This study was conducted to assess the effect of Curcuma longa on growth performance, haematological and biochemical parameters of noiler birds. A total of sixty-four (64) noiler birds of both sexes with an average weight of 1974±0.03 g were randomized into four treatment groups. Each treatment group comprised of eight birds per replicate and was replicated twice. Treatment 1 (control), treatment 2 (turmeric at 10 g/kg of feed), treatment 3 (turmeric at 20 g/kg of feed) and treatment 4 (selcon forte at 0.5 g/kg of feed). Weekly body weight and daily feed intake of the birds were recorded for 6 weeks, after which daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio were calculated. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemical parameters, whole blood was analyzed for hematological parameters while serum was used for biochemical parameters. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the daily weight gain and the feed intake of the birds in all the treatments. The packed cell volume (PCV) of birds administered 10 g of turmeric per kg of feed (T2) (35.00±1.88%) was significantly higher when compared with birds in treatments T1 (31.09±2.3%), T3 (33.17±0.79%) and T4 (31.33±2.23%). The hemoglobin value of T2 birds (11.48±0.67 g/dl) was also significantly higher than birds in the other groups. The total protein of birds in groups T2 (5.28±0.45 g/dl) and T3 (5.63±0.34 g/dl) were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to birds in groups T1 (5.03±0.48 g/dl) and T4 (4.93±0.40 g/dl). The birds fed diets supplemented with turmeric (T2 and T3) had significantly low total cholesterol level and higher value of high density lipoprotein and reduced the level of low density lipoprotein when compared to T1 and T4 birds. It can be concluded that turmeric fed to noiler chickens have no deleterious effect and can be included in their feed at 10 g/kg.

Arbitrary cultivation of vacant land, even within the periphery of cottage industries in devel­oping countries, particularly in Nigeria, is on the increase. Two maize varieties [ART98/SW1 (protein) and BR-9928-DMR-SR-Y (non-protein)] were planted within the vicinity of a metal recycling plant in Ile-Ife, Nigeria to assess the metal removal potentials of these maize cultivars. The experiment was conducted in two locations, each per maize variety and laid out in a ran­domised complete block design. Two biochars produced from maize stover and Milicia exelsa, each at 10 t ha-1 were used as soil amendments. Metal uptake by the two maize varieties was in the order: root > shoot > grain, with protein maize having higher bioconcentration factors: Fe 86.82, Zn 1.19, Cu 4.53, Mn 2.42 and Pb 0.15, and hence, a pathway through which animals, including humans could ingest these metals. It was concluded that maize crop is a bioaccumu­lator of metals in soil, and protein maize cultivar removes more metals than non-protein maize. Keywords: Biochar; farm waste; heavy metal; maize; particulate matter; remediation

Aims: Stellaria media and Cajanus cajan are nutritive plants used as food and as components of several herbal remedies either singly or in combination with other medicinal plants in Southwestern Nigeria. This study aimed to evaluate its effect on haematology and serum biochemistry after a sub-chronic administration to Wistar rats. Study Design: Wistar rats were randomly grouped into four groups and administered methanol extracts of S. media at doses of 100 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively per os. Same grouping and treatment was carried out for methanol extract of Cajanus cajan.

This study was carried out to examine the comparative effects of coconut oil (CO), avocado oil (AO), and melon seed oil (MSO) on the growth performance, blood, biochemical, hematological parameters, and total microbial loads of Noiler birds. A total of 120 Noiler birds with an average weight of 50.3 ± 0.13 g were randomized into four treatment groups with 3 replications (10 per pen) for six weeks of fattening. Weekly body weight gain and daily feed intake of the birds were recorded for six weeks, after which average weight gain and feed conversion ratios were calculated. At the end of the feeding trials, blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological parameter assessments, and the digesta from the colon and ileum were collected for their intestinal total microbial load analysis. The average weight gains and feed conversion ratios (FCR) of the birds supplemented with CO (1229.40 ± 15.00) and MSO (1232.66 ± 43.18) were observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared to the birds supplemented with AO (1110.73 ± 18.29) and the birds fed feed only (1034.79 ± 2.04) having the least weight gained. The biochemical parameters of the birds across the treatment were not significantly different (P > 0.05). White blood cells, packed cell volume, red blood cells and lymphocytes were significantly higher in the CO group compared to the birds supplemented with the avocado oil and melon seed oil. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the weight of the spleen, bursa and gall bladder among the birds. The Lactobacillus spp. in the colon of birds supplemented with coconut oil (6.43 ± 0.56) and melon oil (6.25 ± 0.65) were significantly higher. It can be concluded that coconut oil and melon seed oil have the potential to serve as growth promoters for chicken production.

This survey was carried out to investigate antibiotics usage and knowledge of antibiotic resistance among farmers in Oyo town, Nigeria. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interviews. A snowball sampling technique was used to select 150 farmers and veterinary drug shop owners. The farmers were involved in cattle, fish and poultry farming. The farmers administered antibiotics to their animals when the animals were sick (curative), to prevent secondary bacterial infection after a viral infection and on healthy animals (for prophylaxis). Majority of the respondents had easy access to antibiotics and information about them. On average, farmers had some knowledge about antibiotics resistance but not on how it spread. About 62% of the respondents believed that antibiotic resistance was a problem of other countries not Nigeria. They also did not believe that sub-optimal dosing of antibiotics leads to resistance. It was concluded that there is need for public awareness on the risk of misuse of antibiotics in animals and of consuming livestock products with unsafe levels of antibiotic residues. Keywords: Antibiotics; Drug resistance; Livestock