This study was conducted to investigate in vivo antimicrobial potential of garlic against Clostridium perferinges and resultant promotant effects on performance of the broiler chickens. Garlic powder was used as an alternative to GPAs (Growth Promotant Antibiotics) to prevent subclinical Necrotic Enteritis (NE) due to C. perferinges. 120 day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to six treatment groups of 20 chicks each (2 replicates(-10) chicks). Six isonutrient diets supplemented with garlic at graded levels of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g kg(-1) were fed to the birds for seven weeks. Data were collected weekly on performance parameters including feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Also, on the 21 35 and 49th days of the study, two birds per group were randomly selected, slaughtered and dissected. 1 g of caecal contents per each bird were sampled into labelled sterile sample bottles. The samples were subjected to culturing, bacterial identification and colony counting. All data were subjected to analysis of variance. Results showed that garlic significantly (p > 0.05) depressed feed intake (3310 g feed/bird at 1.0 g kg(-1) supplementation) but improved FCR. The supplement has no significant effect on weight gain but C. perfringens colony counts in the treated groups, were numerically reduced (lowest count, 0.93 x 10(5) cfu g(-1) at 1.0 g kg(-1) supplementation), as compared to the control. It is therefore concluded that diets could be supplemented with garlic at dose range of 1.0 to 1.5 g kg(-1) to prevent subclinical NE and achieve improved performance in birds.

Aim:The study examined the effect of different drinking water sources on performance, carcass characteristics and haematology of broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: 63 unsexed day-old broiler chicks were randomly grouped into three treatment groups (Treatments 1, 2 and 3), each consisting of three replicates of seven chicks each. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were given water from various sources: pipe borne water; borehole water and well water, respectively from day-old to seven weeks of age. The water samples were subjected to physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses.Results: Physico-chemically, only well water had a fair taste, it also had highest turbidity; while borehole water was least turbid. Borehole water had highest total hardness, nitrate, sodium, and calcium. Chloride was higher in borehole water and magnesium was higher in well water; while these were absent in pipe borne water. The study revealed that all water sources were contaminated with bacteria. The well water had the highest bacterial load of 3 21.2×10 cfu/ml, followed by borehole water with 5.8×10 cfu/ml, while pipe borne water recorded least bacterial 2 counts (1.6×10 cfu/ml). Escherichia coli, Klesiella spp and Proteus vulgaris were isolated from pipe borne, borehole and well water, respectively. The water treatments had no significant (p>0.05) effect on broiler chicken's performance, carcass characteristics and haematological indices. However, numerical increase in feed intake and weight gain was observed in birds placed on borehole water (Treatment2). Conclusion:This study suggest that different water sources used as drinking water in this experiment have no significant effect on performance, carcass characteristics and haematology of broiler chicken production in Sokoto metropolis. However, drinking water quality standard for poultry should not be jeopardized.

The leaf and root extracts of Senna italica were screened for phytochemical properties and antibacterial activity using standard methods. Alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids were detected in aqueousmethanol, n-hexane and aqueous extracts while tannins, glycosides and saponins were not detected in all the extracts. Sensitivity testing of the extracts showed a strong activity against all the test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae), which increased with increasing concentration of the extracts (30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/ml). Thus, inhibition zones of 20.0 ± 0.82, 32.0 ± 0.50, 32.0 ± 0.50, 33.0 ± 1.64 and 31.25 ± 0.25 mm were recorded at the highest concentration of 120 mg/ml for the leaf extracts against S. aureus, S. typhi, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae respectively. Similar trend was observed for the root extracts. Therefore, on the ground of the pronounced activity of the extracts against the test bacteria as well as the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids in the extracts, it could be suggested that this plant has a potential as a source of therapeutic agents. This supports the traditional use of the plant in curing human diseases. It is therefore suggested that further studies be carried out using different solvents as well as to isolate, purify and identify the active compounds present in the extracts with a view to justifying these claims.

No abstract

No abstract

This study was conducted to investigate antimicrobial potentials of honey at controlling proliferation of Clostridium perfringens (Cp) and promoting growth in broiler chickens. Graded concentrations of honey solution (HS) were compared to 5.0% oxytetracycline (OTC). A total of 96 day-old White Hubbard strain broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups of 24 chicks each in three replicates. The groups were designated as T1 for control (water only), T2 (1.5% HS), T3 (3.0% HS) and T4 (5.0 % OTC solution at 1.25g/liter). Data were collected weekly on feed intake, weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization (EFU) for six weeks. At 7th week, six birds per treatment were randomly selected, slaughtered and dissected, and 1g of caecal contents per bird was sampled into labeled sterile bottles. The samples were subjected to bacterial culturing, identification and colony counting. Results showed that feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) depressed by 3.0% HS, but EFU improved at 1.5% HS. Although the additive had no significant effect on weight, highest weight gain (1.69 kg/b) was noticed at 1.5% HS. Colonies of Cp were reduced in honey and OTC-treated groups (T2=5.2x105 ; T3= 5.0x105 and T4= 4.6×105 cfu g-1 ) compared to the control (T1; 8.7x105 cfu g-1). At 1.5% concentration, HS compared well with OTC as it reduced gut load of Cp and promoted growth in the broilers. In conclusion, addition of HS at 1.5% concentration in drinking water could therefore serve as an alternative to OTC to improve performance and reduce gut load of Cp in broilers