No abstract

Several studies revealed inconsistencies in recommended feed particle size for optimal growth and productive performance of rabbits. Information on the interaction effect of feed form and feed particle size on rabbit’s growth performance and gut morphology is thereby a growing concern. Hence, the growth response, carcass yield and intestinal villus morphology of thirty-six growing male rabbits of mixed breeds (Chinchilla × New Zealand White) weighing between 550-600g were determined using two feed forms (FF): pellets and crumbs of different particle sizes (PS): 1 and 2 mm. The rabbits were allotted on weight equalization basis to crumbs and pellets composed of 1 and 2 mm PS in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental layout and subjected to Completely Randomized Design. Nine (9) rabbits were assigned to each treatment made of three replicates of three rabbits each. The rabbits were maintained on concentrate diets ad libitum for 10 weeks. Two rabbits per replicate with representative mean live weight were selected for carcass evaluation at the 10th week and the remaining one was used for intestinal villus morphology. FF and PS significantly (P<0.05) influenced the cost/kg feed but did not influence the growth responses. Rabbits on 1mm PS feed had a higher (P<0.05) dressing percentage (65.61 %) than 2 mm. Also, rabbits fed crumbs containing 1 mm PS recorded the highest dressing percentage. Rabbits on 1mm PS feed had a higher (P<0.05) lamina propria depth (172.50 µm) and apical width (52.50 µm) of ileum. Significant (P<0.05) interaction effects were observed for lamina propria depth (LPD) and basal width with rabbits fed crumbs of 1 mm PS having the highest LPD. It was concluded that carcass yield of growing rabbits could be optimized by feeding pellets or crumbs of 1mm particle size.

In the study, the effects of in ovo injection of amino acids (L-methionine, L-lysine, and Larginine) and their combinations on hatching traits, post-hatch performance, cell-mediated immune response and blood profile of FUNAAB Alpha broiler chicken were evaluated. The study was carried out in two trials. In the first trial, a total of 360 hatching eggs of indigenous chicken were fumigated, weighed and placed in the incubator. On day 14 of incubation, candling was done and eggs with living embryos were distributed into four treatments; Control (un-injected eggs), L-methionine injected eggs, L-arginine injected eggs and L-lysine injected eggs. Each egg was injected 0.5 mL solution of the amino acid on day18. Hatched chicks were distributed into three replicates containing 30 chicks each. In trial 2, another 360 hatching eggs were used in the treatments which were; Control (eggs without amino acid injection), L-arginine injected eggs, combination of L-arginine and L-methionine injected eggs and combination of L-arginine and L-lysine injected eggs. On day 21 post-hatch, cell-mediated immune response, haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined. Data obtained from the two trials were subjected to Completely Randomized Design. Results revealed the highest hatchability of 70.27% in the control treatment (un-injected), followed by 51.35% in arginine-injected eggs with the lowest (2.70%) in methionine-injected eggs. Arginine was found to enhance hatchability while L-methionine injected in ovo decreased hatchability. In the second trial, the results showed highest hatchability (89.58%) in eggs under the control, followed by 39.29%, 30.80% and 21.43% in eggs injected with the combination of arginine and lysine, arginine injected eggs, and those with arginine and methionine combination, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) differences in growth performance were only observed in the feed conversion ratio and percentage survivability. Better feed conversion ratio of 2.18 and 2.29 were recorded in birds injected with arginine and the control as against those subjected to combined arginine and methionine (2.96) as well as combined arginine and lysine (3.12). Survivability of 100% was recorded in chickens from arginine-injected eggs in ovo injection and chickens from eggs injected with the combination of arginine and methionine. The study concluded that in ovo injection of arginine either singly or in combination with lysine or methionine positively influenced hatchability, chick weight and growth performance without any deleterious effect on the blood profile of the post-hatch chicks.

This study was conducted to assess the sensory characteristics and acceptability of goat milk in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. A total of seventy respondents were selected randomly. Milk collected from lactating West African Dwarf goats was pasteurized at a o temperature of 74 C for five minutes, cooled, packaged in small polythene and sealed withmachine and refrigerated. The milk was taken to various settlements in Odeda Local Government of Ogun state for sensory evaluation. Majority of the respondents were students 54.3% only a few 12.9% were traders with a high percentage between the ages of 21-30. Also, 67.1% and 70.0% of the respondents were Christian and Yorubas, respectively. Moreover, 65.7% of respondents were married, while 34.3% were unmarried. The married had a family size of ≤ 2. Majority of the respondents (88.8%) had tertiary education. The small number of respondents 37.1% involved in ruminant production had only 2 years ruminant farming experience and kept fewer than 5 goats. About 60 % of the respondent consumed milk on weekly basis while 6% consumed milk on daily. It was observed that 100% of the respondents preferred cow milk despite the fact that 78.6% of the respondents were aware of goat milk consumption. The taste, colour, odour and flavor of goat milk were rated as Very good by 55.7%, 37.1%, 41.4% and 41.4% of respondents respectively. Majority of the respondents had a favourable disposition towards the taste (75.5%), colour (62.9%), odour (80.0%) and flavour (61.4%) when compared with other milk products in the market. Thus, goat milkt could be taken as alternative to cow milk without any detrimental effect It then become imperative for this positive perception to be explored by the government and other relevant development agencies so as to increase food supply to alleviate protein deficiency and thereby improved the economy.