An assessment of the reproductive performance of estrus synchronized West African Dwarf (WAD) does using medroxyl-progestrone acetate (MPA)

This study was carried out to assess the reproductive performance of cycling West African Dwarf does as well as to assess the efficacy of medroxyl-progestrone acetate, an estrus synchronizing drug, thathas the advantage of being administered orally and intramuscularly. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design using 40 cycling does divided into five experimental treatment groups.The results of the experiment show that estrus behavior in the does was significantly (P0.05) affected by the drug. These results show that there is good prospect in the use of medroxyl-progestrone acetate orally and intramuscularly in synchronizing estrus in cycling WAD does

Seasonal distribution of major diseases among sheep and goats in selected sub humid areas in Nigeria

This study into the diseases responsible for the uneven distribution of goat and sheep in the sub humid areas in Nigeria as one of the major hinderances in sheep and goat production despite the potentiality of this region to sustain small ruminants. A survey of the types and causes of major diseases of small ruminants was carried out in Edo State of Nigeria which presents variants of climatic conditions that cut across the humid areas of Nigeria and Africa. The study covered a period of five years (1997‐2002) in three local government areas of the state. A total of 316 small ruminants’ cases of major diseases made up of 25 cases in sheep and 291 cases in goats were recorded. Pneumonia contacted by the ruminants was 17%, helminthosis was 10% and was 6% as the most predominated diseases that occurred during the wet seasons than the period of dry season. Mange was high during the dry seasons and seemed to be confined almost exclusively to goats. Statistical analysis using a three‐factor analysis of variance revealed that seasonal distribution of diseases was a significant factor (p<0.05), diseases and the type of the small ruminant that contacted the diseases were significant factor (p<0.05). Most of the major diseases were frequently contracted during the wet seasons. In the Humid areas, there is need to sensitize farmers about ruminants’ health care management programmes especially intensive feeding method during wet season and deworming during onset or immediately after the wet season against gastro intestinal parasites as well as the improvement of indigenous breed through semi intensive management system by the farmers.Key words: Diarrhoea related diseases, symptoms, seasons, sheep and goats, sub humid, veterinary records, Nigeri

Acceptability of selected common shrubs/tree leaves in Nigeria by West African Dwarf goats

Fodder production, dry season leaf retention, and concentrations of crude protein and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility in fodder of Desmanthus virgatus, Desmodium cinereum, Desmodium gyroides, and Cajanus cajan were compared under cutting on an acid soil in southern Ethiopia. Desmodium cinereum, D. distortum, D. discolor, and C. cajan retained a higher percentage of green more fodder than D. gyroides and Desmanthus virgatus. Crude protein concentration in fodder of all species during the dry season was above 130 g kg DM, indicating that these species could be used as protein banks to supplement native pastures and crop residues during the dry season. Based on fodder production, dry season leaf retention, and concentration of crude protein in fodder, D. cinereum, D. distortum, D. disolor, and C. cajan are recommended for further testing with animals

Chemical Composition of Selected Green Plants Available to Small Ruminants in the Dry Season in Humid Nigeria

Chemical analysis to assess the mineral status of fifteen randomly sampled mature dry season plants available for grazing by small ruminants in the humid tropics of Nigeria was carried out. A minimum mineral nutrient composition of 9.19, 0.22, 0.20, 0.07, 1.17, 0.02 % DM for CP, Ca, Mg, P, K and Na respectively was observed with the macro nutrients while the micro minerals Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn respectively contained the minimal values of 24.27, 58.10, 2.27 and 7.90 mg per kg DM. The composition of the plants for crude protein, Ca, Mg, K, Mn and Fe were found adequate for sheep production. On the contrary P, Na, Cu and Zn were inadequate. An allowance of cereal grains and/or provision of supplemental mineral sait blocks to provide these deficient minerals is strongly suggested in this area during the dry season

diets containing gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves supplement

This study investigated the effect of Gliricidia sepium with neem leaves supplementation on nutrient retentions for body weight gain in ewe-lambs. Twelve West African dwarf ewe-lambs with an average weight of 7.00 ± 0.32kg were randomly allotted to three dietary tratments with four ewe-lambs per treatment in a completely randomized design. The compared treatment diets were; diet I (I (50% guinea grass + 20% Gliricidia sepium + 30% concentrate), II (45% guinea grass + 25% G1iricidia sepium + 30% concentrate) and III (40% guinea grass + 30% Gliricidia sepium + 30% concentrate). Diets II and III received 3 and 6 grams of neem leaves meal per animal per day respectively as additional supplement. A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial to assess the diets on energy and nitrogen retentions after the growth study of the ewe-lambs. Results obtained showed that gross energy (3981.14MJ/kg DM/day), faecal energy and nitrogen output (1101.78 MJ/kg DM/day and 4.33g/day), daily feed intake (273.43g/day) and feed conversion ratio (7.32) were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in ewelambs fed diet I. Ewe-lambs on diet III were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in terms of digestible and metabolizable energy intakes (1306.37 and 1071.20 MJ/kg DM/day), nitrogen intake (20.93g/day), nitrogen balance and retention (17.33g/day and 81.47%), final body weight (11.08kg), total and daily weight gains (4.10kg and 48.81g) than those on diets I and II. No significant (P > 0.05) effect was recorded among the treatment diets with regards to urinary energy output, metabolizability, urinary nitrogen output and initial body weight. It was concluded that ewe-lambs fed 40% guinea grass + 30% Gliricidia sepium + 30% concentrate with 6g neem leaves had better nutrient retentions for body weight gain in ewe-lambs.Keywords: Gliricidia sepium, neem leaves, nutrient retentions, growth, ewe-lambs