The effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum lipid peroxidation level and feed intake in birds infected with infectious Bursal disease of chickens

The effects of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on feed intake and serum lipid peroxidation formation were examined in 200 light breed cockerels infected with infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus. The birds were reared from day-old in deep litter, and were divided into 8 groups of 25 birds each by day 21. Half of each group was fed either basal (10 IU/kg) or high (supplemented) (210 IU/kg) level of vitamin E – containing chick mash. All the birds were vaccinated against Newcastle disease. By day 35, half of each group was vaccinated against IBD using a local IBD vaccine, while the other half was untreated. At day 42, half of each group was challenged with a virulent field strain of IBD virus (experimental groups) while the other half was left unchallenged (control groups). Malondialdehyde level in the serum and feed intake were monitored in all the groups. Serum peroxidation level was significantly lower in birds receiving supplemental vitamin E throughout the experimental period irrespective of vaccination history, while significant differences existed in feed intake among groups only during and after infection periods. Vitamin E supplementation was very efficient in reducing systemic lipid peroxidation, whereas its combination with vaccination led to faster recovery as shown by significant increase in food intake during and after infection periods

Socio-Demographic Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Among Nursing Mothers in Enugu State

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) plays a pivotal role in determining the optimal health and development of infants with reduction in infant mortality. This study focuses on those factors which place nursing mothers in the likelihood of not adopting and practicing EBF. It is a descriptive study that utilized a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire, mean and standard deviation were used. The result shows that the EBF practice among nursing mothers is high with a grand mean and standard deviation of 2.75 (0.61). Those with secondary qualification and below had 3.10(0.37) while tertiary had 2.23 (0.41). Mothers aged 25 and below had 3.39 (0.14) and above age 25 had 2.57(0.52).Parity of 1-4 had 2.93 (0.47) while parity of 5 and above had 1.93 (0.34). Married and single mothers had 2.75 (0.61) and 1.26 (0.05) respectively. Effective EBF education is needed to reduce socio-demographic factors that hinder mothers’ practice of EBF

Impact of Fadama Development Project on the Income of the Rural Farmers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State

The study focused on the impact of fadama II development project on the income of the rural farmers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The objectives of the study are to assess fadama farmer’s income before and after joining the group, to assess fadama farmers income to those of non-fadama farmers. Descriptive statistical technique, farmer budget techniques and multiple regression model were used for analysis. Findings revealed an increase in the income of the fadama II project beneficiaries. This can be seen in the farm budget analysis where fadama II project beneficiaries income increases by 134% while that of non-beneficiaries by 52%. This increase in income of the beneficiaries can be attributed to some socio economic variablesThere was therefore a positive and significant relationship between educational status, farming experience and decision to participate in fadama project with the income of the farmers in the study area. The implication of the finding is that for the fadama project to increase the income of the farmers, KADP fadama project should ensure they provide access to affordable credit services in the third phase of fadama as this will improve the capital base of the participants. KADP office should also intensity awareness campaign among farmers in the LGA as this could further increase the number of participant and finally phase III of the project should ensure timely supply of the production input among fadama users as this will enhance more efficient utilization of the input

Evaluating smallholder brood- and- sale poultry operation using crossbred local chicken genotypes in South East, Nigeria.

A total of 92 crossbred pullet chicks of normal feather (44), naked neck (27) and frizzle (21) were used to evaluate early growth performance and monetary returns of a simulated smallholder brood-and-sale poultry production operation. Average day-old (D.O.) weight of chicks were 34.57±0.98g, 35.28±0.59g and 35.38±1.02g for the normal feather, naked neck and frizzle, respectively and these D.O. weights were not significantly (P>0.05) different. However, at 6 weeks of age, the frizzle pullets weighed significantly (P<0.05) heavier (402.10±17.54g) than the naked neck (385.88±5.91g) but the latter were not different from the normal feather pullets (388.45±14.90g). The frizzle pullets consumed significantly more feed and had better feed conversion ratio than the naked neck and normal feather pullets. Cost of day-old chicks was on the average higher for the frizzle and naked neck chicks (*₦250.00 and ₦175.00 /chick, respectively) than the normal feather (₦120.00/chick). However, the frizzle and naked neck birds attracted higher revenues (₦1250.00 and ₦850.00, respectively) and higher gross margins (₦580.00 and ₦231.00, respectively) than the normal feather pullets (₦121.00). Thus indicating that raising frizzle and naked neck pullets would be more profitable to a smallholder poultry farmer especially in South Eastern igeria where these rare chicken genotypes are considered as premium birds.(*$1 = ₦155.00).Keywords: Local chicken, crossbreeding, brood-and-sale operation, smallholder poultr