Animal Production

120-126

Authors: Chekol Demis, Tesfaye Zewudie, Derib Aydefruhim and Wodimagegn Terefe

The present study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 in the Debre Birhan area of the Amhara region,Ethiopia, aiming to evaluate the effect of single-dose prostaglandin hormone in dairy cows and heifers at the smallholder farmer level. A total of 458 dairy cows and heifers were treated with 2ml of Synchromate® hormone, and after 77.82±2.74 hours, 286 of which (62.4%) were reported to have manifested estrus signs. Insemination was performed to 215 animals, 71 animals were not inseminated (the time for AI was passed when checked by rectal palpation) because of later reports by farmers after the cessation of estrus periods. Of the 215 animals that were inseminated, 82 (38.1%) conceived, and from the 82 animals that conceived, 79 (96.3%) gave birth. Estrus response and conception rate have not shown a significant difference between parity and body condition scores. However, treatment to estrus interval has been found to be significantly (p<0.05) influenced by parity, cows had shorter intervals than the heifers. This study indicated that there were problems in the detection and reporting of estrus response by the smallholder farmers, hence, requiring continuous training on dairy cow managemen

133-141

Authors: Balentino Deng Wol, Thomas Kainga Muasya and Alexander Kiguzu Kahi

The current study aimed at generating essential information on breeding practices and traits of economic importance of indigenous chicken (IC) farmers in the three historical regions of South Sudan (Bhar el Gazel, Upper Nile and Equatoria). Data on perceived important traits according to farmers (n=385), marketers (n=100) and consumers (n=100) were collected and analyzed through computation of indices which represented the average weight of all ranks of a specific trait. The results of the indices indicated that farmers selected body weight (3.16), disease tolerance (3.02), drought tolerance (2.70) and fast growth rate (2.44) for breeding cocks. For hens, high indices were observed on disease tolerance (2.95), hatchability (2.78), egg size (2.63), egg number (2.48). Large Baladi (LB) and Naked Neck (Na) genotypes were the dominant genotypes raised by 64.8% and 27.7% of all farmers, respectively, for their superiority in mothering ability (40%), heat tolerance (20%) and disease tolerance (17%). Traits perceived by farmers as the primary economic importance were body weight (0.207), survival rate (0.11), egg yield (0.084) and meat quality (0.084). While marketers perceived body weight (0.234), egg yolk colour (0.150), disease tolerance (0.145), and plumage colour (0.133) as the most important traits, consumers emphasize egg yolk colour (0.202), plumage colour (0.204), and survival rate (0.156) as crucial.Body weight had a positive and favourable significant correlation with growth rate (0.561), egg fertility (0.412), disease tolerance (0.062), and a negative and unfavourable correlation with meat quality (-0.191). Meat quality was negatively correlated with fertility (-0.312) and growth rate (-0.381). Prolificacy had positive and favourable correlations with drought tolerance (0.603), disease tolerance (0.091) and heat tolerance (0.091). Regarding preferences rank correlation of marketers and consumers, positive and significant correlations were reported for body weight with growth rate (0.092) and meat quality (0.056). IC ecotypes that can perform well and are adaptable to the local environments in South Sudan should be identified. Selections should be based on traits preferred by farmers, marketers, and consumers.

150-160

Authors: Said Mirza Pratama, Sitti Wajizah, Anuraga Jayanegara and Samadi

This experiment aimed to evaluate chemical composition, in vitro rumen fermentation, digestibility, and methane emissions of forages including bede grass, gamal (Gliricidia sepium), Indigofera, lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala), elephant grass, mini elephant grass and Thai elephant grass. Forage samples were dried at 60oC for 24 hours, then ground to 1 mm sieve. The ground samples were used subsequently to determine the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation test. Incubation was carried out in a water bath at 39oC for 48 h without replication. The results showed that all forages contained various crude protein at a range of 9-20% DM. The proportion of neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP) and acid detergent insoluble CP (ADICP) in forage was generally low, but the highest was found in bede grass. The highest NH3 concentration was found in Indigofera incubation, and lowest was in bede grass. All forage samples, except for mini elephant grass and Indigofera, had IVDMD and IVOMD below 70%. We identified low methane emissions from forage at 48 hours of incubation. It was concluded that legumes had a higher crude protein than in grass species and had low methane emissions. However, the relatively low digestibility of legume may limit its utilization

172-177

Authors: Ellin Harlia, Eulis Tanti Marlina, Yuli Astuti Hidayati and Reginawanti Hindersah

Anthropogenic contamination of heavy metals in both soil and water threatens human health through the consumption of livestock products. Important heavy metal toxins, namely lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are present in livestock feed and drinking water and detected in poultry meat and eggs. This study aimed to detect Pb and Cd in poultry eggs (local farms, commercial farms, quail, and ducks) that are consumed by humans almost every day and considered a source of pollution in the environment farm. This research was exploratory research using the survey method and the samples were drawn randomly. The data were analyzed descriptively by calculating the mean of the heavy metal content of Pb and Cd in the samples studied and then compared with the Maximum Residue Limit of Pb and Cd recommended by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia No. 5/2018. The results showed that Pb content in poultry eggs exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit, which was 0.2500 mg/kg except for Pb content in duck eggs and Cd content in poultry eggs in which the samples were below the Maximum Residue Limit.