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Food animals slaughtered in developing countries especially in Nigeria have shown prevalence of abscess which is linked to poor animal husbandry. This condition affects the performance of animals hence decreasing their productivity. Secondary data on abscess in cattle, goats and pigs were extracted from the Jos Abattoir record book for a period of five years. Five hundred and ninety-two (1.8%) animals from a total of 33,637 animals slaughtered had abscess. Pigs had more abscess (3.5%) than cattle (3.3%) and goats (1.4%), respectively. Yearly distribution of this condition revealed peak prevalence in all species in 2014.

A study was conducted to determine the incidences of supernumerary teat and wattles in goat and the relationship between the two traits. The survey was conducted with 104 farmers having 948 goats. Attributes measured were herd, herd size, male, female, coat colour, long hair back, long hair at the thigh, long hair back and thigh region, udder pigmentation, beard, dam, tassel, farmer’s experiences on supernumerary teat, and tassel. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation in J.M.P genomics software. There was presence of more female goats in the herds than males in Plateau State. The incidence of supernumerary teat was 31.6% in does while incidence of wattle tassel was 37.4 %. The colour of white, tan, brown and black were low in frequency (1.88, 2.64 and 9.28%). Normal hair was significantly and positively correlated with long hairs at the back was significantly and positively correlated with beard and tassel in the does (P˂ 0.01; r= 0.42- 0.43). Beardness in the does was only (12.48 %) with majority being non-beard (87.52 %). In conclusion, this has emphasized the need for breeding soundness examination including mammary gland to identify and eliminate supernumenary teat during during community based genetic improvement of goats. A programmed should be organised for farmers on supernumerary teat and wattle in goats and their managerial approach.

The consumption of dog meat has been reported in many countries of the world including Nigeria. Different pre-slaughter handling methods are commonly used prior to dog slaughter in many parts of the country including Plateau State. This study determined the frequency and reasons for the use of the various traditional preslaughter handling methods at the "Angwan Kare" Dog Market Jos. Relevant data were collected from 120 butchers interviewed randomly in groups of 20 for six consecutive days. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 120 butchers were interviewed, 114 (95%) used the strangulation method of preslaughter handling. The suffocation method was used by 2 butchers with 1.7% as the overall use frequency. The stunning method was used by 4 butchers with 3.3% as the overall frequency of use. It is evident from this study that the strangulation method with frequency of 95% is the most used of the pre-slaughter handling methods. Dog butchers should be trained and taught proper pre-slaughter stunning techniques to enhance meat quality and dog welfare through the relief of pain, fear and suffering.

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This study investigated the effects of different processing methods of Delonix regia seeds on amino acids composition of experimental diets. Ten isonitrogenous diets (40% crude protein) were formulated with cooked, raw and fermented Delonix regia seeds at 0% (Control), 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels respectively. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance, significant differences in means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. All the essential amino acids (lysine, arginine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine and phenylalanine) differs significantly among the treatments except histidine which was statistically similar (P > 0.05) across the dietary treatments. The activity of essential and non- essential amino acid concentration was higher in cooked than the fermented and raw Delonix regia seeds. It was concluded that cooked Delonix regia seeds at 10% inclusion levels had the highest activities of essential and non-essential amino acids and could be used to supplement conventional feedstuff for livestock especially in fish nutrition and bioenergetics.

Inbreeding refers to the mating together of individuals that are more closely related than would be the case if mating was at random. In this study, we investigate inbreeding and its effect on productive traits in NAPRI X broiler chickens. Traits measured were bodyweight and morphometric traits (Neck length, back length, keel length, breast length, thigh length and shank length). Pedigree information which consists of the base generation, 1060 (sire line) and 341 (dam line) birds; in generation 1, there were 565 (sire line selection), 859 (dam line selection), 433 (sire line control), and 592 (dam line control); and in generation 2, there were 595 (sire line selection), 764 (dam line selection), 457 (sire line control), and 654 (dam line control) were used to calculate inbreeding using J.M.P genomics software. Inbreeding significantly (p<0.05) influenced bodyweight and morphometrics in a positive direction (0.020 -1.052) though some of the traits are tending to zero. The trend in inbreeding coefficient was quadratic from the base generation to the second generation with a range of 0.38-0.81 in SLS, 0.41-0.96 in DLS, 0.51-0.80 in SCL and 0.30-1.03 in DCL. It is therefore concluded that there is a gradual build-up of inbreeding in NAPRI X population thus, the use of mate allocation programs is hereby recommended to put a limit or constraint on the level of inbreeding for the future progeny of NAPRI X broiler chickens.