Forty-seven hybrid progenies from crossbreeding between the Nigerian indigenous pig (NIP) and Large white pigs were used. Body measurements and live weight were recorded weekly from first week of birth to their weaning date. Body measurements taken were Body Weight (BW), Body Length (BL), Body Height (BH), Heart girth (HG) and Rump circumference (RC) of crossbred progenies. The correlation between the reproductive parameters and growth performance of hybrid pigs were established with good management practice. The mean for weaning weight was 6.72 ± 0.02, birth weight 0.91 ± 0.13, litter size at birth 5.36 ± 1.87, litter size at weaning 5.29 ± 1.97, litter weight at birth 4.56 ± 1.57, total litter weight at weaning 33.91 ± 11.6, average daily weaning weight 0.73 ± 0.12, average litter size at birth 0.93 ± 0.11 and sex ratio 97.78% ± 8.61%. The male and female mean values for weight of animals were 6.96 ± 1.0 and 6.52 ± 0.9 with male heavier in weight and higher in morphometric traits such as body length, heart girth and rump circumference, while the female were high in morphometric traits such as snout length, ear length and body height. The correlation matrix for body weight against linear body measurements in preweaned NIP crossbreds indicates that all the parameters could be used to select for body weight. The linear equation generated by regressing body weight on snout length, body height, rump circumference, heart girth and body length could be used by resource poor pig farmers in the estimation of body weight of pre weaned crossbreds pigs if they cannot afford weighing scales.

Haematological components of blood are valuable in monitoring feed toxicity in cultured fish. The haematological and serum protein of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juvenile of both sex (n=84, mean weight 117.3 ± 1.57 g; mean length 26.70 ± 0.26 cm) fed with varying dietary inclusions level of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) as feed additives for 42 days were determined. Four iso-nitrogenous (35% crude protein) and nearly iso-caloric aqua feed were formulated with the locally sourced feed ingredients with C. odorata leaf powder introduced into the diets at graduated levels of 0.0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0% and 3.0% respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from three fish randomly selected from each replicate of the groups. Blood parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cells count (WBC), lymphocytes, haematocrit, hemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), plasma protein, albumin, globulin, A-G ratio and cholesterol were estimated. Statistical analysis revealed that these parameters were marginally different (P>0.05) within the groups except WBC that were significantly lower (P<0.05) in treated groups compared with the control. However the values recorded for the parameters in all the groups were within haematological values recommended for cultured African Catfish. This suggests that the leaf powder of Chromolaena odorata fed as feed additives may be safe and non-toxic at low inclusion rates of 0.5-3.0% and had no negative impact on the health status of the African Catfish.

The study was conducted to assess mini-livestock production as strategy for food security among households in Iwo, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 150 respondents. A structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. Household food security was estimated using food security index to establish the food security status of various households. Thus, households were classified into food secured and food insecured. Data were subjected to both descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Most of the respondents were male (72.8 %), they were within the age bracket of 20-24 years, had secondary education (55 %), with household size between 2 to 5 members (45.7%). The study further revealed that 52.3% of the respondents were Christian, were farmers (35.1%) have 5 to 8 years of experience in mini livestock production. They earned more than N5, 000 as income. Also most of the respondents raised mini-livestock purposely for income generation and sourced their flocks from wild (39.1 %). Most of the respondents were raising snail (25.2 %). Majority of the households in the study area were food secured. There is significant and strong correlation between raising of more than one species of minilivestock and food security of the households. Primary occupation and income realized from sales of mini livestock production were found to be significant determinants of food security among households.

The study was conducted to assess the effect of strain and stocking density on thermo-physiological response of broiler chickens. A total number of two hundred and sixteen (216) day old broiler chicks consisting of three different strains were used for the experiment. These strains were: Marshall, Ross and Abor-acre. The birds were randomly allotted to three different stocking densities which were 10, 12 and 14 birds/m 2 respectively. Each treatment group was replicated twice in a 2 × 3 factorial design. Data were collected on thermo-physiological traits of the chickens twice in a week to avoid undue stress on the birds. Data were also collected on ambient temperature and relative humidity of the experimental area. Traits measured were; rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and there was significant interaction effect of strain and stocking density on physiological traits of the chicken. Thus, it is recommended that Marshall broiler chicken can be raised on stocking density of 14 birds/m².