Effects of dietary lead exposure and graded levels of ascorbic acid supplementation on performance and haematology of broiler chickens

The effects of dietary lead acetate (LA) exposure on growth performance and haematological characteristics of broiler chickens and possible  ameliorative effect of ascorb ic acid (AA) were investigated. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six treatment groups of 20 birds with two replicates. Six isonitrogenous and isocalories experimental diets were compounded and fed to birds for seven weeks: T1 (control) received diet I (0mg of LA and AA/kg feed), T2 received diet II (200mg LA/kg feed), T3 received diet III (200mg LA and 50mg AA/kg  feed), T4 received diet IV (200mg LA and 100mg AA/kg feed), T5 received diet V (200mg LA and 150mg AA/kg feed) and T6 received diet VI (200mg LA and 200mg AA/kg feed). Finally, two birds per replicate were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered. For haematology, blood samples were collected into labelled EDTA - bottles. PCV, RBC, WBC and Hb concentration were determined using Auto Haem analyzer. T2 showed significantly (P<0.05) decreased body weight and dressed weight than the control. Although depressive effects of LA on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significant. Birds in other treatments compared favourably with the control. Dietary lead significantly (P<0.05) reduced  WBC in T2, while it significantly (P<0.05) and nonsignificant (P>0.05) lowered haemoglobin and RBC in T2 and T6 respectively. The PCV was numerically lowered in T2 and T6. However, haematology of AA treated groups, especially those of T3and T4 compares favourably with thecontrol. In conclusion, dietary lead exposure negatively affects growth performance and haematology of broilers, which was ameliorated by as low as 50mg AA/kg diet supplementation

Effect of replacing Palm Kernel Cake with Sheabutter Cake on egg quality characteristics, haematology and serum chemistry of laying hens

The study examined the effects of replacing palm kernel cake (PPKM) with sheabutter cake (SBC) in the diets of layers and the effects of such on egg quality characteristics, haematology and serum chemistry of the birds. Shea Butter Cake was included in the diets at 0, 10 and 20% levels. Shea butter cake at 20% dietary level significantly (P 0.05) decreased shell thickness, shell weight, egg mass and shell surface area. Haugh unit and yolk index were not affected by the treatments. Shell weight and shell thickness were positively correlated. Yolk cholesterol and hen day egg production decreased as dietary level shea butter cake increased from 0 to 20%. Birds fed 0 and 10% of SBC dietary levels had similar values for packed cell volume, haemoglobin and white blood cell count whereas, birds fed 20% SBC had the lowest values for these haematological parameters except red blood cell count which was the highest at 100% level of replacement of PKC in the diets. Generally, serum indices increased as SBC dietary levels increased from 0 to 20% except glucose and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. There was a negative correlation between serum cholesterol and egg yolk cholesterol.Keywords: Laying hens, sheabutter cake, Egg quality characteristics, Haematology and serum chemistry

EFFECT OF AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS LEAF EXTRACT ON HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM CHEMISTRY OF RATS

The aqueous extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaf produced no significant (

Carcass Characteristics and Economics of Broiler Chickens Fed Different Levels of Grasshopper Meal in Place of Fish Meal

Seventy-two (72) Anak day old broiler chicks were used in an experiment to evaluate the effect of replacing fishmeal with grasshopper meal on the carcass characteristics and the economics of broiler chicken production. The chicks were divided into three experimental groups of 24 chicks and replicated 3 time with 8 birds per replicate. The groups were assigned to dietary treatment as follows: diet 1, 0% grasshopper meal, diet 2, 50% grasshopper and diet 3, 100% grasshopper all replacing fish meal. At the end of eight weeks, feeding, three chickens per group were slaughtered and fresh weights of carcass parts of dressed birds were measured and expressed as percentages of dressed carcasses. Body weight gain of birds increased significantly as the level of grasshopper meal increased (p<0.05). The consumption of grasshopper meal was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control diet. The carcass measurements showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the treatment means, with the exception of the breast, pancreas, proventriculus, heart, spleen, liver, lungs, crop and chest. Birds fed diet 1 gave the highest revenue, followed by those on diet 3, while diet 2 birds gave the least value. The results suggest that grasshopper meal can completely replace 100% of fishmeal in broiler’s diet, without affecting their biological performance and economic returns

Comparative utilization of shea butter cake and palm kernel cake by broiler chickens

The utilization of Shea butter cake (SBC), a by-product of fat extraction from Sheabutter nuts (Butyrospemium parodoxum) was compared with Palm Kernel Cate (PKC) to establish its potential as a poultry feedstuff. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment combining two factors, SBC and PKC at three levels of inclusion (5%, 10% and 15%) was designed. The six dietary treatments were fed to a total of 180 day-old chicks up to 56 days or age. Broilers fed SBC diets consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than those fed PKC diets between 0-28 days or age. During the finisher period (29-56d) and the entire period (0-56d) feed intakes of broilers were similar (P > 0.05) oo the treatment except the low consumption (P<0.05) by those fed 5% SBC. Broiler chicks fed 5% attained the heaviest weight gain (P > 0.05) which compared with chicks fed 15% PKC between 0·28d. Between 29-56d. growth rates of broilers were unif onnly higher (P < 0.05) on PKC than SBC diets. Broilers fed 15% SBC had the least. (P<0.05) weight gain at the three (0-28d; 29-56d and 0-56d) periods. Considering the entire period (0-56d), growth rates were not significantly (P> 0.05) different on SBC diets up to 10%, and on PKC diets up to 15%. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios of the broiler became poorer (P < 0.05) with increasing lenls of SBC in both growth phases unlike broilers fed PKC which had similar values irrespective or the levels of inclusion. The intestinal tracts and visceral organs were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the sources and levels of test ingredients except abdominal fat which was higher on SBC than PKC at 10% and 15% levels of inclusion, and increased with the levels of SBC 10% SBC level was optimal.Key Words: Broilers; Sheabutter cake; Palm kernel cake; performance; organ measurements

Effects of substituting groundnut cake with acacia seed kernel meal on performance, haematology, serum biochemical parameters and economy of production of broilers

The study examined the effects of replacing groundnut cake (GNC) with Acacia nilotica seed kernel meal (ASKM) in the diets of broilers and the effects of such on performance characteristics, haematology and serum chemistry of the birds. ASKM was included in the diets at 0, 10 and 20% levels. 20% ASKM dietary level significantly (P < 0.05) decreased body weight gain and feed intake. Broilers fed 10% ASKM had the highest feed intake and consequently gained more weight and had the best feed conversion ratio. Serum metabolites were not affected by the treatment except alkaline phosphatasc and billirubin that were significantly (P < 0.05) lowered by 20% inclusion of ASKM. 20% ASKM significantly (P < 0.05) increased the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) of broilers. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the relative weight of organs of broilers fed graded levels of ASKM. This study suggests that broilers could be raised on a diet containing 10% ASKM, since the birds fed 10% ASKM had the lowest feed cost / kg (#) and highest total revenue (#) and economic efficiency.Key words: Acacia seed kernel meal, broiler, and production performance

ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF CALYX, STEM BARK AND ROOT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA

Water extract of the red, white calyces, stem bark and root of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) were tested for their antibacterial activities. The root of the plant exhibited marked antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative organisms of Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aureginosa, Staphylococus sp., Streptococus faecalis and Corynebacterium spp while the red calyx is effective against gram negative organism of Klebssiella, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aureginosa. These actions are comparable to that exhibited by gentamicin. Key Words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae, root stem bark, red and white calyx, antibacterial activity. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 54-5

Supplemental value of avizyme in diets of rabbits containing graded levels of wheat offal

Growth performance, nutrient retention and hematological parameters of rabbits fed graded levels of wheat offal supplemented with Avizyme were studied. A total of 24, 9-week old New Zealand rabbits were fed for 49 days (7 weeks) on four experimental diets. Avizyme was added at the rate of 1 g kg-1 of wheat offal based diets containing 30, 40 and 50% of the wheat offal. The basal diet (without Avizyme supplementation) served as the control treatment. The results of the study indicated significant differences (