CATTLE HANDLING, HYGIENE AND SLAUGHTERING TECHNIQUES IN SELECTED CATTLE MARKETS IN ABEOKUTA AND ENVIRONS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The handling, hygiene and slaughtering techniques of cattle in selected cattle markets of Atokun, Randa and Odo-Eran in Abeokuta and environs, Ogun state, Nigeria were assessed. Questionnaires were administered with personal visits to cattle handlers to assess the handling practices and relevant information relating to cattle welfare and slaughtering. Data obtained from this study on the cattle handlers, showed that the literacy level of the rearers and butchers was low, with majority (48.90%) having primary education. The general sanitary conditions at the cattle markets in addition to hygienic practices by the butchers were generally poor. Handling of cattle from the lairage to slaughter slabs was unethical, with the employment of humane practices in the rearing, handling, transporting and slaughtering of cattle rarely observed across the cattle markets. High range of total bacteria count of 6.50 and 8.40 x 105cfu/g and coliform counts of 4.28 to 4.85 x 105cfu/g were observed in the thirty (30) beef samples collected across cattle markets with major isolated organisms being Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp. across the abattoirs under study. Results of this study suggest that the welfare of animals in the selected cattle markets is inadequate due to poor housing facilities, inadequate feeding, low medical attention and low literacy level of handlers as well as indiscriminate slaughtering resulting to contamination of beef cuts of the carcass from which they are derived

GROWTH AND FAECAL EGG COUNT RESPONSE OF VILLAGE MANAGED GOATS TO WILTED AND SUN-DRIED CASSAVA FOLIAGE

The growth and faecal egg count response of village managed goats to wilted and sun-dried cassava foliage was evaluated in a 8-week experiment. Twenty-four goats of the West African dwarf breed with age ranging from 6 to 8months and average weight of 8.25kg were selected from the farmers herd and randomly allotted to three treatment groups according to receive wilted cassava foliage (WCF), sun-dried cassava foliage (SCF) and albendazole (control). The results showed that weight gain differed significantly (P < 0.05) among treatments (31.61 to 44.29g/day) with best (P < 0.05) growth rate observed in goats supplemented with WCF. All treatments reduced worm egg count with a reduction of 65.67 %, 67.13% and 69.96% in goats, supplemented with SCF, WCF and albendazole, respectively. In addition, faecal egg count (FEC) was low in all treatments after 4 week post treatment and remained low (FEC<465) in the goats till the end of the experiment.  This study concluded that supplementing grazing goats with WCF was best in reducing faecal egg count and improving growth rate in goats, which could serve as a natural low-cost deworming agent in village managed goats.Â

FACTORS AFFECTING BIRTH AND WEANING WEIGHTS IN LAMBS OF YANKASA, WEST AFRICAN DWARF BREEDS AND THEIR CROSSES

Data on birth weights (BW) and weaning weights (WW) in lambs of Yankasa, West African dwarf (WAD) breeds and their crosses were analyzed.  The effects of breed, parity, sex, type of birth, management system and season were determined. Yankasa lambs had the highest mean BW (2.57kg) which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of WAD (1.68kg) and their crosses (2.05kg). Breed, parity, sex, type of birth and season had significant (P< 0.05) effect BW and WW.  Male lambs in comparison with female lambs had higher (P < 0.05) BW and WW while single-born lambs in comparison with multiple-born lambs had higher (P < 0.05) WW. A highly significant positive correlation (0.719) was estimated between BW and WW of lambs across breed.  It was concluded that the differences in factors influencing BW and WW at early phases might have risen from the variation among breeds and factors monitored. Therefore, BW and WW could provide useful information for early selection criteria in breeding programmes, serving as an important role in expression of genetic potential in lambs

EVALUATION OF SELECTED LEAVES OF TREES AND FOLIAGE OF SHRUBS AS FODDER IN RUMINANT PRODUCTION

The potentials of selected leaves of trees and foliage of shrubs as fodder in ruminant production systemwere evaluated using chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility as indices. Theselected trees were Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Leucaena leucocephala, Moringa oleifera, Gliricidiasepium, Pterocarpus santalinoides, and Millettia grifoniana, and shrubs were Stylosanthes scabra,Tephrosia bracteolata and Lablab purpureus. The results showed that the chemical compositions ofleaves of trees and foliage of shrubs varied significantly (p<0.05) among species. The crude protein(CP) content of the tree leaves ranged from 15.20 to 25.43% for Pterocarpus santalinoides and Moringaoleifera leaves, respectively, while CP in foliage of shrubs ranged from 21.63 and 26.67% forStylosanthes scabra, and Lablab purpureus, respectively. The in vitro dry matter digestibilities of theseleaves also varied significantly (p<0.05) with the selected trees ranging from 40.80 to 74.75% for Millettiagrifoniana and Gliricidia sepium, respectively while shrubs ranged from 50.35 to 61.24% for Stylosanthesscabra, and Lablab purpureus, respectively. Results indicated that these forages are highlydigestible and their inherent nutrients are higher than the range recommended for maintenance inruminant production. These fodders can be fed as supplements to low protein forage and can alleviatefeed shortages experienced for ruminants in dry season

RECYCLING BROILER LITTER AND CAPRINE RUMEN CONTENT AS LOW COST BY PRODUCT FEEDING STUFFS FOR GOAT PRODUCTION

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potentials of broiler litter (BL) and caprine rumen content (CRC) as low cost by product feeding stuffs for goats. Twenty (20) West African Dwarf goats (WAD) with average weight of 10kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments of 0%CRC/30%BL, 10%CRC/20%BL, 20%CRC/10%BL, 30%CRC/0BL% and 0BL%/0%CRC (control) for diets A to E, respectively. Results indicated that dry matter (DM) intake of goats decreased (p>0.05) with increasing level of CRC in the diets. Goats on diet A had the best performance in terms of daily gain (g/day) and feed: gain ratio with goats on diet D having the least (p<0.05) performance.  The DM and CP digestibilities followed the same trend across the dietary treatments with goats fed diet D having significantly (p<0.05) lower digestibility compared to the other treatments.  Blood parameters monitored fell within the range required for goats and varied (p<0.05) across the treatments with exception of total protein and blood glucose. The carcass characteristics of WAD goats as a result of feeding BL with CRC were not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments, while the meat composition varied (p<0.05) in the CP and fat contents. It is concluded that supplementing BL in CRC diets at 20 and 30%BL, respectively, has the potential of improving feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and carcass quality in WAD goats for profitable performance. &nbsp

RECYCLING BROILER LITTER AND CAPRINE RUMEN CONTENT AS LOW COST BY PRODUCT FEEDING STUFFS FOR GOAT PRODUCTION

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potentials of broiler litter (BL) and caprine rumen content (CRC) as low cost by product feeding stuffs for goats. Twenty (20) West African Dwarf goats (WAD) with average weight of 10kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments of 0%CRC/30%BL, 10%CRC/20%BL, 20%CRC/10%BL, 30%CRC/0BL% and 0BL%/0%CRC (control) for diets A to E, respectively. Results indicated that dry matter (DM) intake of goats decreased (p>0.05) with increasing level of CRC in the diets. Goats on diet A had the best performance in terms of daily gain (g/day) and feed: gain ratio with goats on diet D having the least (p<0.05) performance.  The DM and CP digestibilities followed the same trend across the dietary treatments with goats fed diet D having significantly (p<0.05) lower digestibility compared to the other treatments.  Blood parameters monitored fell within the range required for goats and varied (p<0.05) across the treatments with exception of total protein and blood glucose. The carcass characteristics of WAD goats as a result of feeding BL with CRC were not influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments, while the meat composition varied (p<0.05) in the CP and fat contents. It is concluded that supplementing BL in CRC diets at 20 and 30%BL, respectively, has the potential of improving feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and carcass quality in WAD goats for profitable performance.Â

Natural Radionuclides in Natural Spring Water Samples in Ikere – Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The presence of  the radionuclides in drinking water poses a number of health hazards.  This study estimated the committed effective doses due the natural radiounuclides via consumption of spring water in the study area. 80 spring water samples were measured using gamma spectrometry.  The annual committed effective doses in Ikere local government , Ekiti State, Nigeria varied from 0.16 mSv/y to 0.22 mSv/y with a mean value of 0.20 ± 0.03 mSv/y.  The calculated annual committed effective dose is  lower than WHO recommended limit of 1.0 mSv/y for public exposure. Due to the consumption of natural spring water there is no radiological health hazards to the public within the study area. Keywords:Radionuclides, Activity concentration, Committed effective dose, Spring water, Drinking wate

Influence of Tannin in Selected Forages on the Growth Performance and Faecal Egg Count of Semi-Intensively Managed Sheep

The occurrence in economic losses through inadequate nutrition and the increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistance to nematodes in sheep represent a major constraint in sheep production. A 56 day experiment was carried out to determine the effect of using forages of cassava, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala containing tannin on the growth performance and faecal egg count (FEC) of semi-intensively managed West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Sixteen WAD sheep with an average body weight of 16kg were randomly allocated to four supplementary treatments of forages of cassava forage (CF), Gliricidia sepium (GSF), Leucaena leucocephala (LLF) and the control (unsupplemented). Data were taken on sheep DM feed intake, body weight changes and faecal egg count (FEC). Results showed that the selected forages containing tannin increased weight gain (P < 0.05) and reduced (P < 0.05) FEC in sheep. Animals on LLF had the highest (P < 0.05) forage intake (707.50g/day) and weight gain (21.87g/day) which ranked the same statistically with sheep on CF diets with the control treatment having the least (P > 0.05) weight gain (13.83g/day). Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that tannins in the forages of leucaena and cassava improved growth and is effective in reducing faecal egg count in sheep managed semi intensively. This can be utilized for better weight gain and optimal functioning of animals to get maximum returns.Keywords: Cassava, Gliricidia, Leucaena, Tannin, Sheep, growth, Faecal egg coun

Effects of supplementing Leucaena leucocephala and conserved forages from natural pasture on the performance of grazing calves

Twelve white Fulani × N'dama cross-bred calves weighing 83.79 ± 1.16 kg were used in an 84-day experiment to investigate the utilization of forage resources from natural grazing land. The experimental diets were sole grazing, grazing + hay, grazing + silage and grazing + Leucaena leucocephala leaves. The calves were divided into four groups of three animals each and were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets. Crude protein (CP) contents of the forages ranged from 59 to 171 g/kg dry matter (DM). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents of the forages ranged from 560 to 705 g/kg DM and 363 to 440 g/kg DM, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher values in mineral contents (Ca, K, P and Mg) were recorded for L. leucocephala leaves compared to other forage resources. Variations (P < 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain. Animals on grazing + L. leucocephala leaves diet had the highest (113 g/day) average daily gain, while those on sole grazing showed the least value (26.2 g/day). Packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, urea and calcium concentration showed significant differences (P < 0.05). Effective utilization of forage resources from the natural pasture by the calves was attained on supplementation with conserved forages and L. leucocephala leaves without any deleterious effects on the haematological and serum parameter