Determinants of adoption of biosecurity principles by poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinant factors influencing the adoption of biosecurity principles by poultry farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The major objective was to determine poultry farmer awareness and adoption of various biosecurity principles. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data for the study were collected from 92 respondents, through the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistic (Logit regression analysis). The results revealed that majority of the poultry farmers were still within their productive and active age (M=47years), majority were well educated (M=15years) and majority (60 %) reared both broilers and layers.  The study also showed that there was 100% awareness and trial of all the biosecurity principles under consideration The most adopted biosecurity principles with 100% adoption however, were provision of adequate ventilation, removal of dead birds, offering of good quality feed and water, vaccination and provision of proper medication. The result further revealed that respondents with larger number of birds (1.994), access to credit (1.715), frequent contact with extension agents (2.183) and access to training (2.083) had high propensity to adoption of biosecurity activities. The respondents perceived all the biosecurity principles under consideration as effective in preventing looses in their farms. They however, perceived the following constraints as severe constraints: inadequate capital (M=2.96), disease and parasites (M=2.97) and inadequate credit facility (M= 2.74). The study concludes that poultry farmers’ awareness of biosecurity activities was high, with moderate rate of adoption of the activities; they however, perceived biosecurity principles as effective means of preventing diseases infection.Keywords: Adoption, biosecurity principles, poultry, farmer

Linear body measurements, correlation matrix, hematological and serum biochemistry of cattle fed supplemental diet containing varying inclusion levels of fermented molasses treated sawdust

A study was conducted to assess the Linear Body Measurements, Correlation Matrix, Hematological and Serum Biochemistry of Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cross fed inclusion levels of fermented molasses treated sawdust diet. A total of 30 Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cattle aged 12-15 months and weighing averagely 80-110 kg were randomly assigned to five treatment groups designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 each comprising of two replicates, with three animals per replicate. The fermented molasses treated sawdust was included in the cattle diets at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 50% inclusion levels.. Feeding was twice daily for all the treatment groups. Supplementary diets were offered in the morning and in the evening with clean water given ad-libitum throughout the duration of the study that lasted for 12 weeks. The animals were allowed to graze from a pasture comprising of Bracharia ruziziensis, Chloris gayana, Digitaria smutsi,Stylosanthes hamata and Lablab pruriens for eight (8) hours daily. The results showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Among the Linear body measurements, chest girth is observed to be the most correlated (0.98**) to Body weight. Only Lymphocyte values are observed to be below the normal range among the hematological parameters. However, all the parameters measured in the serum were within the normal range. It was concluded that molasses treated sawdust can be included in cattle diets up to 20 % level without significantly affecting performance.Keywords: Brahman x Sokoto Gudali cattle: molasses treated sawdust, growth, haematolog

Carcass characteristics and sensory evaluation of meat from growing rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed diets containing varying levels of fermented lebbeck (Albizia lebbeck) seed meal

Following a 12 weeks feeding trial with growing rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed diets containing varying levels of fermented Lebbeck (Albizia lebbeck) seed meal, forty-five (45) mixed breeds of rabbits aged between 6-8 weeks with an average initial weight of 588.87g were used to determine the carcass characteristics and sensory evaluation. Five experimental diets were formulated such that fermented Albizia lebbeck seed meal was included to replace groundnut cake at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % on weight to weight basis using completely randomized design (CRD). The rabbits were randomly allotted to five treatments in three replicates with 9 rabbits per treatment and 3 per replicate. The rabbits were also offered fresh Amaranthus hybridus ad libitum daily. The results showed significant reduction of saponin from 90.0-12.33 (86.30%), Tannin from 2.12-0.00 (100%), Cyanide 63.66-0.43 (99.32%), Flavonoid 0.24-0.00 (100%) and Alkaloid 1.28-0.00 (100%) after fermentation. Feeding fermented Albizia lebbeck seed meal however, resulted in non-significant differences (P>0.05) in dressed weight irrespective of inclusion level. The overall acceptability of both the cooked and fried meat also showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in all the dietary groups. It is therefore recommended that fermented Albizia lebbeck seed meal (FALSM) can be used to replace groundnut cake up to 20 % in rabbit diet with optimum carcass yield.Keywords: Rabbits; Albizia lebbeck seed; carcass characteristic

Growth performance and egg production of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing graded levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel meal

A two-phase research project was carried out to determine the growth performance and egg production of Japanese quails fed diets containing graded levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel meal (SCPM). A total of 360 two-week-old Japanese quails of mixed sexes with average initial weight of 32.09 ± 0.02 g were used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted to four treatment groups, with each treatment replicated thrice having a total of 90 birds per treatment. SCPM replaced maize at 0, 25, 50 and 75 % levels to form diets A, B, C and D respectively and were fed to the birds for six weeks during the growing phase. In the laying phase, a total of 180 female Japanese quails were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments replicated thrice with 45 birds per treatment, and fed layers diets (with the same levels of maize replacement by SCPM as done in the growing phase) for six weeks. Results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments in the growing phase. In the laying phase, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in daily feed intake, hen day production (HDP), FCR and egg quality traits. Hence, it was concluded that dietary maize could be replaced with SCPM up to 50 % for optimum growth performance; while 25 % SCPM level of replacement is adequate for optimum egg production at the laying phase.Keywords: Growth performance, egg production, cassava peel, Japanese quai

Phenotypic and genetic categorization of qualitative traits in extensively managed local goat (Capra aegagrus) population of Niger State, Nigeria

A study on the distribution and frequencies of coat colour, wattle, beard, horn, and hair type using 375 extensively managed local goats was carried out in the three administrative zones of Niger state, Nigeria. The animals were scored for coat colour pigmentation pattern, presence or absence of wattle, beard, horn, hair type and extra teat. The study showed that light brown is the predominant colour in zones A (43.24%) and zone C (47.57%). Dark brown colour was predominant in zone B (37.82%) followed by light brown (31.09%). The observed frequencies for wattle (Waw) and extra teat (Ete) were above (p

Performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed graded levels of fermented and toasted Albizia lebbeck seed meal

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fermented and toasted Albizia lebbeck seed meal (FTALSM), on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens at the starter and finisher phases. One hundred and fifty (150) day old chicks (Abo acres) were used for this study and were divided into five treatments (with three replicate each containing 10 birds) using a completely randomized design (CRD) for eight weeks. The treatments were five diets containing0%(control), 5%,10%,15% and 20%of fermented and toastedAlbizia lebbeck seedmeal (FTALSM), respectively and were tagged Diet 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The feed intake at the starter phase was significantly higher (p<0.05) in Diets 3 and 4 which had 10 and 15% inclusion of FTALSM, respectively. Diets 2, 3 and 4 also differ significantly (p<0.05) in final body weight and total weight gained from the control diets. The results at the finisher phase indicated that, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in all the parameters measured except for mortality. Birds fed Diet 2 performed significantly better in weight gain (1453g) and feed intake (3087.25g) compared to the control group. Birds on the control and Diet 2 had similar feed efficiency, the values were however, better than those on the other treatments. The results of nutrient digestibility showed birds fed Diet 5 (20% FTALSM) recorded significantly (P<0.05) low digestibility values in all parameters measured. The results showed that fermentation and toasting reduced phytase, oxalate and cyanide by 41.87, 26.67 and 99.94 % respectively. It can be concluded therefore, that FTALSM can be included up to 15%in broiler chickens starter diets and 5%in the finisher diet for optimum growth performance