Fattening Performance of White Fulani Cattle Fed Different Energy Sources

An experiment was conducted to compare the utilisation of maize offal, wheat offal, rice offal and sorghum panicle as energy sources in the diets of fattening beef cattle. Twenty White Fulani bulls with an average weight of 225kg were randomly allotted to four isonitrogenous diets formulated with maize offal, wheat offal, rice offal and sorghum panicle as the energy sources. Signal grass (Bracharia decumbens) hay was offered as the basal diet. A metabolism trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial using 16 bulls to assess the effect of the diets on nutrient digestibility. The result showed that the energy content of the diets ranged from 2500.72 – 2677.46kcal/kg DM. Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher (8.50kg/day) (P<0.05) in the wheat offal based diet and average daily gain (ADG) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in maize offal and wheat offal based diets (0.65 and 0.66kg/day) respectively. The utilization of maize and wheat offals based diets were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to those of rice offal and sorghum panicle based diets. Wheat offal and maize offal based diets had higher utilization and similar feed to gain ratio. Rice offal had the least feed to gain ratio (22.40) and the highest feed cost/kg gain (683.10/kg gain) The DM digestibility of all the by-products based diets ranged from 52.33 % in the rice offal based diet to 67. 48 % in the maize offal based diet. There was positive nitrogen balance across all treatment. It was concluded that maize offal and wheat offal based concentrates were better utilized by cattle compared to rice offal and sorghum panicle based concentrates in fattening of cattle.Keywords: Agricultural-by products, fattening, White Fulani

Evaluating the Performance of Yankasa Rams Fed Acacia Sayel Del (Chenchilo) Leaf Meal as a replacement for Cotton Seed Cake

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of Acacia sayel Del. (Chenchilo) pods as replacement for Cotton Seed Cake (CSC) in diets of Yankasa rams. Twenty Yankasa rams of average weight 15.4 ± 0.15 kg were used in a feeding trial which lasted 120 days. The rams were randomly allotted to five treatment groups: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % inclusion levels of A. sayel pods in a complete randomized design experiment. The rams were fed concentrate at the rate of 2.5% body weight/head/dat. A basal diet of maize stover was offered ad libitum. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected at the beginning, middle and end of the feeding experiments to determine rumen and hematological parameters. A digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the feeding trial. The results of the study show that A. sayel pods inclusion levels had significant (P≤ 0.05) effect on all the performance characteristics except feed intake. The best results were obtained at 75% level of inclusion (feed conversion ratio of 1.35, weight gain 622.5g and final body weight (21.625kg). Inclusion levels of A. sayel pods had significant (P≤0.05) effect on nutrient digestibility, but had no significant (P≥0.05) effect on nitrogen balance. The inclusion of A. Sayel had no significant effect (P≥ 0.05) on Packed Cell Volume (PCV), heamoglobin, rumen ammonia nitrogen and rumen pH. From the result of this study it was concluded that A. sayel pods can be included in the diet of Yankasa rams up to 75% to replace Cotton Seed Cake. This inclusion level resulted in improved performance in rams in terms of feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention.Keywords: Acacia sayel, Yankasa sheep, Nutrient utilizatio

Effect of Cooking Duration on Chemical Composition and Degradation Characteristics of Rattle Box (Crotalaria retusa) Seed using In Sacco Technique

Three ruminally fistulated Yankasa rams were used to study the effect of cooking duration on chemical composition and degradation characteristics of rattle box (Crotalaria retusa) seeds using the in sacco degradability method. Crotalaria retusa seeds were subjected to cooking time of 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes, respectively. Four concentrate diets containing Crotalaria retusa seed meal cooked at 0, 15, 30 and 45 minutes were used for this study at incubation periods 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. The proximate composition showed that duration of cooking had effect on most of the parameters. The CP contents were 20.60, 21.57, 23.97 and 21.97% for 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes cooking duration, respectively. All the antinutritional factors analysed showed a decrease with increases in cooking time. Phytate showed a decrease with increase in cooking time from 7.31 to 3.22 at 0 to 45 minutes cooking duration, respectively. The result showed a similar pattern for rate of degradation at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours incubation time with 45 minutes cooking duration significantly (P<0.05) recorded the highest values of 47.00, 54.67, 73.00, 87.00, 90.67 and 93.00 percent disappearance of the experimental feed, respectively. The highest degradability (a+b) was in 0 minutes cooking duration, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in 15 and 30 minutes cooking. The rate of degradation constant (c) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in 0, 15 and 30 minutes cooking duration as compared to 45 minutes cooking duration. Effective dry matter degradation significantly (P<0.05) decreased with cooking duration in out flow rate (k). It can be concluded from this study that, cooking duration affects degradation characteristics of C. retusa seeds.Keywords: Crotalaria retusa seed, cooking duration, in sacco, rumen degradatio

Use of tannin containing browse tree/shrubs in the control of intestinal parasites (helminthes) in small ruminants: review

The overall aim of this review was to evaluate the antihelminthics activity of browse forages containing secondary plant factors. Results from literature have shown the benefits of feeding browse foliage in terms of nutrient supply, supplementation supported animal growth and performance. It was found that supplementation with browse leaf meal reduced worm fecundity, also reduces the worm burdens and total fecal egg counts during feeding period. It is concluded that browse foliage can be used to reduce the adverse effects of intestinal parasite infections in ruminant, hence reducing the need for costly antihelminthics drugs and the development of resistance to these drugs.Keywords: Antihelminthics, browse foliage, intestinal parasite, tannin

Effects of inclusion levels of ficus (Ficus sycomorus) leaf meal in urea treated maize cob based complete diets on the performance of Yankasa goats

An inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal (FSLM) at 0 %(T1), 25%(T2), 50%(T3) and 75%(T4) in Urea treated maize cob based complete diet was evaluated. Four Red Sokoto goats averaging 15 ± 1.5kg live body weight were used to measure feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance. Urea treatment of maize cob resulted in two fold increase in crude protein. Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) affected by inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus. Although the intake of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 and decreased with increase in the level of inclusion of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal. Significant (P<0.05) intake of crude protein (CP) was observed in T3. DM digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher with supplementation. T2 had higher DM digestibility (46.52), followed by T1 and T3 which were statistically lower and similar (43.39 and 41.36, respectively).The least DM digestibility was observed in T4 (37.69). Inclusion of FSLM significantly (p<0.05) decreased Nitrogen retention with increase in the level of inclusion observed in this order (14.34, 11.59 and 8.45g/day) for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. T1, T2 and T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher and similar absorbed N, while T4 had a lower absorbed N. Ficus sycomorus can be included up to 50% in a urea treated maize cob based complete diets for feeding goats, without any adverse effects.Key words: complete diet, ficus, maize cob, urea treatmen

The Effect of Feeding Gmelina (g. Arborea) Leaf Meal in Cowpea Shell Base Complete Diets on Nutrient Intake and Nutrient Digestibility in Red Sokoto Bucks

A study was conducted on the inclusion level of Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GLM) in cowpea shell base complete diet for red Sokoto buck. Four red Sokoto goats of average weight 13.4kg were used for the study to measure the feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance involving four dietary treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0% 10% 20% and 30% levels of inclusions of Gmelina arborea respectively, in a 4X4 Latin square, with each period lasting 21days of 14 adjustment and 7days collection period. The result showed significant (p<0.05) difference in dry matter (DM) intake. T3 had the highest DM intake (789.41g/day), while T1, T2 and T4 had statistically similar and lower DMI. The organic matter (OM) intake were significantly (p<.05) different. T3 and T4 had similar and significantly (p<0.05) higher OMI, while T1 and T2 had significantly (p<0.05) similar and lower OMI. Crude protein (CP) intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals fed T3 (118.28), while T1, T2 and T4 were similar, but significantly (p<0.05) lower. Also,for crude fiber (CF) intake, T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher while T2 and T4 were not significantly (p>0.05) different.T1 had the least. There was no significant (p>0.0%) difference in DM, OM CP and CF digestibility, however, numerically there was a reduction with increase in the level of GLM inclusion in the complete diets across treatment. Nitrogen balance result showed a significant (p<0.05) difference across the dietary treatments. T3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher N intake (118.28g/day) whereas T1 T2 and T4 were statistically similar and lower. Fecal N excreted showed significant (p<0.05) difference between treatments. Higher fecal N was recorded in animals fed on T3, while T2 and T4 had similar fecal N output and the least was observed in T1. Animals fed T3 diet had significantly (p<0.05) higher N retained and N observed, followed by T1, T2 and the least was in animals fed T4 diet. N retained as percent of intake showed T1 to be significantly (p<0.05) higher than T2, T3 and T4, which were lower (p<0.05) and similar. From the result of this study, G. arborea can be included at 20% in cowpea shell base complete diets for goats.Keywords: Buck, Cowpea shell, Gmelina arborea, red Sokot

Dry Matter Degradation Characteristics of Some Selected Browse Plants Using the In Sacco Technique

Three ruminally fistulated Yankasa rams were used to evaluate the nutritive value of some selected browse plants in the northern Guinea savanna, using the in sacco degradability method. The selected browse plants were: Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii) leaf (SBL), Acacia (Faidherbia albida) leaf (FAL) and Parkia (Parkia biglobosa) leaf (PBL), were used for the study at this incubation periods 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The result of the proximate analysis was different among the browse plants studied. The CP contents were of 12.19, 22.25 and 17.19% for PBL, SBL and FAL respectively. The tannin and saponin values (g/100mg) were 1.24, 1.28 for PBL, 1.26, 0.96 for SBL and 0.64, 0.84 for FAL respectively. The highest potential degradability (a+b) was in FAL, which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in SBL and PBL. The rate of degradation constant (c) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in PBL (0.030) followed by SBL (0.037) and FAL (0.043) being the highest. Effective dry matter degradation significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increase in outflow rate across browse plants, with FAL having the highest followed by SBL and PBL. From the result of this study, FAL had the highest degradation characteristics over the other leaves

Cost benefit analysis of level of Ziziphus (Ziziphus mauritiana) leaf meal inclusion in the diet of growing rabbits

Thirty (30) growing rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with an average initial weight of 526.92±0.25g were used for this study to determine the effect of level of inclusion of Ziziphus leaf meal (ZLM) in concentrate diet on the performance of growing rabbits. The experiment was in a completely randomized design involving five treatments, which represented five diets with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels of ZLM inclusion. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in weight gains, feed intake and feed:gain ratios. Treatment 2 had the highest weight gain (though not significantly different (p>0.05) from treatment 1 and the best feed /gain values.The cost benefit analysis shows a 40.51 % reduction in the cost of feed, following a 10 % inclusion of ZLM in the diet (T2) over the control (T1), while 46.35 and 47.94 % reduction were observed following 20 and 30 % ZLM inclusion (T3 and T4) respectively. In term of apparent profit made, T1 recorded the highest profit (N 35.29) over all other treatments, which was followed by T2 (N30.49), T3 (N15.11) and T4 recorded the least (N 12.99). Inclusion of RHSM in the diet of rabbits resulted in reduction in the cost of feed and feed cost efficiency. From the results obtained it was concluded that dried ZLM could be incorporated up to 30% in the diets of growing rabbits without any adverse effect on their performance.Keywords: Cost benefit, growing rabbits, performance, tannins, Ziziphus leaf meal

Economic Evaluation of Small ruminant Production among Small holder Farmers in Zamfara State

A survey was conducted in three Local Government Areas of Zamfara State to study the economic advantages of keeping small ruminants among smallholder farmers.. A total of 120 smallholder farmers were randomly selected for the study and each of them was verbally interviewed usingstructured questionnaires. Result from the statistical analysis shows that the highest average farm size of 1.97 ±0.180ha was observed in Maradun. The highest average crop income was N 85548±11735.The highest average livestock income was N100733±11858. Increasing livestocknumber by one animal was predicted to increase livestock income by N 1126. Increasing the crop yield by one bag was predicted to increase the livestock income by N1657. The gross margin of livestock was higher (N51260) than that of crops (N 44,110) in all locations. Length of hind legs of Uda sheep was found to significantly correlate with the height at withers (r = 0.954;

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Owners and Body Linear Measurements of Donkeys in Two States of North-West Nigeria

A research was conducted between January to June, 2009 to investigate the socio-economic parameters and body linear measurements of donkeys in two states (Kaduna and Kano) of northwest Nigeria. One hundred and twenty seven (127) donkey owners (smallholder farmers) were individually interviewed with the aid of a designed and pre-tested questionnaire and data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The results indicated that 80% of the respondents had primary education in Kano (p < 0.05). Ninety eight percent (98%) of the respondents used donkeys for commercial activities in Kano (p < 0.05). Also, 90% of the respondents in Zaria achieved other goals from the income generated from using donkeys. The mean farm size in Birnin Gwari 1.10 ± 0.33ha was significantly higher than in Kano and Zaria respectively. The mean family size in Kano 10.85 ± 0.411 individuals was significantly higher than in Birnin Gwari and Zaria. Kano state had the highest mean years of experience with donkeys 22.82 ± 0.565 years. Also, the mean length of neck of donkeys in Birnin Gwari 62.43 ± 1.031cm was significantly higher than in Kano and Zaria. Farm parameters differed significantly (p < 0.001) with return per week. Increasing the number of working days with donkeys by one day was estimated to significantly decrease the weekly income from donkeys by 15%. However, increasing the number of donkeys by one donkey was estimated to significantly (p <0.001) increase the weekly income of the farmers by 62%. The household age significantly correlated with the family size (r = 0.546, p < 0.001), farm size (r = 0.276, p < 0.001) and years of experience with donkeys (r = 0.624, p < 0.001) respectively. It was therefore concluded that donkeys contribute immensely to the socio-economic well being of smallholder farmers in northwest Nigeria. Hence, they should be promoted. Further research is needed in all aspects of management and welfare of donkeys in Nigeria