One hundred and twenty (120) day-old broiler birds were used to ascertain the effect of dietary inclusion of biochar on the growth, hematology and serum lipid profiles of birds in a 56-day feeding trial. The birds were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 30 birds each, replicated twice with 15 birds per replicate. The groups were randomly assigned to four diets in a completely randomized design involving four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6%) of biochar kg-1. Treatments did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio at the starter phase. However, at the finisher phase, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among treatments in final body weight, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Final body weight, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of birds fed 6% biochar kg-1 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than other treatment groups. White blood cell counts (WBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) were not affected by treatments at the starter and finisher phases, respectively. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell count were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the treatments at both starter and finisher phases. Nonsignificant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the triacylglycerol (TAG) values of birds at the finisher phase, while cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, 0.01) at both phases. The result of the present study showed that up to 6% dietary biochar kg-1 improved growth, hematology and serum lipid profiles of broiler birds.

A total of ninety six-week old grasscutters were used in a study conducted to investigate the growth performance of grasscutters fed diets containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and/or soybean meal (SBM). The ninety (90) grasscutters were randomly assigned to three experimental groups consisting of thirty (30) grasscutters each. The grasscutters were randomly assigned each to three experimental diets designated as follows: 15% MOLM, 15% SBM, and 10% MOLM + 10% SBM. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on growth performance during the period of the study which lasted for ten weeks including two weeks of acclimatization period. Results showed that grasscutters fed diet containing 10% MOLM+10% SBM had significantly (p < 0.05) higher performance indices than grasscutters on other treatment diets, except for feed conversion ratio, where grasscutters fed diet 1 (15% MOLM,) had the least FCR than grasscutters in other groups. Based on the results, the inclusion of MOLM and SBM at 10% levels each resulted in improved performance, and thus considered adequate for growth of grasscutters.

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.

A 16-week study was conducted to determine the effect of three strains of Lactobacillus sp based probiotics on hematological indices and serum lipid profile of local toms. A total of 80-day-old local male poults were randomly assigned to four treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in a completely randomized design with 20 birds per treatment. Three strains of Lactobacillus namely L. delbrueckii sub sp. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus and L. sporogens were incorporated in the drinking water of T2, T3, and T4 respectively at 0.5 ml/L. T1 served as control. Each treatment was replicated twice with 10 birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Results showed that the effect of the different strains of Lactobacillus sp. on hemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins were significant (p < 0.05) . Birds on probiotics inclusion had least values for white blood cell counts, low-density lipoproteins, cholesterol and serum triglycerides with T4 recording the most superior values. It was thus concluded that of the three strains of Lactobacillus sp based probiotics used in the study, Lactobacillus sporogens was observed to support superior hematological values with reduced lipid profiles.