No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The study was conducted to determine the response in growth performance, physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of broiler meat fed incremental levels of M. pruriens seed meal. A total of 112 Cobb 500, seven days old, unsexed broiler chicks with body weight of 150 ± 5.47 g/bird (mean ±SD) were used. Chicks were allotted to pens in a completely randomized design hence assigned to four experimental diets containing 0, 10, 15, and 20% of MPSM, respectively. Each diet was offered ad libitum with clean water to 28 broilers in each treatment. There was a linear decrease in average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (FBW) with incremental levels of MPSM (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased linearly with increasing MPSM levels while Final Body Wight (FBW) decreased linearly with increasing levels of MPSM (P < 0.05). Meat pH24 and colour parameters showed no relationship with increasing levels of MPSM (P > 0.05). Thawing loss, carcass weight and cooking loss showed a linear increase with increasing levels of MPSM (P < 0.05). However, shear force showed a linear decrease with increasing levels of MPSM (P > 0.05). Muscle fat, fat free dry matter (FFDM) and moisture, mono-unsaturated fatty acids and margaric acid showed no relationship with increasing levels of MPSM (P > 0.05), however, a linear decrease (P < 0.05) on myristic acid and palmitic acid with incremental levels of MPSM was observed. Arachidic acid, and α-Linolenic acid increased linearly with inclusion level of MPSM (P < 0.05). Other poly-unsaturated fatty acids, fatty acid ratios and health lipid indices indicators showed no relationship with increasing levels of MPSM (P > 0.05). Increasing inclusion levels of MPSM impairs growth performance of broilers and may also improve broiler quality and fatty acid some fatty acids.

Objective: The study was conducted to establish a relationship between inclusion level of Vachellia tortilis (V. tortilis) leaf meal and time spent on different behavioral activities by finishing pigs. Methods: A total of forty-eight male Large White×Landrace finishing pigs with a mean (±standard deviation) body weight of 63.8±3.28 kg aged 14 wks were assigned to individual pens in a completely randomized design. Pigs were fed on diets containing 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 g/kg dry matter of V. tortilis leaf meal ad libitum with fresh water provided throughout the trial. There were eight pigs in each experimental diet. The behavior of pigs was observed for three wks twice a wk from 0600 to 1800 h using six closed circuit television cameras. Results: Increasing levels of V. tortilis leaf meal caused a linear decrease (p<0.05) in time spent eating, lying down and the number of visit to the feeder. Time spent standing and biting objects increased linearly (p<0.05) with increasing inclusion level of V. tortilis leaf meal. The was a negative linear relationship (p<0.05) between condensed tannins versus time spent eating, lying down and number of feeder visits. Condensed tannins showed a positive linear relationship (p<0.05) with time spent standing and biting objects. Neutral detergent fiber caused a linear decrease (p<0.05) in number of feeder visits, time spent eating, time spent standing. Conclusion: Inclusion level of V. tortilis leaf meal reduces time spent eating, lying down and the number of feeder visit while prolonging time spent standing and biting of objects. Condensed tannins and dietary fiber are among nutritional factors affecting behavioral activities displayed by finishing pigs.