Poultry farmers in Ghana use different strains of layers for egg production with eggs produced being stored for some time before use. This has necessitated a study to determine the effect of strain of layers and extended storage length on internal and external qualities of chicken eggs. A total of three-hundred (300) eggs from 46-week old layer strains were analysed for egg quality in a 3 X 5 factorial experiment involving three layer strains (Lohmann brown, Lohmann white and Black Bovan) and 5 storage periods of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. On each day of the analysis, sixty (60) eggs; 20 each from the three strains were randomly sampled and analysed for the internal and external egg characteristics. Results obtained showed a significant difference (P<0.05) among the three layer strains regarding the major egg quality traits like egg weight, albumen weight, haugh unit and yolk weight with the Black Bovan layer strains being superior to the Lohmann strains. It was also observed that the major egg quality traits like egg weight, albumen weight and haugh unit were significantly (P<0.05) affected with increasing storage length. There was also a significant (P<0.05) interaction effects between strain of layer and length of storage of egg on some important egg quality determinants like egg weight, albumen height and haugh unit. This shows that in order not to compromise the quality of eggs, one must consider the strain of layer to use and how long eggs could be stored before use. Irrespective of the strain of layers and storage period, it was realized that egg weight was more closely associated (P<0.05) with albumen height and weight than the other traits.
This study was conducted to find substitutes for dietary maize in rabbit rations, to minimize competition between humans and livestock over the commodity. Mango seed kernel meal (MSKM) was used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, to assess its effects on growth, carcass and meat characteristics. Fresh mango seeds were obtained, husks were removed and seeds soaked in fresh potable water for 48 hours. The seeds were then dried to a moisture content of about 15 %, and then milled for use. Three experimental diets were formulated, where T1 (control, had no MSKM), T2 (10% of maize was replaced with MSKM) and T3 (20% of maize was replaced with MSKM). A total of 48 six-week old rabbits of indeterminate breeds (24 males and 24 females) were assigned to the three dietary treatments (16 rabbits per treatment), and were fed adlibitum for 6 weeks, to determine feed intake and growth rates of the rabbits. Water was however provided ad-libitum. At the end of the feeding trial, 24 rabbits were randomly selected (8 from each treatment, equal number of males and females) and were slaughtered humanely after a 12-hour feed withdrawal, for carcass and proximate analyses of the meat. Results from the study indicate that, feed intake and growth rates of the animals reduced significantly (p<0.05) when dietary maize replacement with MSKM increased beyond 10% inclusions. However, crude protein, phosphorus, potassium and zinc contents of the meat increased significantly (p<0.05) as MSKM inclusions increased. That notwithstanding, carcass parameters and organ weights were not affected by substituting up to 20% of maize with MSKM (p>0.05). It can be concluded that MSKM can efficiently be used to substitute up to 20% of maize in rabbit rations, for reduced feed cost, improved crude protein, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc contents of the meat.
ABSTRACT:An experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of crossbred naked-neck and frizzle cockerel genotypes namely: (i) Na/naF/f, (ii) Na/naf/f (iii) na/naF/f and (iv) na/naf/f. These crossbred second generation cockerels were generated from a reciprocal crossing between crossbred heterozygous naked-neck (50% indigenous naked-neck and 50% Lohman Brown) and frizzle (50% indigenous frizzle and 50% Lohman Brown) stocks. One hundred and twenty (120), eight-week old crossbred cockerels (thirty each of the four genotypic groups) were randomly assigned to nine deep litter pens in a Completely Randomized Design for six weeks and their growth and carcass characteristics evaluated. The birds were provided with grower mash ad lib throughout the experimental period. At the end of the trial, 3 cockerels from each of the four genotypic groups were randomly selected and slaughtered and their carcass parameters determined. The results indicated that there was no significant genotype effect on both initial and final body weights. There were also no genotype effects on weight gain, feed intake, mortality and feed conversion ratio. With respect to carcass yield characteristics, the double heterozygous cockerels had significantly (P<0.05) higher values in terms of percent leg yield, breast yield, thigh yield, dressed weight and dressing percentage.
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