Morphological and morphometric characterization of local duck population in South-east ecological zone of Nigeria

The study was conducted to characterize morphologic and morphometric variations among local duck populations found in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria. A total of one hundred and forty-six (146) adult local ducks of both sexes were randomly selected from Imo and Abia States and used for the study. Nine morphological traits which include eye colour, plumage colour, bean colour, body carriage, bill colour, bill shape, shank colour, caruncle colour, crested were studied. Also eight morphometric traits such as body weight, body length, body circumference, thigh circumference, bill length, neck length, foot length, total foot length and wing length were studied. Data on morphological traits were subjected to descriptive analysis, such as frequencies, percentages, and averages, while data on morphometric traits were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design. Results showed seven (7) phenotypes among local ducks. Predominant plumage colour was black/white (54.79%), shank colour was slate gray (70.55%) predominant eyes colour was brown (76.03%). The majority of local ducks (97.26%) had a pink/white colour, while 97.95% of the ducks had horizontal body carriage. Caruncle colour, bill shape, bean color, and crested showed no variation among duck populations. Drakes were superior (p<0.05) to hens for body weight and other morphometric traits measured. Positive and highly significant correlations (p<0.01;0.05) were observed among measured morphometric traits. The results obtained in this study could be used for the improvement and conservation of these local ducks in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria

Reproductive characteristics of adult rabbit bucks fed diets containing Dialium guineense leaf meal

The utilization of leaf meals in diets of livestock species is not only explored for use in replacing expensive feed materials, but also for some other potential benefits which include reproductive performance. This study evaluated the effect of Dialium guineense leaf meal on semen parameters and libido of adult New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit bucks. The experiment lasted for 28 days and was carried out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). It was made up of three treatment diets T1, T2 and T3, containing 0.0, 30.0 and 60.0 % inclusion levels of Dialium guineense leaf meal, respectively. The result of the experiment recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher total spermatozoa count per ejaculate, spermatozoa concentration, reaction time and libido score in T2 rabbits than in T1 rabbits, while percentage motile spermatozoa, active motile spermatozoa and abnormal spermatozoa were significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 rabbits than in T2 rabbits. Data were not collected from rabbit bucks on T3 because they were not sexually responsive. This experiment demonstrates that Dialium guineense leaf meal may be included in diets of breeder rabbit bucks at 30% level for enhanced total spermatozoa count per ejaculate, spermatozoa concentration, libido score and reduction in percentage abnormal spermatozoa. Keywords: Semen; Spermatozoa; Libido score; Reaction time; Reproduction

Evaluation of local duck production systems in Imo and Abia States of Nigeria

A study was conducted to evaluate local duck production systems in Imo and Abia States of Nigeria. Seventy-two (72) local duck farmers from both  States were purposefully selected using snowball sampling techniques and were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Data on farmers' socio-economic characteristics and production practices were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages  and charts. The results showed that there were more male duck farmers (88.89%), while the average age of duck farmers was 51.35years. Most (97.22%) of the duck farmers were literate, 58.33% of households had between 4 - 7 members, 73.61% of duck farmers were christians and a higher number (46.43%) raised pigs alongside of ducks. Most farmers (98.61%) kept only Muscovy ducks. The average flock size is about 6-9 ducks per household. Ducks were mainly kept for rituals and traditional medicine (56.78%). About 48.61% of farmers used personal money to finance duck farming, while 47.22% of farmers inherited their foundations stock. The age at sexual maturity for ducks was 7 to 9 months; clutch length was 11 to 15 days, while clutch size ranged from 16 to 20 eggs. Again, 94.44% of farmers practiced extensive system of duck keeping while 84.72% did not provide supplementary feeds to their ducks. Accidents are the leading cause of mortality in ducks, while the myths that surround ducks are the main obstacle to duck meat consumption. The results showed that duck farming is not popular in the study area and therefore, ducks are seen and kept as sacrificial birds. Thus, the potential of ducks for the production of meat and eggs is not fully exploited. These myths that have hindered the production of ducks could be dispelled through farmer trainings and enlightenment. Keywords: duck, myth, production, conservatio

Carcass yield, organ response and cost/benefit evaluation of West African dwarf goats fed yellow root Cassava Peel-Centrosema leaf meal based diets

Thirty six individually housedWest African dwarf (WAD) goats of about 8 – 10months of age and averaging 7.19kg were used for this study. The effect of different levels of yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal supplementary diet on the carcass yield, organ response and cost/benefit evaluation of WAD goats fed wilted Panicum maximum basal diet. Four supplementary diets designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20 and 30% Centrosema pubescens leaf meal, respectively in addition to other feedstuffs. The goats were randomly divided into four groups of nine animals each with three goats constituting a replicate.Each group was assigned to one of the four diets in a completely randomized design for 97 days. Data on proximate composition showed that yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal enhanced the nutrient profile of the diets. Results on carcass and organ characteristics showed significantly (p<0.05) improved warm carcass (6.34kg), dressing percentage (54.42%) and loin (22.11%) for T4 goats while bone to lean ratio (0.28%), end (19.30%) liver (2.11%), kidney (0.43%), lungs (1.72), heart (0.70%) and spleen (0.19%) weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the control group.Cost per kg, feed cost/weight gain and cost/benefit ratio were influenced (p<0.05) withT4 goats having better income of benefit of ^3.97 for every ^1nvested. It is concluded that yellow root cassava peel - centrosema leaf meal is rich in essential nutrients and therefore suitable for inclusion in goat diets at level 30%for better carcass yield, organ characteristics and return on investment