Effect of replacing maize with a mixture of rumen content and blood meal on the performances of growing rabbits: initial study with mash feed

[EN] A total of 24 cross-bred male weaner rabbits, between 6-8 weeks of age, were fed diets which included a mixture (50:50) of rumen content (RC) and blood meal (BM), containing a crude protein content of 37.6% and crude fibre content of 9.0%, at 0 (control), 10 and 20% levels. The mixture replaced maize and maize bran in the control diet. The 3 experimental diets were restricted to 100 g daily in mash form for a period of 8 weeks to the individually housed rabbits. The inclusion of RC+BM mixture in diet 1 at 10% (RB10) significantly (P<0.05) worsed final live weight, daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed: gain ratio while its inclusion at 20% (RB20) only reduced daily feed intake. Weight gain in controls, RB 10 and RB 20 was 483, 273 and 422 g, respectively. Kidney, spleen and lungs, but not the liver, were observed to be significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatment. Carcass yield followed a similar response pattern as final live weight, since it was a product of the final live weight. However, left thigh muscle components were not affected by the dietary treatments. This preliminary study indicated that more research is necessary to reduce the negative effect on feed intake when RC-BM mixture (50:50 ratio) is included in growing rabbit diets, which was probably due to the presentation form applied.Togun, V.; Farinu, G.; Ojebiyi, O.; Awotunde, A. (2009). Effect of replacing maize with a mixture of rumen content and blood meal on the performances of growing rabbits: initial study with mash feed. World Rabbit Science. 17(1):21-26. doi:10.4995/wrs.2009.666212617

EFFECT OF ORGANIC TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) FEEDING ON TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY OF RABBITS EXPOSED TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Thirty six male rabbits of 450-600g weight range fed with mostly organic ingredient feed, were weight-balanced into six treatment groups that received rabbit diets either without (D1) or with organic turmeric (D2) at varying periods within a nine- week experimental period. The treatments were T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 for control, D2 plus exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, D2 until radiation, D2 after radiation, D1 throughout the experimental period with UV radiation and D2 throughout the experimental period without UV radiation, respectively. Testicular histology revealed that feeding organic turmeric in the diet before exposure conferred some protection on the testicular tissue while the feeding of organic turmeric in the diet after exposure corrected some of the damage inflicted by exposure to UV radiation. The group (T4) that did not receive organic turmeric showed conspicuous damage in the testicular tissue on exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It was concluded that the inclusion of organic turmeric, simply boiled, dried and powdered in the diet without any sophisticated processing to extract curcumin, could alleviate the histological damage on account of exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Effect of Organic Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Feeding on Testicular Histology of Rabbits Exposed to Ultraviolet Radiation

A total of thirty six male rabbits ranging in weight between 450-600g were weight-balanced into six treatment groups that received rabbit diets either without turmeric (D1) or with turmeric (D2) at varying periods within a nine- week experimental period. The treatments were T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 for control, D2 plus exposure to UV radiation, D2 until radiation, D2 after radiation, D1 throughout the experimental period with UV radiation and D2 throughout the experimental period without UV radiation, respectively. Testicular histology revealed that feeding organic turmeric in the diet before exposure conferred some protection on the testicular tissue while the feeding of turmeric in the diet after exposure corrected the damage inflicted by exposure to UV radiation. The group (T4) that did not receive turmeric showed conspicuous damage in the testicular tissue on exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It was concluded that organic turmeric could alleviate the histological damage on account of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Key words: Organic turmeric, Ultraviolet radiation, Rabbit, Testis, Histolog

Diet manipulation and post-moulting responses in caged· commercial laying hens

Two hundred and fifty caged commercial laying hens were induced to moult through a 15-day feed and water withdrawal programme. Immediate and subsequent effects on egg production and follicular developments were monitored. Results showed that moulted hens attained over 60% egg production after 6 weeks of feeding with increasing egg weight. Post-moulting egg quality values were similar but globulin wen: significantly increased (P&lt;0.05). Changes in liver and oviduct weights were significant (P&lt;0.05) while gizzard, heart, lung and kidney showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) effects. Fasting produced atretic follicles even though follicular number was not appreciably influenced Follicles were larger with a yellow-yolky appearance during Laying than at the fasting period Mortality of 2.4% was recorded throughout the experimental period. Moulting is a feasible strategy for maintaining egg production in aged, low-producing commercial layers.Keywords: Force moulting, diet, layers, egg productio

EFFECT OF CRUDE PROTEIN LEVELS AND FOLLICLE STIMULATION ON EGG PRODUCTION OF AGED HENS

The effects of varying levels of crude protein and follicle stimulation were studied on the recovery and performance of one hundred post moulted, aged, Nera Black Hens. Moulting was induced at production capacity of 33.6%. The birds were thereafter randomly assigned to four (4) groups (each of two replicates). Two groups received 16% crude protein (CP) level diets and the other two groups, 32%. One each of the two groups received follicle stimulation, induced by administration of Clomifene citrate (1.5mg/kg) via cathetered 5ml syringe through the 10week experimental period, with feed and water offered ad libitum. Egg production ceased on day 5 of forced moulting. Post-moult menarche and return to pre-moult status had occurred on days 4 and 8 respectively in all the groups. Post-moult hen-day peak production performance was 87.5%, 91.7%, 68.0% and 83.3% for birds assigned to 16% CP diet without follicle stimulation (Group 1 - control), 16% CP diet plus follicle stimulation (Group 2), 32% CP diet without follicle stimulation (Group 3) and 32% CP plus follicle stimulation (Group 4). Post-moult mean weekly production performance was 69.66%; 67.26%; 56.40% and 63.69% for groups 1,2,3 and 4 hens respectively. Follicle stimulation enhanced post-moult production performance especially the hen-day performance in birds on 16% CP diet. Higher protein diet did not per se enhance peak production, post-moult menarche and return to pre-moult status