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Item FEEDING POTENTIALS OF STAR APPLE (CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM) KERNEL IN BROILER CHICKENS(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018) AJIDE, SOLOMON OLUSOJIMaize constitutes the highest proportion of energy source in poultry diets. It is costlydue to competition by man, industry and livestock. High rate of maize inclusion in diets translates to high cost of feed and reduce profit for livestock farmers. African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum)Kernel (ASAK) is a potential alternative to maize because of its high energy content. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the proximate composition and phytochemicals of raw and processed ASAK; (ii) determine the optimum dietary inclusion level of raw ASAK;(iii) determine the effects of selected processing methods on the antinutritional contents and feeding value of ASAK; and (iv) determine the profitability of using ASAK meal in broiler diets. Five experiments were conducted.Experiment 1 investigated the proximate composition,phytochemicals and inclusion levels of raw ASAK in broiler diets. Experiment 2-5 examined the effects of processing ASAK meal with activated charcoal, bentonite, phytase or polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the antinutritional contents, growth performance, serum biochemistry, haematology, liver histology and profitability of broilers. Data collected on the response variables were subjected to analyses of variance as appropriate for a Completely Randomized Design (p< 0.05). The findings of the study were: (i ) energy and crude protein obtained for raw ASAK were 3.93 kcal/g and 8.71%, while phytate, tannins and saponins were 1,308.70, 1,037.47 and 12.15mg/kg, respectively; (ii) broilers fed graded levels of raw ASAK meal had a significantly (p<0.05) lower Weight Gain (WG), Feed Intake (FI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) compared with the control. The haematology and serum biochemistry were also significantly (p<0.05) different across the dietary treatments, 10-30% Dietary Level (DL) showed abnormal AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, urea with severe liver degeneration; (iii) Activated charcoal and bentonite increased the energy and crude protein contents of ASAK by 0.01kcal/g and 7.80%, 0.07 kcal/g and 2.62%, respectively. Phytase and PEG reduced the energy of ASAK by 0.08 and 0.14kcal/g and increased the crude protein by 2.73 and 2.41%, respectively, residual saponins, phytate and tannin content reduced significantly across the processing methods; (iv) broilers fed ASAK meal processed with activated charcoal, bentonite, phytase and PEG had significantly (p<0.05) poorer WG, FI, and FCR than the control at all dietary levels; (v) AST, ALT and ALP were abnormal with severe deposition of tars in the central vein of the liver in broilers fed activated charcoal processed ASAK and severe hepatocyte perturbation occurred in those fed PEG processed ASAK from 25-30% DL; and (vi) abnormal AST, ALT, ALP and severe liver degeneration occurred from 15 to 30% when bentonite and phytase processed ASAK were fed, while 20-30% DL of the later led to severe hepatocyte perturbation. In conclusion, broilers fed processed ASAK meal performed better than those fed raw ASAK, while those fed the control diet performed significantly better than those fed raw and processed ASAK. This study therefore recommends further studies that will unravel the best method to enhance the nutritive value of the ASAK meal in broilers diet.Item THE EFFECT OF MOISTURE, FEED ADDITIVES AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS ON PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT RETENTION, BLOOD PARAMETERS AND AFLATOXIN IN BROILERS.(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-03) SALAKO, Abiola OlayemiAflatoxin, a secondary metabolic product of Aspergillus spp is economically important in animal health due to its biological effects, manifested in reduced performance. Eradicating aflatoxin induced disease in poultry is an essential strategy for improving productivity. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) effects of moisture and temperature on the growth of Aspergillus paraciticus and aflatoxin concentration; (ii) in vitro binding ability of xylanase and herbal extracts to attenuate the growth of Aspergillus paraciticus and (iii) effects of the screened additives and atoxigenic Aspergillus paraciticus on performance and blood parameters of broilers fed aflatoxin containing diet and high, medium and low moisture maize (HMM, MMM and LMM). Five experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 investigated the in vitro effects of temperature (15oC, 20oC, 25oC, 30oC, 35oC and 40oC) and moisture (4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%) on Aspergillus paraciticus count and aflatoxin concentration in feed inoculated with Aspergillus paraciticus in a 6×5 factorial design. Experiment 2 examined the effects of xylanase, herbal extracts of ginger, turmeric and garlic and their concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/ml) on inhibition of Aspergillus paraciticus in a 4x6 factorial design. Experiment 3 evaluated the effects of dietary aflatoxin concentration (0 and 500 ppb) and herbal extracts on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of broilers in a 2x4 factorial design. Experiment 4 studied the response of broilers to dietary aflatoxin concentration (0 and 500 ppb) with or without atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in a 2x2 factorial design. Experiment 5 studied the response of broilers to types of maize (HMM, MMM, LMM) and types of binder (0, turmeric, atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus) in a 3x3 factorial design. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (p<0.05) and means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The findings of the study were that: i. Aspergillus paraciticus count and Aflatoxin B1 increased from (1.15-5.52cfu) and (23.07-110.45ng) respectively (p<0.05) as moisture level increased. There were significant (p<0.05) interactions between moisture and temperature on growth of Aspergillus paraciticus and aflatoxin concentration; ii. herbal extracts at 30mg/ml was most effective in controlling growth of Aspergillus paraciticus and were in the order turmeric>ginger>garlic (p<0.05); iii. aflatoxin in diet reduced feed intake (30g/bird/day), whereas dietary inclusion garlic, ginger and turmeric increased feed intake (32, 46 and 44g/bird/day respectively). There were significant interactions between dietary aflatoxin concentration and herbs on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of broilers (p<0.05); iv. dietary atoxigenic Aspergiluus flavus increased feed intake (50g/bird/day), there were significant interactions between dietary aflatoxin concentration and atoxigenic Aspergiluus flavus on performance, digestibility and blood parameters of broilers (p<0.05); and v. dietary HMM increased feed intake (63.23g/bird/day) relative to LMM (57.54g/bird/day) and MMM (57.25g/bird/day), turmeric and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus improved performance relative to control (p<0.05). The study concluded that poultry feed is best stored at 4% moisture and 40oC to control aflatoxin. The use of the herbal extracts and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus are effective in controlling aflatoxicosis. The study recommends that the strategy of incorporating turmeric and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus should be used to control Aspergillus paraciticus risk in poultry feed.Item EVALUATION OF YORUBA ECOTYPE CHICKEN AND CROSSES WITH THREE EXOTIC STRAINS FOR PERFORMANCE AND EGG PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-06) OGUNDERE, ABIMBOLA ALICEYoruba Ecotype Chicken (YEC) is characterized by hardiness, and better adaptation to prevailing tropical environment. However, its small body size and egg weight has hindered its utilization for commercial meat and egg production. Crossbreeding is a major tool used in improving desired traits in animals. The objectives of the study were to: (i) evaluate fertility, hatchability, growth performance and survivability in Marshall (MM), Goliath (GG), Sussex (SS) and their crossbred with YEC; (ii) evaluate egg production and quality characteristics in YEC and its crosses with GG and SS; and (iii) estimate genetic parameters, predictive models for growth and egg production traits in YEC and its crosses. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 examined fertility, hatchability, early and late growth performance and survivability using a total of 529 chicks obtained from 971 eggs `that were collected from purebred chickens and their crosses (MMxMM, GGxGG, SSxSS, YECxYEC, YECxMM, YECxGG, YECxSS, MMxYEC, GGxYEC and SSxYEC). Experiment 2 investigated egg production and egg quality characteristics using 120 sixteen-week old YEC and its crosses. Data obtained from experiments 1 and 2 estimated heterosis, heritability, repeatability, correlation, predictive equations, principal component and genetic relatedness for body weight and egg parameters. Data on growth and reproductive parameters were subjected to analysis of variance. The findings of the study were that: i. MMxYEC had the highest fertility (97.50%) compared to other crosses. Hatchability was highest in MMxYEC and GGxYEC (89.74% in both); ii. MMxMM and MMxYEC had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio than other crosses. YECxYEC had 91.20% survivability. Survivability was highest in YECxGG (100%) at early and late growth phases; iii. egg parameters were significantly higher (p<0.05) and maturity occurred earlier (154 days) in YECxSS than in YECxYEC (146 days) and other YEC crosses. Crosses between YEC cock and exotic hens exhibited positive heterosis for body weight and egg parameters; iv. heritability for body weight was higher in YECxGG (0.38 to 0.63) and GGxYEC (0.59 to 1.00) than in YECxYEC. Repeatability estimates were generally low in YECxYEC and its crosses; v. body weight was best predicted by cubic and quadratic equations in most crosses, Principal component 1 accounted for the highest variance in weekly body weight with the low variation existing in SSxSS, YECxGG, YECxMM and MMxYEC. Crosses of SSxSS, YECxGG and YECxSS were best described by egg external quality traits while GGxGG, GGxYEC and SSxYEC were described by external and internal quality traits ; and vi. Dendogram showed that body weight of YECxYEC was more closely related with SSxSS and GGxGG than MMxMM. Similarity existed between egg number of YECxYEC and GGxGG while the egg weight of the two strains were far apart in the dendogram. The study concluded that cross breeding improved body weight and egg production of YEC. Crossbred YECxMM or YECxGG is therefore recommended for body weight and YEC x SS for egg production in Nigeria.Item MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF POTENTIAL GROWTH TRAITS IN WAD SHEEP THROUGH CROSSBREEDING(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-06) FATAI, ISMAIL ADEWALEThe need for larger sheep has compelled both the consumers and sellers in the middle and Southern parts of Nigeria to frequently opt for giant breeds of sheep from the Northern parts of the Country. Balami and Uda are the two largest Nigerian breeds of sheep and therefore have the potentials of improving, through crossbreeding, the body weight of small body-sized West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the morphometric characteristics of traditionally managed WAD, Balami and Uda sheep; (ii) reproductive and growth performance of pure and crossbred sheep; (iii) heterosis, repeatability and heritability of economic traits; and (iv) best morphometric descriptors of body weight in pure and crossbred WAD, Balami and Uda sheep in Nigeria. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment 1compared the morphometric traits of 1017 traditionally managed sheep within North and Central Nigeria. Experiment 2 evaluated thegrowth and reproductive performance of pure and crossbred Uda, Balami and WAD Sheep using an unbalanced design, while Experiment 3assessed the heritability and repeatability of growth traits and best morphometric descriptors of pure and crossbred sheep. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using a model of Factorial Design (p˂0.05). The findings of the study were that: i. traditionally managed Balami sheep was superior to Uda and WAD in all morphometric traits. Males were superior to females in all morphometric traits. ii. WAD sheep had the highest conception (80%) and lambing rate for all the parities (80%); iii. lambs’ birth weights increased with dams’ age and parity; iv. crossbred lambs were superior over purebred WAD in all morphometric traits both at birth and at yearling stages; v. heterosis for body weight in Uda crossed with WAD was higher than in Balami crossed with WAD at birth (24.70% and 22.42% respectively) and at weaning (9.25% and -4.84% respectively); vi. WAD had higher repeatability for body weights (0.99) and total milk yield than other breeds; and vii. WAD sheep group had the most accurate classification (92.4%). The Dendogram plot showed WAD sheep was closer to Uda than Balami while Uda crossed with WAD sheep was closer in body weight to the purebred Uda sheep. The study concluded that genetic resources of Nigerian breeds of sheep could be described using morphometric traits. Crossbred sheep were superior to the purebred WAD sheep in morphometric traits, lamb birth and weekly body weights. The study recommended that to improve weaning weight, Uda sheep should be crossed with WAD sheep. However,to improve yearling weight,Balami sheep should be crossed with WAD sheep.Item RESPONSE OF CHICKEN GENOTYPES TO DIETARY LEVELS OF Moringa oleifera (Lamarck) SEED MEAL(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-06) AKINTUNDE, ADEYINKA OYEMoringa oleifera (Lamarck)seed is a potential novel feedstuff that can be incorporated into poultry nutrition in Nigeria.Moringa oleiferais a potential cheaper alternative than the current conventional feedstuff.However, the performance response may vary between different chicken genotypes.The objectives of this study are to evaluate: (i) effects of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera Seed Meal (MOSM) on performance and morphometric body parameters of local and exotic chickens; (ii) effects of dietary inclusion of MOSM on reproductive characteristics of local and exotic chickens; and (iii) correlation and predictive models for growth and reproductive parameters in local and exotic chickens fed MOSM. Two experiments were conducted. Four experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15 % MOSM were used.Experiment 1 studied the comparative effects of dietary inclusion of MOSM on the performance and morphometric body parameters of local and exotic chickens. Experiment 2 assessed the comparative influence of dietary MOSM on the spermiogramic and egg characteristics of Yoruba Ecotype Nigerian Local Chickens (YENLC) and Isa Brown chickens. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, correlation, forward-stepwise regression and principal component analysis. The findings of this study were that; (i) chickens fed 5% MOSM had the best feed conversion ratio (3.24) and morphometric body parameters (p<0.05). Haematology, serum electrolytes and enzymes increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing level of MOSM. Serum total cholesterol significantly decreased (p<0.05) from the control to 10% MOSM inclusion; (ii) dietary inclusion of MOSM affected the reproductive parameters in YENLC and Isa Brown chickens. Egg length, egg width, yolk weight and yolk height decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of MOSM; (iii) the association between morphometric parameters and body weights decreased significantly(p<0.05) with increasing levels of MOSM (r decreased from 0.72 to 0.52). Late body weight could be predicted for Marshall up to week 7 using body morphometrics (R2=81.70%); (iv) diets affected the sperm parameters of the cocks. Body weights predicted semen volume, testes weight, epididymis weight and spermatozoa reserves (R2=85.30%). There were significant (p<0.01) and high positive correlations among egg length, egg width, shell weight, albumen height, albumen weight, yolk height and yolk weight of YENLC (r≥0.822). However, egg length, egg width, shell weight, albumen height, albumen weight, yolk height and yolk weight predicted the egg weight of Isa brown and YENLC with accuracy of 83.90% and 85% respectively; and (v) the most significant latent determinant of variation in body weight and linear body traits discovered (principal component 1), explained the MOSM effect,and largely reflected the contribution of body weight at weeks 4 and 5 to overall variation (variance explained = 67.41%). This study concluded that 5% dietary inclusion of MOSM would improve growth performance in Marshall, while 5% level of inclusion of MOSM would improve the reproductive performance of Isa Brown chickens. 10% MOSM dietary inclusion would contribute to optimum growth and reproductive performance in YENLC. The study recommended that up to 5% MOSM can be included in chickens’ diet irrespective of the genotype for optimum performance.Item PHYSIOLOGICAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSES OF YORUBA ECOTYPE CHICKENS TO DIETARY AND HORMONAL MANIPULATIONS(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2018-07) Akanbi, Ademola SamuelMale chicks are less desirable outputs of hatcheryproduction from layer lineage. There is flat information on the manipulation of the physiology of chicken to achieve reasonable profit in Yoruba ecotype chicken (YEC). Achievement of profitable sex ratio is important for planning and decision making. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of: (i) artificial insemination on fertility, hatchability and morphometric characteristics in YEC; (ii) dietary palm kernel oil (PKO); and levels of estradiol and testosterone administration (i.m) on serum biochemistry, haematology, hormonal status, reproductive responses, egg characteristics and offspring sex ratio of YEC; and (iii) in-ovo estradiol and testosterone administration on sex ratio of YEC chicks. Four experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of number of days post artificial insemination on fertility and hatchability in a completely randomized design; alternative methods on the percentile accuracy of sexing; sex on weekly body weights and morphometric measurements in YEC using a t-test. Experiment 2 examined the effects of dietary PKO (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 percent) inclusion on serum biochemistry, haematology, hormonal status, reproductive responses and offspring sex ratio of YEC in a 2x5 factorial design. Experiment 3 evaluated the effects of estradiol and testosterone administration (i.m) on serum biochemistry, haematology, hormonal status, reproductive responses, egg characteristics and offspring sex ratio of YEC in a 2x2x5 factorial design. Experiment 4 investigated the in-ovo estradiol and testosterone administration (0, 1, 2, and 4IU) on hatchability and offspring sex ratio of YEC in a 2x4 factorial design. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated by the new Duncans multiple range test at p<0.05. The findings of this study were that: i. fertility was stable from day 1 to 12 except for a transient increase on day 6 and decrease from day 13 onwards; ii. male chicks had longer (p<0.05) keel, shank and thigh length than female chicks at seventh and eighth weeks; iii. dietary PKO; and levels of estradiol and testosterone administration (i.m) had no effect on serum biochemistry, haematology,hormone status and sex ratio in YEC; iv. estradiol administration (i.m) resulted in lower feed per dozen egg (p<0.05) than testosterone administration; v. dietary 4% PKO decreased (p<0.05) feed intake, weight gain, feed per dozen egg, fertility and egg hatchability of YEC; and vi. in-ovo estradiol administration resulted in higher (p<0.05) hatchability and percentage female chicks than testosterone administration. The study concluded that fertile eggs can be collected within day 1 and 12 after artificial insemination in YEC.Male chickscan be separated from femaleYEC from 7 weeks and above using body weight and morphometric traits.In-ovo estradiol administration increased hatchability and the percentage of female chicks hatched. In-ovo estradiol administration of up to 2 IU is therefore recommended for increased female chicks production in YEC.Item RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS TO TREATED DIETARY Moringa oleifera SEED CAKE(UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, 2019-09) AREMU, J. O.Item EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF WATER LEAF (Talinum triangulare) EXTRACT ON OXDATIVE STABILITY OF BROILER MEAT(University of Ilorin, 2013) ZUBAIR, JAMIU IBRAHIMAntioxidant effect of graded levels of Talinum triangulare (Waterleaf) extract on cooked and raw broiler meat was evaluated and compared with Butylated Hydroxyl Anisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant, using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. The minced broiler meat was weighed into five samples of 700g each. The treatments consist of a control without additive; waterleaf extract was separately added at a rate of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% of the weight of the minced meat, while BHA was added at a rate of 0.01%. Each sample was divided into 56 parts of 12.5g each. Twenty eight of these were cooked in microwave oven over 1minute, 30 seconds, while the other twenty eight samples were left raw. Both cooked and raw samples were stored in a refrigerator for 14days at a temperature of 4°c.Oxidative stability of the cooked and raw samples was monitored at 2-day intervals. The result shows that no levels of waterleaf extract were able to reduce lipid oxidation in both raw and cooked meat samples. This was shown by their higher TBARS values which were significantly different. BHA was able to reduce lipid oxidation in both cooked and raw meat samples. However, its antioxidant potency was well expressed in raw meat samples. Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) extract should not be considered as 12 the possible source of natural antioxidant in the prevention of broiler meat against lipid oxidation under refrigeration storage.