The research was carried out to compare the fertility and hatchability traits of naked neck, frizzle and smooth feathered phenotypes of village chickens. The study was carried out at Modibbo Adama University, poultry farm, Yola and it lasted for a period of eight months. Three phenotypes of Sixteen (16) hens and Two (2) cockerels each (48 breeder hens and 6 cocks) were selected and assigned randomly for the study. A total of three hundreds and twenty four fertile eggs were generated for incubation. All the hatchability parameters were significantly different except, hatchability on fertile egg and dead in shell. Hatching egg weight had significant (P<0.01) effect on all the phenotypes. Fertility, hatchability on set eggs, dead embryo, normal and abnormal chicks and average chick weight had significant (P<0.05) effect on all three the phenotypes. There were some correlations among different hatchability traits depending on the phenotype. The correlations were more profound among naked neck. Frizzle and Naked neck and its crosses were superior in most of the hatchability parameters studied. Smooth and its crosses were superior in terms of fertility, percent normal chicks, and average chick weight. It could therefore be concluded that crossing between Smooth and Frizzle feathered chicken produced better fertility and hatchability traits required. I, recommend Smooth Frizzle chickens to be considered and integrated for hatching and rearing programmes.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae among carcasses of pigs slaughtered in Ibi using thorough and systematic pork inspection. A total of 4380 pig carcasses were inspected with 274 positives given an overall prevalence of 6.25%. Carcasses from females and males represented 3.72% (163/4380) and 2.54% (111/4380) of the overall prevalence respectively. This was statistically significant (P<0.05). The yearly infection rates observed were 1.35% (59/4380), 1.87% (82/4380) and 3.04% (133/4380) for 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. This was also statistically significant (P<0.05). Infection rates in relation to management practices were 1.51% (66/4380), 2.63% (115/4380) and 2.12% (93/4380) for intensive, semiintensive and extensive practices respectively. This was statically significant (P<0.05). Indigenous and exotic breeds recorded infection rates of 5.32% (233/4380) and 0.94% (41/4380) respectively which was statistically significant (P<0.05). Monthly distribution of porcine cysticercosis was higher in September with an infection rate of 0.84% (37/4380). This was followed by 0.82% (36/4380) in July with the lowest infection rate of 0.21% (9/4380) in April. This was statistically significant (P<0.05). This study revealed the presence of Cysticercus cellulosae in pigs slaughtered for human consumption in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria posing public health risk in the study area.

This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of Cysticercus bovis in cattle slaughtered at the Ibi slaughter house between January 2010 and December, 2012 using systematic veterinary inspection of carcasses. A total of 6007 carcasses were examined during the period of study with an overall prevalence of 4.8% (288/6007). Carcasses from male and female cattle represented 1.5% (89/6007) and 3.3% (199/6007) of the overall prevalence. There was a highly significant statistical difference between the male and female prevalence of bovine cysticercosis observed (P= 0.0001). The years 2010, 2011 and 2012 recorded prevalence rates of 1.5% (87/6007), 1.6% (98/6007) and 1.8% (105/6007) respectively which was highly statistically significant (P<0.00001). Cattle between the age groups 1-3, >3-6 and >6 recorded prevalence rates of 0.53% (32/6007), 1.82% (109/6007) and 2.45% (147/6007) respectively. Prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in relation to management practices were 3.85% (231/6007) and 0.95% (57/6007) for nomadic and sedentary practices respectively. This difference was statistically insignificant (P >0.05). The monthly distribution of Cysticercus bovis among carcasses was highest 0.62% (37/6007) in July, followed by 0.6% (36/6007) in September and the lowest prevalence of 0.21% (13/6007) was observed in January. This was highly statistically significant (P<0.00001). The result of this study have shown the existence of Cysticercus bovis in beef carcasses processed at the Ibi slaughter house which is a possible public health risk in the study area.