Nigerian Indigenous vs Exotic Hens: the Correlation Factor in Body Weight and Laying Performance

Genetic interrelationship within and between strains was assessed using pure Nigerian normal feathered local, pure exotic and their crossbred hens for age and body weight at first lay, egg weight and egg internal quality traits. 100 layers comprising 20 Black Nera, 20 White Leghorn, 20 Normalfeathered local chicken, 20 White Leghorn x Local cross and 20 Black Nera x Local crosses were randomly selected from a breeding stock of about 500 chickens. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive relationshipbetween age and body weight at first egg in all the pure exotic strains. A low but negative relationship between age at first egg and egg weight wasobserved in White Leghorn, local and their crosses. The r values weregenerally low and not significant except in Black Nera (r = 0.515). however,a strong, significant and positive relationship was observed between bodyweight at first egg and egg weight in the local hen (r = 0.765). These results suggest that selection for increased body weight in the local chicken will result in increase in egg size and egg internal quality traits. These values were relatively higher in the crossbred and pure local chicken compared to their pure exotic counterparts.Keywords: Body weight, egg weight, egg quality, traits

Prediction of carcass lean content in live pigs using scanoprobe ultrasonic machine

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Observation On Congenital Loco, A Hereditary Defect In Three Flocks Of Chicken At Ibadan

Congenital loco, a monogenic, sex-linked hereditary defect was observed in three flocks of chicken at Ibadan. Mortality at the end of the first 4 days of life was unexplainably high. Noticeable signs were birds thrown off balance with necks thrown backwards, chicks unable to feed nor drink. Subsequently, they got weak, slumped and died.Keywords: congenital loco, hereditary defects, lethal factor, sex-linked, pullets

Characterisation of the local pigeon in South Western Nigeria

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Frequencies of Some Morphological Features in Indigenous Chickens of South- Western Nigeria

Morphological features of chicken genetic resources must be carefully identified and considered in developing breeding strategies. The study was carried out to determine the frequencies of morphological features in indigenous chickens of South-Western Nigeria, using Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States as case study. Five major chicken markets (Mushin in Lagos State, Itoku and Ipokia in Ogun State, Olu-ode in Osun State and Molete in Oyo State) were used as study locations and three thousand, three hundred and thirteen chickens were observed in the five locations. Ipokia had the highest number (1,549) of chickens and Molete had the least (307) number of chickens. The traits observed included: feather structure, feather distribution, feather morphology, plumage colour, ear lobe colour, skin colour and shank colour. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis was also done for the results using chi-square test. It was observed that for those traits that recorded significant variation, there had been selection for these traits due to the high market value attached to them by attaching preference to some of its variants which were observed. Knowledge and well documentation of the potentials of indigenous chickens can help provide crucial information for a comprehensive breeding policy and full utilization of the animal.Keywords: Characterization, conservation, indigenous chickens, morphological feature

Egg quality characteristics of four loca poultry species in Nigeria

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Occuring patterns and frequencies of colour genes in some indigenous poultry species in Nigeria

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Prevalence of coat colour phenotypes and its influence on mange infestation of West African Dwarf goat

Prevalence of coat colour phenotypes and its influence on sarcoptic mange infestation of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats reared extensively by subsistence farmers in South-west Nigeria was investigated from March to October, 2011. The total number of goats randomly sampled from different villages within the same ecological zone were 11,772 consisting of 8,384 females and 3,388 males of different ages. Three basic coat colours were identified, namely black, brown and white accounting for 24%, 9.22% and 4.10% respectively. They probably constituted the underlying base for the caramel (bargerface), agouti and spotting patterns, giving rise to twenty combinations which accounted for the remaining 62.68% in the breed. The distribution pattern was similar for males and females. The number of goats randomly sampled and clinically inspected for presence of mange lesions on different parts of the body was 7,902. Standard parasitological procedure used to confirm the presence of mange mite from skin scrapings revealed that 42 goats (0.53%) were infested by Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae. Infested cases were ranked according to severity of infestation as localized and mild (1), localized and moderate (2), localized and severe (3), generalized and mild (4), generalized and moderate (5) and generalized and severe (6) based on information from literature. Only five colour phenotypes (black, black with white marking, bargerface, white/brown mixed and white) were infested by mange. Black goats predominated (50%) the infested group, followed by those with black with white marking (23.81%), while white goats were least (4.76%). Least-squares analysis of variance showed that ranked estimate was significantly affected by coat colour (P<0.05). Goats with black and black with white marking were most affected with generalized and mild infestation, ranking 3.97±0.34 and 4.31±0.50, respectively (P>0.05). Those with bargerface and mixture of brown/white had similar (P>0.05) estimates (2.60±0.66 vs 3.52±0.93) while white goats were least affected with localized and mild infestation (0.88±0.18). The effect of age was significant (P<0.01) while sex was not significant. Animals less than one year were more affected with generalized and mild infestation, ranking 4.10 ± 0.58 compared with older animals (>1 year) that ranked 2.23 ± 0.55 with localized and moderate infestation. It is concluded that black goats were most prevalent and more susceptible to mange infestation while white goats were least affected. Selection in favour of other colour combinations that were not infested could further control prevalence of mange in the region.Key words: Goat, coat colour distribution, influence on mange infestatio

Immune responses and adjuvant effects in genetically related cattle

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Morphological characterization and evaluation of heat tolerance traits in Nigerian goat breeds

There are three main breeds of goat in Nigeria: The West African Dwarf (WAD), the Red Sokoto and the Sahel. Goats are renowned for their hardiness and can survive in most environments. The goats sampling was carried out from farms and markets across different states in Nigeria, according to the geographical distribution of the breeds published by Blench (1999). This experiment was carried out to analyse morphological variability among Nigerian goats. A total of 318 goats spread across the three Nigerian breeds were used in the following populations (57 Sahel, 187 Red Sokoto and 137 West African Dwarf). Data were collected on body weight, linear body measurements and heat tolerance traits and were subjected to analysis of variance using the fixed effects of breed, sex and location. Results showed that breed, sex and location significantly (P<0.05) affected all the linear body measurements and heat tolerance traits. The Sahel breed had the highest values in most of the measured traits compared to the West African Dwarf and the Red Sokoto breeds of goat. It was observed that goats from the northern part of Nigeria were heavier than their southern counterparts, and this can be likened to their genetic makeup and the extent of its interaction with the environment. The results of the study confirmed the population structure of Nigerian goat breeds and showed that they possess enough diversity to enhance genetic improvement for higher survival and productivity.Keywords: Goat, Breed, Traits, Respiratory rate and Pulse rat