No abstract

Sixteen Rahaji breed beef cattle (112.00 ± 0.15 kg body weight (BW)) were randomly assigned to one of four rations differing in the degree of substitution of sorghum straw with Cattail ( Typha domingensis ) silage. Growth performance, feed intake, blood profile, and economics of production were evaluated. Completely randomized design was used, and the feeding trial lasted for 42 days. Cattle were fed a total mixed ration of roughage:concentrate (400:600) g/kg dry matter and gamba hay free choice. The control diet (T0) contained 400 g/kg sorghum straw, expressed on a dry matter basis (DM). For additional treatments, Typha silage (TS) was included at 100 (T10), 200 (T20), and 300 (T30) g/kg of the mix replacing an equal DM weight of sorghum straw. Growth rate was similar ( P > 0.05) regardless of the TS level. DM (5160.77–5524.96 g/d) and crude protein (846.36–955.82 g/d) intakes were higher ( P < 0.05) in T20 and T30 diets, while the acid detergent fiber intake (471.27–512.46 g/d) reduced ( P < 0.05) in TS-based diets. Red blood cell concentrations of cattle fed TS-based diets increased ( P < 0.05). The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations of cattle fed T20 diet decreased ( P < 0.05) in comparison with the control. Sodium and albumin concentrations were higher ( P < 0.05) in cattle fed TS-based diets. Total cost of feeding ($ 49.60–61.62) decreased ( P < 0.05) in TS-based diets, while the gross benefit of cattle fed 300 g/kg TS diet ($ 74.98) was enhanced relative to cattle fed T0 and T10 diets. TS can be considered a new resource of feed for cattle.

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of millet and sorghum as alternatives to maize. on performance and egg production parameters of quails. Three hundred (300) day old quails were sourced form National Veterinary Institute Jos. The birds were brooded for two weeks and randomly allotted to three (3) different energy sources i.e. maize, millet and sorghum designated as treatment 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The birds were fed with experimental diets for six months. Results showed daily feed intake (68.35-79.86), daily weight gain (3.41-3.43) and feed conversion ratio (3.33-3.91) were not affected by the different energy sources (P>0.05). Most of the carcass parameters were statistically similar (P>0.05). The hen day egg production (80.21-84.51) and egg production parameters were not affected by the alternative energy sources (P>0.05), similarly hematological parameters showed that packed cell volume (50.20-56.00), red blood cells (4.72-5.21) and hemoglobin (16.98-18.38) were statistically similar (P>0.05). The serum biochemical parameters showed that total protein (36.20-39.80), globulins (11.60-14.44), total protein (36.20-39.80), glucose (12.68-14.82), cholesterol (5.36-6.78), urea (17.80-20.00) and were not affected by the different energy sources (P>0.05). I It can be concluded that millet and sorghum can be alternative energy sources in quail production in semi-arid environment of Gashua Yobe state with reduction in cost of production.

Haematological and serum biochemical parameters are indicators of physiological, nutritional and pathological status of animals. Investigation of these parameters provide information for diagnostic purposes. The study was conducted to determine the influence of feeding graded levels of yam peel meal (YPM) as a replacement for maize on haematology; blood chemistry was evaluated in rabbits. Thirty- six (New Zealand white X Chinchilla) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with nine rabbits per treatment. The rabbits were fed diets containing 0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5% of Yam peel meal (YPM) as a replacement for maize, designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The experimental diets and clean drinking water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period of nine weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were randomly selected for hematological and serum biochemical analysis. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices except AST were affected (P<0.05) by dietary inclusion of YPM. Although most of the parameters investigated were affected by rabbits fed test ingredient, the values fell within the normal literature reference values for rabbits. It can therefore be concluded that up to 37.5% inclusion level of YPM can be fed to growing rabbits without deleterious effects on health status.

The effect of feeding differently processed bambaranut was investigated using two hundred and fifty broilers chicks. Five different processed bambaranut was used to formulate diets with raw, sprouted, salt treated, cooked and roasted bambaranut. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments replicated five times in a completely randomized block design (CRBD). Results showed at the starter phase, daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were statistically similar (P>0.05). At the finisher and overall phases, daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the different processing methods. Most of the carcass characteristics measured were affected (P<0.05) by the different processing methods. The hematological parameters were not affected by the different processing methods. (P>0.05). The total feed cost (N 339.62 gain) was lower in roasted bambaranut and highest in sprouted bambaranut (N416.00). The feed cost gain was highest in cooked bambaranut (N 248.20) and lowest in sprouted bambaranut (N 199.04). The different processing methods enhanced the performance of broiler chickens, however sprouted bambaranut was more efficient in enhancing the performance of broiler chickens. As such it should be recommended for poultry farmers wishing to use bambaranut as a source of protein.