A 70-day feeding trial was carried out to determine the influence of creep diets onhaematological and biochemical blood profile of West African dwarf lambs maintained in a humid tropical environment. Nine lambs at 6 weeks of age were completely randomized into three equal groups and each subsequently subjected to one of three nutritional regimens from 6 to 16 weeks post-partum (point of weaning). Lambs in group 1 (control) suckled their dams only (diet A). Groups 2 and 3 lambs, were in addition to suckling, given supplementary rations formulated to contain 10.0% Soya bean and groundnut cakes (diets B and C) in concentrate mix, respectively. Animals in supplemented groups were offered concentrate diets at 3% of their body weights throughout the trial. Except for MCH, PCV and MCHC, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in values of other haematological parameters measured. AST and creatinine values were however similar (P>0.05), but significant differences (P<0.05) existed in values of other blood biochemical indices measured. Results of this study showed that creep feeding of lambs stabilizes haematological and biochemical blood profile which is indicative of normal health and nutritional status of the animals.
A study was conducted to investigate the nutrient intake and digestibility of creep fed West African dwarf lambs maintained in a humid tropical environment. Nine lambs were completely randomized into three groups and each placed on different nutritional regimen from 6 to 16 weeks post-partum. Lambs in group 1 (control) ate forage sward suckled their dams (diet A). Groups 2 and 3 lambs, were in addition to suckling, given supplementary rations formulated to contain 10.0% Soya bean and groundnut cakes in concentrate mix, respectively. Feed intake and coefficients of digestibility for all nutrients evaluated were affected (P<0.05) by dietary treatment. Dry matter (12.66), crude protein (50.63), nitrogen free extract (44.20) and energy (37.56) digestibility were significantly lower (P<0.05) in T but similar (P>0.05) in groups 2 (76.12, 85.94, 94.72 and 82.01) and 3 (74.89, 84.87, 94.45 and 80.42) while ether extract and crude fiber differed (P<0.05) in treatment 1, 2 and 3. Creep supplemented groups generally recorded better nutrient intake and digestibility. This study showed that creep feeding leads to the production of well nourished lambs with animals in group 2 (fed creep containing 10% Soya bean) showing better result in terms of parameters measured compared to those of group 3 (fed creep containing 10% groundnut cake). Thus, Soybean is a better nitrogen source for creep feeding
Turkey is one of the poultry species that is declining in Nigeria due to its importation as frozen turkey. In this study, a total of 78 day-old random-bred Nigerian local turkey poults were used to generate another 232 day-old poults to discriminate Nigerian local turkey based on linear body measurements. Three phenotypic classes (Black, White and Spotted) were obtained as base population and used to generate F1 progeny. Experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest and hatch as block. Linear body measurements (LBMs), namely body length (BDL), shank length (SHL), keel length (KLL), breast width (BW), wing length (WGL) and drumstick length (DSL) were significantly different at weeks 7, 9, 11 and 19. There were two discriminant functions. The variance ratio (eigenvalue) of each of the two discriminant functions were not significant (p>0.05). The percentage of the total variance explained was 87.7% and 12.3% for the two functions respectively. Group centroids for the phenotypic classes were 7.210, -1.254 and -5.956 for Black, White and Spotted turkeys respectively. The magnitudes and signs of the group centroids indicate that the three phenotypes are distinctly different from one another when BDL (weeks 7, 11, 13 and 15), WGL (weeks 7, 9 and 11), KLL (weeks 7, 9 and 15) and SHL (weeks 11 and 21) are used as the discriminating factors. The study shows that linear body measurement is a reliable classification criterion for discriminating among the phenotypes, which are therefore, correctly described as different breeds/strains. Therefore, for rapid improvement in local turkeys and breed development, these linear body traits could be used to enhance its discrimination, classification and appropriate grouping into breeds. The present findings could assist in the design of long-term genetic improvement programmes for local turkey breeding and production in Nigeria.
The local breeds of animals in Nigeria deserve improvement in their genetic profile and physiological status. A total of 78 day-old Random-bred Nigeria local turkey poults were used as parent stock to generate another 232 day-old poults (F 1) to evaluate the Nigerian local turkey phenotypes based on egg quality parameters. Three phenotypic classes (black, white and spotted) were obtained as base population and used to generate F1 progeny for the study. Experimental design for the experiment was a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest and hatches as block. The egg quality characteristics, namely egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index were the external egg quality characteristics while the internal egg quality characteristics include the albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width and Haugh Unit. These egg parameters were significantly (p<0.05) highest in the black variety. Shell thickness, albumen height and yolk index were not significantly different (p>0.05) in the three local turkey phenotypes. Generally, the black varieties had highest values internal egg quality traits. It is therefore, concluded that for rapid improvement of these traits, the black variety could be used to enhance egg quality and reproduction of Nigerian local turkeys in the study area. The present findings could assist in the design of long-term genetic improvement programmes for turkey production in Nigeria.
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