The effects of fufu sieviate meal based diets at 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% levels using Panicum maximum as the basal on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) goats were studied for 87 days. Thirty six blood samples were collected from the WAD goats and their haematological and serum biochemical indices were determined using Beckman Coulter Ac-T10 Laboratory Haematology Blood Analyzer and Bayer DCA 2000+ HbA1c analyzer, respectively using a completely randomized design. Packed cell volume (PCV) was better (p<0.05) at T1 than the other treatments. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were numerically improved at T2, T3 and T4 than in the control group while lymphocyte increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing levels of the test ingredient. Results on serum biochemical indices showed that serum urea, creatinine, glucose and ALP differed significantly (P<0.05) and tended to be higher in the treatment (T2, T3 and T4)groups than the control group. The study therefore revealed that inclusion of fufu sieviate in the diets of West African Dwarf goats had no deleterious effects on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of WAD goats and could be included up to 60% in goat diets.
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of treating drinking water with different organic acids on growth performance of broiler chickens. The organic acids were acetic, butyric, citric and formic acids. One hundred and fifty (150) day old Abor Acre chicks were used. The experiment was divided into five treatments with treatment 1 serving as the control, while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively were offered drinking water treated with 0.25% acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), citric acid (CA) and formic acid (FA). Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The experiment was arranged as completely randomized design (CRD). Results shows that except for BA organic acids significantly (P<0.05) improved final weight, daily weight gain, and protein efficiency ratio with AA having the highest (P<0.05) value at the starter phase. Also at the starter phase, daily water intake was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by BA, CA and FA. At the finisher phase, final body weight and daily gain were improved (P<0.05) by all the organic acids except BA. Final weight was better in AA compared to BA. There was no difference (P>0.05) in final weight between BA, Ca and FA. Daily feed and protein intakes were not affected (P>0.05). All the organic acids significantly (P<0.05) produced better feed: gain ratio. Only AA gave better protein efficiency ratio compared to the control. While AA, CA and FA encouraged water consumption, it was reduced (P<0.05) by BA. It is concluded that AA, CA and FA could be added in the drinking water for broilers for improved performance.
trial to determine the bactericidal effect of lemon juice on feed bacterial load and its dietary effect on growth and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. There were five dietary treatments (T1 – T5) containing lemon juice 0.0, 10, 15, 20 and 25mL/kg diet, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds each, giving 30 birds per treatment. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Starter diet was fed ad libitum for 3 weeks and finisher diet for 4 weeks. Water was given also ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Citric and ascorbic acids content of the lime and the pH were determined. At the end of the experiment, results showed that the juice contained ascorbic acid (2.76), citric acid (4.23) with low pH (3.87) and exhibited antibacterial action. Above 10mL/kg inclusion level, apparent nutrient digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, ash and energy utilization were improved. At the starter phase 20 and 25mL/kg improved final live weight and protein efficiency ratio. Final live weight was improved by 15, 20 and 25mL/kg at the finisher phase. In conclusion, addition of 15mL/kg lemon juice in broiler diets could be a good practice and is recommended.
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