A total of 78 one day-old random-bred Nigerian local turkey poults were used to produce another 232 day-old poults in two planned experiments to characterize and discriminate Nigerian local turkey based on fertility and hatchability traits. Three phenotypic classes (black, white and spotted)were obtained as base population and used to generate F progeny. Experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest and hatches as block. Results showed that there was significant difference (p
A total of 78 day-old Random-bred Nigerian local turkey poults were used as parent stock to generate 232, 1 day-old poults ( ) used in the evaluation of the Nigerian local turkey phenotypes based on egg quality parameters. Three phenotypic classes (black, white and spotted) were obtained as base population and used to generate F progeny for the study. Experimental design for the experiment was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest. Results showed that Initial body weights were 62.39g, 62.56g and 62.43g in black, white and spotted respectively, whereas final body weights were 2761.25g, 2586g and 2697.58g in black, white and spotted respectively, and differed significantly (p<0.05) in weeks 13 and 17 with the heaviest weight in black phenotype. Therewas no significant difference (p>0.05) in bodyweights of the phenotypes in all other weeks. With the exception of weeks 3 and 13 in which there were significant differences (p<0.05), there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in average daily feed intake (ADFI) in all other weeks. It was therefore, concluded that for rapid improvement of these traits, the black variety could be used to enhance growth of Nigerian local turkeys in the study area. The present findings could assist in the design of long-term genetic improvement programmes for turkey production in Nigeria.
One hundred and twenty, one day old Anak breeds were randomly assigned to five treatment diets. Each group was replicated into four with six birds per replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated with diet 1 (T1) as control, contained 0% Goat Blood-Rumen Content Mixture (GBRCM) and aromatic plants. Diet 2 (T2) contains 10% GBRCM without aromatic plants supplementation. Diet 3, 4 and 5 (T3, T4 and T5) contained 10% goat blood-rumen content mixture supplemented with garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis). The experiment lasted for 56 days. Parameters evaluated were; body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein intake, protein efficiency ratio, nutrient digestibility and economics of production. The results showed that birds fed with aromatic plant supplemented had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight gain, feed intake and superior feed conversion ratio than birds fed with unsupplemented and control. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference on the parameters of the birds fed with control diet T1 and T2 among the treatments. Diet T3 formulated with 10% goat blood-rumen content and 5 grams of Allium sativum indicated the best performance followed by diet T4 and diet T5 . This showed that the goat blood-rumen content based-diet supplemented with aromatic reduced the high cost of feed material, ensured greater productivity and has no adverse effect on health status of the birds. The GBRCM based-diet supplemented in the broiler bird's diets reduced the cost of production with no adverse effect on performance.
A total of 270 one day-old broiler chicks comprising of 90 chicks each ofAborAcre, Ross and Marshal Strains were used for the study. The study was carried out to determine the correlation between the body weight and other morphometric measurements in the broiler strains from 2 to 8 weeks of age and predict body weight of the broiler using linear body measurement. Data were collected on body weight and body measurements to include breast length (BRL), thigh width (TW), shank length (SL), keel length (KL), wing length and drumstick length (DL). There were strong positive and significant (p>0.01) correlations between body weight (BWT) and all morphometric traits in the three broiler strains studied, except breast length (BRL) that showed weak but significant (p
Background: Melatonin is the main neurohormone synthesized and released by the pineal gland. It stimulates several antioxidative enzymes which increase its efficiency as an antioxidant and enhance the maturation of oocytes and the development of follicles in animals. Artificial lighting on the other hand improves bird’s performance especially reproductive performance and behavior. By providing artificial light, growers can manipulate this natural cycle to their advantage and increase the egg laying. Therefore, this current study was aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin and increased lighting on the welfare of laying birds.Methods: In November 2018 to December 2019, a total 162 sixteen weeks Isa Brown hens were used for the experiment which was grouped into 9 treatments. Melatonin and lighting at three levels (0mg, 5mg, 10mg and 12hrs, 15hrs and 18hrs) were administered orally to the birds four times weekly within a day interval for 30 weeks from 16 weeks to 46 weeks. Data on rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate were collected and analysed. Blood samples were also collected and analysed for haematological parameters.Result: Results showed that rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HT) were significantly (p less than 0.05) influenced by both melatonin and lighting. Melatonin at 5mg significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the rectal temperature (40.55oC), respiratory rate (139.44bpm) and heart rate (320bpm) while lighting at 18 hours significantly (p less than 0.05) increased the rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate due to heat stress among the parameters. The haematological profiles were influenced (p less than 0.05) by the administration of melatonin. Treatments levels on melatonin administration (5mg and 10mg) had increased circulating packed cell volume of 28.00% and 28.11% respectively compared to the control group which had 25.66%. The results indicates that melatonin at 5mg and 10mg improved the welfare of the birds but increased lighting beyond 12 hours compromised immunity of the birds.
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