Use of chips and cassava leaves in finishing guinea (Numida meleagris, L): animal performance, costs of production, Aspect of the carcass and meat quality

peer reviewedThe effect of feed containing cassava leafs and peels was assessed on 126 local guinea fowls animal performance, production costs and meat quality over a period of 28 weeks in humid tropical climate of the South Benin. After 12 weeks of classical feeding, animals were randomly allotted in three groups of 42 for the finishing period: the group 1 received a control diet while, in group 2, 8% and 35 % of cassava leafs and cossets were respectively incorporated, vs. 6 % and 25 % in group 3. At the end of the trial, eighteen guinea fowls per group were slaughtered in order to determine characteristics of the carcass and meat quality. Individual daily feed intake was higher in the control group than in the groups 2 and 3. Animals from control group shown higher growth rate (5.0 g/d) (P<0.05) than in groups 2 and 3. Consequently, feed conversion ratios were similar in the three groups with values of 7.5, 6.7 and 6.9, in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At the end of the trial, animals in control group were heavier than those in groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05). No negative influence of cassava cossets and leaf meals was observed on carcass quality in the experimental diets. Feed costs per kg live weight were reduced by 24.6 and 21.0% in groups 2 and 3, respectively, when compared to control group. Guinea fowl production appears thus more profitable with feed containing cassava leaves and cossets. Consequently, these ingredients could be alternative sources of energy and protein, with emphasis during the finishing period

Phenotypic cha- racterization of pig genetic resources in the departments of Oueme and Plateau in Benin

L’élevage porcin est très pratiqué au Sud-Bénin et implique une diversité de races ou de populations. L’objectif de l’étude était de caractériser les différents porcs sur le plan morphométrique et phénotypique. Ainsi, les données phéno- typiques ont été collectées sur 149 porcs, dont 14 améliorés, 91 croisés et 44 locaux. Les porcs de type génétique local ont présenté des mesures morpho- logiques significativement inférieures (p < 0,05) à celles des porcs améliorés et des animaux issus des croisements entre les porcs améliorés et les porcs locaux. Les poils des porcs locaux étaient significativement plus courts (p < 0,05) que ceux des porcs améliorés et des croisés. La couleur de la robe a varié d’un type génétique à l’autre. La couleur la plus rencontrée a été le blanc uniforme, suivi du noir uniforme chez tous les types génétiques. Le profil de la tête était plus rectiligne chez les porcs locaux, et plus concave chez les porcs améliorés et chez les croisés. Les oreilles dressées étaient moins observées chez les croisés. Elles étaient orientées vers l’avant chez les porcs améliorés et chez les croisés alors qu’elles étaient dressées et orientées vers l’arrière chez les porcs locaux. La queue en tire-bouchon a été significativement (p < 0,05) plus présente chez les porcs améliorés que chez les porcs croisés, et elle a été plus présente chez ces derniers que chez les porcs locaux. La ligne dorsale droite a été davantage observée chez les porcs locaux et chez les croisés que chez les porcs amélio- rés chez lesquels la ligne était plus creuse. Les porcs croisés ont présenté une grande similarité avec les porcs améliorés

Reproductive phenology stages and their contributions to seed production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) in Sudanian savanna region of Benin, West Africa

peer reviewedFlowering pattern, reproductive stage period (flowering, peg production, pod production and seed maturation) and efficiency of each stage for mature fruit production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) were investigated in West Africa. Plants were sown in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per ecotype. Data collected over 3 years were analyzed with ANOVA. First flowers appeared on average 26 and 45 d after sowing for CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744, respectively. Pegs began to extend about 8 and 18 d after anthesis; pod initiation about 22 and 40 d after anthesis and seed fully matured about 85 and 120 d after anthesis, respectively. CIAT 17434 produced (2269 flowers/plant) significantly (p≤0.05) more flower than CIAT 18744 (761 flowers/plant) during 7 months flowering. Conversely, flower efficiency for peg production was significantly (p≤0.05) higher for CIAT 18744 (8.14%) than for CIAT 17434 (4.02%). From 85 to 97% of pegs produced pods for both ecotypes. This research showed clearly that the principal constraint for effective seed production in particular ecological conditions of West Africa was the quite low efficiency of flowers for pegs production

Food resources unconventional use for poultry production in Africa: nutritional values and constraints

Numerous works are related to the use of unconventional feed resources, and particularly to Mucuna Spp., in poultry diet. This review aims at describing the context of their use, their nutritional values and the constraints related to their upgrading, before considering the effects of the various methods of treatment on the reduction of the toxic substances that they could contain and on their chemical compositions. The methods of treatment are very variable and their standardisation should allow using them in rural area. Those feed could thus constitute an alternative to costly conventional feed usually used in poultry production

Impact of row spacing and nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of Brachiaria ruziziensis seeds in humid subtropical climates

peer reviewedL'expérimentation conduite au nord du Bénin a comparé (pendant 3 ans) 3 écartements entre les lignes (20, 40 et 80 cm) de Brachiaria ruziziensis et 4 niveaux de fertilisation azotée (0, 50, 100 et 200 unités N/ha). Le rendement en semences varie de 26 à 114 kg/ha, la fertilité des diaspores de 45 à 93 %. Au vu des résultats, l’installation des plants à un écartement de 40 cm est recommandée. L’influence de la fertilisation sur le rendement et la qualité des semences est variable suivant l'année de mesure : un apport de 50 kg N/ha les 2 premières années de culture (et de 100 kg en troisième année) donne les meilleurs résultats pour la production semencière. Une récolte de fourrage de qualité médiocre est envisageable après celle des semences mais en veillant à fertiliser correctement la culture.Influence of row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer on Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain and Evrard) Crins seed production and quality in a tropical subhumid climate Row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer had influenced in various way seed yield and quality. A 3-year experiment was conducted on ferruginous soils of subhumid zone of West Africa to evaluate the influence of 3 row spacings (20, 40 and 80 cm) and 4 nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg Nha-1) on Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain and Evrard) Crins (commun type) seed production, quality and dry matter production. Rainfall recorded during experiment was between 1050 and 1210 mm/year. Plots were allocated in a completely randomised block design with 4 replications per treatment. The results show that seed yield, seed fertility, diaspore and caryopsis weight varied between 26 and 114 kgha-1, 45 and 93 %, 327 and 601 mg and 219 and 475 mg, respectively. Effects of row spacing and N levels were variable through years. During the first experiment year, 20 and 40 cm row width produced significantly (p F200 > F0 (p F50 > F200 > F0 (p < 0.05). Row spacing had no influence on seed fertility and seed germination. N fertilizer had significantly influenced seed fertility, diaspore weight and germination but had no effect on caryopsis weight or germination rate. It can be concluded that spacing row of 40 cm would be recommended. N fertilizer input at the rate of 50 kgha-1 is necessary during the establishment year. In the second and third years, 50 and 100 kg of Nha-1 should be applied, respectively, for optimum seed yield and quality

Seasonal variations in the crop contents of scavenging Helmeted Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris, L.) in Parakou (Benin).

1. An experiment was carried out with 120 helmeted guinea fowls during one year in Parakou (Benin). Feed intake, ingredient and chemical composition, along with the nutritional adequacy of scavenging diets were measured during the rainy season (November-February) and dry season (March-October) in order to propose supplementation strategies. Ingredients found in crops were identified and allocated into 6 main categories (supplemental feed, seeds, green forages, animal materials, mineral matter and unidentified materials). 2. Mean dry weights of crop contents were significantly higher in the rainy than in the dry season. Amounts and proportions of supplemental feed and seeds were not significantly different between seasons, whereas those of green forage, animal materials and mineral matter were higher in rainy season. Supplemental feed, especially maize and sorghum, was the largest component of the crop content in both seasons. The most represented grass seeds were Panicum maximum (rainy season) and Rottboellia cochinchinensis (dry season). 3. Dietary concentrations of organic matter, non-nitrogen extract and metabolisable energy were higher in the dry season, while mineral concentrations were higher in the rainy season. There were no significant differences between the two seasons in dry matter, crude protein or crude fibre. 4. Scavenging provided insufficient nutrients and energy to allow guinea fowls to be productive. Therefore, more nutritionally balanced supplementary feed would be required during both seasons

Physical and nutritional quality of milk from Borgou cows fed with lick stones developed in Benin

Divers facteurs, notamment ceux liés à l’alimentation, conditionnent la disponibilité et la qualité du lait au Bénin. Cette étude a pour objectif d’améliorer la qualité du lait par l’utilisation de pierres à lécher. Elle a porté sur 16 vaches de race Borgou âgées de cinq ans, réparties en quatre groupes: CPL1 (pâturage complémenté - pierre à lécher 1), CPL2 (pâturage complémenté - pierre à lécher 2), CPL3 (pâturage complémenté - pierre à lécher 3) et un témoin CPL0 (pâturage complémenté - tourteaux de coton). Les laits collectés le matin ont servis pour l’évaluation des paramètres physico-chimiques (pH, densité, couleur, acidité titrable, matière sèche, cendres, protéines, lactose, lipides, calcium et phosphore). La densité (1,03 g/cm3) était plus élevée pour le lait CPL3. La teneur en protéines du lait CPL1 (65,3 g/l) et la teneur en lactose du lait CPL3 (20,2 g/l) étaient plus élevée. Le lait CPL0 s’est distingué par son taux de matière grasse élevé (46,8 g/l) ce qui le disqualifierait du point de vue nutritionnel. Les pierres à lécher donnent un lait de meilleure qualité physique et nutritionnelle. Elles sont donc recommandées pour améliorer la qualité de la production laitière au Bénin. Mots clés: Complément alimentaire, vache, son de maïs, mélasse de canne, qualité physico-chimique, saison sècheSeveral factors, including those related to diet, influence the availability and quality of milk in Benin. This study aimed to enhance milk quality through the use of lick stones. Sixteen five-year-old Borgou cows were divided into four groups: CPL1 (supplemented grazing – lick stone 1), CPL2 (supplemented grazing – lick stone 2), CPL3 (supplemented grazing -lick stone 3), and a control group CPL0 (supplemented grazing - cottonseed cake). Morning milk samples were collected to assess physicochemical parameters (pH, density, color, titratable acidity, dry matter, ash, proteins, lactose, lipids, calcium, and phosphorus). Density (1.03 g/cm3) was significantly higher for CPL3 milk. CPL1 milk had a higher protein content (65.3 g/L) while CPL3 milk had a higher lactose content (20.2 g/L). CPL0 milk stood out with a high-fat content (46.8 g/L), which may render it nutritionally unfavorable. Lick stones contribute to improved physical and nutritional milk quality, making them recommended for enhancing dairy production quality in Benin. &nbsp;Keywords: Feed supplement, cow, corn bran, cane molasses, physicochemical quality, dry seaso

Nutrient digestibility of Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) bean in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris, L): Effects of heat treatment and levels of incorporation in diets.

peer reviewed1. Mucuna pruriens var. utilis is a legume, the seeds of which are scarcely used in animal diets owing to their high content of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-Dopa). 2. Experiments were conducted on guinea fowl to assess the effects of two types of heat processing (cooking and toasting) on chemical composition and nutrient digestibility of Mucuna seeds offered alone or incorporated at three concentrations (40, 120 or 200 g/kg) in complete diets. 3. Diets containing 200 g/kg seeds had more crude fibre and less ether extract. L-Dopa content increased with the amount of Mucuna inclusion. Cooking reduced markedly L-Dopa content while toasting had no effect. When fed alone, Mucuna seeds dramatically decreased feed intake. 4. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were not influenced by the complete diets. Cooking significantly increased crude fibre digestibility. 5. It is suggested that cracked and cooked Mucuna bean can be incorporated at a safe level of 120 g/kg in complete diets for guinea fowl production