Performance of crossbred weaner rabbits fed diets formulated from mixtures of legume and grass

Twenty four (24) crossbred weaner rabbits aged between 5-6 weeks with an initial weight ranging between 587.8g and 658.8g were used to investigate the performance and nutrient digestibility of rabbits fed diets containing mixture of grasses and legume. Three experimental diets were formulated, Diet T1 was the control fed concentrate feed without forage, Diet T2 contained a mixture of Gliricidia sepium and Panicum maximum while Diet T3 contained Gliricidia sepium and Brachiaria brizantha, mainly in substitution for the maize of the control diet. The animals were randomly distributed into three treatment groups of 8 rabbits each with each serving as a replicate in a completely randomised design experiment. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The type of forage used in this study did not have effect on the nutrient intake of the rabbits and except the dry matter and ash digestibilities, other nutrients were not affected by the dietary treatments. It was observed that final weight, weight gain and daily feed intake are not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the experimental diets. The highest final weight (1193g) was observed in T3 though similar to T2 (1111.20) and the lowest final weight (1036.20g) was observed in T1 (containing no forage). Average daily weight gain followed the same trend with 9.54g, 9.35g and 7.6g in recorded for T3, T2 and T1 respectively. The best feed efficiency was observed for T3 (8.41). It can be concluded that incorporation of legume/ grass mixtures, as substitutes for maize in rabbit diets will give better results when compared with diet without forages.Keywords: legume/grass mixtures, Concentrate, weaner rabbits, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibilit

Utilization of Wheat Offal-Carried Pineapple Waste in the Diet of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats

This study investigated the processing of wheat offal-carried pineapple waste meal (WCPW) and its utilization in the diet of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with a view to ascertaining the inclusion level for optimal performance. The WCPW was obtained by evaluating six different combinations of wheat offal (WO) and pineapple waste (PW). The WO and PW mixing ratio 1:2 (w/w) was found to be optimal as feedstuff for WAD goats using keeping quality and nutrient content as criteria. Four dietary treatments (control diet (0%), 20%, 30% and 40% WCPW) were fed to growing WAD goats of both sexes in a completely randomized design. The proximate, mineral and vitamin composition of all treatment diets were determined. Performance variables such as feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, nitrogen balance and retention, apparent digestibility coefficient and blood counts of the goats were evaluated. Chemical composition shows that the mineral, vitamin and crude protein (CP) contents of WCPW containing diets were more than sufficient than that required by goats for maintenance. The total feed intake (462.13 g/day), feed efficiency (9.90%), average daily weight gain (45.54%), the apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein, nitrogen balance (2.63 g/day) and retention (53.46%) of goats fed 20% WCPW were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the values obtained for goats fed other experimental diets. This indicates that animals fed 20% WCPW had the best performance characteristics. Although, the analysis of blood cells (red blood cell, white blood and packed cell volume counts) were significantly different (p<0.05) among the goats fed experimental diets, the counts fell within the normal physiological range for goats. The study demonstrated that WCPW can be included in the diet of WAD goats without any adverse effect and dietary inclusion of WCPW up to 20% was optimal for growth performance of WAD goats.Keywords: Pineapple waste, WAD goats, Wheat offa

Reproductive performance of rabbits fed combinations of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves.

In a 12-week trial, thirty five cross bred does (New Zealand White, Chinchilla, Californian breeds) weighing 1.5 – 2.0kg and aged 1- 2 years were allotted into five treatments in a completely randomized design. Fresh Moringa oleifera (MO) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) leaves were harvested and air dried. Five concentrate diets were compounded with theinclusion of the air dried Moringa oleifera (MO) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) leaves in ratios 100%: 0 (T1), 75%: 25% (T2), 50%: 50% (T3), 25%: 75% (T4) and 0: 100% (T5) respectively. The reproductive parameters evaluated were weight before parturition, parturition weight, gestation length, litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight at birthand weaning, total milk yield and average daily weight gain per kit. The chemical composition of the experimental diet indicated that the basal diet (concentrate) had higher dry matter (92.64%) compared to MO (14.61%) and MS (18.48%) while MO and MS had higher crude protein content (24.45 and 27.20% respectively) than concentrate (17.20%).There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the total dry matter intake (g/day) of the rabbits fed basal, MO and MS diets. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the reproductive performance parameters such as gestation length, weight at birth, litter size at weaning, weight gain, milk yield and survival rate (%). However, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the parturition weight wherein T1 (1.82kg) and T2 (1.97kg) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than T3 (1.72kg), T4 (1.65kg) and T5 (1.76kg) which were significantly similar (p>0.05). It could be concluded that Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaves are suitable for feeding rabbits does at any level of inclusion without any deleterious effect on their reproductive performance.Keywords: Rabbit, reproductive, performance, Moringa oleifera, Moringa stenopetal

Evaluation of groundwater quality in a rural community in North Central of Nigeria

Evaluation of water quality of nine boreholes and three open hand-dug wells in a rural community in North Central Nigeria revealed relative abundance of cations Na > k > Ca >Mg> Zn > Pb and anions Cl− > PO4 2 − > SO4 2 − > NO3− in the boreholes and cations Ca>Na>K>Mg>Pb and anions NO3− > PO4 2 − > SO4 2 − > Cl− in the wells. The major contaminants exceeding SON and WHO permissible limits were NO3−, Mg, TH, pH and Mg, Pb, TH, pH and DO in the wells and boreholes, respectively. They are attributable to anthropogenic sources such as domestic waste water and poor waste disposal and natural sources such as mineral dissolution from clayey aquifer which made the acidic groundwater unsuitable for consumption unless they are appropriately treated. Correlation studies revealed existence of three major mineral groups in the aquifer Ca-Fe group, Na-Mg group, Zn-K group, as well as a minor group Pb-group, and they determine the chemical composition of the groundwater and the ionic exchange between the groundwater and mineral-bearing clayey aquifer. In order to curb microbial contamination by Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli, it is recommended that proper latrines and drainages be provided while domesticated animals should be restricted from boreholes and well. Further, treatment with water guard and pur purifier is recommended