The effect of dietary inclusion of Mansonia altissima on egg production and fertility of laying hens

An experiment was conducted in Port Harcourt to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of Mansonia altissima on egg production and fertility of laying hens, using a total of 45 birds consisting of 36 layers and 9 cocks in a randomized block of groups A, B, C of 15 birds each. Each treatment group wasreplicated thrice each containing 5 birds of both sexes (4 females and 1 male). Birds in group A were used as control while those in treatments B, C were fed M. altissima powder at the rate of 30 and 50 g per kg feed daily, respectively, for eight weeks. Results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in eggproduction with group C showing the highest egg production but decreased fertility. It was therefore concluded that M. altissima can be used to increase egg production in layers at the level of 50 g/kg feed but the reduced fertility, which it causes should be borne in mind while doing so

The effect of dietary inclusion of Mansonia altissima on feed intake, feed efficiency, and feed conversion of laying birds and cocks

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of Mansonia altissima on feed intake, feed efficiency, and feed conversion of laying birds and cocks. A total of 60 birds consisting of 48 layers and 12 cocks were used in a completely randomized design of four treatment groups, A, B, C,D of 15 birds each. Results showed that significant differences (P 0.05) in feed intake (consumption), but there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in feed conversion, betweentreatment groups. It was therefore concluded that M. altissima can be used as a growth promoter in chicken at the inclusion level of 30 g/kg feed without causing increased feed consumption by the bird

Preliminary investigation of the effect of Rhizophora racemosa (mangrove) feed additive on broiler performance

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of consumption of Rhizophora racemosa (Mangrove) incorporated feed on feed intake, body weight gain, and some visceral organs of broiler chicks. Sixty day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, A, B, C and D of 15 birds per group and 5 birds per replicate. The dosages of the groups were 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30 g per kilogram of feed, respectively. Results obtained showed that there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatment means with respect to feed consumption/efficiency, and body weight gain. However, a lineal body weight gain was observed. There was obvious hypertrophy of the bursa of Fabricus of groups B, C, and D, indicative of defensive reaction to R. racemosa (foreign body) and increase of antibody production. The observed atrophy of the ovaries and the converse hypertrophy of the testes are analogous to decreased ovarian and increased testicular functions,respectively

Additive Effects of Rhizophora Racemose (Red Mangrove) On Blood and the Bursa of Fabricus of Broilers

An experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt to determine the additive effect of pulverized Rhizophora racemosa (Red Mangrove) leaves on the hematology and bursa of Fabricus of broilers. Sixty (60) day-old, Anak broiler chicks were allocated into four treatment groups (A, B, C, and D) of 15 birds each, and replicated three times with five birds per replicate. The birds were administered with ground, dried mangrove leaves at graded levels of 40 g//kg feed (group B), 50 g/kg feed (group C) and 60 g/kg feed (group D), respectively, while group A served as control (without mangrove leaves). At the end of 56 days feeding trial, the packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell Count (WBC), hemoglobin concentration and the size of the bursa of Fabricus of the broilers were determined. Results showed that the values of the PVC, WBC and Hb concentration of the groups that received R. racemosa (B, C and D) were higher than those of the control group. The bursa of Fabricus also weighed more in the R. racemosa groups than the control. It was therefore concluded that R. racemosa blood improvement properties and also that R. racemosa could increase the resistance of broilers to infection