PERFORMANCE OF LAYING JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) FED DIETS CONTAINING FERMENTED MANGO (mangifera spp) KERNEL COMPOSITE MEAL AS REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE

Yerima Shettima Kolo¹, ¹Hamber Terkura Samuel & Hannatu Charles²

¹Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

²Department of Animal Science, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of FMKCM on the performance of laying Japanese quails. One hundred and ninety five Japanese quails were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments (I –V) of 39 hens each. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 13 hens per replicate. In each of the five diets, FMKCM was used to replace maize at 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% for i, ii, ii, iv, and v respectively. Quails in this study were fed over a period 84 days. Feed intake was measured daily and the number of egg laid per replicate per day was recorded. Hen day egg production, hen house egg production, mean daily feed intake show no significant (P>0.05) difference across the treatment. The results obtained on efficiency of feed utilization differed significantly (P<0.05) across treatment groups. Quails placed on 20% and 25% inclusion levels of FMKM were best converter of feed to eggs. It was equally observed that treatment influenced time of lay, with early lay as levels of Fermented mango kernel meal increased in the diets of laying quails.

Keywords: Laying performance, Japanese quails, fermented mango kernel, maize

ASSESSMENT OF THE HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF HbAS AND STEADY STATE HbSS SUBJECTS RESIDENT IN ABUJA, NIGERIA.

¹Obiechina MC, ²Sanya JO, ¹Okpala S, ³Nwozor CM

¹Department of Physiology, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus

²Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

³Department of Physiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus, Anambra State.

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell trait (HbAS) has been regarded as a benign state, whereas there have been reported cases of morbidity associated with HbAS individuals inform of complications and crises. There is an apparent lack of awareness of the likely morbidity of these individuals. This study was conducted to compare the similarities in the hematological Indices of subjects with hemoglobin genotypes AS and Steady State SS. An outpatient population-based study was carried out in Maitama District Hospital, Maitama, Abuja and Kubwa General Hospital, Kubwa, Abuja. The HaemoglobinSS (HbSS), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Pack Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular HaemoglobinSS (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular HaemoglobinSS SS Concentration (MCHC) and platelet (PLT) were measured.168 subjects in the age group 10-40 participated in the study, which included 56 HbAS, 46 steady state HbSS and 66 HbAA control. There was no significant differences between the hematological indices of subjects with hemoglobin genotypes AS and Steady State SS in this study. The result of this study will channel the focus of clinicians and researchers to the likelihood of HbAS being a diseased state and further pay more attention to the health status of HbAS patients.

Key words: HbAS, steady state HbSS, Abuja, hematological indices, assessment.

HAEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BROILER FINISHER CHICKEN FED GRADED LEVELS OF ZIZIPHUS MAURITIANA FRUIT PULP

B.J. Mufwa; A.A Maigari; I. Baya,

Department of Animal Production,

College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State – Nigeria

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to investigate the replacement of maize with ziziphusmauritiana fruit meal in broiler finisher diets. One hundred and twenty Anak 2000 broilers were used for the studym four diets were formulated using ZMFM at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% in the diets respectively the birds were randomly allotted to dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment consult of thirty birds with ten birds per replicate. The experiment lasted for four weeks. Feed and water were given ad-libitum. The Haematological indices indicates high significant (P<0.05) difference at different levels of maize replacement with ZMFM in packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC) Haemaglobin (Hb) while blood cell (WBC), mean corpuscular Haemaglobin (MCH) Haemoglobin concentration (HB)Heterophils and Lymphocytes. The serum biochemical indices revealed high significant (P<0.05) difference in total protein, albumen, glucose, chloride, potassium and sodium. In view of above, up to 15% replacement of maize with ziziphusmauritiana fruit meal has no adverse effect on the blood component of broiler finisher chicken.

Keywords: Broiler finisher, ziziphusmauritiana fruit meal maize and blood components.

INFLUENCE OF EXTENSION COMMUNICATION ON CASSAVA FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN OBUDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE – NIGERIA

¹Adie, U.B. ²Ayi. N.A.  ³Ujong O.O.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,

Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Calabar – Obubra.

E-mail address: adieubi67@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study analyze the influence of extension communication on cassava farmers’ adoption of sustainable Agricultural Technologies in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State – Nigeria.  In recent times, issues of sustainability and natural resources conservation and management have been emphasized globally, and Nigeria has not been an exception.  These issues are of importance in Nigeria’s agricultural sector development.

The specific objectives were to identify the sustainable agricultural technologies and existing extension communication channels, and how it will provide cassava farmers the necessary information and techniques for sustainable agriculture.  The study made use of 100 cassava farmers that were randomly selected from 10 communities in the study area to provide data through the use of structural questionnaire.  Data were analyzed using simple frequency square statistics.  The study revealed that in the study area (Obudu local government area) mixed cropping and organic agriculture, contact with neighbors/family and television has a positive influence on cassava farmers’ adoption of technologies.  The result equally reveals from the analysis that the calculated x² value was greater than the critical value at the degree of 2 and at 0.5 level of statically significance.

Therefore it means the null hypothesis was rejected, meaning that there was a positive significant relationship between channels of communication and adopted technologies.

It is therefore recommended that farmers’ experiences and indigenous knowledge should be harnessed through participatory extension for a sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords: Adoption, Technologies, Sustainability, Communication.

POTENTIALITIES AND ACCEPTABLITIES OF LOCAL CHICKENS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

¹Danwe, A.B; ²Gbampo, C.S; A.A Liman, Innocent S.B and Frances Jassah.

¹Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture P.M.B 1025 Jalingo, Taraba State.

²Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, College of Agriculture P.M.B 1025 Jalingo, Taraba State.

E-mail: augustinedanwe0@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

An investigation was carried out to determine the potentialities and acceptability of local chickens in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State. The survey was conducted through questionnaire distribution in eight works of Jalingo metropolis. All the respondents (100%) raised local poultry. Local poultry production was mostly extensive (92.7%) with (7.3%) under semi-intensive system. The respondents (43.9%) accepted local chickens on the bases of nutritional qualities. There were no modern techniques of local chicken production amongst the respondents. However, local chickens’ production could be improved through breed selection, good management and disease control methods currently in use.

Keyword: Local Chickens, Affordable Protein, Palatable meat, Modern Management practices.