BackgroundThe inclusion of traditional plant-based ecto-parasite control methods in primary health care of livestock is increasingly becoming an important intervention for improving livestock productivity in resource-challenged smallholder farming areas. In this study, commonly used plants used for the control of cattle ticks and other pests were identified through a survey in four semi–arid districts of Zimbabwe.MethodsA standard structured questionnaire with details of demographics, socioeconomic status of households, livestock parasites, control practices and list of ethnoveterinary plants used was used to interview 233 knowledgeable smallholder farmers in four districts. Focus group discussions with community members further provided insights on how the plants were being used and other issues surrounding ecto-parasite control and indigenous knowledge systems in the study areas.ResultsThe older generation (>40 years) of the respondents were knowledgeable about ethnoveterinary plants and practices. Overall, 51 plant species were reportedly effective against cattle ticks and other livestock parasites. The most frequently mentioned plants were in descending order, Cissus quadrangularis (30.1%), Lippia javanica (19.6%), Psydrax livida (14.9%) and Aloe sp (14.9%). Most of the plant materials were prepared by crushing and soaking in water and spraying the extract on animals. Despite the knowledge of these useful pesticidal plants, the preferred animal health care for cattle and other highly ranked livestock species is still the use of commercial acaricides. Cattle dipping services were reported sporadic by 48% of the respondents. Traditional knowledge and plants are considered only as an alternative in the absence of conventional synthetic products.ConclusionsLivestock farming communities know of plant species used for livestock ecto-parasite control. The plant species are mostly used to complement commercial products. More work, is required to confirm the acaricidal properties claimed by the farmers in order to optimize and promote sustainable use of these plants.

Extensive, intensive, respiratory rate, heart rate, strain, temperature.Submitted: 23/April/2017 Approved: 11/June/2017 ABStRACt Free-range chicken production has significantly increased in recent years and it often entails exposing birds to cyclic environmental conditions. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of bird strain and sex, and rearing system on the physiological responses of Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Ovambo (OV) and Naked Neck (NN) chickens reared in a hot environment. Body weight (BW), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) were determined weekly for 4 weeks, in 3 slow-growing chicken strains under cyclic environmental conditions. A total of 288, 20-week old Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Ovambo (OV) and Naked Neck (NN) chickens were separated by sex and allocated to extensive and intensive rearing systems. Ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) were used to compute a temperature humidity index (THI). A Proc MIXED model was used to analyze fixed effects and a linear regression model was fitted to test the relationship between THI and response parameters. All factors studied influenced (p<0.05) BW while none affected (p>0.05) RT. Higher BW (p<0.05) were obtained with OV in both rearing systems. Sex influenced (p=0.0021) HR but not RR (p>0.05). Week and rearing system affected (p>0.05) RR. THI showed significant correlation with RR and HR. THI was higher in intensive than extensive rearing. Physiological responses of PK, OV and NN are comparable under similar rearing conditions.

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Guinea fowls are a source of high-value meat and eggs, and the birds are more disease resistant than other types of birds. A survey was conducted in ward 23, Chipinge district, Zimbabwe, to characterise guinea fowl management practices and to identify constraints and potential opportunities for increased guinea fowl productivity. Purposive sampling was used to select 84 out of possible 252 guinea fowl owners. Data were collected by direct observation on guinea fowl varieties, feeding strategies and housing facilities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on farmer experiences, perceptions and common challenges encountered. A chi-squared test was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study revealed that famers keep guinea fowls under free-range management. The average production indices were flock size 18 ± 12, egg production 89 ± 50, hatchability 63.8% and keet survival rate of 75%. Approximately 42.9% of the farmers provide supplementary feed albeit not systematically. There was a significant association between provision of supplementary feed and keet survival rate (χ = 21.600, df = 2, P< 0.016) as well as provision of housing and flock size (χ = 38.508, df = 3, P< 0.018). The housing provided was substandard. Major challenges faced by farmers were predation, low hatchability and lack of access to profitable markets. The provision of supplements and better housing for birds could improve guinea fowl productivity.

Behaviour is a good indicator of the well-being of chickens. The objective of the study was to compare foraging behaviour in males and females of three indigenous chicken strains under generally hot freerange conditions. Behavioural activities were monitored in 21-wk-old Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Ovambo (OV) and Naked Neck (NN) chickens. Birds were separated by sex and allocated to four pens of Chloris gayana. Three birds per pen were randomly chosen and marked with paint 20 min before observation. Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated and main effects analysed using the general linear models procedure. Naked Necks spent more time walking than OV and PK. Strain did not affect other behaviours. Females spent more time foraging, while males dominated standing and walking. There was negative correlation between THI and time spent foraging. There was interaction between strain and sex on time spent standing. Foraging and drinking behaviours were more prominent in the morning (07:00 h) and late afternoon (17:00 h) compared to the 12:00-h period, whereas preening and dust-bathing were dominant around mid-day. Strain, sex and THI influence behaviour in free-range chickens. Breeding programmes should be cognizant of these attributes in order to produce hardier birds in view of worsening climatic uncertainties. ARTICLE HISTORY

Meat and fat yield influence the profitability of modern commercial poultry production. This study investigated the effect of strain, sex and rearing system on carcass and fat yields of 3 slow-growing chicken strains. Two hundred and eighty-eight Potchefstroom Koekoek, Ovambo and Naked Neck chickens, weighing 1710 ± 308.8 g, were allocated to 4 free-range pens and 4 housed pens. Body (BW), carcass (CW), dressed (DW), cut, giblet, fat pad (AFP) weights were determined after 4 weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted in SAS. Strain influenced (P less than 0.05) thigh, neck and giblet weight. Males were heavier (P less than 0.05), yielding heavier cuts and pancreases but lighter AFP than females. Ovambos yielded the heaviest portions among the 3 strains. Free-range birds experienced crop, gizzard hypertrophy and pancreatic atrophy. Further research could focus on fatty acid composition of meat from free-range systems to establish potential implications on heart-related health conditions.

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Meat and fat yield influence the profitability of modern commercial poultry production. This study sought to determine the effect of strain and sex on carcass and fat yield of three slow-growing chicken strains reared in open and closed pens. Two hundred and fifty-eight, 20-week old PK, OV and NN chickens, weighing 1710±308.8 g, were allocated to 4 paddocks of Chloris gayana and 4 pens in a poultry house. Final body weight (BW), carcass (CW), dressed (DW) weight, cut, abdominal fat pad (AFP) yield and giblet weights were determined. As a result of this study, strain did not affect BW but influenced back, pancreas, gizzard, neck, crop and AFP weight. Sex of bird influenced BW and males were significantly heavier, yielding heavier cuts and pancreases but lighter AFP than females. It was concluded that foraging males yield heavier cuts and females are fattier than foraging males of the same strain. Evaluating fatty acid composition of meat from foraging birds could help quantify risk associated with consumption of meat from foraging slow-growing chickens.