Growth performance, hematology and serum biochemical indices of growing rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Cola rostrata (monkey cola) seed meal

The study investigated the growth performance, hematology and serum biochemical indices of growing rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of Cola rostrata (monkey cola) seed meal (CRSM). Sixty (60) six to seven weeks old cross breed (Chinchilla and New Zealand white) growing rabbits were grouped into six treatments, and each treatment had two replicates containing five 5 rabbits per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Diets containing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent of CRSM were formulated and denoted as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 respectively. T1 and T2 had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake than other treatment groups. The final body weight, total weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the animals on T3 (40% inclusion level of Cola rostrata) were significantly higher than the control and other treatment groups. T3 and T4 had significantly (p<0.05) higher values for PCV, Hemoglobin, red blood cells, total protein, albumin and globulin. T3 also had significantly (p<0.05) lower urea and creatinine levels than other treatments. The ALT, AST and Cholesterol values obtained in this study were statistically (p<0.05) higher for T1 than the groups with CRSM, while serum glucose was statistically (p<0.05) higher for T3 than other treatment groups. In conclusion, for improved feed conversion ratio, enhanced serum protein bio-availability that would culminate in better final body weight and body weight of growing rabbits, diet that contains 40% Cola rostrata a replacement for maize, is recommended

Nutritional evaluation of tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) meal as a replacement for maize in broiler diets

A total of three hundred (300) day old unsexed “Fidan' broiler chicks averagely weighing 100.25±0.44g were used to study the response of broiler birds to diets containing different levels of yellow tigernut meal (TNM) as a replacement for maize. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of three replicates each containing 60 and 20 birds respectively. After 28 days, the birds were again randomized based on weights to commence the finisher phase in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets consisted of 0%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100% of TNM as replacement for maize as diets 1 (control) 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The result showed TNM to be low in protein (5.04%), moderate in fibre (13.01%) and high in ether extract (27.46%). Among the antinutritional factors, alkaloids, phytate and tannin were relatively high; 2.63mg/kg, 1.44mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. Average weight gain (AWG) and final live weight (FLW) were high for birds fed 25 TNM and significantly (p<0.05) higher than the birds on control at the starter phase. However, at the finisher phase, the values were similar except for birds on 100% TNM that showed significant (p<0.05) depression in AWG and FWG. Feed intake was significantly affected by TNM inclusion levels and tended to improve (p<0.05) significantly as the level of TNM increases in the diets at the starter phase. And at the finisher phase, there was no significant (p>0.05) differences in feed intake across the treatment diets. The feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency showed similar trend both in starter and finisher phases of broiler production, except that at the starter phase, there was poor feed utilization as the level of TNM exceeded 25%, while at the finisher phase, depression only set in at 100% TNM. Feed cost (₦/kg) increased as the level of TNM increased in the diets. Among the nutrient utilization only fibre and ether extract were significantly (p<0.05) affected and this occurred only at 100% TNM. The TNM inclusion had no significant effect on the dressing percentage. Of all the carcass parameters measured only gizzard, caeca and abdominal fat showed significant differences, which all tended to increase (p<0.05) significantly as the level of TNM increases in the diets. It was concluded that at starter phase TNM as replacement for maize should not exceed 25% and at finisher phase, it may not exceed 75% for optimal growth performance

Protein quality of raw and autoclaved cowpeas: Comparison between some insect resistant and susceptible varieties

A comparative study was conducted with four improved cowpea (2 pod bug resistant and 2 susceptible) varieties to assess the effect of autoclaving at 105 ~ under 15 psi for 30 min on their protein quality, as measured by the levels of some antinutritional factors and performance of rats fed the different cowpea diets. Also, the relationships between antinutrients in the cowpeas and protein quality indicators were examined. Results showed that autoclaving completely eliminated trypsin inhibitor, hemagglutinin and HCN, whereas it reduced significantly (p 0.05) factors. It was concluded that autoclaving at the above temperature and time improved the protein quality of the insect susceptible more than the insect resistant cowpea varietie