Quantitative Analysis Of Abattoir Slaughtering Of Animals In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abattoir survey was conducted to determine the trends, volume and value of food animals slaughtered in twenty local government areas of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. A total of 151,303 animals comprising of 38,946 (25.7%) cattle; 39,392 (26%) goats; 11,758 (7.8%) sheep; 24,449 (16.2%) pigs, and 36,758 (24.3%) dogs were slaughtered in the state during the period under review. Male/female ratios of 3.1:1, 3:1, 2.7:1, 2.7:1, and 3:1 were obtained for cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and dogs, respectively. Findings revealed that 32.8% of the animals were slaughtered in 1999 while 37.9% were slaughtered in 2000. However a lower percentage (12.8%) was slaughtered in 2001. Three peak periods of demand for cattle were in 1999, 2000 and 2002; two for goats: 1999 and 2000: one for sheep: 2000; two for pigs: 1999 and 2000, and two for dogs: 1999 and 2000. Meat inspection activities in the state translated to a revenue of 3.07 million Naira within the period of study, although this can be improved. It was concluded that cattle, goats and pigs are the most popular food animals in the state with dog meat providing a good alternative source of animal protein requirements for the populace. Key words: Abattoir, Akwa Ibom, Returns, Local government Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 118-12

Analysis of Abattoir records for Imo state, Nigeria from 1995 - 1999 IV: Incidence of Mastitis Amongs cattle, sheep and goats

A five-year data (1995–1999) on mastitis among slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats collected from the Federal Livestock Department (FLD), Imo State zonal office, was analysed to determine the prevalence of the condition among such animals in Imo State. Of the 8615 female animals handled at veterinary approved slaughter points during the period, 6230 (72.8%), 497(5.8%) and 1848(21.4%) were cows, ewes and does respectively. Mastitis was recorded among 405 (6.6%) of the cows, 77(15.5%) of the ewes and 352(19.1%) of the does. Across four seasons, mastitis was significantly higher (16.5% and 34.4%) among cattle and goats respectively during late dry (LD) season (

Entrepreneurial Characteristics And Constraints Of Poultry Enterprises In Imo State, Nigeria

The, entrepreneurial characteristics marketing strategies, poultry drugs distribution methods and constraints were studied among 110 poultry enterprises in Imo State, Nigeria. Ten types of poultry businesses were identified with commercial feeds retailing, egg and broiler productions being the most frequently practiced (18.1, 15.3 and 15.2% respectively). Guinea and Top feed brands were the most popular commercial poultry feeds, with each rating 28.1 and 23.4% respectively. Thirty-five(55.6%) of poultry farmers use commercial poultry feeds in feeding their flocks. Small-scale commercial poultry farms (40.4%) were more as against middle and large scale units that averaged 30.8 and 28.9% respectively. 82.9% of the poultry farmers sell their products unprocessed either by retails and wholesales (41.9%), or by retail only (20.9%). Twenty-three (79.3%) of poultry drugs sellers in the state are not qualified to sell such drugs, while a higher percentage of the farmers consult veterinary doctors before administering drugs. Antibiotics (23.9%), coccidiostats (23.1%), vitamins (17.4%) and vaccines (14.1%) were the most frequently sold poultry medicinal products. Practitioners identified high cost of livestock inputs (31.3%) lack of adequate finance (26.6%) and disease (17.2%) as major constraints to their business. Researching for cheaper sources of raw materials (30.8%), visiting farms for advice (23.1%) and producing animals with higher feed efficiency by animal production scientists and financial support in forms of soft loans, credits and subsidies from government (58.33%), were listed as the highest expectations of the practitioners. Key words: Nigeria, poultry business, veterinary drugs, poultry feeds, Poultry farmers Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 25-3

Investigating effects of parasite infection on body condition of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in the Kafue basin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Kafue lechwe (<it>Kobus leche Kafuensis</it>), a medium-sized semi-aquatic antelope, is endemic to the Kafue basin of Zambia. The population of the Kafue lechwe has significantly dropped in the last decades leading to its subsequent inclusion on the red list of endangered species. In order to save the remaining population from extinction, it has become increasingly important that the impact of parasite infection and infestation on the Kafue lechwe is investigated.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Endoparasites accounted for the majority of parasites observed from a study of 40 Kafue lechwe occurring in the the Kafue basin. <it>Amphistoma spp. </it>were present in all animals examined, while <it>Fasciola gigantica </it>had a prevalence rate of 0.525 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.69) and species of <it>Schistosoma </it>0.3 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45). Among the ectoparasites, <it>Strobiloestrous vanzyli</it>, had a prevalence rate of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.27), while <it>Rhipicephalus appendiculatus </it>had a prevalence of 0.075 (3/40). Our findings indicate that body condition was not influenced by the parasitic infestation in Kafue lechwe. There was no association between sex and parasitic burden (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.8-1.3). However, an association between age and parasitic burden was observed as older animals above 15 years were more likely to get parasite infections than those aged between 1-5 years (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, there was no evidence that parasitic infections and infestations adversely affected the lechwe population on the Kafue basin. These findings indicate that ecto- and endo-parasite infestation might not play a significant role in reducing the Kafue lechwe population on the Kafue basin.</p

First report of Theileria annulata in Nigeria : findings from cattle ticks in Zamfara and Sokoto States

Background: Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a significant economic burden to cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. However, in the northern part of this country, where the largest livestock population resides, little is known about the contemporary diversity of ticks and TBPs. This area is particularly vulnerable to climate change, undergoing marked transformation of habitat and associated flora and fauna that is also likely to include ticks. This study aimed to document the occurrence of tick species and Apicomplexan TBPs in cattle from north-western Nigeria. Methods: In 2017, ticks were collected from cattle in Zamfara and Sokoto States and identified morphologically. Additionally, a subset of ticks was screened molecularly for the detection of apicomplexan DNA. Results: A total of 494 adult ticks were collected from 80 cattle in Zamfara and 65 cattle in Sokoto State. Nine tick species were encountered, among which the presence of one, Hyalomma turanicum, had not previously been recorded in Nigeria. Hyalomma rufipes was the most prevalent tick infesting cattle in Zamfara State (76%), while Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent in Sokoto State (44%), confirming the widespread transfer of this species from camels onto livestock and its adaptation to cattle in the region. Of 159 ticks screened, 2 out of 54 (3.7%) from Zamfara State and 29 out of 105 (27.6%) from Sokoto State harboured DNA of Theileria annulata, the agent of tropical theileriosis. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a broad diversity of tick species in cattle from north-western Nigeria, providing the first locality records for Zamfara State. The occurrence of H. turanicum indicates a distribution of this tick beyond northern Africa. This study provides the first report for T. annulata in Nigerian ticks. Given its enormous burden on livestock farming in north Africa and across Asia, further investigations are needed to better understand its epidemiology, vector transmission and potential clinical significance in cattle from northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahelian countries

Observations on the gastrointestinal helminth parasite of the wild grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Timmick) in Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 105-11

Ixodid ticks of cattle in Borno and Yours truly, Obe states of northeastern Nigeria: Breed and coat colour preference

The prevalence of Ixodid ticks of cattle in Borno and Yobe states, Northeastern Nigeria was studied from March to October, 2010. Out of 3,150 cattle examined in these areas, 1,095 (34.8%) of them were infested with ticks. Of these, 57.1% of the infestation was among cattle in Borno State, while 42.9% was observed in Yobe State. Out of the totalnumber of cattle examined, 2,175 (69.0) were males and 33.8% of them were infested with ticks. The number of females examined was 975 (31.0), out of which 36.9% had ticks. There was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in the infestation of ticks between the male and female cattle. The ticks observed on the cattle in both states were Amblyomma variegatum (43.8%), followed by Hyalomma sp (24.7%), Boophilus sp (21.9%) and Dermacentor sp (9.6%). Overall, tick infestation occurred most among theWhite Fulani breed with a prevalence of 240 (21.9%), followed by N&#8217; dama and Red Bororo in which the prevalence of ticks was 180 (16.4%) for each of the breeds. The least (6.8%) infestation of ticks was among the Keteku breed. The preferred sites of attachment for ticks among cattle examined in Borno state were inner thigh, dew lap, abdomen, legs, udder, dorsum, ear and hump, in this order. Cattle examined in Yobe state were infested on their dorsum, inner thigh, legs, abdomen, udder and then on thedew lap, ear and hump. The ticks observed infesting cattle in these states are of veterinary importance, because they are vectors of economically important blood protozoan parasites. Adequate control measures should therefore be adopted to protect these animals

Occurrence of Haemoparasites among Small Ruminants Reared Under Traditional Husbandry System in Owerri, Southeast Nigeria

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites of small ruminants reared under traditional husbandry system in Owerri southeast Nigeria, from June to August, 2010. Blood samples were collected from 50 animals 26 goats and 24 sheep animals and examined for haemoparasites. The results showed that 16 (32.0%) of the animals were infected with blood parasites. Of these, 9 (34.6%) goats were infected, while 7 (29.2%) of the sheep were infected. Plasmodium sp recorded the highest prevalence rate of 56.3% in both sheep and goats. This was followed by Anaplasma sp and Eperythrozoon sp, each of which gave a prevalence rate of 18.8%. Trypanosoma sp had the least prevalence of 6.3%. Although not statistically tested; the prevalence of the infection was higher in female and males (81.3%) than male, which was (18.8%). Of the blood parasites, Plasmodium sp occurred in the female with a prevalence rate of 69.2%, but none was observed in the males. The prevalence of Anaplasma sp was 66.7% in the males and 7.7% in the females. It was therefore concluded that, with the high prevalence of blood parasites recorded in this study, the economic gains by the peasant farmers, could be limited, because of the accompanying morbidity, reduced production and growth and mortality. Consequently, this might further discourage the production of small ruminants in this region