Wheat Offal Research Articles

Nutrient digestibility, Nitrogen utilization, and growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed diets containing wheat offal replaced with Tiger nut seed meal

Abstract The decrease in nutrient digestibility and general performance of ruminant animals has been a persistent challenge during the dry season in Nigeria, and the use of less competitive alternative feed ingredients could be a remedy. Hence, a sixty-three (63)-day study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional potential and growth response of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed diets containing wheat offal replaced with tiger nut seed meal. Five (5) experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00, and 20.00% tiger nut seed meal and were thus designated as diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Twenty (20) WAD does were randomly assigned to the experimental diets with four (4) replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. Parameters evaluated include the chemical composition of formulated diets and wilted Panicum maximum, nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and growth response of the does. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the chemical composition of the diets with the highest dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, and metabolizable energy obtained from diet T4. The highest crude protein content in diet, intake, and digestibility were observed for the does fed diet T3. The results obtained from nitrogen utilization revealed a significant (p < 0.05) difference across all parameters with superior nitrogen intake, balance, and percentage retention for the does feed diet T3. Similarly, the highest weight gain, daily weight gain, total dry matter intake, protein efficiency, and least feed conversion ratio were recorded from does fed diet T3. Conclusively, incorporating tiger nut seed meal as a replacement for wheat offal at 10.00% in WAD does diet has the potential to improve feed digestibility and the general performance of does, thus can be adopted by goat farmers.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF PROTEIN AND NON-PROTEIN NITROGEN ON THE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS IN MUBI ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the utilization of protein and non-protein nitrogen on the performance and carcass characteristics of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB) in Northern Nigeria. Twenty four (24) RSB approximately 5-6 months were used in a completely randomized design of four treatments replicated six times. Four different diets were formulated using two protein nitrogen (Cotton seed cake – CSC and ground nuts cake - GNC) and two non-protein nitrogen (Urea and Poultry litter - PL), mixed each with wheat offal (WO). The diets were designated as I (Urea/WO), II (PL/WO), III (CSC/WO) and IV (GNC/WO). Data were taken on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS 23.0 (2017) for windows. The results of growth performance showed that, daily supplement intake and total supplement intake were highly significantly (P<0.001), final live weight and total weight gain were significant (P<0.05) and daily weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) different among the treatments. However initial weight gains of the bucks and feed conversion ratio were not different among the dietary treatments. Result of carcass characteristics showed that, all the parameters measured were significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.001), except spleen which was not affected by the dietary treatments. It could be concluded that diet IV (CSC/WO) being the best diet in improving the growth of the bucks and with no concomitant effects on the carcass characteristics of the bucks be recommended for feeding goats at 189.61 g/day.

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition and Feeding Value of Sweet Orange Pulp and Pineapple Peel Meals as Fibre Sources in Pigs’ Rations

The piggery industry in Nigeria is on the verge of collapsing due to the high cost of conventional feed resources including wheat offal and palm kernel cake that usually form bulk in the diets of pigs. This study was, therefore, designed to compare the chemical composition of orange pulp meal, pineapple peel meal, and wheat offal and evaluate their feeding value in pig rations. The orange pulp and pineapple peels were dried on a concrete floor and analyzed for chemical composition. Three experimental diets were formulated with orange pulp and pineapple peel meals replacing wheat offal as a fibre source. Thirty crossbred (Chester white x Landrace) growing pigs with an average initial weight of 8.20 -- 8.75kg were distributed into three groups, with ten animals per group, and assigned to the three experimental diets. The average daily feed intake and weight gain were monitored throughout the 56-day duration of the experiment. Seven days to the end of the experiment, three pigs randomly selected for the digestibility trial were individually housed in metabolism crates and allowed 5 days of adaptation to the crates and feed before faecal collection commenced. Animals were fed the experimental diets at approximately 4% of their body weight, and the faeces of the animals were collected for 5 days. The determination of the nutrient composition of feed and faecal samples was performed. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using a completely randomized design. The result indicated that samples were significantly (P<0.05) different in crude protein composition, with the wheat offal having the highest value corresponding to 9.21 ± 0.12%. Orange pulp had the highest content of ash (6.72 ± 0.12%). The gross energy values were 15.23MJ/kg, 15.31MJ/kg and 16.15MJ/kg for pineapple peel, orange pulp and wheat offal, respectively. The highest manganese concentration was observed in wheat offal (5.19± 0.11mg/l), while orange pulp and wheat offal were higher in sodium and phosphorus concentrations. The pigs fed an orange pulp meal diet recorded the highest average daily weight gain (0.31 kg) and a superior feed conversion ratio (4.19) relative to others. Digestibility values were similar across the three treatment groups. It was, therefore, concluded that orange pulp and pineapple peal meal could serve as alternative fibre sources in growing pigs' rations. Key words: Wheat offal, pineapple peel, orange pulp, growing pigs, digestibility

UTILIZING FARM WASTE IN RABBITS’ DIETS

Investigation was conducted on the utilization of farm waste (Maize cob) on growth performance, serum and hematological parameters of rabbits in an 84 days feeding trial. Forty-five rabbits (New Zealand x California) breed, 4 weeks old weighing about 460-480g were allotted into five dietary treatments having nine rabbits per treatment and three replicates of three rabbits each. The diets contained treated maize cob (TMC) at five (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %) levels of substitution for wheat offal in a completely randomized designed experiment. Performances data were harvested weekly while blood collection was on 84th day for blood profile analysis. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Daily weight gain (7.44g) was highest (p<0.05) among rabbits fed treated maize cob with better feed conversion ratio (5.23) in rabbit fed 50% treated maize cob (TMC) as substitute for wheat offal. Similarly, Packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) increased (P<0.05) for rabbits fed diets containing 50, 75 and 100% TMC. Dietary substitution of TMC irrespective of the levels resulted in higher hemoglobin (Hb) (P<0.05) than the control diet. The lymphocyte count (69.70%) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (23.06g/dl) was highest (P<0.05) for rabbits fed diets containing 75% TMC whereas substitution of 100% TMC in the rabbit’s diet gave the highest (P<0.05) total protein (5.20 g/dl), Serum globulin (1.80g/dl) and glucose (101.20mg/dl). It was concluded that rabbit can tolerate substitution of wheat offal with TMC for increased weight gain, better feed efficiency without compromising their health status.

Reproductive tract morphometry of Hyla rabbits fed diet containing graded levels of watermelon rind and wheat offal as absorbent

The evaluation of breeding and fertility potential of animals demands understanding of basic morphometric characteristics of their reproductive organs which, among other factors, may be affected by nutrition. This study was conducted to assess the effects of feeding graded levels of watermelon rind and wheat offal as absorbent on morphometric characteristics of the reproductive organs of Hyla rabbits. Forty-five Hyla rabbits of both sexes (15 bucks and 30 does) with nine animals per treatment (3 bucks and 6 does in each treatment) in a completely randomized design were randomly assigned to the dietary treatment containing 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % of watermelon rind and wheat offal. The data collected included weight and length of the reproductive tract of the rabbits. The morphometric characteristics of reproductive tract of the rabbits were not significantly affected by the dietary treatment, however, there were significant effect (p > 0.05) of the dietary treatment on the weight of the left oviduct, paired oviduct, and the paired ovary of the rabbits. The experimental diets significantly affected (p < 0.05) penis length and width, the right spermatic cord and the length of the right scrotal. The diets had no significant effect (p<0.05) on the weight of reproductive tracts of buck except on the paired spermatic cord. The experimental diets can be a good alternative for the highly competitive and costly grains in the diet of Hyla rabbits without any adverse effect on the growth of reproductive organs and consequently on the fertility and other activities related to reproduction of Hyla rabbits. Keywords: morphology, rabbits, reproduction, watermelon rind, wheat offal

Performance Evaluation of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fed Diets with Varying Dietary Inclusion Levels of Christmas Melon (Laganaria breviflorus) as a Partial Replacement for Wheat Offal

This study evaluates the effects of Christmas melon (Laganaria breviflorus)-based diets on the growth and hematology of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) after a 6 (six)-month feeding trial. A total of 240 C. gariepinus juveniles with an average weight of 10.68 g were procured from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Hatchery Unit for the feeding trial. After acclimating for a week (7 days) using 2.00 mm Coppens feed (45% CP) twice per day, the fish samples were randomly distributed into 12 tarpaulin tanks of 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft with a 200 L water holding capacity (four (4) different treatments presented in triplicate). Twenty (20) fish per tank were fed twice daily with the compounded feed with varying dietary inclusion levels of Christmas melon (0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15%). The weights and lengths of the sampled fish were measured biweekly to determine the growth performance, while hematological parameters, such as the packed cell volume, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and leucocytes were determined midway through and at end of the feeding trial. The data collected were analyzed using ANOVA, and the results revealed the optimum growth and nutrient utilization and hematological and serum biochemical parameters of C. gariepinus in T3. The length–weight relationship results revealed that the fish exhibited an isometric growth pattern with B-values above 3 across the treatments. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study revealed that Christmas melon (L. breviflorus) could replace wheat offal by up to 10% in the diet of C. gariepinus without negative effects on the obtained optimal growth performance, hematological parameters, or serum biochemistry.

GUT MORPHOLOGY OF HYLA RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF WATERMELON WASTE WITH WHEAT OFFAL AS ABSORBENT

This study was conducted to evaluate gut morphology of Hyla rabbits fed graded levels of watermelon waste with wheat offal as absorbent. Forty five Hyla rabbits of 5-6 months of age were used for this experiment. The experiment lasted for six months. The rabbits were allotted to five dietary treatments (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) in a completely randomized design with 9 rabbits per treatment. Data were collected on weight and length of segments of gastro intestinal tracts (GIT) of the rabbits and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS version 9.3.1. Based on the results, watermelon waste with wheat offal (WRWO) had a significant effect on the gut of hyla rabbits by improving the morphological characteristics. The inclusion of watermelon with wheat offal as absorbent at 30% can support gut morphology of rabbits without any adverse effect on their GIT.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEANER RABBITS FED GRADED LEVELS OF MILLET OFFAL DIETS AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

The aim of this study was to determine the growth performance of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of millet offal diets with groundnut haulms as replacement for wheat offal. A total of 60 weaner rabbits aged 5- 6 comprising New Zealand white, Californian white, Dutch Belted, American checkered, Chinchilla and English Spotted of both sexes were purchased from reputable rabbit farmers in Vom Jos South where used in 8 weeks feeding trial. In this experiment, five iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated to meet 16% crude protein nutritional requirements of the weaner rabbits and similar levels of crude fibre by replacing wheat offal with graded levels of millet offal respectively in which groundnut haulms constituted 20% of each diet. The diets were designated 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Diet 1 contained wheat offal which served as the control (0%) while treatments (2-5) contained millet offal at graded levels of 25, 50, 75, and 100%, respectively. Data on daily Feed intake was determined, weight gains, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Mortality records were kept when they occurred throughout the experimental period. There were no significant differences in all parameters measured. Conclusion, the inclusion of millet offal was best at 75 -100% with improved the growth performance of rabbits without any deleterious effect.

INFLUENCE OF GRAZING NATURAL VEGETATION DURING RAINY SEASON ON PERFORMANCE OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS

The study was conducted to look into the effects of supplementing rainy season grazing of Red Sokoto bucks (RSB) with four protein sources (cottonseed cake, cowpea husk, Piliostigma reticulatum pods and soybean hulls) and three energy sources; maize offal, rice offal and wheat offal were used in a completely randomized design, with four treatments replicated three times were randomly allocated into four (4) treatment diets containing varied inclusion levels of soybean hulls. Supplement 1 served control diet, while 2, 3, and 4 contained varied levels of soybean hulls at 15.00, 22.50 and 30% respectively. Animals were offered their respective supplements at 400g per head per day (200g each in the morning and evening) and thereafter allowed to graze the available forages. The result showed that daily supplement intake (DSI) and total supplement dry matter intake (TSDMI) were not affected (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments. Daily weight gain – DWG (p>0.05), total weight gain – TWG (p>0.05) were similar among treatments. Also, initial live weight (ILW), final live weight (FLW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected across the treatments, but treatment four had higher final live weight, total weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. It was concluded that feeding 30% of soybean hulls improved performance of Red Sokoto bucks. Based on the present study it could be recommended that inclusion of 30% of soybean hulls being best formulation could be used for feeding Red Sokoto bucks especially when grazing natural vegetation.

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 > 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.

HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF LAMBS FED RICE STRAW ENSILED WITH UREA AND MOLASSES AT VARYING LEVELS

The research was conducted at the livestock teaching and research farm department of animal science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero. Twelve (12) male lambs were purchased from the livestock market in Dodoru market. The animals were balanced for weight for each treatment there after allocated to four treatment diet with four replicate each. The dried Rice Straw was ground into smaller pieces and ensiled with urea and molasses in large quantity. The treatments were A (100Kg feed +4kg molasses +4kg Urea), B (100Kg feed +6kg molasses +4kg Urea) and C (100Kg feed +8kg molasses +4kg Urea) The samples were thoroughly mixed and ensiled for a period of five weeks. The experimental diets were formulated in such a way that the ensiled materials will be included at 60%, while a concentrate diet of 10% maize, 20% cowpea husk, 20% wheat offal, 30% cotton seed cake, 20% groundnut hay and 1% salt will be included in each of the experimental diets. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in this experiment. The result in table 2 shows that there was no significant different in all the parameters measured. The White Blood Cell (WBC) recorded highest in T2 followed by T3 and the least was in T1 while RBC, PCV and MCH recorded highest in T1 then T2 and lowest in T3. The MCHC, MCV, MCH, are within the reference values, while the PLT, RBC, HGB, PCV are below the reference values.

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF WEANER RABBITS FED WITH SUN-DRIED SHEEP RUMEN CONTENTS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

The study was therefore, conducted to evaluate the performance and economics of production of weaner rabbits fed with varying levels of sun-dried sheep rumen contents (SDSRC) as replacement for wheat offal (WO). Fifty mongrel rabbits were allotted to five dietary treatments replicated five times in a completely randomized design with SDSRC replacing WO at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% designated as diet 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Growth performance, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not influenced (P>0.05) by treatment. Feed cost (N/kg) and total feed cost (N) reduced as the percentage SDSRC increased. Lower4 values were recorded for diet 5(100% SDSRC) of N68.80 and N300.90 respectively. It is therefore, concluded that inclusion of SDSRC in the diet of weaner rabbits reduce cost of production without compromising their production attributes, it is therefore recommended for farmers to incorporate it, to reduce cost of production and environmental pollution in Nigeria.

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF YANKASA RAMS FED RICE HUSK ENSILED WITH POULTRY LITTER AND GRADED LEVEL OF DOUM PALM PULP

Livestock production in Nigeria faces challenges with feeding due to the high cost and scarcity of quality feed ingredients. Ruminant animals rely on poor quality crop residues as feed, and rice husk, while abundant, is of low quality due to high levels of ligno-cellulose, silica, and anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, The experiment was conducted to investigate the cost benefit analysis of growing Yankasa rams fed rice husk treated with poultry litter and graded level Doum palm pulp (DPP). Growing Yankasa rams numbering 20 were randomly allocated to five treatments in a Completely Randomized Design with four rams per treatment. Five experimental diets were formulated with 16% crude protein (CP), poultry litter 20% was ensiled with graded level of DPP at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and Rice husk at 80, 75, 70, 65, and 60 as diet 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively along with other ingredients used included wheat offal, sorghum panicle, bone meal, salt, and potash. Data collected on Cost of ffeed/kg (/kg) = kg of feed consumed x cost/kg of feed. Cost of feed consumed/day= cost of feed/kg x feed intake. Cost of feed/kg Live Weight Gain. There is increase in the cost of supplement diet per day, with highest value recorded on T5 and least value recorded on T1. The result reveals that rams fed diet 3 had the lowest cost N 726.04 per kg live-weight gain while animals on diet 4 had the highest cost 1495.19 of live-weight gain. It is concluded that, feeding growing Yankasa rams diets containing 60% Rice husk, Doum palm pulp at 20% and 20% poultry litter will gave better growth performance and reduces the cost of production. Thus, it is conclude that the farmers can feed growing Yankasa rams with up to 60% rice husk, Doum palm pulp at 20% and 20% poultry litter will give better performance and reduces the cost of production.

CARCASS AND ORGAN TRAITS OF TWO BROILER CHICKEN STRAINS FED DIETARY CITRUS SINENSIS PEEL-BASED DIETS

One hundred- and ninety-two-day-old chicks, comprising 96 Abor acres and 96 Cobb 500 breed, were randomly distributed across four different diets with inclusion levels of dried Citrus sinensis peel (DCSP) at 0, 2.50, 5.00, and 7.50% used to substitute wheat offal in the diet. Each treatment group was replicated three times, consist eight birds each in a 2 x 4 factorial design. Carcass and organ parameters were assessed. The highest live, slaughter, and eviscerated weight (2518.33±115.75g, 2379.33±108.81g, 91.20±1.82g respectively) was observed in the control group followed by birds fed with 2.50% DCSP. Although the highest drumstick mean weight was observed among birds fed with 2.50% DCSP, it was statistically similar to the values recorded among the control group. For carcass cuts- thigh, back, neck, wing, and head, the control group had the highest weight while the least weight was observed among birds fed a diet containing 7.50% DCSP. No breed effect was recorded and the interactive effects were also non-significant (P>0.05). The relative organ weight of the broiler chickens observed was significantly affected (P<0.05) except for the pancreas and lungs. The weight of the heart (11.78±0.94g), liver (50.72±2.83g), gizzard (54.72±0.37g), proventriculus (10.08±0.48g), and spleen (2.38±0.12g) was highest among the control birds and the least value was also recorded among birds fed with Diet D. Strain did not affect (P>0.05) organs weight except for the heart and proventriculus. Likewise, interaction effects were non-significant (P>0.05). Hence, DCSP can only be utilized at a 2.50% inclusion level for optimal muscle growth, carcass, and organ outcomes.

Effect of Varying Concentrate Levels on Milk Yield and Composition of West African Dwarf Does Fed <i>Bambusa vulgaris</i> Leaves

The effect of varying concentrate levels on milk yield and composition of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed Bambusa vulgaris leaves as basal diet were evaluated in this study. Nine lactating WAD does in their 3rd to 4th parity nursing single kids were placed in three dietary regimens in a completely randomized design. Dams on Treatment 1 were fed forages at 7% body weight (BW) and concentrate at 0 % BW, dams on Treatment 2 received forages at 6% BW and concentrate at 1% BW, while dams on Treatment 3 received forages at 5% BW and concentrate diet at 2% BW. Ingredients used to formulate the concentrate diet were wheat offal, palm kernel cake, brewers’ dried grains, bone meal, vitamins/trace minerals, premix and salt. The result of proximate composition indicated that Bambusa vulgaris leaves contained 16.63% crude protein and 6.84% crude fibre. Milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) highest (220.74g) for dams fed concentrate at 1% body weight (Diet 2) and lowest (149.04 g) for dams fed the control diet (Diet 1) of forages only. Butterfat contents was significantly (p<0.05) highest (3.99%) in the milk of dams fed concentrate at 2% body weight (Diet 3), followed by (2.63%) the milk of dams fed concentrate at 1%, then by the milk of dams fed the control diet (2.60%). Feeding concentrate at 2% body weight significantly (p<0.05) affected Iron concentration (0.20 mg/100g). Thus, WAD does fed Bambusa vulgaris leaves basal diet should be fed concentrate at 1% BW for maximum milk yield and concentrate at 2% body weight if higher butter fat and optimal milk composition is desired.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILERS FED GRADED LEVELS OF DRY DISTILLED CASSAVA WITH THE SOLUBLE

The performance of broilers fed graded levels of Dry Distilled Cassava with Soluble (DDCS) as a partial substitute for wheat offal was investigated in a 28 day study. One hundred and forty four (144) 5-week old broiler chickens of similar average weight were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments. Each treatment had 2 replicate of 18 birds each. Four experimental diets with 0, 4, 8 and 12% inclusion of DDCS were formulated. Feed and water were fed ad libitum. Parameters measured include growth performance and carcass characteristics. Body weight and feed consumption were measured weekly and carcass characteristics were evaluated at the termination of experiment. Six birds from each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. The average daily weight gain (g/day) for broilers on 0% DDCS was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of others. The carcass analysis investigated were not significant (P>0.05) for all experimental diets. It was concluded that DDCS could replace wheat offal in the diets of broilers up to 12% without any deleterious effect on carcass quality of the birds

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING WHEAT OFFAL WITH VARIED GRADED LEVELS OF SUGARCANE SCRAPPING ON UTILISATION OF SORGHUM PANICLE FED RED SOKOTO BUCK

Four Red Sokoto bucks of average weight 17. 40 ± 2kg were fed sugarcane scrapping meal in a complete diet to evaluate the nutrients intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance. Using 4x4 Latin Square Designs involving four dietary' treatments containing sugarcane scrapping at 0, 10, 20, and 30% levels of inclusion supplenlenting wheat offal in a cotnplete diet. . The proximate composition of the sugarcane scrapping showed that the scrapping had, 10.01, 2.98 % and 31 14 Kcal/Kg of CF. CP and ME respectively. The results of the trial showed that significant high dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility of some and the nitrogen balance values were recorded in the bucks fed 30%. It was concluded that DM intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization of bucks can be enhanced by including 30% of sugar cane scrapping in their diets.

ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF GROWING COCKERELS FED MIXED SAW DUST AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR WHEAT OFFAL.

A total of 96 day- old cockerel chicks were obtained and allocated into 6 brooding units of 16 birds andreplicated twice in a complete randomized design experiment. At the 9th week the birds were moved to therearing units which housed 16 Cockerels chickens per treatment and were offered one of the three dietarytreatments for the duration of the experiment. Experimental diets were introduced from 9-12 weeks. Threesubstitution levels of mixed saw dust substituting wheat offal at 0, 50 and 100% levels respectively. Theresults showed that there were significantly (p<0.05) difference across the dietary treatments. The lowestvalues (₦124.57) for the cost of feed in (₦/kg) was obtained in growing cockerels fed diet 3 while the highest value (₦130.97) was obtained for the cost of feed in ₦/kg in growing cockerels fed diet 1. The result obtained in this research showed that the lowest cost (₦12,457.00) was recorded for the production of 100kg of feed for growing cockerels fed diet 3 while the highest cost (₦13,097.00) was recorded for the production of 100kg of feed for growing cockerels fed diet 1. It could be concluded that the use of mixed saw dust as a substitute for wheat offal resulted in a decreased in the cost of growing cockerel and thereby increased the profitability of cockerel farmers/producers.

FIBRE EFFECTS ON NUTRITION AND REPRODUCTION IN PIGS

Dietary fibre (DF) is an indigestible carbohydrate in the form of a non-starch polysaccharide that is a major problem in the use of inexpensive agro-wastes by pigs such as brewer's dry grains, cassava peel, palm kernel cake, rice bran, sorghum spent grain and wheat offal. The DF in a pig's diet can be classified by its solubility as soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre, and chemically − as neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. High DF levels reduced nutrient utilization, growth rate, in terms of pork production and reproductive performance. Pigs' reproductive cycles at different stages and lactation were both greatly impacted by increased DF intake. High DF decreased the number of stillborn piglets at birth and the farrowing duration by sow, while improving colostrum intake in piglets and colostrum yield in sows. On the other hand, reducing the quantity of DF's hemicellulose in a sow's lactation diet can improve the low-birth-weight piglets' health, post-weaning performance and milk composition. While exogenous enzymes and the extrusion of fibrous feedstuffs enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilisation, other processing methods, including fermentation and extrusion, decreased the DF components and had a beneficial impact on the performance of the pigs. Agro-industrial residues have enormous potential to improve reproductive efficiency and serving as an economically viable DF feeding strategy in the pig industry.

CARCASS YIELD AND ORGANS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF RICE MILLING WASTE AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

This experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi to investigate the carcass yield and organs characteristics of broiler chickens fed white maize and full fat soya beans-based diets containing graded levels of rice milling waste (RMW) as replacement for wheat offal. Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated in which rice milling waste replaced wheat offal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in both starter (23% CP) and finisher (20% CP). Three hundred (300) day old chicks were randomly allotted to the five diets in four replicates of fifteen birds each in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum and the experiment lasted for eight weeks. Proximate composition of the test material (RMW) indicated that it contains 94.12 Dry Matter, 5.21 Crude Protein, 31.40 Crude Fibre,3.42 Ether Extract, 20.13 Ash and 39.84 Nitrogen Free Extract. Most of the carcass parameters observed were not statistically influenced by the dietary levels of RMW, except on head (2.95 – 5.50g), legs (4.51 – 5.53g), large intestine length (3.20 – 5.37g) and gizzards (2.26 – 2.73g) which were significantly (P<0.05) affected. However, values of live, plucked and carcass weights ranged between 1256.33-1380.51g, 1087.88-1231.47g and 863.12-1064.19g, respectively, while that of dressing percentages were between 65.35-78.77%. It was concluded that rice milling waste can replace 100 % of wheat offal as fibre source in the diets of broiler chickens without adverse effects on the carcass yield and organs characteristics. It was therefore recommended for use in broiler chickens’ diets to reduce cost of production and over dependance on the conventional wheat offal.