Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income... more Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income is imperative in communities exposed to hydrocarbon pollution. Exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants causes disruption of homeostasis, thereby compromising the genetic potential of the birds. Oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of the cellular membrane is a contributing factor in the mechanism of hydrocarbon toxicity. Epidemiological studies show that tolerance to hydrocarbon exposure may be caused by the activation of genes that control disease defense pathways like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Disparity in the mechanism and level of tolerance to hydrocarbon fragments among species may exist and may result in variations in gene expression within individuals of the same species upon exposure. Genomic variability is critical for adaptation and serves as a survival mechanism in response to environmental pollutants. Understanding...
Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasti... more Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasticity of thick albumen, a strong bond in the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and excellent biological properties are indicators of high-quality albumen. The albumen quality prior to egg storage contribute to enhance egg’s shelf life and economic value. Evidence suggests that albumen quality can deteriorate due to changes in albumen structure, such as the degradation of β-ovomucin subunit and O-glyosidic bonds, the collapse of the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and a decrease in albumen protein-protein interaction. Using organic minerals, natural plants and animal products with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, high biological value, no residue effect and toxicity risk could improve albumen quality. These natural products (e.g., tea polyphenols, marigold extract, magnolol, essential oils, Upro (small peptide), yeast cell wall, Bacillus species, a purified amino acid from animal blood, and p...
This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nig... more This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens (NLC) fed varied dietary protein levels. An eleven week feeding trial was done in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement using six treatment groups comprising a combination of two genotypes of the NLC' identified as normal leather (na) and naked neck (Na) and three dietary protein levels - high protein: HP (22% and 20% CP chick mash and grower mash respectively), medium protein: MP (20% and 18% chick mash and grower mash respectively) and low protein: LP (18% and 16% chick mash and grower mash). Data were collected on growth performance traits (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio). At the end of the feeding trial a haematological assay was done. Neither genotype nor interaction of genotype and dietary protein level influenced (p>0.05) any of the growth performance traits studied. Birds on HP ate 10.21% and 7.09% less feed than t...
Genetic evaluation and selection of a Nigerian local chicken ecotype was carried out over three g... more Genetic evaluation and selection of a Nigerian local chicken ecotype was carried out over three generations. Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations in body weight at first egg, egg number and egg weight were estimated. The estimates were used to a construct selection index in each generation which was used to select the hens used as parents in the next generation. Pooled heritability estimates (over the three generations) of body weight at first egg, egg number and egg weight were 0.56, 0.44 and 0.28, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between body eight at first egg and egg weight were 0.41 and 0.70, respectively, with egg number: -0.18 and -0.28, respectively. They were estimated to be -.23 and -.39 for egg number and egg weight, respectively. Selected birds performed significantly (p<0.05) better than the base population in terms of egg production traits studied. The results of this study suggest that the egg production traits studied can be improve...
The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A tot... more The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using Radimer/Cornel hunger scale, while Chi-square test was done with significance of P<0.05. Results of this study revealed 82.7% prevalence of hunger among households before Covid-19 pandemic, while during Covid-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence rose to 98.6%. It was also observed that covid-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices.The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods(81.14%). A genuine fear of household hunger amidst Covid-19 lockdown in south-East Nigeria was confirmed.
Nigerian Indigenous Chickens (NIC) constitutes about 80 percent of the 166 million poultry birds ... more Nigerian Indigenous Chickens (NIC) constitutes about 80 percent of the 166 million poultry birds in Nigeria (FAO, 2007). Indigenous chickens are those chickens that belong to an area where they have evolved; they are also called native or local chickens. FAO (2001) and Adene (2004) reported that indigenous chicken exhibit large variation in body size, plumage colours, feathering pattern, eggshell, earlobe and shank colour. NIC represent valuable resources for livestock development because of their extensive genetic diversity, which allows for the rearing of poultry under varied environmental conditions. Poultry is efficient in transforming feed into human food and interestingly, requires low capital investment in comparison with the larger animals; with no religious or social taboos and its products do not require storage and preservation facilities for family consumption .Their meat and eggs are preferred widely by consumers because of their taste, leanness, and suitability for spe...
Enhanced albumen quality is reflected in increased thick albumen height, albumen weight, and Haug... more Enhanced albumen quality is reflected in increased thick albumen height, albumen weight, and Haugh unit value, while the antimicrobial, antioxidant, foaming, gelling, viscosity, and elasticity attributes are retained. Improved albumen quality is of benefit to consumers and to the food and health industries. Egg quality often declines during storage because eggs are highly perishable products and are most often not consumed immediately after oviposition. This review provides insights into albumen quality in terms of changes in albumen structure during storage, the influence of storage time and temperature, and the mitigation effects of natural dietary antioxidants of plant origin. During storage, albumen undergoes various physiochemical changes: loss of moisture and gaseous products through the shell pores and breakdown of carbonic acid, which induces albumen pH increases. High albumen pH acts as a catalyst for structural changes in albumen, including degradation of the β-ovomucin su...
The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A tot... more The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using Radimer/Cornel hunger scale, while Chi-square test was done with significance of P<0.05. Results of this study revealed 82.7% prevalence of hunger among households before Covid-19 pandemic, while during Covid-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence rose to 98.6%. It was also observed that covid-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices.The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods (81.14%). High household hunger was identified as a short term cost of Covid-19 lockdown in Southeast Nigeria. Only few households benefited from the food aid programs and other forms of palliatives by Government. It is recommended that the Government should setup a formidable unit which will develop physical and digital plans for effective implemention during Covid-19 lock...
Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income... more Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income is imperative in communities exposed to hydrocarbon pollution. Exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants causes disruption of homeostasis, thereby compromising the genetic potential of the birds. Oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of the cellular membrane is a contributing factor in the mechanism of hydrocarbon toxicity. Epidemiological studies show that tolerance to hydrocarbon exposure may be caused by the activation of genes that control disease defense pathways like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Disparity in the mechanism and level of tolerance to hydrocarbon fragments among species may exist and may result in variations in gene expression within individuals of the same species upon exposure. Genomic variability is critical for adaptation and serves as a survival mechanism in response to environmental pollutants. Understanding...
Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasti... more Albumen quality is recognized as one of the major yardsticks in measuring egg quality. The elasticity of thick albumen, a strong bond in the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and excellent biological properties are indicators of high-quality albumen. The albumen quality prior to egg storage contribute to enhance egg’s shelf life and economic value. Evidence suggests that albumen quality can deteriorate due to changes in albumen structure, such as the degradation of β-ovomucin subunit and O-glyosidic bonds, the collapse of the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and a decrease in albumen protein-protein interaction. Using organic minerals, natural plants and animal products with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, high biological value, no residue effect and toxicity risk could improve albumen quality. These natural products (e.g., tea polyphenols, marigold extract, magnolol, essential oils, Upro (small peptide), yeast cell wall, Bacillus species, a purified amino acid from animal blood, and p...
This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nig... more This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance and haematological traits of Nigerian local chickens (NLC) fed varied dietary protein levels. An eleven week feeding trial was done in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement using six treatment groups comprising a combination of two genotypes of the NLC' identified as normal leather (na) and naked neck (Na) and three dietary protein levels - high protein: HP (22% and 20% CP chick mash and grower mash respectively), medium protein: MP (20% and 18% chick mash and grower mash respectively) and low protein: LP (18% and 16% chick mash and grower mash). Data were collected on growth performance traits (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio). At the end of the feeding trial a haematological assay was done. Neither genotype nor interaction of genotype and dietary protein level influenced (p>0.05) any of the growth performance traits studied. Birds on HP ate 10.21% and 7.09% less feed than t...
Genetic evaluation and selection of a Nigerian local chicken ecotype was carried out over three g... more Genetic evaluation and selection of a Nigerian local chicken ecotype was carried out over three generations. Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations in body weight at first egg, egg number and egg weight were estimated. The estimates were used to a construct selection index in each generation which was used to select the hens used as parents in the next generation. Pooled heritability estimates (over the three generations) of body weight at first egg, egg number and egg weight were 0.56, 0.44 and 0.28, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between body eight at first egg and egg weight were 0.41 and 0.70, respectively, with egg number: -0.18 and -0.28, respectively. They were estimated to be -.23 and -.39 for egg number and egg weight, respectively. Selected birds performed significantly (p<0.05) better than the base population in terms of egg production traits studied. The results of this study suggest that the egg production traits studied can be improve...
The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A tot... more The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using Radimer/Cornel hunger scale, while Chi-square test was done with significance of P<0.05. Results of this study revealed 82.7% prevalence of hunger among households before Covid-19 pandemic, while during Covid-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence rose to 98.6%. It was also observed that covid-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices.The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods(81.14%). A genuine fear of household hunger amidst Covid-19 lockdown in south-East Nigeria was confirmed.
Nigerian Indigenous Chickens (NIC) constitutes about 80 percent of the 166 million poultry birds ... more Nigerian Indigenous Chickens (NIC) constitutes about 80 percent of the 166 million poultry birds in Nigeria (FAO, 2007). Indigenous chickens are those chickens that belong to an area where they have evolved; they are also called native or local chickens. FAO (2001) and Adene (2004) reported that indigenous chicken exhibit large variation in body size, plumage colours, feathering pattern, eggshell, earlobe and shank colour. NIC represent valuable resources for livestock development because of their extensive genetic diversity, which allows for the rearing of poultry under varied environmental conditions. Poultry is efficient in transforming feed into human food and interestingly, requires low capital investment in comparison with the larger animals; with no religious or social taboos and its products do not require storage and preservation facilities for family consumption .Their meat and eggs are preferred widely by consumers because of their taste, leanness, and suitability for spe...
Enhanced albumen quality is reflected in increased thick albumen height, albumen weight, and Haug... more Enhanced albumen quality is reflected in increased thick albumen height, albumen weight, and Haugh unit value, while the antimicrobial, antioxidant, foaming, gelling, viscosity, and elasticity attributes are retained. Improved albumen quality is of benefit to consumers and to the food and health industries. Egg quality often declines during storage because eggs are highly perishable products and are most often not consumed immediately after oviposition. This review provides insights into albumen quality in terms of changes in albumen structure during storage, the influence of storage time and temperature, and the mitigation effects of natural dietary antioxidants of plant origin. During storage, albumen undergoes various physiochemical changes: loss of moisture and gaseous products through the shell pores and breakdown of carbonic acid, which induces albumen pH increases. High albumen pH acts as a catalyst for structural changes in albumen, including degradation of the β-ovomucin su...
The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A tot... more The present study measured household hunger in South-East Nigeria amidst COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 1209 households (urban and rural locations) were sampled. Household hunger was determined using Radimer/Cornel hunger scale, while Chi-square test was done with significance of P<0.05. Results of this study revealed 82.7% prevalence of hunger among households before Covid-19 pandemic, while during Covid-19 lockdown, hunger prevalence rose to 98.6%. It was also observed that covid-19 lockdown significantly affected food prices.The major coping strategy employed by households was relying on less expensive foods (81.14%). High household hunger was identified as a short term cost of Covid-19 lockdown in Southeast Nigeria. Only few households benefited from the food aid programs and other forms of palliatives by Government. It is recommended that the Government should setup a formidable unit which will develop physical and digital plans for effective implemention during Covid-19 lock...
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