Surgical Treatment of Mammary Gland Tumor in A 6 Year Old Pekingese Bitch in Gwagwalada, Abuja – A Case Report

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 243 - 24

Heterosis for bodyweight in native by exotic inbred chicken crosses

No Abstract

Genotype X Season interaction effects on the mortality rates of the Nigerian local chicken and its crosses with the barred Plymouth rocks

No Abstract. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 19-2

The pecking, resting and feeding behaviour of four broiler strains in a humid tropical environment

An experiment to determine the pecking, resting and feeding behaviour of four strains of broilers (Anak, Hubbard, Lohman, and Hybro) was conducted with 120 day old chicks. The birds were housed 15 per replicate pen and there were two replicates pens for each of the four strains. The birds were fed with commercial broiler starter from 0 - 6 weeks and finisher from 7 - 8 weeks. The criteria of measurements used were the number of birds pecking or resting, feed and water intakes and the weight gain of the birds from week one to 8 of age. Hubbard broilers pecked most following feed presentation at 8.00a.m. with mean values of 10.29 ± 0.14 birds followed by Anak with 7.14 ± 0.34, Hybro with 5.14 ± 0.14 and Lohman with 1.57 ± 0.53. Also the hubbard strains consumed the largest quantity of feed and water and therefore gained most weight at eight weeks. The resting pattern of the birds was such that after two hours of introduction of feeds Hubbard had the largest number of bird resting followed by Anak, hybro and Lohman in that order.Keywords: Pecking, resting, feeding behaviour, broiler strains

Genetic variablilities of body temperature and resting behaviour in three strains of egg-type chicken

The study was conducted to ascertain the body temperature and resting behaviours of three strains of egg-type pullet chickens (exotic [ISA brown], improved native [Alpha] and Native chickens). A total of 90 egg-type pullets aged 12 months and their day old, non-inbred progeny pullets numbering 90 were used for the study. Both the parents and their progeny were housed at 10 per pen and 3 replicates per genotype and their progeny. The parents were fed and watered ad-libitum between 52 – 63 weeks period of the experiment. The progeny of each genotype were kept for 0 – 12 weeks, during which time, chicks were fed and watered ad-libitum as in the parents and data were collected. During this period, body temperature and resting behaviour were collected with respect to the birds and their progeny. The result showed no significant (P > 0.05) genotype effects in the body temperature of both the parents and their progeny. This implies that neither progeny nor generation had effect on body temperature. The Alpha strain exhibited more resting behaviour than did the exotic and the pure native types. Majority of the birds rested in the afternoon at 2.00 pm. This could be attributed to the fact that at 2.00 pm the weather is hot and birds search for a quiet and cool place to reduce thermal stress.Keywords: Genetic variabilities, Body temperature, Resting behaviour, Strains, Egg-type chickenAnimal Research International (2012) 9(2): 1555 – 155

Evaluation of the growth performance of calves from different dams served by same bull

The growth performance of seven calves from different Muturu dams served by same bull was studied in a mini cattle ranch. Body measurements were taken and observed for growth over a period of 12 months. The result indicates an apparent difference among the calves in all parameters measured including body weight, body length, height at withers and heartgirth. Growth rate also showed increased differences among the experimental calves. The birth weights of the seven calves ranged from 9.8 to 13.0kg, with a mean value of 11.42 ± 0.44 while the yearling weights were between 107.80 and 129.48kg with an overall mean of 120.57 ± 2.44. The coefficients of variation for body weight at birth and at 12 months were 10.16 and 5.36% respectively. The results further revealed that body weight at yearling age correlated positively with all parameters and these include body length (r=0.81889, r2=67.09), height at withers (r=0.8837, r2=78.09). Similarly, body length had a positive correlation with height at withers (r=0.9667, r2=93.45) and heartgirth (r=0.8782, r2=77.13). While height at withers correlated positively with heartgirth (r=0.9291, r2=86.42). Similar trends were obtained in the regression of each of the body measurements on the other in which body weight changes depended more on those of body length (0.56) than on heartgirth (0.34). Judging from the observed variations existing among the individual calves resulting from the different cows at birth and at 12 months of age, maternal rather than paternal influences appeared to be more important in the traits studied.Keywords: Muturu cattle, Calves, Growth performance, Yearling weight, Body measurements

Effect of replacing groundnut cake with urea fermented brewer’s dried grains in broiler chicks diets

The effect o replacing groundnut cake with urea fermented brewer’s dried grains at 0 25 50, 75 and 100 % graded levels in broiler chick starter diets was investigated. Five dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 23 % crude protein and 2900 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. One hundred and ninety – five day-old broiler chicks (Anak breed) were randomly allotted to five treatments replicated thrice with 13 chicks per replicate, fed and watered ad libitum in battery cages for 35 days. Means of body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed: weight gain rato of broiler chicks fed the control diet, 25 and 50 % urea fermented brewer’s dried grains dets were significanty (P < 0.05) better than those fed 75 and 100 % inclusion levels. Nitrogen and lipid retention, crude fibre and dry matter digestibilities of broiler chicks followed the same trend wth the weight perormance. Mortality was zero. Economically, i was more profitable to use urea fermented brewer’s dried grains in replacing groundnut cake in broiler chicks diets.Keywords: Broiler chicks, Groundnut cake, Urea, Fermented, Brewer’s dried grain

Field management of Phytophthora blight disease of cocoyam Colocasia esculenta L.) With spray regimes of selected fungicides in Nsukka, south eastern Nigeria

Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta L). is an important edible tuber crop, but taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae has been the greatest constraint to cocoyam production in Nigeria since 2009. Field trials were conducted to determine the effect of fungicides and the spray regimes on leaf growth, disease incidence, disease severity and tuber yield of cocoyam. The trials were carried out at the Department of Crop Science Research Farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka for two planting seasons. Treatments with three fungicides (Ridomil Gold Plus, Ridomil+ChampDp 50%:50% mixture and control) and five spray regimes (No spray, weekly spray, 2nd weekly spray, 3rd weekly spray and 4th weekly spray regimes) were laid out in a 3 x 5 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that fungicide treatments had significant (P &lt; 0.05) variation on number of leaves/stand, disease incidence, disease severity and tuber yields/hectare in both cropping seasons. Thus, there was no significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences between Ridomil and Ridomil+Champ (50%:50%) mixture) on all measured parameters in both cropping seasons. The fungicides and the spray regimes significantly reduced taro leaf blight, improved growth and yields . Ridomil treated cocoyam plots at weekly spray regimes performed best compared to other fungicides and the spray regime treatment options..Key words: Colocasia esculenta, Phytophthora colocasiae, Fungicides, Spray regimes, andNsukka