The efficacy of utilization of dried Leucena leucocephala leaves as a replacement of fish meal ingredient in the diet of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus of mean weight 19.00 + 2.00g and mean length of 14.00 + 0.50cm was evaluated for a period of 60days. The experimental diets contained Leucena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) at levels of 0% (diet 1), 20% (Diet2), 40% (Diet3) and 60% (Diet4) of the total dietary protein respectively. A total of 80 fingerlings were introduced into 8 aquaria of volume 40litres, each randomly assigned to the four diets (0%, 20%, 40% and 60% LLM inclusion). Each LLM inclusion and the control had 2 replicates with 10 fingerlings in each aquarium. The following growth indices were monitored; Mean Weight Gain (WG) Percentage Weight Gain (PWG) Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and Mortality Rate (MOR). The overall result of the different growth parameters were significantly different (P<0.05). Fish fed with 20% LLM inclusion (Diet2) meal had the best growth performance of 42.85% and a specific growth rate of 0.25 than others. Thus the inclusion of 20% Leucenea leucocephala leaf meal in the diet of cat-fish would improve their growth and reduce the cost of production by fish farmers and if well utilized will cut down importation of fish meal in the country.

There is need to look for ingredients to be added to the poultry feed used to raise quail birds for better results on the birds and to enhance quail farming in Nigeria. Aim: This study was carried out to conduct a twelve weeks feeding trial to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of Ocimum gratissimum on growth, egg size using  two (2) weeks old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty birds were allocated to four dietary treatment groups with three (3) replicates of ten (10) birds each in a completely randomized design experiment with feeding ratio of Control (C) containing 0 g/kg; T1, 20 g/kg; T2, 40 g/kg and T3, 60 g/kg of dried and ground Ocimum gratissimum. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Results: The result obtained showed that for Weight gain (WG), Percentage weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SRG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), the T1, (20 g/kg) had the highest values (122.56 g, 234%, 0.623 and 23.49 respectively) while T3, (60 g/kg) had the least values (81.92 g, 156%, 0.487, 34.92 respectively) as a result of weight loss. But the C, (0 g/kg) had the highest value of 9.149 for protein efficiency ratio (PER) as T3, (60 g/kg) had the least value (5.535). T2, (40 g/kg) had the highest values for mean egg weight, length, width (10.01, 8.77 and 7.81 respectively) while T1, (20 g/kg) had the least values (8.84, 7.63 and 6.70 respectively). Weight gain, feed utilization indices and egg size were the response criteria that were monitored, recorded and subjected to Anova and T-test. There were significant difference (P≤0.05) observed for mean weight gain, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, circumference of the widest point of the eggs at long axis (length) while no significant difference (P>0.05) were observed for weight of eggs and circumference of the widest point of the eggs at short axis (width). Conclusion: From this study, quail birds fed T1, (20 g/kg) gave the results with no negative effect on the birds and can be recommended in Japanese quail diets.

Abstract:The proximate composition and the contents of some important minerals in the box crab, Pachygrapsus transversus were studied in fresh and dried specimens. Numerical Values determined for moisture, ash and carbohydrates in the fresh individuals were higher than those measured in the dried samples. Similarly, protein and fat values in the dried specimen were higher than those determined in the fresh samples. Generally, the values 13.94%, 13.94% and 1.32% determined as moisture, ash and carbohydrate in dried samples were lower than those obtained in the fresh components. The concentration of sodium and calcium were 591.00mg/100g and 213.50mg/100g in fresh Pachygrapsus transversus while the values of iron, zinc and phosphate in the dried samples were higher. The nutritional implication of these differences in the proximate composition and mineral content of the Pachygrapsus transversus (dried and fresh) were discussed.

The study was designed to investigate the insect diversity and its economic importance in Agulu and Nanka gully sites using standard procedures. A total of 1,609 insects belonging to 15 species were identified from the study sites, which comprised of 1026 individuals belonging to 15 species from Agulu and 583 specimens belonging to 8 species from Nanka. The diversity of the insect species highlighted the dominance, diversity index, species richness and species evenness. Blattodea were the most dominant order in both Agulu site (43.27%), and Nanka site (56.60%). The order Blattodea was the most diverse (0.725) in Nanka site, whereas the order Coleoptera was the most diverse (0.740) in Agulu site. Results from the economic importance revealed 8 insect species as harmful, 3 species as beneficial, while 4 insect species were considered as both beneficial and harmful. Beneficial insects are edible and good agents of pollination while the harmful insects devour agricultural produce and stored food. The result of this study shows that gully erosion site is dominated by insect diversity, probably due to the flora regeneration.

Humans and livestock are competing for plant proteins which are shifting the dependency of human on plants to that of animals for protein despite insufficiency of animal protein. For reduction in the price of animal products there is need to use plant supplement(s) which can encourage higher growth rate or improve the quality of the animal products. One of such ingredients is Gmelina arborea leaf meal, a product of Gmelina arborea tree which is not in competition with man's dietary needs. But despite the abundance and availability of this resource in Nigeria, many studies have not been carried out on its nutritional value and use in poultry feeding, especially in Japanese quail. Based on the above, this research work was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea Meal on growth of Japanese quail birds (Coturnix coturnix japonica).This study was carried out to conduct a thirty-six weeks feeding trial to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of Gmelina arborea leaf Meal on growth performance, using two (2) weeks old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Ninety-six birds were allocated to four dietary treatment groups with three (3) replicates of eight (8) birds each in a completely randomized design experiment with feeding ratio of Control (A) containing 0g/kg; B, 50g/kg; C, 100g/kg and D, 150g/kg of air-dried and ground Gmelina arborea. Feed and water were provided throughout the experimental period. Weight gain and feed utilization indices were the response criteria that were monitored, recorded and subjected to Statistical analysis. There were significant difference (P<0.05) observed for mean weight gain, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio. From this study, quail birds fed C (0g/Kg) followed by those fed T 1, (50g/kg) gave better results on the birds showing that Gmelinaarborea is dosage and time dependent and can be recommended in Japanese quail diets in that quantity but shorter duration.