Nutritive and replacement value of hungry rice ‘‘Acha’’ (Digitaria exilis) grain for maize grain in broiler starter chicks

The hungry rice grains (HG) were determined for nutrients and anti nutrients and evaluated for growth performance. Five dietary diets were formulated with AG replacing maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %. A total of 150 7days-old broiler chicks (Abor-Acre) were randomly allotted to five treatments of 30 birds each, replicated thrice (10 birds each) in a completely randomized design for 28 days. The results of the proximate composition of hungry rice grains showed 87.00% dry matter, 12.00 % crude protein, 6.49% ether extracts, 8.57% crude fibre, 5.70% ash, 67.24% nitrogen free extracts and gross energy of 3556.06 Kcal/kg. The anti- nutrient values of acha grains contained 0.18 mg/100g of tannin, 1.03 mg/100g of phytate, 0.90 mg/100g of oxalate and 0.05mg/100g of cyanide. The mineral element of acha grains showed the following trend (mg/100g) K (215.82)<P (131.00)<Mg(46.02)<S(32.40)<Ca (28.17)< Fe (22.82ppm)<Na (11.30). The HG is a rich source of amino acids {methionine (5.19 g/16gN), leucine (4.26 g/16gN), valine (4.11 g/16gN), phenylalanine (2.34 g/16gN), lysine (1.96 g/16gN), isoleucine (1.39 g/16gN), arginine (1.29 g/16gN), histidine (1.35 g/16gN), glutamic acid (5.63 g/16gN), alanine (4.16g/16N) and limiting in tryptophan (0.98g/16gN). The birds on 100% HG had better (P<0.05) growth rate compared with those on 75, 50, 25 and 0%. The feed intake of birds fed 100% HG (1999.33g) was higher (P<0.05) than those fed 50% (1852.31g) but similar (P>0.05) to those on 75% (1948.26g) and 0% (1972.90g). The feed: gain of birds on 25 % (1.97) HG was superior (P<0.05) compared with those of other diets.KEY WORDS: Nutrients, Metabolites, Performance, Acha Grains, Broiler Chick

Evaluation of the organoleptic properties of 'suya' produced from various sources of meat

This research was undertaken to evaluate the potential of different meat sources in producing acceptable suya when compared with the traditional beef soya in Nigeria. Five meat types viz: pork, beef, chicken, rabbit and chevon were used for this experiment. The sensory evaluation was conducted on the soya samples by a 20-man panel of judges using a 9-point bedonic scale to assess the colour, flavour, texture and overall acceptability of the samples. The results showed that beef, goat and chicken suya significantly maintained a better acceptance (P<0.01) than the pork suya. There was a significantly (P<0.01) positive response to the flavour of chicken and beef soya than the rest of the other samples. Texture wise, beef and goat suya were significantly (P<0.01) more acceptable than the rest. In overall acceptability, the beef and chicken suya showed no significant difference (P<0.01) from each other and were both rated the best among the samples. It is apparent from the overall results that both goat and chicken could successfully substitute for beef in the production of acceptable soya. The quality characteristics generally showed that both meat samples were comparable to the beef sample.Keywords: 'Suya', organoleptic properties, various meat source

Methionine supplementation in the productive efficiency, carcass characteristics and economics of growing indigenous turkey

The effect of dietary methionine supplementation at varying levels on the productive efficiency, carcass characteristics and economics of growing indigenous turkey was investigated. Four Isocaloric and Isonitrogenous diets were formulated. The diets were supplemented with 0.00%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% respectively. Eighty (80) turkey poults and aged 12 weeks, were randomly allotted to the four dietary treatments at 20 birds each, and subdivided into 2 replicates having 10 poults each in a completely Randomized design experiment. The trial lasted 8weeks. The feed:gain ratio showed no significant (p>0,05) difference, though diet 2 proved to be the best. Birds fed diet 2 also had a higher body weight than the others. The values of parameters such as dressed weight (g), carcass yield (%BW), meat (PDW) Bone (PDW), abdominal fat and meat-to-bone ratio did not differ significantly (P>0.05). However, birds fed diet 2 gave the highest meat (PDW) and meat-to-bone ratio. The overall relative cost per kg gain that is most beneficial was obtained by feeding diet 2. The results indicate that supplementing growing turkey feed- containing 18%CP and 2800 Keal/kg ME with 0.05% methionine enhances productive performances, good carcass yield and production cost. Key words: Methionine, supplementation, turkey, carcass, economic

Utilization of rice milling waste (RMW) in local turkey diets: effect on haematological indices and blood chemistry

One hundred Local Turkey Poults brooded on commercial broiler starter mash for four weeks were utilized in a Completely Randomized Design Experiment to evaluate the effect of feeding varying levels of Rice Milling Waste (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), on the haematological and blood chemistry indices of grower and finisher turkeys. Five grower and finisher diets were respectively formulated such that rice-milling waste was substituted for maize at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The poults were randomly assigned to the five experimental diets, having 20 poults per treatment. Each treatment group was replicated twice with 10 poults per replicate at the grower and finisher phases. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. The study lasted 20 weeks covering a growing period of 16 weeks and finishing period of 4 weeks. Haematological indices of interest (Hb, PCV, WBC, RBC) and blood chemistry measurement (Creatine, Urea, Alkaline phosphate, Albumen and Globulin) were measured. Results obtained showed that substituting maize with 50% RMW produced superior blood quality in terms of Hb counts, white blood cell and red blood cells at the grower and finisher phases. Considering the biochemical values, 50% substitution also proved superior to other treatment groups in terms of Albumen, Globulin and Total protein concentration, at the grower and finisher phases.It was concluded that, substituting maize with 50% rice milling waste enhanced the haematological values and serum biochemical indices in grower and finisher turkeys, which in turn led to, enhanced biological performance of the turkeys placed on this diet.Keywords: Local turkeys, Haematological indices, blood chemistry and rice milling waste

Comparative carcass characteristics of indigenous turkey poults fed different agro-industrial by-products

This work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of three agro-industrial by-products on the carcass characteristics of indigenous turkey poults. Sixty indigenous poults were brooded and fed broiler starter feed for the first 4 weeks of life. At the end of 4 weeks, forty-eight poults were randomly selected and distributed into four treatment diets. Each dietary treatment had twelve poults with six poults per replicate. The experiment lasted ten weeks. The result showed that poults fed palm kernel meal had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (3175.0g) when compared with others (Diet 1 = 2275.0g, Diet 2 = 2425.0g, and Diet 3 = 2625.0g). This same pattern was noticed in the mean dressed weight though not significant. The cut-parts showed no significant (P>0.05) difference and followed no definite pattern. The replacement of 40% of maize with palm kernel meal in turkey poult's grower ration proved more advantageous than replacement with wheat offal, rice husk and the control diet. Key words: Turkey poults, carcass characteristics and agro-industrial by-product

Performance of Weaned Rabbits Fed Graded Dietary Levels of Composite Cassava Meal

Thirty-six crossbred (New Zealand White x Chinchilla) weaned rabbits of both sexes averaging 1.03 kg in liveweight and aged 6 – 8 weeks were used in a completely randomized design experiment to evaluate the effect of graded levels of composite cassava meal (CCM) at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% (designated as Treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4) on the growth performance, digestibility coefficient, nitrogen retention and economics of production of weaned rabbits for 84 days. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences among all the treatments in final live-weight (2.06 – 2.34 kg), daily weight gain (12.30 – 15.71 g), feed conversion ratio (2.58 – 3.19), and protein efficiency ratio (1.62 – 1.80). Average daily feed intakes of the 10% (Treatment 2, 39.70 g), 20% (Treatment 3, 40.51 g) and 30% (Treatment 4, 40.62 g) CCM-based diets were similar but significantly higher than that of the control (Treatment 1, 36.47 g). Crude fibre digestibility coefficients of 0% (56.43%), 10% (59.55%) and 20% (58.29%) CCM diets were higher than that of 30% (52.88%) CCM diet. Crude protein digestibility (Treatment 1 = 79.12%, Treatment 3 = 82.37%, Treatment 4 = 85.50%), nitrogen retention (Treatment 2 = 51.18%, Treatment 3 = 73.43%, Treatment 4 = 85.29%) and gross margin (Treatment 2 = ₦41.37, Treatment 3 = ₦38.42 and Treatment 4 = ₦35.93) increased as the CCM inclusion increased, while cost per kilogramme feed (Treatment 2 = ₦135.0, Treatment 3 = ₦173.5 and Treatment 4 = ₦220.6) and cost per unit weight gain (Treatment 2 = ₦132.0, Treatment 3 = ₦111.9 and Treatment 4 = ₦92.82) decreased as CCM inclusion increased

Effects of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on the Haematology of Broiler Chicks Following Experimental Coccidial Infection

This investigation into the effect of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on the hematologic indices was conducted using 180 broiler chicks experimentally infected with sporulated coccidial oocysts. The broiler chicks were divided into four groups of 45 birds each and further replicated three times with 15 birds per replicate. They were subjected to experimental coccidial infection through drinking water. Infection was confirmed by fecal microscopy following administration of an infective dose of about 100 sporulated oocysts per bird. After the experimental infection, the chicks were subjected to 7 days treatment with graded levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 g Basil/300g feed) of Basil in the diet with 0g basil/300g feed serving as control treatment. At the end seventh day, four chicks per treatment were randomly slaughtered for blood analysis. Results from the study revealed that Basil had no significant (p>0.05) effect on Mean Cell Volume (MCV) and Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) in the main plot. In the subplots (Basil levels), 5g basil/300g feed group had the highest MCV (92.30 pg), against the control (85.30 pg). Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts were not significantly (p>0.05) different across subplots. The study reveals that Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) has no major effects on the hematological parameters of broiler chicks at the different levels of inclusion studied. Keywords: Broiler, coccidiosis, sporulated oocysts, Ocimum basilicum, feed, hematolog

Effect of dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid in coccidial infections on broiler chicken

The effect of dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid on broiler chicken challenged with coccidial oocysts was studied. The percentage mortality was significant (

Bioefficacy And Economics Of Ronozyme™ P As A Substitute For Bone Meal In Turkey Poult Ration

The biological and economic efficiencies of Ronozyme ™ p as a substitute for bone meal in female Turkey poults was investigated. A total of eighty local female poults were brooded and fed commercial broiler starter diet containing 23% CP and 2800kcal/kg ME from day-old to four weeks of age. Sixty (60) female poults were thereafter randomly selected and allotted to each of the four experimental groups of fifteen (15) birds each. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of five poults for 8 weeks in a completely randomized design. A total of four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets containing 25 CP and 2932kcal/kg ME were formulated. Each of the diets was supplemented with Ronozyme TM P while inclusion level of bone meal was varied from diet 1 to 4 respectively. Of all the production and economic parameters considered only the mean daily feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced. Diet 2 proved to be the best, by having the best feed to gain ratio (2.55), and higher gross margin (₦1,356.35). The difference in the mean total body weight gain for the two diets (2, 323.33 (D2) and 2,380.00g (D3)). It was concluded that 2% level of bone meal inclusion in poults diets proved better than diets having 3%, 1% and 0% respectively, especially when supplemented with 30g of Ronozyme TM P as recommended. This will cut-down cost and also probably improve calcium and phosphorous availability and absorption.Keywords: Bioefficacy, RonozymeTM P, bone meal, turkey poult ratio

Evaluation of Body Weight Lines of Divergently Selected Broiler Chicken Types in a Hot-Humid Tropical Environment of Umudike, South-Eastern Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the production performance of high and low body weight lines of divergently selected crossbred normal feather (NF), naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) indigenous broiler chickens raised in a hot-humid environment of Umudike, South-eastern Nigeria. Results showed that targeted 6 weeks body weight in the two body weight lines were significantly (p>0.05) different, with the heavy normal feather (ExHNF) and heavy frizzle (ExHF) individuals recording the highest body weight (1512.10 and 1508.30 g), respectively. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also better in these heavy weight lines. The linear body measurements (LBMs) namely, body length (BL), keel length (KL) and shank length (SL) were significantly higher in the heavy body weight, when compared with the low body weight lines. It was evident from the study that the genetic background of the selected lines influenced the performance of the progenies, with each line resembling its dam of origin