A study was conducted to evaluate local duck production systems in Imo and Abia States of Nigeria. Seventy-two (72) local duck farmers from both States were purposefully selected using snowball sampling techniques and were interviewed using structured questionnaires.Data on farmers' socio-economic characteristics and production practices were collectedand analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and charts. Theresults showed that there were more male duck farmers (88.89%), while the average age of duck farmers was 51.35years. Most (97.22%) of the duck farmers were literate, 58.33% ofhouseholds had between 4 - 7 members, 73.61% of duck farmers were Christians and a higher number (46.43%) raised pigs alongside of ducks. Most farmers (98.61%) kept only Muscovy ducks. The average flock size is about 6-9 ducks per household. Ducks were mainly kept for rituals and traditional medicine (56.78%). About 48.61% of farmers used personal money to finance duck farming, while 47.22% of farmers inherited their foundations stock. The age at sexual maturity for ducks was 7 to 9 months; clutch length was 11 to 15 days, while clutch size ranged from 16 to 20 eggs. Again, 94.44% of farmers practiced extensive system of duck keeping while 84.72% did not provide supplementary feeds to their ducks. Accidents are the leading cause of mortality in ducks, while the myths that surround ducks are the main obstacle to duck meat consumption. The results showed that duck farming is not popular in the study area and therefore, ducks are seen and kept as sacrificial birds. Thus, the potential of ducks for the production of meat and eggs is not fully exploited. These myths that have hindered the production of ducks could be dispelled through farmer trainings and enlightenment.

Studies have shown that garlic has medicinal, antimicrobial properties, speeds up digestion and widely used as preservatives, spice and condimentin many homes. Vitamin E on the other hand is a fat soluble vitamin with potent antioxidant properties essential for the stabilization of biological membranes, protecting cells from oxidative stress and inhibits angiogenesis. Thus, a study using thirty-six (36) pre-pubertal New Zealand White rabbit bucks was conducted to investigate the response of garlic and vitamin E supplementation on haematological indices, serum biochemistry and growth performance. The bucks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments and replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each dietary treatment consisted of rabbits per treatment with 3 rabbits per replicate. Four dietary treatments were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of rabbits supplemented at 0% garlic and vitamin E (T ), 3% garlic (T ), Vitamin E (T ), and 3% garlic and Vitamin E (T ) respectively. Data collected on the growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry parameters and on the internal organ characteristics were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that significantincrease (P<0.05) were observed in final body weight, ear length, forelimb, hind- limb and body length for rabbits fed supplementation of garlic, vitamin E and its combination, while tail length, head to shoulder significantly decreases. Hematological parameters showed significant increases in red blood cellcount for vitaminE group while T was higher on MCHC. White blood cell and its differentials increased significantly on T, T and T Serum biochemical characteristics were significantly higher on total protein, globulin and creatinine; while cholesterol, glucose and ALP reduced significantly on T , T and T  It could be concluded that combination of garlic and vitamin E improved performance and blood profile of rabbit bucks compared to when they are used individually.

Feeding trial experiment was carried out to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens fed graded levels of Roselle Seed Cake (RSC) as replacement of a conventional protein source. Proximate composition was done to determine the nutrient content of RSC and experimental diets. The experiment contained graded levels of RSC replacing soya bean cake (SBC). One hundred and twenty (120) day old Ross broiler chickens were used in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments with three replicates each with 8 birds per replicate and 24 birds per treatment. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated for the broiler straight diet. Diet 1 served asthe control diet while diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 8%, 16%, 24% and 32% RSC respectively. Data were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance and the mean was separated using Duncan multiple range test. The findings from the study showed that there were no significant (P?0.05) differences in all the parameters measured for haematology across dietary treatment means except for the white blood cell. The blood biochemical composition showed no significant (P?0.05) differences in total protein, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and creatinine across dietary treatments. RSC as an alternative feedstuff can replace soya bean cake at 24% in the diet of broiler chickens for improved haematological and blood biochemical of broilers. Roselle seed cake can replace SBC at the broiler chicken straight ration at 75% (24% dietary RSC) inclusion for better performance.

Researches have proven that garlic has medicinal, antimicrobial properties, speeds up digestion and widely used as preservatives, spice and condiment in many homes Vitamin E on the hand is a fat soluble vitamin with potent antioxidant properties essential for the stabilization of biological membranes, protecting cells from oxidative stress and inhibits angiogenesis. Thus, a study using thirty-six (36) pre-pubertal New Zealand White rabbit bucks was conducted to investigate the physiological response of garlic and vitamin E supplementations on libido, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm characteristics, reproductive hormone and testicular histology of rabbit bucks. The bucks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments and replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each dietary treatment consisted of 9 rabbits per treatment with 3 rabbits per replicate. Four dietary treatments were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of rabbits supplemented at 0% garlic and vitamin E (T1), 3% garlic (T2), Vitamin E (T3), and 3% garlic and Vitamin E (T4) respectively. Data were collected on the libido, seminal characteristics, seminal plasma, testicular morphology and hormones. The testicles were collected and processed for histopathology. Data collected on different parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that significantly (P<0.05) differences were observed in all the seminal characteristics parameters, on the testicular weights, volumes and on the reproductive hormones compared with the control. Testicular histology showed increased in number of seminiferous tubules with the supplementation. These results proved that both garlic and Vitamin E improve semen production both in quality and quantity and the overall reproductive performance. Moreover, combination of the garlic and vitamin E gives a better result. Therefore, garlic and vitamin E should be used together for better quantitative and qualitative semen production and reproductive performance in breeding animals

Considering the inherent attributes of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), its appropriate utilization for chicken diets may enhance performance of starter broilers. The study was therefore, carried out to determine the growth performance of starter broilers fed processed cocoyam tuber meal as energy source in place of maize. Xanthosoma cocoyam corms were harvested, cleaned of soil and chopped into bits of about 0.2 cm. The chopped tannia was soaked in water in a large vat for 24 hours to reduce the ant nutrients and later on separated from the water and dried with microwave oven. The dried cocoyam was milled and then used. The proximate chemical composition showed that soaked cocoyam tuber meal contained 8.05% moisture, 91.95% dry matter, 10.08% ash, 2.01% crude protein, 1.60% ether extract, 3.80% crude fibre, 74.46% NFE and 3158.92Kcal/kg DM metabolizable energy. In the starter broiler experiment, five experimental diets were formulated such that, diet 1 (control) contained yellow maize as the main energy source, while soaked CTM was used to replace maize at levels of 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% respectively in the control diet. Each starter diet was fed to a group of 30 broiler chicks for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was further grouped into 3 replicates of 10 birds each. The broiler chicks were kept in deep litter and given feed and water ad libitum. Parameters measured included initial body weight, final body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and cost of production. In the starter feeding trial, the group on 30% soaked CTM (30% SCYM) compared favorably with the control group (P<0.05) and recorded the highest body weight gain. It appeared that, the starter broilers could tolerate high levels of soaked CTM in their diets. Cost of production (cost of feed x feed conversion ratio) was lowest for diet 5 (30% SCYM) N248.15 as against N281.86 for control diet in the starter feeding trial. CTM meal can be used to replace maize at 30% in the diets of starter broilers without affecting weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in the study.