This study evaluated egg traits, embryonic growth, and early growth rate in four strains of chicken. A total of 1200 hatching eggs, 300 each from four strains of chicken were used for this study. The strains included Nigerian indigenous chicken (NIC), Arbor acre, Hubbard, and Marshall broiler strains. Embryonic weights, yolk and albumen utilization were monitored throughout the incubation period. The chicks were randomly distributed into four rearing pens for a 28-day assessment of growth rate. Blood samples were collected at hatch (day-old), week 1, 2, 3 and 4 posthatch for thyroxine (T ) level determination. This study showed that the embryos 4 percentage weight gains were similar in the NIC and the broiler strains at embryonic (ED) 18. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the rate of albumen utilization among the strains. At hatching, there was no difference ((P>0.05) in the metabolic rate among the strains of chicken as shown by the levels of plasma T until later in the 4 growth phase. The day-old chick weight and the weights in subsequent weeks posthatch were smaller in the NIC than the broiler strains possibly as a result of low hatching weight and growth rate of the NIC in the first two weeks post-hatch. The early growth difference could not be explained by physiological parameters such as T . However, the differences in post-hatch physiological and metabolic parameters 4 may be due partly to genetic differences. It was concluded that embryonic development in the broiler strain was not superior to that of the NIC.
SUMMARYThis study evaluated early growth and plasma hormonal profile in exotic strains of broiler and Nigerian indigenous chicken. A total of 1200 hatching eggs, 300 each from four strains of chicken were used for this study. The strains included the Nigerian indigenous chicken (NIC), the Arbor acre, Hubbard, and Marshall broiler strains. Chicks weights were monitored weekly. Blood samples were collected at hatch (day-old), weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-hatch for triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and corticosterone level determination. The chicks were randomly distributed into four rearing pens for a 28-d assessment of growth rate. Results showed that the body weights (g) in the broiler strains were higher than that of the NIC throughout the rearing period. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the levels of T 3 at day-old and at week 1 until later in the growth phase. Corticosterone levels did not differ significantly at day-old but became different from week 1 post-hatch. The levels of T 3 were not statistically different in the first week of growth. In the second week of post-hatch growth, there was a statistical difference in the levels of T 3 among the four strains of chicken. The level in the NIC was comparable (p<0.05) to those of Arbor acre and Marshall strains. The level in the Hubbard was significantly lower than that of the NIC, Arbor acre and Marshall. In the third week of growth, the level in the NIC was similar to that of Marshall strain and higher than those of Hubbard and Arbor acre strains. This study showed that at hatching, there was no difference (p>0.05) in the metabolic rate and the stress level among the strains of chicken as shown by the levels of T 3 and corticosterone respectively. The day-old chick weight and the weights in subsequent weeks post-hatch were smaller in the NIC than the broiler strains possibly as a result of low hatching weight. The early growth difference could not be explained by physiological parameters such as T 3 and corticosterone. However, the differences in posthatch physiological and metabolic parameters may be due partly to genetic differences.
Twelve matured lactating ewes weighing between 16 and 24 kg live weight were used to evaluate the effects of stage of lactation and parity on milk composition and specific gravity of milk of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep in a semi-intensive system of management. Stage of lactation was divided into 4: early, mid, late and very late respectively with 3 weeks interval. The animals were of parities 1and 2 and were allowed to graze on an established paddock in the University Farm for 5 hours and supplemented with concentrate (17% CP, 5% BW) daily. Animals were hand milked once daily at 8.00 am for 12 weeks. Stage of lactation significantly (P < 0.05) affected specific gravity of milk while parity did not have any significant effect. Daily milk mass and daily milk volume decreased linearly from early to very late stage of lactation; 158.276 to 34.411 g and 156.054 to 34.410 cm3 respectively. Average composition of milk components were 3.78%, 4.49%, 0.76%, 4.99%, 9.02% and 14.00% for protein, lactose, ash, fat, solid non-fat and total solids respectively. Stage of lactation significantly (P<0.001) affected milk protein, lactose, fat, solid non-fat and total solid except ash. However, parity did not significantly affect any of these milk constituents. The contents of total solids, solid non-fat, fat and protein were positively correlated with. On the other hand, phenotypic correlations between lactose, protein and fat were negative. It was concluded that stage of lactation exerts significant influence on specific gravity and composition of milk of WAD sheep while parity did not
SUMMARYNutrient utilization and early growth rate in three strains of chicken were investigated using 900 hatching eggs, 300 from each strain. The strains of chicken used were Nigerian indigenous chicken (NIC), ISA Brown (IB) and Nera Black strains (NB). Ten eggs per strain were randomly selected for breakout at embryonic day (ED) 7, 11, 15, and 18 of incubation to collect data on albumen weight in order to determine the embryonic albumen reduction rate during incubation and yolk weight to monitor its utilization. Blood samples were collected at hatch (day-old), weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-hatch for triiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ) and corticosterone level (CORT) determination. The chicks were randomly distributed into four rearing pens for a 28-day assessment of growth rate. The results showed that at day 18 of incubation (ED 18), weight of egg yolk and rate of yolk loss were similar among all the strains. Also, from ED 0 to 7 and11 to 15, albumen reduction rate in the eggs of IB was higher compared to NB and NIC, while it was lowest in NIC. From ED7 to 11, NIC showed highest reduction rate, followed by NB. Lowest reduction rate was shown in the eggs of IB. At day 7 and 28 of post-hatch growth, relative weight gain by the NIC was higher compared to NB and IB chicks. While IB and NB strains were similar at day 7, NB showed an intermediate relative weight gain at day 28. Strain did not significantly (p>0.05) affect body weight at all the ages. At day 14 and 21of post-hatch growth, strain did not affect relative weight gain except at day 7 and 28.At day 7 and 28 relative weight gain by the NIC chicks was higher compared to NB and IB chicks.While IB and NB were similar at day 7, NB showed an intermediate relative weight gain at day 28. Plasma CORT level did not change from day-old until day 28 in all strains. Similarly, CORT levels did not differ among strains at each age of determination. T 3 concentration increased from day-old until day 7 post-hatch and leveled out throughout the ages of observation in all the strains. The weight differences of the embryos at ED18 and day-old-chicks at the hatching day suggest the influence of genetic differences and possibly that of inadequate incubation protocol at this stage. RESUMENEn tres líneas de pollos (Nigerian indigenous chicken, NIC; ISA Brown, IB y Nera Black, NB) se estudió la utilización de nutrientes durante la incubación y crecimiento juvenil, empleando 900 huevos (300 de cada línea). A los días embrionarios (ED) 7, 11, 15 y 18 de la incubación, diez huevos por línea fueron seleccionados al azar, para obtener datos sobre el peso del albumen y determinar su tasa de reducción embrionaria y peso de la yema. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre con un día de edad (a la eclosión) y a las semanas 1, 2, 3 y 4 desde la eclosión para determinacion de triiodotironina (T 3 ), tiroxina (T 4 ) y corticosterona (CORT). Los pollos fueron distribuidos al azar enArchivos de zootecnia vol. 62, núm. 242, p. 252. OBANLA, OKE, ONAGBESAN, WILLIAMS, ABIOJA, DARAMOLA AND ABIONA cua...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.