Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

5

Authors: Adua M. M., Idahor K. O. and Christopher S. K.

Intestinal parasites pose a great constraint to livestock production and cause high incidence of mortality and low production in livestock. This study was designed to identify the roundworm species infections in cattle, sheep and goats that were slaughtered at Lafia abattoir during the rainy season (April to June, 2016). The aim was to sensitize livestock stakeholders to strategize effective means of disrupting the life cycles of the roundworms in order to prevent their widespread within the herds. Faecal samples were collected from 22 cattle, 25 sheep and 23 goats and were examined by simple floatation method and microscopy for the presence of roundworms. Results showed that out of a total of 70 animals examined, 36 representing 51.4% of the animals were infected with various species of roundworms. Those found in the animals examined included Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Ascaris suum and Neoascaris vitulorum. It was observed that both sexes of all the animal breeds examined were infected, though males were more susceptible than the females. Animals in all the age categories were infected and those on extensive management system were more infected than those in semi-intensive. Since different species of roundworms were found in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at Lafia abattoir, it indicated that there was probably high prevalent rate of roundworms in the area. More so, mixed species infection of Ascaris suum and Neoascaris vitulorum were recorded in goats, suggesting severe burden that may hinder optimum physiological performance. It could be necessary therefore to advise that careful disposal of the gastrointestinal contents, regular deworming, implementation of strict biosecurity measures and intensive animal production system should be adopted in the study area. This may disrupt the life cycles of the roundworm species thus, preventing parasitic infections from spreading to other animals in the study area.

7

Authors: Foluke A. Aderemi, Olufemi. M. Alabi, Mathew. O. Ayoola and Loveth O. Oyelami

The high cost of soybean meal, and competition as food between human and animal have necessitated search for alternative plant protein source in poultry diet. Eight weeks trial was carried out on the evaluation of fermented locust bean meal (FLBM) as replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler production. Ninety days old broilers were allotted randomly to three treatment diets, replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Diets I (control) did not contain FLBM, diets II and III had 50 and 100% FLBM inclusions respectively as replacement for soybean meal in both starter and finisher phases. At the end of finisher phase, 4 birds were randomly selected per replicate for analyses of blood samples and evaluation of internal organs and carcass characteristics. At starter phase, body weight was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by treatment diets among experimental groups. The feed intake was lower in diet III, and feed conversion ratio was better in diet I significantly (P<0.05). Mortality of birds on diet III was higher significantly (P<0.05). At the finisher level, broilers fed diet I had higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratio, which was significantly (P<0.05) similar to diet II. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, red blood cell and platelets of birds fed diet II were significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared to those fed diets I and III and were within normal range for healthy birds. Blood serum showed that glucose, aspartate transaminase, cholesterol and creatinine of birds fed diet III were significantly (P<0.05) higher than others. Measurement of organs revealed that liver, lungs, intestine, gizzard and heart of those fed diets II and III were significantly (P<0.05) similar and smaller than the control with no traces of inflammation. Conclusively, FLBM could replace up to 50% SBM in broiler diet without adverse effect on the production performance.