Cosmas Chikezie Ogbu

Traditional agricultural production is circular. Virtually no waste is produced. Residues are returned to soil as compost; used as bedding material in livestock husbandry (and returned to soil as compost) or as feed to produce animal protein and manure; utilized as construction materials; or fuel for domestic energy. Circular agricultural production ensures soil conservation, waste reduction, residues reuse, and recycling. The ever rising global population, and demand for food and agro-industrial products, necessitated a transition to linear agricultural production which generates enormous quantities of agricultural residues, agro-industrial, and food wastes. The economic losses, environmental degradation, and health hazards resulting from poor management of excess wastes, and their mitigation have been the subject of research and policy efforts at continental and regional levels. Current waste management models redirect attention to circular agricultural production and bioeconomic ...

The study was carried out to determine (1) the effect of feed type on feed preference, (2) the effect of group (GRR) or single (SRR) rearing on performance and duration of behavioural traits, and (3) the behavioural pattern of rabbits in relation to time period. Ten 8 week (wk) old rabbits of 810-830g body weight were employed for the study. The rabbits were divided into two groups of five each and housed singly (SRR) or together (GRR) at 50 cm 2 /rabbit. The trial feeds were Centrosema pubescens (CTP), Ipomea batatas (IP), Tridax procumbens (TDP), pelleted (PC), and ground (GC) concentrates. A 2 wk adaptation to the feed materials was allowed. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data included final body weight (FBWT), total body weight gain (TBWG), daily weight gain (DWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), duration of feed intake (DFI), water intake (DWI), standing (DST) and lying down (DLD) recorded 1 day/wk (8 time periods of 3 h each on each day) for 8 wk. Group or single rearing significantly (P ˂ 0.05) influenced FI, FCR, DWI, DST and DLD but not FBWT, TBWG, DWG and DFI. Feed type and form affected feed preference with Centrosema pubescens and pelleted feed as the most preferred. Time period significantly (P ˂ 0.05) influenced the duration of the behavioural traits and activity pattern showed circadian rhythmicity. Rearing condition x time period interaction significantly (P ˂ 0.05) influenced the duration and time periods for peaks and lows in behavioural activities. Approximately 91% of the 24 h day was spent by the rabbits on the behavioural traits studied with about 56.0 % spent lying down, 17.8 % for feeding and 1.71 % for drinking water. Peak periods of nutrient intake were early diurnal (03:00-06:00 hrs), late diurnal (15:00-18:00 hrs) and early nocturnal (18:00-21:00 hrs) periods. In conclusion, rabbits should be fed with green, leafy and highly nutritious forages (with or without pellets) provided at the peak periods of feed intake. They could be reared singly or in group provided adequate space allowance for feeding, exercise and rest is made.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate and compare acclimation in semen traits of Large White (LW) and Large White x local (LW x LC) F 1 (crossbred) boars to high ambient temperatures during exposure to direct solar heat radiation. Twenty-four LW and crossbred boars (12 boars each) were employed for the study. The boars (6 months old, 42.65-50.14 kg) were shared into 3 treatments (T) (8 boars/treatment) namely T1 or control (housed), T2 (boars exposed for 45 minutes) and T3 (boars exposed for 60 minutes). Exposure to sun light started each day by 13:30 to 14:15 h (45 min. exposure) and 13:30 to 14:30 h (60 min. exposure) and lasted for 28 days (4 weeks). Data collected and analysed were weekly values of volume of ejaculate (VE), progressive motility (PM), sperm concentration (SC), sperm per ejaculate (SE), percent live sperm (LS), percent abnormal sperm (AS), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and reaction time (RT). The values of the evaluated parameters were relatively stable and within normal range across the experimental period in boars in the control groups. Volume of ejaculate (VE), PM, SC, SE, and LS decreased progressively and significantly (P˂0.05) over the experimental period while AS increased significantly (P˂0.05) with experimental period in exposed boars. On the other hand RT increased initially but became stable from wk 2 of exposure. The degeneration in semen quality in exposed boars was generally more rapid in LW compared to crossbred boars. Also RT was shorter for crossbred boars compared to LW boars. It was concluded that LW and crossbred boars exposed to direct solar radiation were unable to acclimate and restore normal or stable semen parameters for the duration of the study whereas acclimation occurred in RT after 2 weeks of exposure. Furthermore, considering the values for semen traits, the crossbred boars were more resistant to heat stress than their LW counterparts.

The study was aimed at evaluating acclimation to high ambient temperatures (AT) in Large White (LW) and crossbred (Large White x local, LW x LC F 1) boars exposed to direct solar radiation. Twenty-four LW and crossbred boars (12 boars each, 6 months of age, 42.65 to 50.14 kg body weight) were used for the study. There were three treatments (T) (8 boars/treatment) namely T1 or control (housed), T2 (45 minutes exposure, 13:30 to

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the growth performance, haematological and immune responses of broilers subjected to three vaccination programmes. Ninety day old Anak broilers were used for the study. The birds were randomized into three treatment groups of 30 birds each: group 1 (control, conventional routine vaccination schedule), group 2: one week delay in routine vaccination, and group 3: two weeks delay in routine vaccination. The vaccines commonly used for routine vaccination against Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses in the study environment were employed for the study. Data collected included weekly body weight, shank length, mortality, haematological values (PCV, and WBC count) and haemagglutination inhibition antibody titer (HI) against NDV-La sota. Delay in commencement of routine vaccination against ND and IBD for one or two weeks was associated with low mortality, and significant (P<0.05) reduction of body weight, body wei...

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of non-genetic factors on body weight and body morphometric measurements from birth to 6 months of age (moa) in West African Dwarf (WAD) goat under intensive management. Twenty-five sexually mature WAD goats (20 does and 5 bucks, 7-8moa, 9.0 and 12.0kg bwt) were used for the study. The animals were randomly shared into 5 breeding groups of 4 does and 1 buck each. Kids were generated using natural mating and then evaluated for effect of birth type, season, and sex on birth (Bwt) and weaning (Wwt) weights, and monthly body weights (BW) and linear body traits (head, HL; neck, NL; foreleg, FL; hindleg, HLL; body, BL; and tail, TL, lengths, and height at withers, HW) to 6moa. Birth type, sex, and season influenced (P<0.05) Bwt while birth type and sex influenced (P<0.05) Wwt. These factors did not influence growth rate from birth to weaning and from weaning to 6moa. Whereas sex influenced BW, from 1 to 6moa, season had no effect o...

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of organic selenium (Sel-yeast) and zinc (a s ZnO) on the biochemical constituents and quality of indigen ous turkey semen. Thirty-six (18 weeks old) local toms were us ed for the study. The birds were randomly assigned to nine trea tments (T) of four birds each: T1 or control (no supplementation), T2 (0.2mg Se), T3 (0.3mg Se), T4 (110mg Zn), T5 (120mg Zn), T6 (0.2mg Se + 110mg Zn), T 7 (0.3mg Se + 110mg Zn), T 8 (0.2mg Se + 120mg Zn), and T9 (0.3mg Se + 120mg Zn) per kg of feed. They were fed the experimental diets for 12 w eeks prior to semen collection. Semen was collected and analys ed twice a week for eight weeks starting at 30 weeks of age. D ata recorded included semen volume (SV), progressive mo tility (PM), percent normal (NS), abnormal (AS), live (LS), and dead (DS) sperm, sperm concentration (SC), total sp erm in ejaculate (TSE), fructose (FC), sodium (Na), and pota ssium (K) concentrations. Toms supplemented with Se ...

The Nigerian indigenous chickens (NICs) are a critical component of the global animal genetic resources. They are distributed in rural areas, kept by the majority of the rural poor. They constitute different strains, or ecotypes local to tribes, regions, or ecological zones and are valued for their disease resistance, adaptation, and yield of valuable products and income on marginal inputs making them a low risk species. They are hence a unique and vital genetic resource and gene pool for present and long-term genetic improvement and human need for food and sustenance. The NIC is however; threatened by extinction owing to neglect, negative selection, breed substitution, and genetic introgression. There is need to draw research and policy attention to the conservation of NICs in accord with the global effort for the conservation of indigenous chickens which is probably the most neglected among farm animal species. The present review therefore, focuses on the physical and performance ...

The effects of exposure to direct sun light on body temperature (BT) and blood profile (BP) of boars was studied using Large White and Large White x local F 1 crossbred boars. The experiment involved three treatments: zero exposure (T 1); 45 minutes (T 2) and 60 minutes exposure (T 3). Pigs were exposed between 13:30 and 14:45 hr daily for 4 weeks. Body temperature of control and exposed pigs was measured daily at the end of exposure. Blood samples were collected and analysed for LC, EC, HbC and PCV while MCV, MCH and MCHC were calculated from EC, HbC and PCV values. Ambient temperature (AT) averaged 27.84 o C indoors and 40.54 o C outdoors over the experimental period. There were significant genotype, treatment and interaction effects on most of the parameters studied. The LW boars were more severely affected by exposure to direct sunlight than the crossbred boars. It was concluded that wallow pits and shades should be provided for extensively managed pigs to enable them cope with ...

The study evaluated the growth performance, haematology, serum biochemistry, intestinal microbial count, and antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from broiler chicks fed diets supplemented with antibiotics (neomycin, and oxytetracycline), and probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). One hundred and twenty Abor acre broiler chicks randomly alloted to four treatment groups (30 birds/group; 10 birds/replicate) were used in the 49 days study. Group one (G 1, control) were fed basal diet while G 2, 3, and 4 received basal diet containing S. cerevisiae (0.80g/kg; 108cfu/g), neomycin (0.50g/kg) and oxytetracycline (0.30g/kg), respectively. Results showed significant treatment effects on body weight, feed intake, linear body values, some haematological indices, intestinal, caecal and combined caecal and intestinal bacteria counts, diameter of E. coli inhibition zone, and mortality. Body weight and feed intake were significantly  higher in the supplemented groups. Inte...

The study was carried out to evaluate the egg production performance of heavy (HBW) and light (LBW) body weight chickens housed in cages and deep litter and fed commercial feed (CF) or locally formulated feed (LF). One hundred and sixty pullets at point of lay (18 weeks of age, 80/genotype) were used for the study. During the growing phase (8-18 weeks), pullets of each genotype were fed either CF or LF growers mash. Thereafter, birds of each genotype and feed type were assigned to either deep litter (10 birds/pen) or battery cage (individual bird cages). Next, birds that received CF and LF growers mash were assigned to CF and LF layers mash, respectively. Water was provided ad libitum. Data collected included age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first egg (BWFE), weight of first egg (WFE), egg weight (EW), egg number (AEN), and egg mass (AEM). Comparison between treatments was done using independent samples t - test. Result showed significant (P ˂ 0.05) genotypic effects on the me...

The study was conducted to evaluate growth and laying parameters of light (LBW) and heavy (HBW) body weight chickens fed commercial feed (CF) or locally formulated feed (LF). Two hundred and sixty (260) day old chicks (130/genotype, sexes combined) were used for the study. They were separated into sexes after 8 weeks of brooding and females of each genotype were assigned to either CF (T1) or LF (T2). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data collected included body weight (BW) from 0-8 weeks (sexes combined) and 8-20 weeks (females), daily feed intake (FI), pause length and number, and clutch length and number. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were computed. Genotypes and rations were compared using independent samples t – test. Genotypes differed significantly (P E‚ 0.05) in all the traits except pause length, pause number and clutch number. Heavy local chickens were higher in BW, BWG, FI and FCR. Heavy local chickens fed either CF or LF had higher BW, BWG...