Leukocyte profile of different breeds of the Nigerian cattle in haemoparasitic infection

An examination of the leukocyte profile of different breeds of cattle was carried out to determine the effects of haemoparasites, sex aand breed on the leukoctes. The effects of haemoparasite, sex and breed on the leukocytes were determined using parasitological methods. A total of 452 cattle comprising of 174 cows and 278 bulls were examined. The breeds included 78 ‘Red Bororo’, 14 ‘Sokoto Gudali’ and 360 ‘White Fulani’. The total white blood cell (WBC) count and differential counts of WBC were determined using Neubauer Chamber and Thin blood smear techniques. Data generated were analysed using Genstat statistical software, with sex, breed and haemparasite species detected as factors. Results showed that 22% of the cattle were infected with haemoparasites while 78% were parasite-free. The parasites were Trypanosoma congolence (4%), Anaplasma centrale (2%), Babesia bovis (14%), A. centrale + B. bovis (1%) and Babesia divergens (1%). Parasite species identified significantly did not influence (P < 0.001) the WBC and the differential counts (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). Since there is fluctuation of the various fractions of the leukocytes in the course of haemoparasite infection, this may explain for the insignificant influence of the factor (haemoparasite) on the mean values of the leukocytes.Key words: Differential counts, Nigerian cattle breeds, Parasitology

Animal traction technology in Ogun State, Nigeria. Potentials and Constraints

This paper presents the finding of a survey on the potential of Animal traction technology in Ogun State of Nigeria. A total of fifteen settlements (Camps) and silty households were purposively selected and surveyed using a combination of structured interview schedule and participatory Rural Appraisal technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Fulani of Kwara State of Nigeria origin settled in Ogun State with their cattle for over 25 years and are pursuing sedentary lifestyle as agro-pastoralists. They operate under a relatively secure tenurial arrangement that allow them to settle and practise arable crop farming. They prepare the land for planting using the ridge system, which favours the use of animal traction. The very cost of hired labour represents a major incentive for adoption of animal traction technology. The average cattle herd size is 30. All the respondent were aware of the use of animal traction. Although none of the respondent had used the technology in Ogun State, they nevertheless believed that the technology can be used in the State. They all indicated readiness to release their cattle for training if the technology is to be introduced. The paper discussed animal traction in rural economy, its potential and constraints.Keywords: Animal traction, technology, Ogun state, Nigeria

Growth performance, nutrient intake and digestibility of goats fed melon husk and palm oil slurry at 30% inclusion level

A 126- day study was conducted to determine growth, nutrient intake and digestibility of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed melon husk (MH) and palm oil slurry (POS) as replacement for maize offal at 30% in concentrate diets. Sixteen goats weighing 6.5 – 7.0kg were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments at 4 replicates of each. Dietary treatments included control (Diet 1): 0% MH 0% POS; Diet 2: 30% MH 0% POS; Diet 3: 0% MH 30% POS; and Diet 4: 30% MH 30% POS; supplemented with Panicum maximum (grass). Data collected were statistically analysed and results showed that animals on control Diet (Diet 1) had the highest (P<0.05) average daily weight gain of 31.57g/day, and a corresponding highest (P<0.05) feed intake of 365. 97g/day and best feed conversion ratio of 11.59. Animals fed Diet 3 had lowest (P<0.05) average daily weight gain of 19.42g/day, with corresponding lowest (P<0.05) dry matter intake of 334.94g/day and poor feed conversion ratio of 17.24, respectively. Variations in dry matter, organic matter and crude fibre (CF) intake were significant (P<0.05). Crude protein (CP) intake decreased progressively from diet 1 to 4, but not significantly (P > 0.05). CF intake was highest in diet 4 (124.6g) and lowest in diet 1(64.72g). Ether extract (52.80g), Ash (21.48g), Neutral detergent fibre (222.88g), and lignin (60.64g) were highest in diet 4. Dry matter digestibility was highest in animals on diet 2 (86.31%) and lowest in those on diet 4 (72.28%). It was evident that goats could be fed MH and POS at the inclusion levels adopted in this study except at 30% POS inclusion level at which growth was poorest.Keywords: Growth Performance, Nutrient Intake, Digestibility of Goats, Fed Melon Husk and Palm Oil Slurr

Moringa leaf meal supplementation for sheep: Effect on weight gain, blood serum chemistry and carcass characteristics

This study was conducted to assess growth performance, serum chemistry and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf sheep fed varying levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) as concentrate diets. Eighteen growing sheep of varying live weights (9 – 17kg) were divided into three groups that comprised six animals each, and balanced for live weight. Each group was fed one of three experimental diets containing 0% (control diet), 5% and 10% MLM, respectively, for 37 days after a 21--day quarantine period in a completely randomized design; each animal being considered a replicate. There were no treatment effects on live weight gain (P>0.05) and serum chemistry except on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase where highest values (20.33 and 128.33 IU/L, respectively) were recorded in the control-diet sheep. Apart from Urea, values of blood chemistry were within normal reference range for clinically healthy animals. However, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in dressing percentage, breast muscle and liver weight, with highest values of 94.42% (in 10% MLM), 1.68 % (in 5% MLM), and 1.84 % (in 5% MLM), respectively. Thus, inclusion of up to 10% MLM in concentrate diet may not cause any major health disorders in West African dwarf sheep while supplementation at 5% level may improve carcass quality.Keywords: Sheep, Moringa, blood biochemistry and carcass characteristic

Survey of disease status of chickens in some poultry farms in south-west Nigeria

A survey of health status of chickens in poultry farms in some local government areas (LGA) of Ogun State was carried out to determine the common chicken disease. Structured interview guides were administered through stratified and random sampling in six LGAs of Ogun state, viz. Odeda, Ewekoro, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode, Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North LGA, respectively. A total of 80 respondents who were the owners of the Poultry Farms were successfully interviewed and data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics to establish prevalent chicken diseases, and Chi-square analysis to determine associations between socio-economic characteristics of respondents and disease status of their flock. Coccidiosis was the major cause of ill-health in flocks. Significant relationships were established as follows: access to extension services and flock size (p=0.001), extension services and feeding of birds (p=0.001), extension services and shelter (p=0.003), extension services and healthcare (p=0.006), extension services and total sick (p=0.001), extension services and action on sick (p=0.044), access to veterinary services and flock size (p=0.003), veterinary services and feeding (p=<0.001), veterinary services and sheltering (p<0.001), veterinary services and healthcare (p<0.001), veterinary services and action on sick birds (p<0.001). It was concluded that socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area could influence health status of chickens.Key words: Disease surveillance, poultry management, socio-economic characteristics

Quality characteristics of chevon obtained from goat fed melon (Colocynthis citrillus) husk and palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil slurry

A study was undertaken to determine effect of nutritional value of melon (Colocynthis citrillus) husk (MH) and palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil slurry (POS) on quality of chevon obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) goats finished on four diets viz. diet 1 (0% MH, 0% POS); diet 2 (50% MH, 0% POS); diet 3 (0% MH, 50% POS) and diet 4 (50% MH, 50% POS). All animals were fed a basal diet of Panicum maximum ad libitum. After sixty days, eight goats (two goats per treatment) were slaughtered and muscles obtained from their forelegs. A sample of the raw meats was taken for pH measurement and Fatty acid analyses while the remaining was cooked by boiling and used for proximate analysis, cooking and refrigerated losses, and sensory evaluation. Data were subjected to one – way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Percent dry matter of the experimental diets ranged from 89.53% to 89.81%. The cooking weight loss for chevon showed no significant (P>0.05) difference but refrigerated weight loss (drip loss) showed significant (P<0.05) difference due to diets; lowest values were recorded on diets 2 (0.96g) and 4 (0.91g), respectively. Chevon obtained from animals fed diet 3 had the lowest percent crude protein content (21.51%) and highest cooking and refrigeration losses of 4.44% and 23.51%, respectively. Chevon obtained from all the diets fed gave significant (P<0.05) lower percentage values for linolenic acid compare with the control, while chevon from goats fed diet 3 gave a reduced percentage value of saturated fatty acids. In all the parameters considered for sensory evaluation, only flavour and saltiness showed significant (P<0.05) difference. It was concluded that Melon husk and palm oil slurry can be added at the various inclusion rates in this study depending on consumer preferences for either nutrient qualities or sensory properties of meat.Keywords: Chevon, West African dwarf goats, Melon husk, Palm Oil Slurry

Effect of diets with different protein-energy density on the gastrointestinal nematode status of semi- intensively managed West African dwarf sheep

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different protein and energy density diets on the gastrointestinal parasite status of semi-intensively raised West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. The different densities used were low energy-low protein (LELP); low energy-high protein (LEHP); high energy-low protein (HELP) and high energy-high protein (HEHP). Twenty four WAD sheep with an average weight of 11.5±0.41 kg, aged between 5 and 6 months were used. These were divided into four groups of six animals per group in a completely randomized design. Groups were each fed one of the diets, respectively, as supplement and released into a paddock grown with Stylosanthes hamata and Pennisetum pedicellatum, to graze for 12 weeks at 5 hours per day. The faecal egg count (FEC) ranged from 375 to 3483 eggs per gram (epg). The strongyle eggs had the highest (P<0.05) number whereas moniezia eggs were the least. The effect of the different protein-energy densities on the final FEC and the differences between the final and initial FEC were significant (P<0.05). The FEC obtained in animals fed LELP and LEHP showed 56.30 and 13.30 percentage reduction (P<0.05) in epg, respectively, whereas animals fed HELP showed percentage increase (P<0.05) of 104.30 epg. The highest trend (P<0.05) of infestation was obtained in those fed LELP while the least trend was obtained in those fed HEHP. It could therefore be concluded that diets high in protein and energy levels reduced the gastrointestinal nematodes of WAD sheep compared to other nutrient combinations.Keywords: Gastrointestinal nematode, Nutrient density, WAD shee