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The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead cadmium, chromium and copper) in poultry feed and ingredients from two regions (north and central) in Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 120 samples collected (comprising of maize, soybean meal, layers mash and broiler finisher) directly from poultry farms, feed mills and poultry feed dealers were analysed for moisture content, total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium and copper) concentrations. Moisture content was analysed using standard Association of Official Agricultural Chemists method, while total aflatoxin and heavy metals concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. Total aflatoxins concentrations ranged from 12.0 to 20 µg/kg and 21 to 31 µg/kg in samples from north and central region, respectively. Apart from maize, aflatoxin content in other samples from the north was marginally lower (18–20 µg/kg) than permitted levels. On the other hand, aflatoxin levels in samples from the central were all above tolerable limits. Copper content in samples was less than permissible limit, while 44.4, 29.1 and 21% of samples had concentrations of lead, cadmium and chromium, respectively, above permissible limit. The presence of aflatoxin and lead in poultry feeds above permissible limits of 20 µg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively, may pose a risk for animal productivity and human health.

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A 112days feed trial on West Africa Dwarf (WAD)goats fed cassava peels (CPM) and poultry droppings (PDM) with varying inclusion levels of enzymes on their growth performance and blood indices.Five dietary treatments levels based on the different percentage body weights per treatment were fed with varying levels of Roxazyme G2® at 4.4g, 4.6g, 4.8g and 5.0g which serves as T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively per kg of CPM + PDMThe moisture, dry matter, ash, crude fibre, ether extracts, crude protein and Nitrogen free extracts of the diets were 10.76-12.06%, 87.94-90.34%, 8.27-9.25%, 12.68-13.62%, 5.26-5.46%, 14.21-14.95 and 45.69-46.73% respectively.Data collected on the growth parameters and bloodindices of the goats were analysed, while the means were separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results on the general performance of WAD fed poultry dropping with varying inclusion levels showed that T5 have superior mean values on the weight gain, daily weight gain and better FCR. On the blood indices of WAD goats fed enzyme showed increase values on the parameters evaluated at higher inclusion levels. It was concluded that higher inclusion levels of enzymes resulted to a better growth performance with increase immunity to fight infection as observed at higher concentrations on their blood profile.

A twelve (12) weeks feeding trial on nine hundred and sixty (960) African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata ) fed various leaves was evaluated. The snails were allotted randomly on their experimental diets. The experimental diets were domestic wastes designated as the control (T1), Centrosema pubescence leaves (T2), Moringa oleifera leaves (T3), and sweet potato leaves as (T4). Each treatment had two hundred and forty snails and was replicated four times with sixty snails each per replicate. The proximate compositions of these leaves were analyzed and showed significant values on the moisture content, crude protein, ether extracts, crude fiber, ash, and Nitrogen free extracts respectively. Data were collected on the performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, proximate composition and minerals contents of snail meat. The results on the final weight, weight gain, average weight gain and FCR of snails showed that T4 (121.46, 36.10, 0.52g and 1.49­­ ) were significantly (p <0.05) different across treatment groups. Results on carcass characteristics showed that T4 had superior live weight, dressed weight, foot and dressing percentage values compared to the other groups. Also, T4 revealed significantly (p<0.05) different across the diets on nutrient digestibility, proximate compositions of snail meat and the mineral composition of the snail meat compared to the other treatments. The study concluded that T4 (sweet potato leaves) significantly influences the performance, carcass characteristic and mineral compositions of the snail meat and should be recommended as snail diet for optimum performance at an affordable cost.