African Journal of Livestock Extension

Haematological and serum biochemical response of broiler chicks fed diets containing ginger (Zingiber officinale) from different processing methods

2016-10-03T17:15:57+00:00

An experiment was conducted with 300 one day old (arbor acre) broilers to assess their haematological and serum biochemical response when fed ad-libitum varying levels of dietary ginger from different processing methods. Ten dietary treatments were formulated such that diet 1 was the basal diet (BD) without ginger, diets 2, 3 and 4 were BD+ sundried ginger at 1, 1.5, 2% inclusion levels respectively, diets 5, 6 and 7 were BD+ air-dried ginger at 1, 1.5 and 2% inclusion levels respectively, diets 8, 9 and 10 were BD+ oven-dried ginger at 1, 1.5 and 2% inclusion level respectively. On day 52 of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the wing vein of the birds for haematological and serum biochemical evaluation. Dietary treatments had no significant differences on haematological parameters, except for the packed cell volume (PCV) and monocytes which were significantly P<0.05 influenced by the dietary treatment. Broilers fed with diet containing sun-dried ginger at 1.5% inclusion level had the highest PCV value and monocyte value. The serum biochemical indices were not significantly P>0.05 affected by the dietary treatments. However, the total cholesterol was reduced across the diets that contained ginger when compared with the control.

Keywords: Haematological, Ginger, Processing methods and Serum biochemical

Control strategies for foot and mouth disease with particular reference to Nigeria

2016-10-03T17:15:58+00:00

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a very contagious disease of mammals with a great potential for causing severe economic losses in susceptible cloven-hoofed animals. It is a trans-boundary animal disease, with seven serotypes and all the serotypes produce a disease that is clinically indistinguishable but immunologically distinct and there is no cross-immunity among serotypes. As FMD serotypes O, A and SAT 2 are circulating in Nigeria, the control strategies for this disease in various countries are discussed in this paper and recommendations are made for the Nigerian situation. These recommendations include: vaccination of all susceptible animals using killed trivalent vaccines, enhanced disease surveillance programmes, establishment of effective control posts in all routes of animal entry into the country, regional cooperation on animal diseases amongst the African countries; government investment in a number of diagnostic equipment at zonal levels for transboundary animal diseases to enhance prompt confirmation of suspected diseases; establishment of local cattle multiplication centres in various states of the country to discourage regular importation and movements. Finally, improved animal management practices should be practised in consideration for biosecurity while the trans-humance nomadism and other extensive system of animal management practices should be discouraged.

Keywords: Foot and Mouth Disease, Cattle, Control, Nigeria

Performance and egg quality traits of egg-type chickens fed cottonseed cake based diets

2016-10-03T17:15:59+00:00

The study evaluated the performance of egg type chickens fed diets where Cottonseed cake (CSC) replaced Soybean cake (SBC) in five experimental rations such that 0% (control), 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of CSC replaced SBC. The design of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD). Chemical analysis was carried out to determine the crude protein (CP) and gossypol contents of CSC. Seventy-five 23 week - old egg type chicken were fed with experimental layer diets for 12 weeks. Parameters evaluated include hen-day production (HDP), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg weight (EW) and haugh units (HU). All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The determined CP of CSC was 35.11% and its gossypol content was 570g/ton. FCR ranged from 1.6 to 4.9, HDP from 47% to 68%, EW from 47.5 to 62.8 g, and HU from 3.1 to 6.7. Chickens on 60% CSC replacement for SBC had higher values for the parameters measured which were not significantly different from the control. CSC can replace up to 60% SBC without adverse effects on performance and egg quality characteristics of egg type birds.

Key words: Cottonseed cake, Egg quality, Egg type Chicken, Performance

Farm and clinical records, pig handlers’ knowledge and management of scours in Ejisu-Juaben municipality, Ashanti Region, Ghana

2016-10-03T17:16:01+00:00

This study investigated the farm/clinical records of scours occurrence and the pig handlers knowledge and management of scours in twenty swine production units in Ejisu-Juaben Municipal area, Ashanti Region of Ghana in order to recommend strategic measures for the control. Information on the occurrence was obtained from farm visit records and by the administration of questionnaire to the farmers/ workers directly engaged in swine production and delivery of veterinary service. Descriptive statistics were employed. The study results revealed a lack of proper feed and feeding practices, inappropriate environmental security and hygienic conditions in majority of the swine production farms. The study also showed that majority of the handlers did not have adequate knowledge on scours. Of the farmers/workers involved in the study, only 45% attributed the source of their knowledge to veterinarians, whilst 55% claimed to have acquired their knowledge from personal experience or interaction with other farmers. Out of the 20 farms involved in the study, only 7 (35%) farms regularly reported cases of scours to the Municipal Veterinary Clinic for appropriate handling. Since identification of cases of scours is dependent on the knowledge, skills and experience of the farmer or pig-farm worker, it is highly recommended that regular extension education programmes on prophylaxis, control and prevention of scours as well as other forms of assistance be made available to farmers and farm workers.

Keywords: Farm/clinical records, Pig handlers, Scours, Management, Ghana

Growth performance and some haematological changes associated with yam peel meal inclusions in finishing diet of broiler chickens in Ghana

2016-10-03T17:16:03+00:00

One hundred and sixty eight (168) 4-week old broiler chicks were used in a 28-day feeding trial to evaluate growth performance and some haematological changes associated with yam peel meal inclusions in finisher diet of broiler chicks in Ghana. The birds were separated into four treatment groups (each group consisting of three replicates) which were respectively fed diets containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% YPM, manufactured exclusively from local products. Feeding and water supply were ad libitum. Routine vaccination and medication procedures were strictly observed. Hematological parameters including RBC, WBC, PCV, Hgb, MCH, together with absolute count of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were determined by routine methods. Data collected on performance and carcass parameters included initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, dressed weight, gizzard weight (full and empty), intestine weight (full and empty), heart weight, liver weight. Results showed that birds fed 0% YPM made significantly (P<0.05) superior weight gain as compared to birds on the other diets containing varying proportions of YPM. Whilst differences in final weights between the groups were not significant, the highest weights were attained by birds fed 0% YPM (2.29kg), followed by those fed 10% YPM (2.27kg), 5% YPM (2.25kg) and 15% YPM (2.15kg) in that order. There was no significant haematological derangement in all levels of YPM used. Results of total body weight and weight gain were all in favour of the control group (i.e. birds fed 0% YPM) as compared to the other treatments. Therefore, it can be effectively concluded that the inclusion of YPM diets resulted in “relatively” acceptable performance and it does not cause any significant haematological derangement. Thus, in case of scarcity, unavailability or extremely expensive cost of maize, YPM inclusion could be recommended for feeding of broiler chickens in Ghana.

Keywords: Yam Peel Meal (YPM), haematological values, growth performance, finishers, Ghana

Utilization of graded levels of corn cobs and cowpea husk on growth performance of west African dwarf ewes

2016-10-03T17:16:04+00:00

Corncob (CC) and cowpea husk (CH) are by – products of maize and cowpea production respectively. They can be used as alternative feed resources for ruminants especially during the dry season. A 70d study was conducted to determine the effects of CC and CH based diets on performance of WAD rams. Sixteen ewes were allotted to four feeding regimes: A (100% CC), B (66.7% CC + 33.3%CH), C (33.3% CC + 66.7% CH) and D (100% CH). The sheep were randomly allotted to four diets with four animals per treatment. Digestibility was conducted using metabolic cages which allowed for separate collection of faeces and urine. Samples were analyzed for crude protein and fibre fractions: {acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL)} using standard procedures. Dry matter intake (DMI), live weight changes (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrient digestibility were the parameters assessed. DMI ranged from 22.04 kg to 41.07 kg with significant (P < 0.05) differences and LWG ranged from 4.14 gd^-1 to 41.71 gd^-1 across the diets. Also, FCR ranged from 14.06 in diet C to 45.68 in diet A with significant (P < 0.05) differences across the diets. CP digestibility was highest in diet D (88.01%) and lowest in diet A (72.06%) while ADF, NDF and ADL were highest in diet C and lowest in diet B. However, nutrients digestibility increased with increasing level of cowpea husk in the diets. The result show that highest weight gain and efficient utilization was achieved at 66.7% CH and 33.3% CC inclusion levels.

Key words: WAD ewes, Growth, Digestibility, Cowpea Husk, Corncob

Effects of different feed form (dry and wet) supplemented with probotics (Lactobacillus spp) on the faecal microbial load and heamatological parameters of weaned pigs

2016-10-03T17:16:06+00:00

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different forms of feed presentation (dry and wet) supplemented with Probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus on blood characteristics, microbial load and respiratory rate of growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbreed (Large white x Landrace) pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 19 ± 2.1kgwere allotted to four dietary treatments (two pigs per replicate with three replicates per treatment) in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for seven (7) weeks. Treatment 1: Positive control (Dry feed without Probiotics), Treatment 2: Negative control (Wet feed without Probiotics), Treatment 3: (Dry feed + Probiotics), Treatment 4: (Wet feed + Probiotics).The probiotics (liquid form) was incorporated into the diets at the rates of 150ml/100kgaccording to manufacturer’s specification. The basal feed was formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of the animal. The pigs were moved to metabolic cages at the 6th week for faecal collection and evaluation. Blood was collected for both serum and haematological examination, while the respiratory rate, body and rectal temperature were obtained weekly. The total microbial count values show that there was a significant relationship between pigs fed Treatment 1 (179.50cfu) and Treatment 2 (122.00cfu). The faecal microbial count were higher for pigs in these two treatments compared to what was observed for their counterparts in Treatment 3 (34.50 cfu) and 4 (32.00cfu). The result further revealed that significant (p<0.05) differences were not observed in the heamatological profile of pigs fed the different feed despite the addition of lactobacillus probiotics. The PCV value ranges from 28.67% (T2) to (32.67%), while the haemoglobin values ranges from 9.33g/100ml in pigs fed T3 diets to 10.50g/100ml in pigs fed T4 diet. The respiratory rate and rectal temperature were however not affected even with the addition of probiotics. Conclusively, addition of lactobacillus probiotics modulate the microbial balance in pigs irrespective of the forms (dry or wet) in which the feed was provided but respiratory rate, heamatological and serum characteristics were not affected

Keywords: Heamatology, faecal microbes, pigs, Lactobacillus

Occurence of Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia galli in village weaver birds (Ploceus cucullatus) in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

2016-10-03T17:16:07+00:00

Over the years, the study of parasites in avian species has merged the broad disciplines of parasitology, helminthology, entomology and arachnology with the fields of population biology, evolutionary biology, pathology and ecology. The increased interest in wildlife biodiversity and their role as an important interface in the spread of zoonoses and emerging diseases has further increased the attention. In wild birds however, parasitism while being a common feature could either result in subclinical (with potential as transport or reservoir host), clinical (in birds serving as definitive host) or asymptomatic manifestation. This study is therefore aimed at seeking the occurrence of parasites in village weaver birds (Ploceus cucullatus) found in Ibadan metropolis, south-western Nigeria. Thirty village weaver birds captured in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria were euthanized and the entire alimentary tracts were collected post-mortem. The intestinal contents were then subjected to coprological analysis. On microscopic examination, the morphological appearances of the ova observed were consistent with those of Heterakis gallinarum and Ascaridia galli. The 16.67% prevalence of the nematode ova observed in this study is a reportable finding due to the significant health risk it poses to other wild and domestic birds. Thus weaver birds could serve as an important source of these gastrointestinal helminth spread to livestock along with the transmission of Histomonas meleagridis associated with the Heterakis gallinarum to susceptible birds.

Keywords: Village weaver birds, nematodes, Ibadan, Heterakis gallinarum, Ascaridia galli

Incidence of anaplasmosis in sheep slaughtered in Sokoto Abattoir, northwestern Nigeria

2016-10-03T17:16:09+00:00

Ovine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease associated with huge economic losses and is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of Anaplasma infection in sheep slaughtered at Sokoto Metropolitan abattoir, Sokoto. A total of 142 randomly selected sheep were sampled by collection of 10 ml of blood from each sheep, processed, stained with Giemsa and microscopically examined for Anaplasma organism. 26 sheep were infected with a prevalence rate of 18.3% and the occurrence were more in female (20.5%) than in the male (14.8%). Varying prevalence rates were observed across the age groups with highest infection (50.0%) in the age group of 2½-3 years and no infection was of observed in sheep older than 3½years of age. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of Anaplasma infected sheep (24.8±8.77) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of non-infected sheep (32.7±5.01). Significant association was also observed between Anaplasma infection and presence of anaemia in sheep. In conclusion, this study showed high incidence of Anaplasma infection in slaughtered sheep at Sokoto Metropolitan Abattoir, hence strategic measures should be taken to control the vectors involve in their transmission so as to improve the production potentials of these animals and the economic well being of the owners.

Keywords: Anaplasma, Incidence, Sheep, Sokoto abattoir