No abstract

This study aims to contribute towards the genetic improvement of Nigerian local chicken ecotype through selection. Genetic parameters for body weight at first egg (BWFE), egg number (EN) and egg weight (EW) till first 90 days of lay were estimated for both selected and control lines. Selection was based on an index using BWFE, EN and EW as the selection criterion traits. After three generations of index selection, BWFE, EN and EW all improved significantly (P<0.05) in the selected line. The heritability estimates for all traits in the three generations for both lines were moderate to high (BWFE, EN, EW,). Low to high positive genetic and phenotypic correlation was observed between BWFE and EW. The genetic and phenotypic correlation between BWFE and EN, and EW and EN were generally moderate to highly negative in both lines for all generations. However, in the second generation of the selected line a positive genetic correlation (0.33) was observed between EW and EN.

A five-week study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of S. cerevisiae on carcass and organ characteristics of finishing broilers. One hundred and twenty 4-weeks old broilers of cobb strain were randomly assigned to four treatments (T1 = 0.6 g Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) kg–1 diet; T2 = 0.8 g SC kg–1 diet; T3 = 1.0 g SC kg–1 diet and T4 = 0.0 g SC kg–1 diet) with 30 birds per treatment and replicated twice with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum to the birds in a deep litter system. In the end, data on growth, carcass and organ indices generated from the study were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) among the treatments in the birds’ growth performance indices. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the birds’ values for liver weight, heart weight, shank length and thigh length with birds in T3 recording highest values of 61.30 g, 16.93 g and 12.00 cm for liver weight, heart weight and thigh length, respectively. It was thus concluded that finishing broilers fed 1.0 g of S. cerevisiae had superior carcass and organ characteristics than birds on the control and lower levels of inclusion.

The effect of three strains of Lactobacillus based probiotics on the growth performance and semen quality of toms was conducted in a thirty-four week study. Eighty day-old (d 1) poults were randomly divided into 4 groups, replicated twice with 10 birds per replicate and assigned to four treatments; T1 (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp Bulgaricus), T2 (Lactobacillus acidophilus), T3 (Lactobacillus sporogens) and T4 (control), in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in the birds' mean values for average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and final body weight. Birds on T2 had significantly (P<0.05) higher final body weight than other treatment groups. Toms on T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher values for feed conversion ratio than birds on probiotic treatment with T2 recording the least value. However, the effect of treatments on the semen physical characteristics of the birds were also found to be significant (P<0.05). The birds on probiotic treatment recorded higher values for the semen quality indices under study than the control group, with T2 having the highest values. It was thus concluded that of the three strains of Lactobacillus based probiotics used in the current study, T2 (L. acidophilus) improved the growth performance and semen quality of local toms.

Management practices play a big role in animal productivity reflected either in financial returns or food sufficiency. A cross sectional study was undertaken to determine the factors associated with low productivity of indigenous beef cattle farming under the pastoral systems in seven administrative divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered to pastoralists, butchers and animal service providers. At the Municipal Abattoir body condition scores of cows and the number of cows to be slaughtered were taken. All foetuses from slaughtered cows were recovered and identified according to age and sex. Results were entered into SPSS software version 20.0 and analyzed by using the Chi square Test. Out of the 494 cows slaughtered during the period of study 73 (14.8%) were pregnant and had poor body condition scores (1-2). Forty two (57.5%) of 2-3 months old foetuses recovered were female and 31 (42.5%) were male. Thus there was 14.8% potential calf wastage. The predominant associated causes of low productivity of pastoral farms frequently observed by the pastoralists were poor growth of the cattle (34.0%), loss of foetuses through abortions/pregnant cow slaughter (21.3%), delayed estrus (20.0%) and lastly increased calving intervals (14.7%). Abattoir recoveries revealed that loss of 2-3 months old foetuses was higher (p < 0.003) than loss of 4-6 months olds. There was also loss of at least 10 adult cattle a year reported by 69.0% pastoralists as a result of suspected bovine trypanosomiasis among other unknown causes. It was concluded that management practices namely transhumance, stocking density, sale and slaughter of cows, poor feed, lack of veterinary attention contributing to poor growth, poor health, abortions, calf wastage and adult mortality are serious associated causes of low productivity of pastoral farms of the North West Region of Cameroon. The rate of potential cow loss through foetal wastage is alarming especially as the majority of foetuses were female.