The objective of this study was to investigate the effects in ovo injection of black cumin (BC) extract on chick's quality and response of thermally challenged broiler chickens. A total of 700 hatching eggs of broiler chickens (Marshall) were assigned to 7 treatments of 100 eggs each and incubated using the conventional protocol (37.8°C) for the first 10 d and then exposed to a high temperature (39.6°C) for 6 h daily from day 10 until day 18 of the incubation. At embryonic day 17.5, the eggs were randomly allotted to 7 treatment groups, viz.: eggs without in ovo injection (WA), eggs injected with 0.9% saline solution (SA), 3 mg ascorbic acid (AA), 2 mg BC (TB), 4 mg BC (FB), 6 mg BC (SB), and 8 mg BC (EB) extracts. Experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design. After hatching, the chicks were reared separately according to in ovo treatments for 8 wk. Data were collected on hatchability, chick quality, internal organs, growth performance, plasma superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and triiodothyronine (T 3 ). The results showed that the hatchability of the eggs in the AA group was similar to that of SB eggs and higher than that of the other treatment groups. The intestinal weights of SB and EB birds were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than those of TB, SA, and WA. The final weights of the birds of SB and AA were higher ( P < 0.05) than those of other treatments. The feed conversion ratio of the birds of TB and FB was comparable to that of EB and WA but higher than that of SB and AA. At hatch, the creatinine of the birds in SA and WA was similar to that of EB, FB, and TB but higher ( P < 0.05) than that of AA and SB. Also, the plasma malondialdehyde, T 3 , and superoxide dismutase of SB and AA birds were better ( P < 0.05) than those of the control groups. Overall, it was concluded that 6 mg of BC extract improved the antioxidant status and posthatch performance of thermally challenged broiler chickens.

Abdominal fat. Marshall broilers. Cost benefit. Feed:gain ratio. PALABRAS CLAVE ADICIONALESGrasa abdominal. Broilers Marshall. Coste/beneficio. Conversión alimenticia. SUMMARYTwo hundred and sixteen unsexed 14 daysold Marshall broiler chicks were used in a 3×3 factorial experimental design to test the effect of restricting feed intake of birds by 0 %, 20 % and 40 % levels for 2, 4 and 6 weeks after two weeks of the starter phase. The unrestricted (control) treatments were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Data were collected and calculated on weight gain, feed:gain, feed intake, mortality, proximate composition of meat and cost-benefit analysis. Data obtained were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance. Results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) final weights in the unrestricted birds (control) compared to the restricted birds. Interaction between duration of restriction and level of restriction indicated that weight gain and feed intake significantly (p<0.05) reduced as duration and level of feed restriction increased. Feed:gain was significantly (p<0.05) different across the treatments with birds restricted at 40 % for 6 weeks having the best feed:gain (1.91). The mortality recorded was not significant (p>0.05) across duration and level of restriction. Abdominal fat decreased with increasing duration and level of restriction with birds on 40 % level and 6 weeks duration of restriction having the lowest fat content (0.20 %). Crude protein content of the breast muscle significantly increased while crude fat content of the breast muscle significantly decreased with duration and level of restriction. Crude fat content was lowest at 40 % level and 6 weeks duration of feed restriction. As level and duration of feed restriction increased, feed cost/ kg reduced. Birds restricted at 40 % level for 2, 4 and 6 weeks durations respectively had better cost benefit than birds restricted at 0 and 20 % levels for 2, 4 and 6 weeks durations. It can be concluded that the best feed:gain, lower abdominal fat, higher protein and better cost benefit was achieved in birds restricted at 40 % for 6 weeks. RESUMENDurante 42 días, 216 pollos broiler Marshall, de 14 días, fueron empleados en un diseño experimental factorial 3x3 para estudiar el efecto de la restricción de la ingestión de alimento en 0, 20 y 40 %, durante 2, 4 y 6 semanas en la fase de iniciación. El tratamiento control (no restringido) recibió alimentación ad libitum durante todo el experimento. Se obtuvieron datos sobre ganancia de peso, alimento/peso, ingestión, mortalidad, composición de la carne y relación coste beneficio. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron a un análisis de varianza de dos vías. Los resultados mostraron mayor peso final (p<0,05), en las aves sin restricción, la interacción duración*nivel de restricción indicó que tanto la ganancia de peso como la ingestión, se redujeron cuando aumentaron la duración y nivel de restricción. La relación alimento/ganancia fue diferente (p<0,05) entre tratamientos siendo la ...

Wood shavings is the most common material used as litter in commercial broiler production in many areas in Nigeria. It is, however, becoming scarce and expensive. Therefore this study was conducted to determine and compare the effects of other bedding materials on organ weights, meat quality, footpad and breast dermatitis of Marshall broiler chickens under hot humid climate. One hundred and eighty broiler chicks of mixed sexes (Marshal strain) were randomly assigned to three treatments of wood shavings (WS), maize cobs (MC) and chopped Panicum maximum (PM) as bedding materials replicated four times with 15 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were provided to birds ad libitum throughout the study. Data were collected on the relative body and organ weights, meat quality, breast and footpad dermatitis. The results showed that footpad and breast lesion of the birds were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by different litter materials. Similarly, most of the organ weights, including spleen and bursa of Fabricius were not influenced by litter materials. However, the relative weight of thigh of the birds reared on PM and MC were similar but higher (P < 0.05) than those raised on WS. The intestinal weight of the birds raised on PM was significantly higher than those of the other treatment groups whose weights were similar. Birds reared on chopped PM had higher (P < 0.05) relative weight of liver than those reared on MC. There was no significant (P > 0.05) effect of bedding materials on meat quality. It was concluded that chopped PM could serve as a replacement for WS as a bedding material for broiler chickens under hot humid climate.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feed quantity offered (1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 kg) on growth performance, carcass yield, organs weight and backfat composition. A total of 48 Large White grower male pigs with initial average weight of 36.48±2.25 kg were allotted to 3 treatments of 16 pigs per treatment and were further replicated into 4 with 4 pigs per replicate. Data were collected on weekly basis and carcass characteristics were performed when the pigs on each experimental group attained an average weight 70 kg. Final body weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) increased by feeding level with highest mean values obtained by the pigs fed 2.5 kg feed daily. Pigs on 1.5 kg daily feeding level took 108.31 days to attain the target weight of 70 kg which was significantly (P<0.05) longer than 92.23 and 79.94 days obtained by those on 2.0 and 2.5 kg daily feeding levels respectively. Most of the parameters considered for carcass yield were not significantly (P>0.05) enhanced by feed quantity offered. The weight of ham (11.54, 12.18 and 13.41%) increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feeding level while kidney weight decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feed quantity offered. Heart values of the pigs fed 2.0 and 2.5 kg feed daily were similar but differed significantly from those fed 1.5 kg feed daily. The depth of fat at first and last ribs, and subcutaneous fat depth increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in feeding level. These results showed that quantity of feed offered greatly influenced growth performance (final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and days to target weight), ham, kidney, heart and backfat composition of finishing pigs, hence, it could be used as a management tool to improve growth performance and carcass traits of pigs.

Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) contains antibacterial properties; this study evaluated the effect of including MLE, breed and storage time on semen quality of boars extended with Beltsville thawing solution (BTS). Semen samples were collected weekly from twelve boars (Four Duroc, four Large White and four Landrace). Samples were extended with 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00g MLE inclusions. Parameters; volume and concentration were taken immediately after collection while pH, mass activity (%MA), progressive motility (%PM), liveability (%LA) and abnormality (%ABN) were taken at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. All parameters considered except %ABN were significant (p<0.05). MA ranged between 3.31 (1.00gMLE) and 4.00 (0gMLE). Highest PM was 60.93% in 0.25gMLE, pH differed with 6.98 (0gMLE) and 6.90 (1.00gMLE), 0gMLE (89.64%) had higher LA compared to 0.25gMLE (86.40%), ABN ranged between3.94 to 4.60%. As storage time increased viability of all semen parameters reduced, between 48 and 72 hours parameters reduced below normal limits. Breed effect differed (p<0.05) for MA, Volume and Conc., Duroc (3.78) had higher MA compared to Large White (3.64) and Landrace (3.60). Semen volume (p<0.05) for Landrace (255.20g) was highest while Duroc (170.80g) was lowest. Large white concentration (201.8million spermatozoa/ml) was higher (p<0.05) than Landrace (187.4 million spermatozoa/ml) and Duroc (123.8million spermatozoa/ml). %LA ranged between 88.06% and 88.72% for Duroc and landrace respectively while %ABN was between 3.97-4.41% for Large White and Landrace. This study concluded that 0.75-1.00gMLE could replace synthetic antibiotic in BTS for 24 hours.     L'extrait de feuille de Moringa oleifera (le 'MLE') contient des propriétés antibactériennes ; Cette étude a évalué l'effet de l'inclusion de 'MLE', de la race et du temps de stockage sur la qualité du sperme de verrats exotiques additionnés de solution de décongélation de Beltsville (le 'BTS'). Des échantillons de sperme ont été prises chaque semaine de douze verrats (quatre Duroc, quatre Large White et quatre Landrace). Les échantillons ont été étendus avec des inclusions de 0, 0,25, 0,50, 0,75 et 1,00 g de 'MLE'. Paramètres ; le volume et la concentration ont été prélevés immédiatement après le prélèvement tandis que le pH, l'activité massique (% 'MA'), la motilité progressive (% 'PM'), l'habitabilité (% LA) et l'anomalie (% ABN) ont été pris à 0, 24, 48 et 72 heures. Les données obtenues ont été soumises à une analyse de variance. Tous les paramètres considérés à l'exception du% ABN étaient significatifs (p <0,05). Le MA variait entre 3,31 (1,00 g MLE) et 4,00 (0 gMLE). La'PM la plus élevée était de 60,93% dans 0,25 gMLE, le pH différait de 6,98 (0 gMLE) et 6,90 (1,00 gMLE), 0 gMLE (89,64%) avait un LA plus élevé par rapport à 0,25 gMLE (86,40%), l''ABN' variait entre 3,94 et 4,60%. À mesure que la durée de stockage augmentait la viabilité de tous les paramètres du sperme, entre 48 et 72 heures, les paramètres étaient réduits en dessous des limites normales. L'effet de la race était différent (p <0,05) pour la MA, le volume et la concentration. Duroc (3,78) avait une MA plus élevée que le Large White (3,64) et le Landrace (3,60). Le volume de sperme (p <0,05) pour Landrace (255,20 g) était le plus élevé, tandis que Duroc (170,80 g) était le plus faible. La grande concentration de blanc (201,8 millions de spermatozoïdes / ml) était plus élevée (p <0,05) que Landrace (187,4 millions de spermatozoïdes / ml) et Duroc (123,8 millions de spermatozoïdes / ml). % LA variait entre 88,06% et 88,72% pour Duroc et landrace respectivement tandis que% ABN était entre 3,97-4,41% pour Large White et Landrace. Cette étude a conclu que 0,75-1,00 gMLE pouvait remplacer l'antibiotique synthétique dans le BTS pendant 24 heures.