The relationship between morphological traits and body condition score (BCS) of indigenous sheep breeds was assessed. A total number of 400 indigenous sheep were sampled. Twelve body measurements were taken from these sheep; these measurements were then used to estimate body indices of these animals. Data were subjected to General Linear Model and correlation using SAS. Results revealed that there were significant effects (p>0.05) of sex on some morphological traits and body indices of the sheep. There were negative and significant (p<0.01) correlation between body condition score and height index, over increased index, index of chest compression, cephalic index and dactyl thorax index. There were positive and significant (p<0.01) correlation between body condition score and length index, weight, thoracic development and conformation index. It was concluded that there was low correlation between BCS, morphological traits and body indices of sheep except in conformation index. This implies that increase in conformation index will result in increase in BCS and vice-versa.
This study investigated the effects of different mineral nutrient sources (local potash ("kaun"), mineral lick and ruminant mineral premix) on milk yield and composition of West African Dwarf does. Twelve WAD goats (first parity does), weighing between 13.00±3.79 and 14.33±4.83 kg, were divided into four groups with three does per treatment; 0% mineral (0MC), 2% local potash (2LP), mineral lick (2ML) and mineral ruminant premix (2RMP). The experiment lasted for 180 days (150 days pregnancy, 30 days milk collection). Data collected on the milk yield and milk composition of WAD does were analysed using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Result revealed that for total milk yield and daily milk yield, does in 2ML (5919.67 millilitre/animal, 197.32 millilitre/animal/day), 2LP (5852.00 millilitre/animal, 195.07 millilitre/animal/day) and 2RMP (5131.00 millilitre/animal, 171.03 millilitre/animal/day) had the highest (p<0.05) values with 0MC (1642.67 millilitre/animal, 54.76 millilitre/animal/day) having the least values. For colostrum lactose, 2RMP (4.33±0.15%) and 2PLP (4.10±0.21%) had the highest (p<0.05) values followed by 0MC (3.97±0.27%) and 2ML (3.30±0.25%). While, in milk total solid, 0MC (11.40±0.35%) had the highest (p<0.05) value followed by 2ML (10.43±1.03%) and 2RMP (9.87±0.32%) with 2LP (8.93±0.43%) having the least values. The study concluded that for high milk yield, diets containing 2ML could be fed to does.
Blood reflects the pathological status of animals exposed to toxicants and other conditions. Blood examination helps to clinically investigate the presence of metabolites and other constituents in the body of animals and plays vital roles in the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of animals. Blood constituents change in relation to the physiological status of an animal.A total of 144 one-day-old Isa-brown pullet chicks were randomly picked from a larger flock, weighed and distributed to groups with 4 replicates of 9 chicks each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four feeds were formulated to meet the NRC requirement and allotted one each to the 4 group of birds. T1 was the control, T2, T3 and T4 contained 2% of Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amgydalina leaf meals respectively. At the end of the experiment which lasted for 8 weeks 2 birds were randomly selected from each replicate for haematological and serum boichemical examination. All the haematological parameters measured were not significant (P>0.05) except eosinophils while for serum biochemistry cholesterol and albumin to globulin ratio were significantly affected by dietary treatment ( P<0.05).The highest value (3.50 % eosinophils) was observed in the birds on diet 4 which had 2% of Vernonia amgydalina leaf meal and these birds also had the lowest (139.25 mg/dl) cholesterol value. It was therefore concluded that 2% of these leaf meals especially of Vernoniaamgy dalinacanbe incorporated in the diets of pullet chicks to reduce their blood cholesterol and boost the immunity
Linear descriptive scoring system is commonly used especially in cattle where number of analyses has been performed for selection purposes. The linear scoring of udder and structural traits of 700 White Fulani cattle of average age of 3 - 4 years was conducted in this study. These traits were subjectively scored through visual appraisal. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Result revealed that White Fulani cattle possess intermediate flank depth (6.40± 1.46); rump height (6.74± 1.31); rump length (5.94±1.23) and rump angle (5.26±1.29) but rump width (4.77 ±1.60) of the cattle was short and there were intermediate rear udder height (5.30±1.74), fore udder attachment (5.78±1.54), front teat placement (5.60±1.26), rear teat placement (5.40±1.34), teat length (5.01±1.95), teat placement side view (5.00±1.28) and udder balance (5.40±1.54), while, the cattle had short udder depth (4.90±1.95) and thickness of teat (4.93±1.83). Result further revealed that there was low or no correlation between udder type traits and structural traitsof the cattle. There was no or low correlation among udder traits except the moderate correlation between front teat placement and rear teat placement; moderate correlation between teat length and teat thickness. It was concluded that white Fulani cattle possess medium body and udder structure and no or low correlation between udder dimension traits of the cattle and their structural traits which may be suitable selection markers to improve White Fulani cattle milking ability particularly among pastoralists.
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