Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

6

Authors: S. O. Olawumi and T. S. Babatope

The present study was conducted to determine the external and internal egg quality of Isa Brown (Gallus gallus domesticus) chicken and Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as affected by storage time under room temperature in the hot weather conditions of Nigeria. Parameters evaluated included egg weight, albumen and yolk indices. For each species, a total number of twenty freshly laid eggs was collected and divided into five groups representing different days of storage (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). Storage temperature and relative humidity respectively, are 28.3ºC and 75%. Analyzed results showed that storage time significantly affected egg weight, but has no effect on egg length and width in the two species. Egg weight at day 0 and 7 were higher and superior to 14, 21 and 28 days. Shell thickness in this study had significant decrease in values from day 0 to 28. The decline in this trait due to prolonged storage time was probably due to loss of water as a result of evaporation from internal egg which caused loss of viscosity. With regard to albumen indices, there was a decrease in the values of albumen weight and others with increasing age of eggs in store. Pertaining to internal egg quality, Haugh unit score which measures the freshness and quality of an egg equally recorded a gradual decline from day 0 to 14, while the values fell below standard from day 14. This implies that chicken and quail eggs are not fit for human consumption after 14 days in the hot environment unless stored in refrigerator. Yolk indices such as yolk width and height decreased with advancing age of eggs in the store. But the reverse was the case for yolk weight and ratio which recorded higher values as storage time progressed. As indicated in this study, chicken and quail eggs should not be held under room temperature for more than 14 days during hot season to maintain its freshness and quality.

8

Authors: M. S. Tamburawa, S. O. Ogundipe, T. S. B. Tegbe and T. S. Olugbemi

Present study was conducted to ascertain the effect of cooked African locust bean seed meal (CALBSM) diets on the growth response, organs weights and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five day old broiler chickens (Marshall strain) were fed with diets containing CALBSM at dietary level 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30%, designated as Treatment 1, 2, 3 ,4 and 5. Diets were allocated with three replicates (n = 45) to experimental animals in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted 9 weeks (4 weeks for initial phase, 1 week adjustment period and 4 weeks final phase). The results of growth response at initial phase showed significant differences (P<0.05) in final body weight (977.00 to 1194.33 g), total feed intake (1853.51 to 1905.96 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.63 to 1.79). The highest weight gain and better performance were recorded in chicks fed with 15% CALBSM based diets compared to others. Similarly, the performance of broiler chicken at final phase showed the significant differences (P< 0.05) in the final body weight (2585.75 to 2976.69 g), total weight gain of chicks (957.70 to 1369.70 g) and feed cost per weight gain (181.32 to 239.27 N/kg gain). Higher weight gains in all phases were recorded for broiler chickens fed 15% CALBSM based diet compared to others. Carcass weight (1661.24 to 2020.51 g) and dressing percentages (69.88 to 73.20%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in chicks fed 15% CALBSM diet over others. Breast muscle (17.79 to 22.27%), thigh and drumstick (16.78 to 19.84%) were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. Results indicates that most of the organs (heart, lungs, pancreas and kidney) weight but liver did not show significant differences (P<0.05). However, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the weight of gizzards and small intestines. Present findings lead authors to conclude that African locust bean seed meal cooked for 4 hours could be included in the diet of broiler chickens up 15% dietary level without any adverse effect on growth response, organs weights and carcass characteristics.

7

Authors: Malebogo Virginia Radikara, John Cassius Moreki, Patrick Monametsi Kgwatalala, Molebeledi Horatius Dambe Mareko and James Bashi Machete

This study was carried out to compare meat characteristics of Tswana and Orpington chickens. A total of 120 chicks (60 Tswana and 60 Orpington) were reared intensively up to 18 weeks of age. Each treatment (Tswana and Orpington) was replicated four times with 15 birds per replicate. Birds were provided with commercial broiler diets and water ad libitum. A total of 40 (10 birds/ replicate) randomly selected chickens of each genotype (Orpington and Tswana) were sacrificed at 18 weeks of age and their carcasses cut into primal parts. Left breast and thigh portions were used for pH, colour and tenderness measurements. The right breast and thigh portions were subjected to sensory evaluation where a 9-point Hedonic scale was used to determine overall liking and disliking of juiciness, flavour and acceptability of meat by untrained panelists. Breast meat samples were in unsalted water for 30 minutes and thigh for 25 minutes. Meat colour, pH and tenderness were analysed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System while data on sensory attributes were analysed using frequencies and percentages in IBM SPSS. Thigh meat pH was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Orpington than Tswana chickens. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) in breast muscle pH was found among genotypes. Orpington breast meat was lighter (P<0.05) than Tswana chicken meat. No significant (P>0.05) difference in breast and thigh meat colour redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) was observed. Thigh meat of Tswana chickens was firmer (P<0.05) compared to Orpingtons. For overall acceptance 50% of consumers liked Tswana chicken meat compared to 20% for Orpington meat.

7

Authors: J. Dauda, J. R. Lawal, A. M. Bello, Y. B. Majama, Y. M. Lekko, E. S. Mshelia and A. A. Biu

In order to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infestation in tilapia species sold in major markets in Gombe, three hundred (300) tilapia fish samples of both sexes and of different age groups were randomly examined. The sample population included 183 adults and 117 juveniles fishes, 157 females and 143 male fishes. Out of the total fishes sampled from three local fish markets, 128 (42.70%) were found to be infested by gastrointestinal helminthes. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in tilapia fishes sampled from Gombe main market (17.0%), Kwadom market (15.0%) and Gombe old market (10.70%) respectively. Three genera of gastrointestinal parasites were encountered at prevalence rates of nematodes (17.70%), trematodes (13.70%) and cestodes (11.30%). The prevalent rates of these gastrointestinal helminths in accordance to sexes of fish shows higher prevalence in female fishes (24.0%) compared to the male fishes (18.70%). There was no statistical significant difference (P= 0.52) in the prevalent rates among the two sexes of fish. However, considering the prevalent rates of gastrointestinal helminths in accordance to ages of fishes, higher frequency was found in adult tilapia fishes (31.00%) than in the juvenile fishes (11.70%). There was statistical significant difference (P= 0.03) prevalent rates among the two ages of fish. Out of the 128 infected fishes examined, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes were all found in the intestines of 71 (23.70%) infected fishes and also in the stomach of 44 (14.70%) infected fishes but only cestodes was found in the gut of 13 (4.30%) infected fishes, while no helminths was recovered in the gills of all infected fishes. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in tilapia species may be one of the significant constraints to the maximum productivity of the fish in the study area. It is therefore recommended that tilapia culturists should be enlighten on the need to routinely treat their fishes using appropriate antehelminthics for maximum production. Moreover, fishes meant for human consumption should be well cooked to prevent human health hazard of acquiring fish-borne helminthes infections.

10

Authors: John Cassius Moreki, Kuda Nelson and Wame Boitumelo

The objective of this study was to document management practices, economic benefits and challenges in indigenous Tswana chicken production in Jackalas No.2, Moroka and Tsamaya villages of North East District of Botswana. Structured questionnaire, oral interviews and field observations were used in collecting data from 50 farmers from the three villages for six successive weeks (i.e., November to December, 2015). All data generated were subjected to descriptive statistics using frequencies, percentages and means. The obtained results showed that 98%of the poultry rearers were females. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the farmers keep chickens mainly for meat, while two percent (2%) was for egg consumption. Family chicken production was common in the age group of 21 to 50 years. All the farmers in the study area keepTswana chickens on free-range and grains were provided to supplement what they picked from scavenging. Eighty percent of the farmers in Moroka provide enclosure or confinement at night followed by Jackalas No. 2 (70%) and Tsamaya (55%). Diseases and parasites contribute to losses in chicken production and 96% of the rearers used traditional remedies to treat and control diseases with gonde (Aloe sp.) being the most common plant used. In order to increase the benefits of rearing Tswana chickens, the farmers should be trained in general poultry husbandry management and also be encouraged to form associations to assist them in marketing chickens. The obtained results showed that Tswana chickens play an important role in food security at household level of the rural populace.