Growth and Agonistic Responses of Yaffa Breed Cockerels Administered Testosterone Propionate

The effect of birds’ duration of administration (duration of exposure) to exogenous Testosterone propionate on total weight gain (TWG) and agonistic behaviours (ABs) were evaluated in the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Ibadan, in Southwestern Nigeria. Testosterone propionate (TP) was administered once weekly, to Yaffa breed cockerels in T1,T2,T3,T4,T5 (for 8,12,16,18 and 20 weeks respectively).Birds in T6,received no testosterone propionate.ABs were evaluated twice daily, on a scale of 1-4,where 1 stood for ‘least agonistic’ and 4 stood for ‘very agonistic’. Agonistic acts like Head and feather pecks,kicks,chases and pushes were visually evaluated  TP-administered birds had significantly (p<0.05) higher ABs and TWGs than the birds in the Control. Higher ABs however did not affect TWG and other growth parameters negatively Keywords: Cockerels, Testosterone propionate, Growth, Agonistic behaviour

Influence of different levels of calcium and vitamin D3 in cassava-based diet on the 3 performance of laying hens

This study was conducted to determine the influence of different levels of calcium and vitamin D3in a cassava-based diet on performance of laying hens. One hundred and eight Isa Brown hens which were 34 weeks' old were used in a three by two factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design. Birds were fed diets containing different levels of calcium (A= 2.5%, B= 3.5%, and C= 4.5%), with each calcium level also containing vitamin D3 at levels of 2000, 4000 and 6000 IU. All birds were raised under the same management condition within the nine treatment combinations which had three replicates of four (4) birds each. Records of the feed intake, egg lay, cost of feed ingredients and mortality were documented. The records were used to calculate the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs laid per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg, feed cost per dozen egg produced and mortality. The result obtained showed that diets B (3.5%), C (4.5%), the 2000 IU vitamin D3 level and diet C (4.5% calcium) containing 2000 IU vitamin D3 were better in terms of the number of eggs laid per egg, hen day production, and dozen egg per hen. Thus, farmers can use 3.5%, 4.5% calcium levels or 2000 IU vitamin D3 levels singly/individually in diet for laying hens and obtain better result. However, the C diet (4.5% calcium) containing 2000 IU vitamin D3 which had the highest number of eggs, HDP, dozen egg per hen, best feed conversion to eggs as well as the least cost of production is recommended for laying hens in the humid tropics, when calcium and vitamin D3 are used together in a cassava-based diet to feed hens. Keywords: Calcium, Hens, Interaction, Performance, Vitamin D , Interactio

Restricted feeding of laying chicken and its effect on quality and lipid profile of the eggs

This study was undertaken to investigate the quality and the lipid profile of table eggs obtained from laying chickens fed on restricted diets. The experimental design was the completely randomized design. Seven-two laying birds which were 74 weeks old were assigned to three treatments which were made up of three replicate each. They were subjected to the same management conditions. The treatments consisted of the control, T1 (ad libitum feeding), T2 (7 am-11 am, 4 hours feed restriction) and T3 (7 am – 3 pm, 8 hours feed restriction). On completion of the 10 weeks feeding trial, fifteen fresh eggs were collected per treatment (5 eggs per replicate) for analysis of the external (egg weight, egg width, egg length, shell weight and thickness, egg shape index), internal (albumen weight and height, yolk weight, yolk height and yolk diameter, yolk ratio, yolk: albumen ratio, yolk index and the haugh unit) and the lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, HDL and low-density lipoprotein, LDL). The result indicated that significant differences (P < 0.05) existed in the egg weight, egg width, egg length and egg index and most of the internal characteristics and the lipid profile examined. The birds that were fed the restricted diets had the best egg weight, width, egg length and Haugh unit (HU). The eggs collected from the four-hours feed restriction (7 am – 11 am) had the best high density lipoprotein (HDL) and lowest low lipoprotein (LDL). It was concluded that farmers can confidently practice restricted feeding regime, especially for four hours (7 am – 11 am) when using commercial layers feed

Evaluation of commercial layer feeds and their impact on performance and egg quality

One hundred and eight (108) ISA brown hens at 34 weeks of age were used for this study which lasted for 12 weeks. The hens were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (FT1, FT2 and FT3) consisting of four replicates each with nine (9) hens per replicate in a completely randomized design. Three commonly available commercial layers feed were purchased from a sales outfit and were designated as FT1, FT2 and FT3. Each of the three feeds were analysed for calcium, phosphorus and proximate composition. The hen day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs produced, feed conversion ratio, feed cost and mortality were recorded/calculated. The egg quality was obtained from samples of three eggs collected from each of the replicate at the end of the study. The results showed that there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the analyzed moisture and ash content of the feed, and in the declared and analyzed values of the crude fibre, metabolizable energy, ME, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) while the crude protein and fat did not differ. The crude fibre content indicated for all the feeds were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the analyzed content while the declared ME, Ca and P were significantly higher than the analyzed values except for the ME in FT3. The feeds (FT1 and FT2) with the determined high crude fibre content had significantly (P<0.05) better HDP, number of eggs laid per hen, feed conversion ratio and cost of feed per dozen egg. The feed intake of the hens fed the FT1 and FT2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the FT3 but did not have any negative effect on the cost of feed per dozen eggs. The egg quality parameters examined showed that the FT3 feed produced significantly (P<0.05) higher weight of eggs, yolk and weight of the albumen while the other quality indices showed no differences. The study clearly showed the feed manufacturer’s strategy of sustaining their businesses with high fibre content, which still ensures that feed users produce reasonable quantity of eggs. It was concluded that while all the three commercial feeds were useful in the absence of other quality layers’ diets, the agencies concerned with feed regulation in Nigeria must ensure strict compliance with quality standards to enhance the farmers’ confidence in commercial layer’s feed and also boost egg production.Keywords: Commercial layers’ feed, Egg production, Egg quality, Feed intake, Laying hens, Proximate analysi

Haematology and serum biochemistry of laying hens fed red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) as feed additive

The hematology and serum biochemistry of ISA brown laying hens fed red pepper (Capsicum annum. L.) as feed additive in their diet was studied. Sixty (60) laying birds (in their 32nd week) were randomly allotted to four different dietary treatments with  graded levels of red pepper (Capsicum annum. L.) as additive. The treatments, T , T T , and T contained red pepper at 0g, 0.5g,  1.0g and 1.5g per kg feed 1 2 3 4 respectively included in a layers mash containing 16.5% crude protein, 5.00% fat, 6.00% crude fibre, 3.50% Ca, 0.4% P and 2500Kcal/Kg. The design of the experiment was the completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment contained 5 replicates and each replicate had three birds. Feed and water were given ad libitum and routine  activities were carried out. At the end of the eight weeks experimental period, blood samples were collected for hematological and serum analysis. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and the erythrocytes indices were not significantly affected by Capsicum annum L. inclusion. Some serum electrolytes examined, such as potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the inclusion of Capsicum annum L.. while chlorine (Cl) was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by the inclusion of the red pepper. Based on the result from this study, it was concluded that laying hens can tolerate the inclusion of Capsicum annum L. as a feed additive in diet up to 1.5g/kg feed with reduction in serum cholesterol and triglycerides.Keywords: haematology, serum, laying hens, red peppe

Influence of feeding different calcium levels in layers diet on the mineral content of the eggs and shells

This study was conducted to determine the influence of feeding calcium levels in layers' diet on the mineral content of the eggs and shells. One hundred and twenty black Harco layers which were 42 weeks old were randomly assigned to four treatment groups designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 in a completely randomized design. Each treatment consisted of three replicates 2 3 4 which had 10 birds each. The set of 10 hens were kept in each demarcation in an open-sided poultry house (deep litter) well-constructed with cages for egg collection. The calcium inclusion levels in the diets were: T1 = 2.5 %, T2 = 3.5 % (control), T2 = 4.5 % and T4 = 5.5%.  Daily routine practices such as feeding, cleaning, and environmental sanitation were carried out to ensure better results. Hygienic condition and routine management practices were also carried out during the experimental period. At the end of 12 weeks of study six eggs were collected per replicate (18 eggs per treatment) for the study of the mineral content of the egg and the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentration of the eggshell. From the result obtained, the egg minerals were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the diets except the phosphorus and sodium (Na) content. Treatment 4 had a significantly higher level of calcium while the lowest was T1. Furthermore, T1 had the highest level of potassium (K) which was significantly different (P<0.05) from others while the lowest was T4 . The calcium content of the egg shell was significantly (P<0.05) different amongst the treatment groups with T1 having the highest level while T4 had the lowest. The phosphorus content of the shell was also 4 significantly (P<0.05) affected across the treatment groups with T1 having the highest level of phosphorus and the lowest in T2. It was therefore concluded that increasing the level of 2 calcium up to 5.5% may favor dietary minerals and the nutrition of man who are the end users of egg since Ca plays a vital role in body metabolism

Egg quality analysis and performance of laying hens fed different levels of calcium

This study was conducted to examine the quality of eggs and the performance of laying hens fed different levels of calcium. The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research Farm, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. One hundred and twenty black Harco birds were used for the study using the completely randomized design. The laying birds were fed with diets consisting of different level of calcium (Ca), which comprised mainly of limestone and bone meal such that treatment 1 (T1 ) had 2.5 % Ca, T2 fi 3.5%, T3 fi 4.5% and T4 fi 5.5% Ca, respectively. All the birds were raised within four treatment groups which had three replicates of 10 birds each. At the termination of the study, the eggs and the feed records were used to compute the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs laid per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg, cost of feed per dozen egg produced and mortality. Six eggs were collected from each replicate to study the eggs external quality (egg weight and width, the weight of the shell, the egg shape index, egg length, shell index and thickness) and internal quality (albumen weight, yolk diameter, yolk height and index, yolk pH and pH of the albumen, albumen height, yolk weight, yolk ratio and yolk albumen ratio). The study revealed that significant (P<0.05) differences existed in the performance parameters such as the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs produced per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg produced and the cost of feed per dozen egg produced. The hens fed the T2 and T3 had the highest HDP, those fed the T3 and T4 had better feed conversion while the feed cost for T3 feed was the best (the least). Significant differences were also 3 observed in some of the external and internal parameters of the eggs, including, the egg weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk index and Haugh unit (HU) while others were not affected. Although the egg from T4 had the highest HU, eggs from all the treatment were 4 within the 'AA' group (HU of more than 72) termed high quality egg. The study showed that farmers can use Ca levels of 3.5 and 4.5% in the diet  the layers and obtain better HDP. However, the diet which had the 4.5% Ca inclusion, gave the best feed conversion and the least cost of the diet per dozen egg produced and was recommended for layers in the humid tropical zone

Effect of various management strategies and garlic granules on haematological status of broilers in the tropics

A total of Ninety (90) day old broiler birds were assigned to five (5) treatments, using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The five treatments were;  Treatment A (No drugs, No vaccines, No garlic; Control), Treatment B (Drugs + Vaccines + Garlic), Treatment C (Drugs + Vaccines), Treatment D (Garlic + Vaccines), Treatment E (Garlic only). The garlic granules were added to the daily ration at the rate of 100g/ kg of feed. Each treatment was replicated thrice (3 times) and comprised of 6 birds per replicate. The trial lasted for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, one bird (1) per replicate was randomly selected for collection of blood samples for the different haematological parameters. The data obtained were analyzed statistically, using the ANOVA while significant differences were separated with the Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result obtained showed that there were significant differences (P< 0.05) in almost all the parameters studied except in red blood cells (RBC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The significant differences were however within the normal range for each parameter as  specified for poultry except in MCV and MCH. It was obvious from this study that the broilers in the control treatment performed better in almost all the parameters studied compared to the other treatments.Key words: Garlic, Haematological status, Broilers and tropics