Average Live Weight Research Articles

The Assessment of Natural Biomineral Leonardite on Growth and Pigmentation of Goldfish, Carassius auratus.

In this study, the impact of leonardite as a feed additive in goldfish diets was examined, focusing on its potential to positively influence feed and water parameters, which are critical for achieving sustainable ornamental fish farming. In this study, goldfish were fed diets containing four different levels of leonardite (0%, 2%, 6%, 10%). The experiment was conducted in 12 tanks with 3 replicates per treatment and lasted for 3 months. The fish, which were provided from the Research, Production and Training Institute, with an average live weight of 0.947 ± 0.03 g and an average length of 1.12 ± 0.02 cm, were used. After 90 days, it was observed that the specific growth rates increased in correlation with the amount of leonardite in the diet, with a statistically significant difference identified (p < 0.05). In this study, which investigated the coloration of fish with leonardite added to the feed for the first time, it was determined that the color of the fish approached from yellow to orange as the amount of leonardite added to the feed increased (p < 0.05). Given the positive effects observed on pigmentation and growth in this study, it is recommended that further detailed investigations be conducted on leonardite, a natural, harmless, and cost-effective additive, using different fish species.

Histological and histochemical evaluation of the small intestine and caecal appendix of rabbits fed triticale-based diets with added xylanase

The inclusion of triticale in rabbit diets can negatively affect production parameters due to the presence of arabinoxylans that increase the viscosity of intestinal contents, making digestion and absorption of nutrients difficult. Therefore, the addition of the enzyme xylanase can improve intestinal morphology and the digestive process. This study aimed to conduct histological and histochemical evaluations of the small intestine and caecal appendix in growing-finishing rabbits fed diets containing 14% triticale supplemented with varying levels of xylanase. The rabbits had an initial average live weight of 822 g and reached a final weight of 2097 g. For this purpose, forty 35-d-old male rabbits crossbred New Zealand × California were used. Rabbits were housed in individual cages and randomly divided into four experimental treatments (xylanase at doses of 0, 4000, 8000 and 12 000 xylanase units (XU)/kg of dry matter). At the end of the experimental period, rabbits were slaughtered at seventy days of age and samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecal appendix. Samples were stained using the standard Haematoxylin-Eosin (HE) technique for the histological evaluation and Alcian Blue (PAS) for the histochemical evaluation. The addition of xylanase linearly increased the height of villi in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, while villi width was linearly reduced in jejunum and increased in ileum. Crypt depth was linearly reduced by xylanase dose in duodenum, while the response was linear and quadratic in jejunum and ileum. The villi height to crypt depth ratio was linearly increased by the xylanase dose in the duodenum and jejunum, although the effect was quadratic in the ileum. The dome height of the caecal appendix increased linearly with the addition of xylanase. Epithelial mucus count was linearly reduced by xylanase dose in the base of the duodenum, jejunum and caecal appendix, although this linear reduction was only observed in the villi of the jejunum and in the caecal appendix. In conclusion, the addition of xylanase positively affected the histological and histochemical characteristics of the small intestine and caecal appendix, so its use could improve digestive and productive performance in rabbits.

Meat productivity and beef quality of Black-and-White bulls fed with zinc and selenium in organic form as part of the diet

Increasing the production of high quality ecologically pure animal products, especially beef is one of the main tasks of the agro-industrial complex. In this regard, it is necessary to apply measures for the effective use of genetic resources of both domestic and imported origin, improving feeding systems, using feed additives, biological active substances that stimulate the growth and development of animals. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the feed additives Plexomin Zn 26 and Plexomin Se 2000, containing in its composition zinc and selenium in organic form, on the slaughter parameters of Black-andWhite bulls, as well as on the quality of the obtained product - beef. For the research, 15-month-old Black-and-White bulls were divided into two groups (control and experimental) of 20 heads each, average live weight was 328.8–329.3 kg. The experiment lasted 91 days. The difference was that the experimental animals were fed with the feed additives Plexomin Se 2000 at a dosage of 1.2 g/head/day and Plexomin Zn 26 at a dosage of 1.2 g/head/day as part of the concentrated part of the diet during the study period. A control slaughter was carried out at the meat processing plant "Orenbeef" for comparative evaluation of meat productivity and beef quality of bulls fattened with and without feed additive. As a result of the research, it was found out that experimental bulls outperformed their control counterparts in live weight at the end of the experiment by 2.5 % (Р≤0.05), pre-slaughter live weight by 2.2 % (Р≤0.05), fresh carcass weight by 4.5 % (Р≤0.01), internal fat weight by 22.1 % (Р≤0.05), slaughter weight by 5.2 % (Р≤0.01), and slaughter yield by 1.62 % (Р≤0.05). Meat from experimental bulls contained 1.35 % more dry matter (Р≤0.05), 0.26 % more fat (Р≤0.05), 32.9 % more glycogen (Р≤0.01), 1.3 % less moisture (Р≤0.05), 7.1 % more oxyproline (Р≤0.05) and 1.92 % more pH (Р≤0.05).

The Effect of Live Weight and Body Condition Scores of Akkaraman and Lalahan Sheep During Mating and Lambing Periods on Lamb Birth Weights

This study examines the effects of body weight and body condition scores (BCS) during mating and lambing periods of Akkaraman and Lalahan (KıvırcıkxAkkaraman G1) sheep breeds on birth weights of the lambs. The study was conducted with a total of 100 lambs born in February-March 2021, comprising 29 Akkaraman and 71 Lalahan lambs. The average live weights during the mating season were 59.17±1.20 kg and 54.07±0.77 kg; the average postpartum live weights were 61.58±1.43 kg and 59.05±0.92 kg (P&gt;0.05); and the average BCS were 2.69±0.08 and 2.82±0.05 (P&gt;0.05) in Akkaraman and Lalahan genotype (P0.05), 4.92±0.07 kg and 4.25±0.18 kg in single and twin lambs (P0.05), respectively. Analysis using the CART algorithm revealed that the birth weight of lambs from ewes with a BCS of 2.5 or below and those with a BCS of 3 or above was 4.72 kg and 4.88 kg (P

Biochemical and hematological alterations in horses subjected to performance tests in a semiarid region

This study aimed to evaluate the hematological, physiological and biochemical alterations of quarter and crossbred horses subjected to vaquejada tests in semiarid regions and to determine the welfare conditions of the animals in these competitions. We evaluated 18 pure and crossbred Quarter horses, males and females, with ages ranging from two to 13 years and an average live weight of 476.5 kg, divided into three groups (animals in early training, animals in an intermediate phase and animals considered fit for competition). Four samples were collected at 30-day intervals. The physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters were measured at two time points: before, with the animal resting, and immediately after the vaquejada test simulation. The experimental design was subdivided into plots that were repeated over time (three types of training, two moments and four collections). The results were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared via Tukey’s test at 5% significance. There was an effect of the moment of collection on the respiratory rate, hematocrit and glucose concentration. There was a marked increase in heart rate, approximately 25%, from the first collection to the subsequent collection, which remained constant until the last collection. The heart rates of the animals remained constant, but immediately after the test, the average heart rate of the animals at the beginning of training was lower than that in the other phases. More research is needed to determine the time at which physiological and biochemical parameters return to normal patterns and to predict possible injuries in the conditioning of horses participating in the vaquejada.

Mitigating methane emissions in grazing beef cattle with a seaweed-based feed additive: Implications for climate-smart agriculture

The ruminant livestock sector considerably contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the effectiveness of pelleted bromoform-containing seaweed ( Asparagopsis taxiformis ) (Brominata) as an enteric methane (CH 4 ) inhibitor in grazing beef cattle. The primary objective was to assess the impact of this antimethanogenic additive on enteric CH 4 emissions under real-world farm conditions. Twenty-four beef steers, crossbreeds of Wagyu and Angus, with an average liveweight of 399 ± 21.7 kg, were allocated to two treatment groups: Control and Brominata. These animals underwent regular weigh-ins every 14 d, and measurements of CH 4 , carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and hydrogen (H 2 ) emissions were conducted using the GreenFeed system. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS 9.4, wherein the model incorporated fixed effects for treatment, time, their interaction, and a covariate, while accounting for animal variations as a random effect within each phase. Three phases of bromoform intake were identified: a 3-wk ramp-up phase, a 3-wk optimal phase, and a 2-wk decreasing phase. No differences were observed between the weekly initial and final liveweight, average daily gain, and predicted dry matter intake. During optimal and decreasing phases, average enteric CH 4 emissions were significantly reduced in steers that received Brominata supplementation compared to those without supplementation (115 vs. 185 g/d, respectively). Additionally, both groups had similar CO 2 emissions (6.8 vs. 7.2 kg/d), while H 2 emissions were lower in the control group (3.4 vs. 1.8 g/d). The findings suggest that pelleted bromoform-containing feed additive has the potential to reduce enteric CH 4 emissions from grazing beef cattle.

Effect of Supplementation of Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) on Growth Performance of Broiler in Konkan Region, India

The experimental trial of six weeks was conducted on 200 broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into five experimental treatment groups. Each treatment group was replicated into four with 10 birds per replication. The control (T1) group was fed standard ration and T2, T3, T4 and T5 group were provided same standard ration supplemented with 1.00 g, 2.00 g, 3.00 g and 4.00 g spirulina powder, respectively. The result of experimental trial showed that supplementation of spirulina powder was significantly highest live body weight in treatment T5 (1944.50 g/bird) as well as average live body weight gain (277.79 g/bird). It is concluded that, 4.00 g of spirulina powder significantly improved growth performance of broiler chicks than other treatments groups.

Zootechnical characteristics of the emerging lines of stallions of the Yakut breed in the Oymyakonsky ulus of Yakutia

Purpose: zootechnical characteristics of the developing lines of Yakut breed stallions in the breeding farm "Agricultural production cooperative "Tonor" of the Oymyakon ulus of Yakutia.Materials and methods. The study of the exterior indicators of the stallions was carried out by taking body measurements according to the instructions of the All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding. The use of genotypic assessment methods for animals along with classical zootechnical assessment methods for pedigree, productive traits (live weight and meat productivity of offspring, milk production, fertility of daughters) was supplemented by the use of the method of selecting offspring based on their adaptability to herd conditions.Results. Long-term selection work in the breeding farm of the Oymyakon ulus is completed by the formation of six lines of outstanding Yakut breed stallions. In terms of live weight, both stallions and mares of the Oymyakon horse surpass stallions and mares of the Yana, Kolyma and indigenous types. Oymyakon stallions (n=20) weighed on average 483,7±3,55 kg, while stallions of the indigenous types weighed 446,3±4,75 kg (n=34), Kolyma types 449,1±3,42 kg (n=87) and Yana types 469,4±3,27 kg (n=128). Oymyakon horse mares (n=165) also surpassed mares of the indigenous type (401,6±2,00 kg (n=341)), Kolyma type (432,2±1,13 kg (n=1063) and Yang type (431,0±1,16 kg (n=881)) in average live weight of 453,8±2,19 kg. According to measurements of head, neck, chest, croup, occiput and withers, chest and croup width and their indices, Oymyakon horse stallions and mares are practically no different from indigenous type horses. The founder of the line with the most numerous followers is the outstanding stallion Kyurzhet, born in 1946. He came from local Yakut horses of the former Bolshevik collective farm. His line continues on the Tonor farm through his two descendants: his grandson Chalay, born in 1981, live weight 515 kg, and his great-grandson Tenkelekh, born in 1992, live weight 490 kg. The farm produced Kyurzhet's great-great-great-grandson Chalay and 6 great-great-great-great-grandchildren, and now produces 11 continuers of the line (3 great-great-great-great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren), a total of 18 continuers of his line have been and are being produced.

Effect of Feed Supplementation of Shatavari Root Powder (Asparagus racemosus) on Growth Performance of Broiler in Konkan Region

The present study aimed to highlights the effect of feed supplementation of Shatavari root powder (Asparagus racemosus) on growth performance of broiler in Konkan region. A substantial portion of the production expenses is attributed to the cost of feed and in a developing country like India, the supply of quality and affordable feed has been inconsistent. To enhance the overall productivity of poultry birds, it is imperative to maintain a reliable source of low-cost feed. The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken for total 200-day old broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into five experimental diets. Each treatment group was replicated into four with 10 birds per replicate. The control (T0) group was fed standard ration and T1, T2, T3, and T4 group were provided same standard ration supplemented with 5.00, 10.00 , 15.00 and 20.00 g /kg Shatavari root powder, respectively. Result of experiment showed that supplementation of Shatavari root powder was significantly highest live body weight in treatment T2 (1852.50 g/bird) as well as average live weight gain (264.64 g/bird). It is concluded that, 10.00 g of Shatavari root powder significantly improved growth performance than other treatments groups.

Influence of different doses of essential amino acids on growth and development of broiler chickens

Optimization of the amino acid balance of essential amino acids, as well as individual amino acids and probiotics, allows improving production indicators such as poultry livability, live weight gain, feed conversion and increasing the economic efficiency of meat production. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the eff ect of diff erent levels of arginine in poultry diets on average daily live weight gain and determine its effect on the livability of broiler chickens, optimize the amino acid composition of broiler chicken diets in accordance with the recommended standards of essential amino acids. The experiment was conducted at Kuratye LLC in Verkhniy Tagil in the Sverdlovsk region on the cross Arbor Acres of broiler chickens. The diet of the experimental group of broilers diff ered from the control diet in that the content of the amino acid arginine was brought to the standards recommended by German poultry farmers. It was found that the average daily live weight gain of broilers in the experimental group for the entire growing period was 47.7 g in the control group, in the experimental group it was 9.0 % higher than in the control and was 52.0 g. The European productivity index, calculated taking into account live weight, livability, fattening period of poultry and costs per unit of production in the control group was 274.0, and in the experimental group it was 309.2 units. From the conducted studies it follows that it is necessary to take into account the ratio of arginine to lysine in the diets of broiler chickens at the level of 1.04, 1.06 and 1.07, respectively, for the rearing phases such as starting, growth and finishing periods.

Meat productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens when input plant-based additive in compound feed

At present, the increase in poultry meat production is associated with the development of resource- saving technologies that ensure maximum productivity. However, the search for new methods to reduce the rearing period, increase live weight and reduce feed costs per 1 kg of gain continues. It should be noted that at the current stage of development, poultry farming has a high productivity potential, which is currently not fully utilized in some cases. The main reason is the inclusion of ingredients containing anti-nutritional substances in the compound feed. In compound feed for broiler chickens, the need to use biologically active additives has been proven. The inclusion of such additives in the composition of compound feed helps to increase the productive action, improve digestibility and effi ciency of using nutrients in diets. The purpose of the research was to study the meat productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens when input additive of plant-based additive in compound feed. On the base of research data, the eff ectiveness of including the plant-based feed additive Biostrong 510 in the compound feed for rearing of broiler chickens of the cross Cobb 500 in the amount of 0.010 %, 0.015 and 0.020 % of the compound feed weight was established. It made possible to increase the average daily live weight gain by 4.3–8.5 %, increase the gutted carcass weight by 4.3–4.6 %, reduce feed costs per 1 kg of broiler chicken gain by 0.07–0.13 kg, and increase the profi tability level by 0.78–1.44 abs.%. The safety of the tested additive was proven by a number of indicators. The obtained results of animal science, physiological and biochemical studies made it possible to identify the optimal dose of the plant feed additive Biostrong 510 for broiler chickens of the cross Cobb 500 in feeding technology 0.015 % of the mass of the compound feed.

The Effects of Corn Silage and Sunflower Silage and Their Mixtures at Different Levels on the Fattening Performance of Kıvırcık Lambs

Maize silage is widely used in the nutrition of ruminants worldwide. Nevertheless, maize is expensive and difficult to grow in cold and arid climates. To investigate the effects of feeding pure maize silage and different mixtures of maize and sunflower silages on the fattening performance of lambs. In the study, 40 Kıvırcık male lambs aged 2.5-3 months and with an average live weight of 23-25 kg were used as the animal material. The experiment was carried out for 56 days in a semi-open barn. In accordance with the experimental design, animals were divided into 5 different silage groups (100 maize silage, 75 maize silage+25 sunflower silage, 50 maize silage+50 sunflower silage, 25 maize silage+75 sunflower silage, 100% sunflower silage), so that there would be 8 lambs in each group. The lambs were housed in individual compartments during the experiment and fed individually. Silages were given ad libitum, and additional 700, 900, and 1,400 g concentrated feed was given daily between the 0th and 21st, 21st and 42nd, and 42nd and 56th days, respectively. During the fattening period, the values of live weight, daily live weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were determined. The differences among the live weight values of different silage groups during the trial period were found to be not significant (p&gt;0.05), and the values obtained at the end of 8 weeks varied between 35.94 and 37.44 kg. The silage consumption of lambs fed different silage types showed significant differences (p

Canopy Characteristics of Gamba Grass Cultivars and Their Effects on the Weight Gain of Beef Cattle under Grazing

Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) is a tussock-forming forage species adapted to acid soils of Brazilian savannas and cultivated for grazing pastures. Four decades since its release, Planaltina prevails as the most commercialized cultivar of the species, even though the new cultivar BRS Sarandi could be a better alternative for Gamba-grass-based farms by presenting a greater leaf:stem ratio. The objective of this study was to evaluate the average daily live weight gain (ADG) of Nellore bulls (Bos indicus) for two Gamba grass cultivars—Planaltina and Sarandi. The experiment was conducted in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil, for 3 years, namely 2018, 2018–2019, and 2020. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with two treatments and three replicates, each one continuously stocked at three stocking rates (SR)—1.3, 2.6, and 4 young bulls/ha. Canopy height (CH), forage mass (FM), plant-part proportion (green leaf, stem, and dead material), and nutritive value were evaluated. In 2018, mean ADG for Sarandi pastures was greater (0.690 kg/bull/d) than that of Planaltina (0.490 kg/bull/d) (p &lt; 0.10). In the subsequent year (2018–2019), there was no effect of cultivar (p &gt; 0.10), while in 2020 the ADG was again affected by cultivar (p &lt; 0.10), confirming the advantage of Sarandi (0.790 kg/bull/d) over Planaltina (0.650 kg/bull/d). In 2018 and 2020, the percentage of stems for Sarandi was about 3–6 pp less than for Planaltina (p &lt; 0.10). As well as for stems, Sarandi pastures presented a shorter CH in 2028 and 2020 (6–7%) (p &lt; 0.10). The positive high correlation of leaf:stem ratio with ADG (r = 0.70) probably predisposed the superiority of Sarandi over Planaltina. The distinguishing plant-part composition of Sarandi canopy promotes increasing weight gain of beef cattle when compared to cv. Planaltina.

Preslaughter feed withdrawal and sex influences on rabbit physiological response and meat quality

Although preslaughter feed withdrawal is commonly used in the livestock industry to reduce the risk of viscera puncture during evisceration, the optimal feed withdrawal time (FWT) appears to be species dependent and is not yet well defined in rabbits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three preslaughter FWTs while considering the effect of sex on physiological response and meat quality of rabbits. Three FWTs (4, 11 and 18 h) were tested using 144 recently weaned Grimaud rabbits fed until they reached an average commercial slaughter live body weight of 2.5±0.2 kg. Rabbits were allocated into 24 cages, with six animals in each cage. Eight cages (four cages for females and four cages for males) were assigned to each of the three FWTs. Blood lactate concentrations measured at exsanguination did not raise concerns related to stress. Female rabbits subjected to 4 h FWT had a higher gastrointestinal tract weight compared to male rabbits and to other females subjected to 11 and 18 h FWT (P=0.04). Stomach content weights were lower after 18 h FWT compared to 4 and 11 h (P=0.002) for both sexes, while caecum weights were not affected by FWT. Caecum pH was higher after 11 and 18 h FWT compared to 4 h (P=0.02). Technological meat quality was not particularly affected by FWT, except for Longissimus lumborum drip loss which was lower for rabbits after 18 h FWT compared to 4 h FWT (P=0.005). With respect to microbiological meat quality, the end of shelf life was reached after 10 days for vacuum-packed hind legs from rabbits after 11 h FWT, as Escherichia coli cell counts for four out of the eight hind legs analysed were higher than 3 Log10 colony-forming units (CFU)/10 g. For the other two FWT groups, the end of shelf life was reached after 15 d, at which point the cell counts for all hind legs were ≥3 Log10 CFU/10 g for E. coli and ≥7 Log10 CFU/g for total aerobic mesophilic and presumptive lactic acid bacteria (the maximum threshold concentrations according to current regulations). Our results demonstrate that when transport (30 min) and lairage (30 min) times are short (1 h in total), an 18-h preslaughter feed withdrawal for both male and female rabbits can allow the gut to empty properly with limited effect on meat quality.

Microwave cavity antenna for automatic detection of chicken breast muscles affected by wooden breast defect

Over the past years, artificial selection for meat-type (broiler) chickens has resulted in improved production efficiency, but also in an increased incidence of skeletal muscle abnormalities. In particular, wooden breast (WB) abnormality causes abrupt changes in meat quality and enormous economic losses. Thus, the poultry processing industry requires a reliable method to detect the abnormality in production lines in a non-destructive and contactless way. The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of WB on dielectric properties to develop a potential online technique to distinguish unaffected from affected breasts. Sixty-five pectoralis major muscles were picked 3 h post-mortem from the same flock (42-day-old broilers, 2.8 kg average live weight) and classified by visual inspection according to their phenotype as normal (N, not showing not any signs of the WB condition; n = 33) or WB (exhibiting extensive hardened areas and stiffness perceived by manual palpation throughout the entire fillet; n = 32). WB muscles exhibited remarkably higher values of dielectric constant and loss factor in a wide range of the explored frequencies (200 MHz–14 GHz), suggesting higher water mobility and a higher solvate capacity; this makes the electromagnetic technique for classification promising. Based on the above evidence, a rapid microwave electric technique in the range 1.5 GHz–3 GHz was developed for the online detection of WB. Indeed, combining the use of a cavity antenna (vector network analyzer instrumental chain with partial least square – discriminant analysis), this technique correctly classified 100% of the validation test set.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS ON COLD AQUEOUS JATROPHA TANJORENSIS LEAF EXTRACTS

The study was conducted to assess the growth performance, cost and returns of broiler chickens on cold aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis. A hundred and fifty (150) anak 2000 broiler chicken was randomly allotted into five (5) treatment groups (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group contained three (3) replicates with ten (10) birds each per replicates and the experiment lasted eight 8 weeks (56days). The birds were fed commercial starter diet for one week acclimatization period after which they were fed formulated started and finisher diet. The T1 (control) which took the antibiotic (Doxygen) in drinking water, while the birds in T2, T3,T4, and T5 were offered cold aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves at 25mL, 50mL, 75mL and 100mL per liter of drinking water, respectively. The result showed the different dosages of CALEJ did not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influence the live weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio but the daily feed intake on broiler chicken were significantly (p&lt;0.05) Influenced. Average live weights were statistically similar (p&gt;0.05) among birds with respective values of 824.44, 878.89, 835.56, 866.66 and 872.22 g/bird in treatments 1 (control), 2 (25mL CALEJ), 3 (50mL CALEJ), 4 (75mL CALEJ), and 5 (100mL CALEJ). In this study, it was observed that the administration of different dosages of cold aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis did not adversely affect the growth performance and feed efficiency of broiler chickens. However, the best growth performance, cost and returns were obtained in broiler chickens administered 25mL CALEJ per litre of drinking water. This therefore revealed the potential of cold aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis as probiotics additive in poultry production.

HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED BUCCHOLZIA CORICEA SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

The study was carried out to determine the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed wonderful kola (Buccholzia coricea) supplemented diet. The study involves 20 WAD goats of age 1-2 years range with an average live weight 6.77±16 kg. Four experimental diets (treatment) were formulated such that 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8% of the wonderful kola meal was partially replaced with wheat offal and were incorporated into the formulated feed. The dietary treatments were designated as DI (control), D2, D3, D4, and D5, respectively. The feeding trial lasted eight weeks, during which period feed and water were provided ad libitum. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed for the study and all data obtained from the experiment were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA to compare the results from the four dietary treatments. Results obtained from this study. revealed that the haematological profile and serum biochemical indices of goats recorded no significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences between dietary treatments. The study concludes that wonderful kola seed meal fed goats as supplements to diets will not pose adverse effects on the blood characteristics of goats. The study concludes that the wonderful kola seed when fed as supplements diets will not pose adverse effects on the blood characteristics of goats.

THE INFLUENCE OF COPPER SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND RUMEN FERMENTATION PARAMETERS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

Addition of copper in the diet has been proved to be beneficial to micro flora enhancing rumination. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the influence of copper glycine (Cu-G) on growth performance and rumen fermentation parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) sheep fed diets containing graded levels of Cu-G supplementation; incorporated into the concentrate diet at 0, 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg respectively to formulate four (4) experimental diets. A total of sixteen (16) WAD sheep were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments for 84 days with 4 animals per treatment in a completely randomized design having an average live weight of 13.00 ± 2.00 kg. Data were collected on growth performance and rumen fermentation parameters. Body weights were measured at the end of each week and the rumen fluid collection was carried out at the end of the experiment. Results revealed that there was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference on the growth performance parameters across the dietary treatments. The final weight gain, metabolic weight, total feed intake and feed conversion ratio values obtained in this study ranged from 22.16-24.85 kg, 27.39-36.64 g/dw0.75, 508.22-556.96 g/d and 4.96-6.84 respectively. The rumen fermentation parameters was not significantly (p&gt;0.05) influenced by Cu-G supplementation except total fungi count (TFC), total coliform count (TCC) and protozoan count which ranged from 1.29-1.49×103cfu/ml, 2.23- 2.48×102cfu/ml and 2.25-2.72×105cfu/mlrespectively. Furthermore, the TFC, TCC and protozoan values obtained in this study increased across the dietary treatments as the Cu-G supplementation increased. Sheep fed 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg recorded the highest values for TCC, TFC and protozoan count obtained in this study. It can therefore be concluded that copper glycine included in diet at 15 mg/kg inclusion level had the highest microbial count in the rumen environment thereby positively influencing ruminal fermentation but had no influence on the growth performance of the West African dwarf sheep.

EFFECT OF CINNAMON POWDER SUPPLEMENTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF YANKASA RAMS

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of cinnamon supplement on growth performance of Yankasa Rams. A total number of sixteen (16) Yankasa grower rams with average live weight of 23kg each was randomly allotted into four dietary treatment comprises four replicates consist of four animal per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD), were data obtained in this study were analyzed using General Linear Model of Statistical Analysis Software and Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The growth performance result revealed that there were significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in final weight with Treatment 2 had the highest final weight. The result further revealed that Average daily gain and average feed intake were statistically (P&lt;0.05) difference across the treatment while initial weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) differences. It is therefore concluded that cinnamon supplementation have a profound effect of improving growth parameters of Yankasa rams such as final weight and average daily feed intake and it is therefore recommended cinnamon powder can be supplemented up to 15g/kg diet in Yankasa rams without deleterious effect on growth performance.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND WEIGHT GAIN BY GOATS FED BLACK PEPPER SUPPLEMENTED DIETS)

(A Seventy (70) days study aimed at investigating growth performance and (weight gain by) goats fed black pepper supplemented diets was conducted. The study involved twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats aged 1-2 years with an average live weight of 5.02±0.23 kg. A (basal) diet was formulated and supplemented with varying levels of Black pepper as A= (Control diet) 0mg, B= 250mg, C= 500mg, and D= 750mg. Parameters investigated were (nutrient composition), nutrient intake, (nutrient digestibility nitrogen utilization) and performance characteristics of the goats. Data generated were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at (P&lt;0.05) results revealed that, diet C had the highest numerical weight gain values (3.67kg), ranges from (5.13- 8.80), followed by diet D which is 5.07 – 8.62, Diet A ranges from 5.0- 8.28 and diet B from 4.90- 8.20. Goats fed diet C (65.48 g/day) had the highest daily weight gain while those fed diet D converted their feed to flesh (4.23) better than other goats however, any diets could be fed to enhance Performance of the goats since there was no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences among the performance parameters. The study concluded that black pepper as an additive could serve as an affordable and sustainable way of improving protein quality of diet and fiber utilization by ruminants).