ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AT MIANGO PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This paper evaluate the economics of broiler production at Miango, Plateau State, Nigeria using a – 9 years record (1992 – 2000). During the period, 76 batches of broilers were reared to point of slaughter. The results shows that the enterprise incurred an average total variable cost of N620,6333.31 out of which feeding cost, day old chicks (stock) and mortality cost represents 58.13%, 19.13% and of 9.64% of the total cost of production, respectively. Total revenue within the period was estimated to be N763,969.44 which was mainly generated from the sales of broiler birds. The gross margin was found to be N143,334.13 with N0.23 as the returns per naira invested in the enterprise. Thus the broiler production is a profitable venture in the study area.Broilers, Income, Investment & Profitability, Livestock Production/Industries,

properties of fried minced meat (Dambun nama) processed from red and white meat

This research was done to evaluate the potential of different meat sources in producing acceptable dambun nama when compared with the traditional beef dambun nama in Nigeria. Five meat types viz: beef, mutton, chevon, camel and broiler chicken meat were used for this experiment. Sensory evaluation was conducted on the dambun nama samples with panel of judges (both staff and postgraduate students) to assess the taste, juiciness, colour, aroma, appearance and acceptability of the samples. The result showed that chevon and camel meat significantly maintained a better taste and juiciness (p<0.05) followed by broiler chicken, beef and mutton. All other parameters showed no significant differences among the animal species. There were high and significant (P<0.001) positive correlations among all the sensory attributes investigated. It is apparent from the overall results that chevon, camel, mutton and broiler chicken meat could successfully substitute for beef in the production of acceptable dambun nama. The quality characteristics generally showed that all the meat samples were comparable to the beef sample.Key words: Dambun nama, red and white mea

Evaluation of viability and cytoplasmic droplets in sperm cells harvested from the dromedary cauda epididymis

The objective of the present study was to evaluate viability and cytoplasmic droplets (CD) in camel epididymal sperm cells. Epididymal samples from 7 adult male camels were utilized. The cauda epididymis was immersed in saline, minced and allowed to stand. It was filtered and an aliquot was stained with Eosin-Nigrosin stain. A smear was made on two slides, one each for the left and right epididymides. Twenty different fields per slide were examined using a microscope equipped with an eyepiece camera. The numbers of stained (dead) and unstained (living) cells were counted and reported as paired live-dead counts. Chi-square test for independence was carried out and viability was found to be associated with presence of CD. A reasonable proportion of live sperm cells (1824/2362) were recorded. Live spermatozoa with distal CD were higher in number (969/1824) than those with no droplets (641/1824) and those with proximal CD (214/1824). For the dead spermatozoa, a higher count of spermatozoa with no CD (346/538) followed by those with distal CD (143/538) and lastly those with proximal CD (49/538) was observed. It can be concluded that viability of camel spermatozoa was encouraging; hence, the possibility of its use in assisted reproductive technologies.Keywords: Assisted reproduction, cytoplasmic droplets, epididymal sperm, male came

Validating local knowledge on camels: Colour phenotypes and genetic variation of dromedaries in the Nigeria-Niger corridor

AbstractThe traditional camel breeding concept of pastoralists in the Nigeria-Niger corridor favours certain dromedary colour phenotypes, which are associated with distinct economic and behavioural traits. With the increasing requirement of sustainable food sources in desert environments the economic interest in Nigerian dromedaries has also been growing. In this study we used mitochondrial and microsatellite data to understand if the observed colour phenotypes correspond to genetically distinct groups and whether these groups reflect the breeding concept of camel pastoralists in the Nigeria-Niger corridor. Our results showed that Nigerian dromedaries are composed of a homogenous gene pool with no specific clustering according to coat colour. Significant but low nuclear and mitochondrial differentiation was detected only between dark-brown and black-brown camels. In addition to little evidence for population structure, Nigerian dromedaries exhibited a high genetic diversity, which could be explained by continuous gene flow with other populations during the annual transhumant voyage embarked upon by pastoralists on both sides of the Nigeria-Niger corridor. In comparison to local pastoralists' knowledge, the molecular genetic data do not support a clear distinction into breeds (Ja, Kurri, and Kala) based on coat colour differences

Evaluation of egg production and egg quality traits of Noiler chickens

The study was conducted to evaluate the egg production performance and egg quality traits of Noiler chickens. A total of 135 adult Noiler hens were used for the study out of which 63 were black, 52 brown and 20 spotted. Specifically, laying characteristics, egg production and egg quality traits were assessed. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance and the relationship among the parameters observed was estimated using Pearson’s correlation analysis. The laying characteristics showed significant (P<0.01, P0.05) difference in age at sexual maturity (ASM), body weight at first egg (BFE), average egg number per hen (Ave. En/Hen), hen housed production (HHP) and hen day production (HDP). On the other hand, plumage colour and period on hen day production rate indicated considerable changes (P<0.01) on normal eggs and period (weeks) of production, also egg weight, egg density, shell thickness, egg surface area, albumen length, width, depth, weight and percent, yolk length, width, weight and percent and Haugh unit revealed considerable changes. The correlation coefficients among the egg quality traits and laying characteristics were in generally low and non-significant which showed that they cannot indicate each other

Effects of Two Leaf Extracts on Sensory Quality of Minced Meat (Dambun Nama) Processed from Various Animal Sources

This study was conductedto investigate the effects of sabara and zogale teated dambun nama(minced meat) processed from fresh raw meat of high grades, 5kg each, of beef, mutton, chevon, and broiler chickenon sensory quality and acceptance. The two leaf extracts (zogale; Moringa oleifera and sabara; Guiera senegalensis) used in the study were analyzed for anti nutritional factors (tannin, saponin, phytate, alkaloid and flavonoid). There were significant differences (P<0.05) with respect to species in sensory attributes with chevon and camel meat being more preferred followed by beef, mutton and broiler chicken. However, Sensory attributes of sabara treated (SDN), zogale treated (ZDN) and non treated dambun nama (NDN) were significantly (P<0.001) different; with NDN being superior in all the attributes investigated. For instance, taste, flavour, appearance, colour, aroma and acceptability were better (P<0.001) in the NDN than SDN and ZDN; values being (7.56±0.11 vs 6.84±0.14 and 7.16±0.13), (7.31±0.11 vs 6.77±0.12 and 6.81±0.13), (7.34±0.11 vs 6.78±0.11 and 6.71±0.12), (7.32±0.11 vs 6.75±0.12 and 6.76±0.12), (7.16±0.12 vs 6.57±0.13 and 6.59±0.12), (7.42±0.12 vs 6.62±0.15 and 6.82±0.14), respectively. There were high and significant (P<0.001) positive correlations among all the sensory attributes investigated. For instance, aroma vs acceptability (r= 0.79; P<0.001), colour vs aroma (r= 0.71; P<0.001), appearance vs acceptability (r= 0.65; P<0.001), flavour vs appearance (r= 0.66; P<0.001), appearance vs aroma (r= 0.66; P<0.001).The study concludes that sabara and zogale leaf extracts had very low anti nutritional factors and can be incorporated in processing dambun nama without any deliterious effect. Beef, mutton, chevon, camel and broiler chicken meat had excellent nutritional values in processing dambun nama.Key words: Dambun nama, Nigerian meat produc

Influence of pre-breeder dietary energy and protein levels on subsequent laying performance of FUNAAB - alpha chickens

The effects of pre-breeder dietary energy and protein on subsequent reproductive performance of FUNAAB - Alpha chickens were studied using a total of 120 (96 hens and 24 cocks) birds. The birds were fed standard exotic grower diet (2650 Kcal/kg, 14%CP; Control), high energy low protein (2800Kcal/kg, 12%CP; HELP), high energy high protein (2800Kcal/kg, 16%CP; HEHP) and low energy low protein (2500Kcal/kg, 16%CP; LEHP) diets during pre-breeder phase (10 – 22 weeks of age). During, lay all the birds were fed the same breeder diet (2600 Kcal/kg and 16%CP) for twelve weeks. The diets and water were allowed ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The response criteria include; feed intake, body weight, egg production, fertility and hatchability. Data obtained were analysed for variance as a Randomized Complete Block Design. Hen day egg production was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by dietary treatment. Egg weights of 42.85, 43.55, 42.85 and 43.05g for control, HELP, HEHP and LEHP respectively were similar. A significant (P<0.01) difference was observed among means of egg mass with HEHP being highest (17.31) and control lowest (11.40). Pre-breeder dietary treatment had a significant (P<0.05) influence on FCR. Pre-breeder HEHP diet supported the best hen day egg production (41.06%), fertility (86.67%) and hatchability (68.98%). It was concluded that feeding high energy high protein (HEHP) diet during pre-breeder phase subsequently supported high egg production, fertility and hatchability.Keywords: Breeder chicken, fertility, hatchability, nutrition, reproductio

Effect of varieties on growth components and dry matter yield of Lablab purpureus (L) sweet in the semi-arid region of Nigeria

Two years field trials were conducted in Maiduguri the Borno State Capital Nigeria to evaluate the effect of varieties on growth components and dry matter yield of three lablab varieties Lablab purpureus (L) sweet (white, black and brown). The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design. Growth components were determined at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after planting and dry matter yield was determined at 12 weeks after planting in 2014 and 2015 cropping season. Results revealed that there was significant (P<0.05) difference between plant heights with the highest plant height (100.44cm) being for white variety in week 10 of 2014. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference recorded in leaf height in throughout the study period. There was no significant difference in dry matter yield however, highest yield of 28.10 t/ha was recorded for Brown lablab variety in 2014 compared to other varieties. From this study, it can be concluded that varietal difference has significantly affected the growth components and dry matter of three lablab varieties. The varieties of lablab investigated can be used as forage legumes which can improve animal performance and productivity.Keyword: Lablab varieties, dry matter yield, plant height, leaf numbe

Incidence of reproductive disorders and mastitis among small ruminants of Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of reproductive disorders in ruminants that were presented to the Area Veterinary office Bauchi, Nigeria from May 2016 to March 2017. In one hundred and eight (108) cases presented, thorough physical examinations were carried out and the clinical signs of each disorder were used to identify it. The identified disorders include: mastitis, dystocia, uterine prolapse, agalactia and vaginal prolapse. The result of the study revealed that reproductive disorders were significantly (p<0.001) influenced by species and breeds. Highest incidence of reproductive disorders were recorded in sheep (51.90%) and the least in goat (48.10). Red Sokoto breed of goat had the highest (39.4%) disorder while Sudanese breed of sheep had the least (0.9%). Prolificacy and Body condition score were significantly (p<0.001) influenced by reproductive disorder. The overall incidence was higher (52.8%) in single and the least (2.8%) in quadruplets. The overall incidence was higher (67.9%) in obese animals and the least (23.7%) in moderate body animals. Sheep recorded the highest number of reproductive disorder compared to goat