bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EXTERNAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FOUR INDIGENOUS HELMETED GUINEA FOWL VARIETIES (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas 1882) IN NIGERIA
Authors: Ayorinde K. L. 
Published: March 2021

The physical characteristics of 338 indigenous helmeted guinea fowls at 28 and 52 weeks of age were described. Four main colour types or varieties recognised were Ash (Lavender), Black, Pearl (Grey) and pure White. Body weights averaged 1.15 ± 0.03kg and 1.34 ± 0.05kg at 28 and 52 weeks of age respectively for the guinea cocks and 1.07 æ 0.04kg and 1.29 æ 0.06kg at 28 and 52 weeks respectively for the guinea hens. The overall mean body weight for the entire population was 1.1 ± 0.4kg at 28 weeks of age and 1.31 ± 0.07kg at 52 weeks of age. Body weights were significantly (P<.05) bigger at end of laying (52 weeks) than at pointof lay. The males at each age and in each variety also had larger body weights than the females. The guinea cocks had slightly longer body (43.1 vs 42.6cm), keel (14.8 vs 14.4cm), wing (20.3 vs 20.2cm), shank (8.4 vs 7.9cm), drum stick (13.1vs 12.4cm), thigh (9.9 vs 9.6cm), toes and claws, wattle (3.0 vs 2.6cm), jhelmet (3.7 vs 3.2cm), beak (2.7 vs 2.5cm) and larger body girth (30.3 vs 29.4cm) than the guinea hens. About 21.14 and 24.16% of the neck of the males and females respectively were devoid of feathers. Colour of the naked portion of the neck was bluish-black and bear long hair like filoplumes on the dorsalregion. The colour of the beak was light brown in all the birds. All the Black and White birds had light brown shanks while 28.9 and 37.5% of the Ash and Pearl birds, respectively had partly brown and partly grey shank. 62.5 and 28.6% of the Pearl and Ash birds respectively, had brown shanks while 42.6% of the Ash birds had grey shank. The colour of the wattle was red in all the birds. The great variation in the various parameters measured and weighed suggests that they can probably be used in selection and hence genetic improvement of the local helmeted guinea fowl.
EFFECTS OF QUANTITATIVE FEED RESTRICTION ON BROILER GROWTH AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION
Authors: Nwachukwu E. N. , Ibe S. N. 
Published: March 2021

The effects of quantitative feed restriction on broiler growth and monetary returns were investigated using two hundred and forty Cobb broiler chicks. Three levels of restriction namely, 5 10 and 15% of ad libitum intake, were randomly imposed on different groups. Birds that were restricted in the starter phase of growth were later full-fed in the finisher phase, and vice versa. Body weight was depressed by all levels of feed restriction considered. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was however not significantly affected. Although quantitative feed restriction significantly reduced feed cost the highest revenue was realized from control birds. All economic parameters considered did not show feed restriction as having advantage over full feeding.
SHORT-TERM EGG PRODUCTION AND PHYSICAL EGG CHARACTERISTICS IN A FLOCK OF HYBRID HUBBARD LAYERS
Authors: ASUQUO B. O. , OFOBRUKETA O. 
Published: March 2021

Short-term egg production and characteristics were studied using a total of 200 Hubbard hybrid layers under the battery cage system for four months. Birds were fed on battery layer mash (4080 kcal/kg M.E., 15.31% crude protien). Age at first egg (AFE) was 146 days. The highesthen-day egg production was 60.84% obtained at the 4th week in lay. Average hen-day and hen- housed production percentages for the study period stood at 50.08 and 48.05 respectively. Average egg weight was 53.24g ± 3.07 (Standard) with mean egg-shell thickness of 0.48mm ± 0.02. Average daily feed intake was 153.05g ± 1.82 per bird giving an average feed consumption of 3.7kg per dozen eggs. Mean albumen, yolk and shell weights were 33.81g, 13.52g and 6.06g respectively.
THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SELECTED EGG QUALITY TRAITS AND EGG SIZE
Authors: Iposu S. O. , Onwuka C. F. I. , Eruvbetine D. 
Published: March 2021

The relationships between selected egg quality traits and sizes of eggs were studied in a part of the South Western Nigeria with a view to egg marketers and to investigating the variation in egg quality egg size changes. 320 market eggs and 40 freshly-laid eggs collected from a poultry farm were used for the study in which egg weight, specific gravity, haugh units, percent yolk, percent albumen, shell thickness and percent shell measurements were obtained. Quality traits for small and large-sized eggs were observed as: Egg Weight (53.34 vs 67.07 g), shell thickness (0.375 mm Vs 0.377mm), Percent shell (9.60 Vs 8.94), specific gravity (1.073 1.069), haugh unit (67.65 Vs 61.38), Percent albumen (62.28 Vs 64.35) and percent yolk (28.13 Vs 26.71), respectively. Egg size was observed to correlate positively with percent albumen (P<0.05) and shell thickness. It, however, correlated negatively with all other quality traits measured. Regression models between eggsize and the various quality traits were also established. It was concluded that small-sized eggs could be of better quality in terms of the traits measured.
COMPOSITION AND QUALITY OF FRESH COW MILK OFFERED FOR SALE IN PARTS OF PLATEAU STATE OF NIGERIA.
Authors: IBEAWUCHI J. A. , DALYOP D. M. 
Published: March 2021

The gross composition and quality of fresh cow milk purchased from Fulani milk vendors in three locations of Plateau State were investigated. Milk quality was assessed by the methylene blue reduction test while bacterial contamination was by the agar plate count and the direct microscopic count. The mean contents of total solids, butterfat, protein and ash of a total of 100 samples from Barkin Ladi, Jos and Bukuru markets were 12.45, 4.77, 3.90, 0.92; 12.85, 4.50, 3.68, 0.93; and 12.41, 5.26, 3.72, 0.91% respectively. The proximate constituents did not differ significantly between locations. The methylene blue test indicated that only 23.5% of the sample were of good quality while 41.2 and 35.3% were rated fair and poor respectively. No sample merited excellent rating. The agar plate count showed a range of 1.97 x 106 for Bukuru to 2.54 x 106 cells/ml for Jos market. The direct microscopic count showed the highest mean bacteria value for Barkin Ladi samples. The high bacterial counts as observed were probably indicative of poor milking hygiene and handling. It is suggested that such milk should be properly pasteurized before consumption and delivered/marketed early at source to reduce the time for microbial multiplication.
EFFECT OF DIETARY LEVELS OF UNPROCESSED AND UNDEHULLED SUNFLOWER SEEDMEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS.
Authors: OKONKWO A. C. , OKETOLA F. A. 
Published: March 2021

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of unprocessed and undehulled sunflower seed meal, on the performance of laying hens. One hundred and fifty Black Harco layers in their second month of egg production were randomly alloted to five diets in which sunflower seed meal (SSM) was tested at levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% of the diets for a ten week period. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg weights, egg shell thickness, yolk index and Haugh units did not show any significant (P>0.05) treatment effects. SSM significantly (P<0.05) increased per cent egg production at 7.5 and 10.0% levels over control. Body weight was significantly (P<0.05) depressed by 5.0 and 10.0% SSM, Dressed carcass weight (% liveweight) of birds on 7.5% SSM was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of birds on the rest of the diets. Hens on 7.5 and 10% SSM had intestines which were significantly (P<0.05) longer than the intestines of hens on the other diets, Caecum length of birds on 10% SSM was significantly laying hens. (P<0.05) higher than those of birds on diets 1 to 4; these beans however showed no significant treatment effect on their caeca length. Liver, gizzard and net carcass weights were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by SSM. The effect of SSM on egg production would seem to recommend 7.5% as the optimum level inclusion.
THE EFFECTS OF BROILER LITTER AS PROTEIN SOURCE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BUNAJI (WHITE FULANI) BULL CALVES
Authors: BELEWU M. A. , ADENEYE J. A. 
Published: March 2021

Effect on Voluntary feed intake and Intensive livestock production in recent digestibility when growing cattle consuming forage were supplemented with autoclaved broiler litter (ABL) was investigated. Four, 8-11 months old Bunaji bull calves (82.20kg mean initial BW) in a 4x4 Latin squuare with 21-d periods consuming Panicum Maximum hay ad libitum were randomly alloted to treatments. Concentrate supplement treatments with A (Control, 20 ABL), B (20%), C (40%) and (60%)ABL levels respectively. Calves consumed an average of 1882.25g DM, 165, CP from the sole hay ration. As ABL inclusion increased in the concentrated diets, mean intake crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (CF), and detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and cellulose increased EE decreased significantly (P<0.01). quality, depending largely on type of bedding The digestibilities of the DM, CP, CF, ADF, NDF and cellulose of ration A that contained the highest CW (98%) and the least CP (5.14%) where energy content is low (FAO, 1980). Reduction significantly lower (P < 0.01) than those of ABL of chergy content resulting from the based rations B to D. gain was greatest (P<0.05) for rations D. Gain:DM intake was greater with ABL than without (0.07, 0.40.0.16 and 0.17 for control A, B, C, and D diets The MFN: FN ratio declined as dietary nitrogen level increased. The results. emphasised the need to supplement the feeding The digestible energy concentration of the of Bunaji cattle with a concentrate diet that Insight simply consist of a combination of roughage (Fontenot and Jurubescu, cassava wastes meal (CWM) and autoclaved broiler litter (ABL), the best of which was shown in this study to be 60% ABL and 38% CWM offered ad Libitum.
ASSESSMENT OF ABATTOIR AND SLAUGHTER SLAB OPERATIONS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: ABIOLA S. S. 
Published: March 2021

A study of daily activities at 15 registered slaughter points in Oyo State was conducted for six months. A total of 43,087 animals were slaughtered during the period. Cattle accounted. for 62.06%, sheep 4.50%, goats 28.13% and pigs 5.31% of the total. Make species were slaughtered in most cases. Ante-mortem inspection was restricted to the two abattoirs in the state while stunning of pigs was only observed in one of the abattoirs. Processing blood and bones for livestock feeds was common the operations to all the slaughter points in Ibadan. However, inadequate water supply and poor drainage were the major problems identified in most of the slaughter points.
STRAIN DIFFERENCES IN THE GENETIC PARAMETER ESTIMATES FOR GROWTH TRAITS IN MEAT-TYPE CHICKEN
Authors: IKEOBI C. O. N. , PETERS S. O. 
Published: March 2021

Data on live performance traits obtained from experiments involving two strains of meat-type chicken were analysed and used to estimate heritabilities of the traits and the -inter-character correlations. There were strain differences (P<0.05) for body weight of birds to 56 days of age, average daily gain, and daily feed intake per bird. Strain differences were not significant (P>0.05) for feed conversion ratio. Genetic correlations obtained between pairs of characters were generally high (P<0.01). Coefficients of phenotypic correlation were slightly lower relative to those of the genetic correlation. Environmental correlation coefficients were moderate to high (0.36 to 0.99) and also significant (P<0.01) within strains. Correlation of feed conversion rate with other characters wert negative for the two strains, Heritability estimates for the growth traits wa very high, and no appreciable differences were observed between the strains.
CHANGES IN BLOOD PARAMETERS IN BREEDER TOMS FOLLOWING SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION WITH CADMIUM
Authors: MONSI A. , BAKST M. A. , CECIL M. C. 
Published: March 2021

Alterations in blood biochemical values of Yearling breeder toms following parenteral administration of cadmium (Cd) were well evaluated. Each treated member of a pair of (total 24 pairs) 0f toms received a single dose of 4.5mg of Cd per kg. body weight (0.04-mole). The birds were sacrificed at 0,6,24 and 192 hours : post-treatment. Highly significant (P<0.0001).increase in serum Cd concentration was observed in the Cd-injected toms, Reduction in the blood have been used to produce useful serum Cd (P<0.05) at the successive post-necropsy periods indicated systematic clearance of the metal from the fluid. Nearly 50 percent eliminated by 24 h post-treatment. Serum changes glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) was due to the similarly increased (P<0.05) in the Cd-treated birds and was presumed to have originated mainly from damaged skeletal muscle tissues. The cadmium treatment did not affect (P>0.05) serum testosterone level, total protein, total haemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, packed cell volume or serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. It was concluded from these observations that the Cd treatment did not seem to have interfered seriously with renal or hepatic functions, iron, copper and zinc metabolism or caused significant damage to myocardial issue.
SOME QUALITY PARAMETERS OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC CHICKEN EGGS UNDER DIFFERENT STORAGE CONDITIONS
Authors: MBAP S. T. , BUTSWAT J. S. , AFEGBUA A. M. 
Published: March 2021

A study was conducted to investigate different storage conditions viz: refrigeration, oiling, washing eggs and storing in black polythene of eggs and a control which comprised eggs not treated and stored in transparent polythene bags for 20 days on local and exotic chicken eggs conditions, to determine the best storage conditions. Eggs stored in the refrigerator maintained desirable Internal quality followed by eggs intensely oiled, and Eggs stored in polythene bags. Eggs kept as control had the least desirable internal quality.For short eggs storage up to 10 days,refrigeration, oiling, washing of egg storing black polythene bags could be used while refrigeration is not necessary for egg storage beyond 10 days. Where refrigeration is not possible, oiling seems to be the best alternative for storage.
The Grain Replacement Value of Processed Cassava in Broiler Finisher Rations
Authors: Obioha F. C. 
Published: March 2021

EIGHT hundred Starbrow day-old broiler chicks were raised on deep litter on a commercial broiler starter ration. At the end of seven weeks the chicks were randomly and equally alloted to five experimental broiler finisher rations in which maize and gari constituted the main carbohydrate source in the proportions 58:0, 39:16, 29:24.5, 19:33 and 0.49% of ration, respectively. The protein source, groundnut cake, was varied accordingly such that the five rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. All other ingredients were mixed in the same amounts for all five rations which were balanced for essential nutrients. All chicks received ad libitum intake of feed and water from the eight week to the thirteenth week when the experiment was concluded. Feed consumption, growth rate, feed efficiency, dressed carcass percentage, liver Weight and abdominal fat percentage were used as parameters to evaluate the relative efficacy of the five ration treatments.
Birds on gari rations consumed 3.2% less feed on the average, than those on the Control maize ration, for nearly identical gains. Feed/gain ratio was, therefore, slightly lower for the gari treatments, the lowest value coming from the ration in which maize/gari ratio was 29%:24.5%. Average body weights, rate of gain and feed gain ratio were not significantly different. Variations in carcass and organoleptic measurements indicated no significant differences from dressed carcass percentage, liver weight percentage, tenderness, juiciness, colour or general acceptability. However, abdominal fat percentage was significantly [P<0.001] larger in the gari rations than the control maize ration. This value was highest in the ration that contained only gari as the major carbohydrate source. There was no significant difference in the iodine number of the abdominal fat of the five treatments.
The results of this study suggest that gari can replace all the maize in broiler finisher rations or constitute up to 49% of the whole ration, without any decrease in growth rate or carcass quality of broilers, provided such a ration is balanced for protein and amino acids. The best substitution level from this study appears to be at 50%, or 29% of the whole ration.
The Reproductive Performance of the Nigerian Dwarf Sheep
Authors: Orji B. I. , Steinbach J. , Olaloku E. A. , Adeleye I. O. A. 
Published: March 2021

THREE of the most important parameters of reproduction in sheep, the age at first lambing, the lambing interval and the number of lambs born per ewe at each lambing, were analysed from the herdbook of the breeding flock of the University of Ibadan for the period - 1968 to 1974. The means were as follows:
1. age at first lambing: 424.9 (310-363 days)
2. lambing interval: 234.4 (151-571 days)
3. number of lambs at birth 1.4 (1-3)
Of the 603 lambings recorded, 38 percent resulted in twins and 4 percent in triplets. The percentage of multiple births increased with the number of lambings an ewe had completed. The wide ranges in performance indicate that there is scope for improvement of the reproductive potential of this breed of sheep through improved management and or through selection.
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF HAY FROM FOUR GRASS SPECIES CUT AT THREE STAGES OF GROWTH AT IBADAN
Authors: Olubajo F. O. 
Published: March 2021

Four grass species namely: Cynodon nlemfuensis var robustus (M); Pennisetum purpureum Schum (N); Cynodon nlemfuensis var nlemfuensis (P); and Panicum maximum Jacq. (Q), each between the 4th and 5th, 6th and 7th, and 8th and 9th week of regrowth, was cut in the fourth and fifth years of grazing for hay (i. e. in 1972 and 1973). Digestion trials with West African dwarf sheep showed that there were significant differences in the extent to which the dry matter of the different grass species was digested (P 0.001) and among the stages of growth (P 0.01). The differences between animals within and between treatments and the interactions between treatments and periods of cutting were statistically not significant. The differences among treatment means indicated that treatment Q (68.5 ± 2.73%) was digested better than treatment M (54.9 ± 7.18%, P 0.001), and treatments N and P (60.3 ± 5.37% and 58.7 ± 5.30% P 0.01) respectively. The digestibility of crude protein was generally low in each of the grass specie studied. This is probably a reflection of the low crude protein content of the grass hays which was below 9 percent of dry matter. It ranged from approximately 27.3 percent in treatment N for the 6th week regrowth hay to 51.9 percent in treatment Q for the hay harvested in the 8th week of regrowth. The differences among treatments, stage of maturity, and the interactions between treatments and stage of cutting were not statistically significant. Significant differences between treatments were observed in the digestion of the energy content of the feeds (P 0.001). Treatments N and Q were better digested than M and P (P 0.05). Expressed on metabolic size basis, the intakes of dry matter, crude protein, and energy showed significant differences between treatments and between ages at harvest. The intakes of dry matter in treatments Q, M, and P were significantly higher (P 0.05) than treatment N while there was more dry matter taken from the 4th and 8th week hays than from the hays made from the species harvested in the 6th week of regrowth (P 0.01). More crude protein was consumed per kg0.75 in treatments M, P and Q than in treatment N (P 0.01), and in treatment M than Q (P 0.05). There were higher protein intakes from hays made in the 4th and 8th than those made in 6th week of regrowth (P 0.05). Treatment Q supplied more energy per kgl. 75 than treatments M, P and N (P 0.05), while more energy was consumed per kilogramme of metabolic size in treatment P than in treatment N (P 0.05).
Nutritive Value of Hay. The intake of digestible crude protein was relatively low and this probably accounted for the losses in the liveweight of the experimental animals. The results of the experiment are suggestive of the need for supplementary protein feed during the dry season if animals are to make any liveweight gains.
THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING DIETS CONTAINING FURAZOLIDONE* ON EXPERIMENTAL SALMONELLA GALLINARUM INFECTION IN CHICKENS
Authors: Ojo M. O. , Adetosoye A. I. 
Published: March 2021

Twenty eight week-old chickens infected orally with 16.5x109 viable Salmonella gallinarum organisms in 3ml. brain heart infusion broth were shown to be protected against infection by -feeding them on diets containing either 0.0055 percent or 0.011 percent furazolidone. The higher concentration was more effective as judged by the clinical symptoms, mortality, egg production, post mortem lesions and the isolation of the infecting organism from the visceral organs of the dead chickens. About 600 isolates of E. coli from the.chickens both before and during the course of infection·were sensitive to furazolidone disc (100mcg). The infecting organism and about 300 isolates of the organism tested during the course of infection were also sensitive furazolidone. No ''carriers" were detected in :chickens fed on diet containing 0.011 percent furazolidone.It is therefore recommended that furazolidone can be used effectively as feed additive for poultry.
STUDIES ON MANGE MITE INFECTIONS OF SHEEP AND GOATS IN THE SOUTH WESTERN REGION OF NIGERIA
Authors: AKINBOADE O. A. 
Published: March 2021

A 2-YEAR study was carried out on mange mite Infection on sheep and goats in 8 randomly selected towns in South Western Region of Nigeria between January 1977 and December 1978.
Şimilar survey was undertaken into certain selected villages as well as the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research Farm between this period.
Majority of the goats examined were infected with Sarcoptes mange while sheep were infected mainly by Chorioptes. A few of both the goat and sheep were infected by both Psoroptes and Chorloptes. All the animals examined and found affected were treated.
So far there has been no record of this study in Nigeria.
GRAIN REPLACEMENT VALUE OF CASSAVA AND SWEET POTATOES IN RATIONS FOR GROWING LAMBS.
Authors: TEWE O. O , AKINSOYINŲ A. O. , OGISI E. M. 
Published: March 2021

27 LAMBS made up of 24 West African Dwarf (WAD)X Yankasa crosses aged 6 to 7 months old of 11 to 14kg weight and 3 WAD wether sheep, about 3 years old and weighing 34 to 39kg were used in this experiment designed to evaluate the maize replacement value of sweet potato and cassava tubers in sheep diet through energy and protein utilization. Each of the wether sheep carried permanent rumen cannula. The results showed that the maize, sweet potato and cassava based concentrates fed as supplement to grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) improved the digestibilities of crude fibre, crude protein, organic matter, NFE and N-balance. The treatment effect was significant (P<0.05) with the highest coefficients and N-retention values recorded for Animals fed sweet potato based concentrate. The ruminal VFA's production, ammonia and blood urea levels followed the same trend for all the three energy sources but the treatment effect was not significant. All the parameters so obtained on energy and protein utilization, however, indicated that the dried milled sweet potato and cassava tubers can successfully replace maize grains in sheep diet.