10, 5.04 and 1.09% for copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), and magnesium (mg), respectively. The results of the analysis indicated that vitamin and mineral potencies of these ingredients can be harnessed for the production of vitamin and mineral premix for animal feed formulationKey words: HPLC, Natural ingredients, Spices, Vegetables, Vitamin, Minerals

Effect of Addition of Moringa Leaf By-Product (Leaf-Waste) on Proximate and Sensory Characteristics of Cookies.

The effects of incorporation of Moringa leaf fibre (a by-product of leaf processing which contains 24% Crude Fibre by dry weight at 0, 5 and 10 % substitution of wheat flour in cookies was investigated. Three products containing wheat flour: Moringa leaf fibre ratios of 100:0, 95:5, and 90:10 respectively were prepared, and a commercial cookie was used as a standard. Proximate composition of each of the products was determined and sensory evaluation of the cookies was performed on a 7-point hedonic scale (with the standard commercial cookie as control) using a 20- man sensory panel. There was no significant (P< 0.05) difference in the dry matter content of the four samples. The 10% Moringa leaf fibre cookie blend had the highest moisture, fat and crude fibre content (0.57 % CF, relative to 0.44 and 0.54% CF observed in the 0:100 and 5:95 recipes respectively), while the commercial cookie had the lowest values for these parameters (0.36% CF) but with highest value for protein. The 100% wheat flour cookie ranked best in sensory evaluation, followed by the 5% fibre substituted cookie. All the cookies were acceptable; scoring above 4 on the 7-point hedonic scale. Addition of moringa leaf waste up to 10 % in cookies is feasible, though better at 5%. Cookies with Moringa leaf by-product have the advantage of being good sources of some of the daily requirements of dietary fibre.Keywords: Moringa leaf waste fibre, by-product, cookies, dietary fibre, sensory evaluation

Changes in metabolic nutrients utilization and alterations in biochemical and haematological indices in broilers fed graded levels of dietary Moringa oleifera

Graded levels of full-fat undecorticated Moringa oleifera seed meal (MOSM) were evaluated in diets of 96-day old broilers at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% while a maize-soybean diet was used as a reference diet. Nutrients utilization by the broilers and effects of the virgin dietary MOSM on serum chemistry, haematology and some bio-data- protein efficiency ratio (PER) and nitrogen metabolism (NM) were used as response criteria for the evaluation. The metabolic utilization of nutrients, most of the serum chemistry and haematological parameters decreased in response to increasing dietary levels of MOSM except values on products of metabolism like creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin that tended to elevate with increasing levels of dietary unprocessed MOSM. Since no mortality was recorded in this experiment even at 7.5% MOSM inclusion, further research is on-going to determine the lethal level to poultry including other monogastric animals.Keywords: MOSM, broilers, nutrient utilization, serum and haematological indice