Search

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ensiled brewers spent grain (BSG) when used as replacement to cotton seed cake in the concentrate diet of lactating crossbred dairy cows. Eight early lactating F1 Boran X Friesian cows were used in a short term feeding trial to identify optimum level of ensiled BSG substitution of cotton seed cake (0, 33, 66, and 100%) in iso-nitrogenous diets. A 4 × 4 double Latin square design was used to analyze the data set generated from the feeding and digestibility trials. The results showed that as the level of ensiled BSG replacement to cotton seed cake increased, daily intakes on the natural pasture hay: 8.1 (T1) vs 7.6 (T2), 6.0 (T3), and 5.1 (T4); total feed dry matter: 14.6 (T1) vs 14.0 (T2), 12.9 (T3), and 12.2 (T4); crude protein (CP): 2.0 (T1) vs 1.9 (T2), 1.8 (T3), and 1.7 (T4); neutral detergent fiber (NDF): 8.4 (T1) vs 8.2 (T2), 7.4 (T3), and 6.8 (T4); and acid detergent fiber (ADF): 4.8 (T1) vs 4.5 (T2), 3.8 (T3), and 3.3 (T4) decreased (P 0.05). However, estimated metabolizable energy (EME) intakes (129 vs 126) and body weight of the animals (465 vs 467) on the control diet and dietary T2 (33% BSG replacement for cottonseed cake) were comparable (P 0.05). Thereafter, differences in daily EME intakes and body weight changes decreased with an increase in the level of ensiled BSG in the concentrate diet (P 0.05) compared with both the control and animals on T2. Ensiled BSG, on the other hand, substantially improved (P 0.05) total ration's apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM): 629 (T1) vs 659 (T3), 686 (T4); CP: 676(T1) vs 690(T3), 738(T4); NDF: 524 (T1) vs 544 (T3), 581 (T4); and ADF: 341 (T1) vs 350 (T2), 392 (T3), 440(T4) and daily milk yield: 14.5 (T1) vs 15.4 (T4) and milk production efficiency: 0.98 (T1) vs 1.11 (T3) and 1.26 (T4). So, ensiled BSG can be recommended to fully replace cotton seed cake from the concentrate diet of lactating dairy cows under local conditions. Additional research is needed to minimize and/or avoid body weight loss, milk fat, and total solids.

Background: Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum L.) is a forage grass with high potential to improve livestock production. However, the dry matter yield of the forage crop is low because of poor agronomic and soil fertility management practices. Objectives: This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rate and cutting height on morphological characteristics and yield of elephant grass (P. purpureum L.). Materials and Methods: Treatments were arranged in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications (3 cutting heights i.e., 7.5, 15, and 22.5 cm; and 4 nitrogen fertilizer rate i.e., 0, 69, 115, and 161 kg N ha-1). Data on morphological characteristics and yield of elephant grass (P. purpureum L.) were collected and subjected to the analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure of the statistical analysis system version 2004. Results: Most morphological characteristics of elephant grass increased (P < 0.05) as cutting height and nitrogen fertilizer rate increased, except for weight per tiller, tiller diameter, and internode length. Forage dry matter yield was in the order of 0 < 69 < 115 = 161 kg N ha-1 and 7.5 < 15 = 22.5 cm. Looking at the combination of the two factors 115 kg N ha-1 x 22.5 cm and 161 kg N ha-1 x 15 cm treatments resulted in greater dry matter yield of 6.25 and 6.45 ton DM ha-1 cut-1, respectively, and 115 kg N ha-1 was economically feasible. Conclusions: This study suggests that the rate of 115 kg N ha-1 x 22.5 cm cutting height is optimum for intensive cultivation of the forage crop with high dry matter yield at reduced nitrogen fertilizer cost., East African Journal of Sciences, Vol. 14 No. 2 (2020): East African Journal of Sciences

A study was conducted at Fafen Livestock and Forage Research Station of Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research Institute, Ethiopia to determine forage mass, botanical composition and nutritive value of herbaceous vegetation of a range co-grazed by sheep, goats, cattle and camels. The area is located at an altitude of 1600 m and has an average rain fall of 660 mm. Grazing experiment was conducted on 6 ha of land co-grazed by sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Grazing lasted 16 weeks (November 2019 to February 2020) using 6 growing animals from each species. The range was dominated by species of grasses such as Chloris radiata, Eragrostis ciliaris and Panicum atrosanguineum; forbs such as Asystasia schimperi, Acanthospermum hispidum and Solanum somalensis; and browses such as Lantana camara and Acacia spp. Four enclosures (E) each 25 m2 were made to serve as control. Forage measures were performed from fives areas of grazing and the four enclosures at the start, middle and end of the grazing period. Botanical composition was assessed as the contribution of dominant grass (Chloris radiata), other grasses and forbs. The result of the study revealed that forage mass at the start (2085 vs 2001 kg/ha; SEM= 99.9) and middle (2352 vs 2115 kg/ha; SEM = 80.5) was similar (P > 0.05) between grazing and enclosure areas, while values for grazing area was lower (P < 0.05) at the end (1496 vs 1918 kg/ha; SEM=68.8) of the grazing period. Forage mass at the end of the grazing compared to the start was reduced by 28 and 3% for grazing and enclosure area, respectively. The contribution of Chloris radiata, other grasses and forbs for enclosure area were 44.2, 20.4 and 35.4%, respectively, with no impact of the grazing period (P > 0.05). For grazing area, the contribution of other grasses was unaffected (P > 0.05), while the percentage of forbs decreased by 37% (from 40.5 to 25.5%) and Chloris radiata increased by 31% (from 32.9 to 43.1%) at the end compared to the start (P < 0.05). The chemical composition of herbaceous forages did not differ much between grazing and enclosure area, reflecting less impact of co-grazing on nutritive value. The CP content (9.0, 6.2 and 4.5 % DM; SEM = 0.43) and IVDMD (58, 50, and 47%; SEM = 1.68 for start, middle and end, respectively) decreased (P < 0.05) with advance in grazing period; while the opposite trend was noted for fiber content of forages. The impact of co-grazing on biomass and chemical composition in this study appears to be of not high magnitude. However, the poor chemical composition of the range, coupled with selective feeding of forbs reflects the need for range improvement measures and/or supplementation strategies for improved livestock productivity., East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 4 No. 1 (2020): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Chemical composition and nutritive values of lowland bamboo (LB) (Oxytenanthera abyssinica), red highland bamboo (RHB) and black highland bamboo (BHB) (Yushania alpina) varieties (V) harvested during wet and dry seasons were determined in this study. Morphological fractions of the varieties such as leaves, twigs and foliage were evaluatedo for the purpose. The chemical compositions were determined according to the standard procedures. IVDMD was determine using two-stage rumen inoculum-pepsin method. In sacco N degradability were evaluated by the nylon bag technique using three ruminally fistulated Boran x Holstein Friesian steers. The result of the study revealed that leaves collected from RHB had significantly (P, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 2 (2019): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

One hundred and eighty 26-week old white leghorn layers were used to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with kocho on egg production, egg and chick quality as well as fertility and hatchability. The layers were fed with ration containing kocho at the levels of 0% (T1), 33% (T2), 67% (T3) and 100% (T4) replacing white maize grain in the ration. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments, each replicated three times with 15 birds each. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Hens were weighed at the start and end of the experiment. Data on dry matter intake, hen day egg production (HDEP), egg weight and egg mass were recorded daily. Egg quality parameters (egg shell weight and thickness, albumen weight and height, Haugh unit and yolk weight as well as color) were determined at the interval of 7 days on 4 eggs per replicate. Kocho contained 3663 kcal/kg DM, 3.8% CP, 2.5% ether extract, 2.3% crude fiber and 1.5μg/100g beta-carotene. Highly significant (P0.05) among treatments. HDEP for T3 (53.83 %) and T4 (53.62%) was similar and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than T1 (40.54%) and T2 (43.19%). Egg quality characteristics, except yolk color were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Yolk color was higher (P < 0.05) for T1 compared with T3 and T4. Percent hatchability on fertile egg bases for T4 was significantly (P 0.05) among treatments. The partial budget analysis indicated that replacement of maize with 67% (T3) kocho gave a higher net return. Therefore, kocho can replace maize in layers ration when there is scarcity of maize in enset growing areas of Ethiopia., East African Journal of Sciences, Vol. 13 No. 1 (2019): East African Journal of Sciences

The study was conducted in Digelu-Tijo and Meiso districts representing the mixed crop-livestock and agro-pastoral production systems, respectively with an objective of characterizing sheep production practices. A total of 150 households from six rural kebeles (75 households from each production system) were selected randomly based on sheep population and accessibility. Data were collected through structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and field observation. The average number of sheep per household in mixed crop-livestock (12.5±0.99) was higher (p, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 1 (2019): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

A cross-sectional single visit multi-purpose survey was conducted in Gondar, Mekele, and Tachi-Gayint to understand the suitability of hydroponic fodder technology to urban and peri-urban dairy farms. A total of 436 households who own at least one crossbred dairy cow were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questioner. The study identified zero-grazing as the main feeding system practiced by large proportion of dairy owners. Conserved crop residue and hay were the main bulk feed available in both dry and rainy season followed by agro-industrial byproduct in dry season and green feed in rainy season. Feed shortage was the primary problem impacting dairy production. Purchasing feed, culling less productive animals, and feeding less or using alternative feed were the copping strategies employed for feed scarcity. Hydroponic fodder production practice was low (6.9%) due to lack of awareness, high cost of seed, and labor shortage. However, greater proportion (56.7%) of dairy cattle owners having experience of using hydroponic fodder witnessed that it improved milk production, calf growth, and animal’s body condition. Unlike urban respondents who have suspicion on the feasibility of the technology, large proportion (83.2%) of peri-urban consider production of hydroponic fodder as a good opportunity and ready to grow if the technology is cost effective and proven to increase milk production without affecting animal health. Although majority of the required facilities for hydroponic fodder production exists in the study area, seed cost and information on the effect of the fodder on productivity and health of animals limited its wider adoption and use. Hence, future research should focus on identifying cost effective technologies and knowledge on effect of feeding such fodder on animal productivity and health., East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2018): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of sheep breed and concentrate supplement level on proximate chemical composition and eating quality of mutton. At the end of 90 days fattening, all sheep were slaughtered and 6 to 13 rib position of longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was sampled for meat quality assessments. Higher a* (15.5±0.12), b* (12.9±0.15), and ultimate pH (5.8±0.03) values were recorded in LL muscle of Washera breed than Blackhead Ogaden (BHO) and Horro breeds. However, Washera sheep had lower L* (34.7±0.29) (P, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2018): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

አህፅሮትይህ የመስክ ጥናት የተካሄደው በ2008 ዓ.ም. ከኦሮሚያ ክልላዊ መንግስት በተመረጡ የሰበታና በደሌ ከተሞች እንዲሁም ከአማራ ክልላዊ መንግስት በተመረጠ የደብረ ብርሃን ከተማ ውስጥ ነበር፡፡ የጥናቱ ዓላዎች በተመረጡት ከተሞች ውስጥ የሚገኙ የቢራ ፋብሪካዎችን ወቅታዊ የተረፈ-ምርት መኖ አቅም እንዲሁም በየከተሞቹ የሚገኙ ወተት ከብት አርቢዎችን የተረፈ-ምርት መኖዎቹን አከመቻቸትና አጠቃቀም ለማወቅ ነው፡፡ በዋነኛነት በሀገራችን የሚገኙ ፋብካዎች የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂ መኖንና እርሾን የሚያመርቱ ሲሆን በ2008 ዓ.ም. ብቻ ከ12 የተለያዩ ፋብሪካዎች 26722.8 ቶን የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂ መኖ (በድርቆሽ ይዘት) እና 360758.1 ሄክቶ ሊትር አርሾ ማምረት ተችሏል፡፡ የመኖ አመጋገብን በተመለከተ በከተሞች መካከል የነበረው የመሰረታዊ መኖ፣ ድጎማ መኖ፣ የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂ ተረፈ-ምርት መኖ፣ ጨው እና አጠቃላይ ጥቅል ዕለታዊ የመኖ አመጋገብ ልዩነት በጣም የጎላ ነበር፡፡ ጠቅለል ባለ መልኩ ሲታይ በሰበታ የሚገኙ ታላቢ ላሞች የመኖ ፍጆታ ከበደሌ እና ደ/ብርሃን ከተማ ከሚገኙት ላሞች ፍጆታ የላቀ መሆኑን ለማስተዋል ተችሏል፡፡ የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂ በወተት ከብቶች የወተት ምርት፣ ጥራትና እንስሳት ጤና ላይ የሚያስከትለውን ለውጥ ለማወቅ በአርቢዎቹ ላይ በተደረገ ጥናት የተገኘ ግብረ-መልስ እዳመለከተው ከወተት ጥራት በስተቀር በከተሞቹ መካከል ምንም የጎላ የግብረ-መልስ ልዩነት እደሌለ ለመረዳት ተችሏል፡፡የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂን ሳይበላሽ ለረዥም ጊዜ ለማቆየት በሚያስችሉ ተለምዷዊ ዘዴዎችን ለመለየት በተደረገ ጥናት በጨው መዘፍዘፍ፣ በፀሐይ ሙቀት ማረድረቅና በገፈራ መልክ ማከማቸት እንደ ቅደም-ተከተላቸው ጥቅም ላይ የዋሉ መሆናቸውን ለመለየት ተችሏል፡፡ አቅርቦትን በተመለከተ በሰበታ ከተማ የሚገኙ አርቢዎች በተነፃፃሪነት የተሻለ የቢራ ገብስ ጭማቂ ተረፈ-ምርት መኖ አቅርቦት ሲኖራቸው የአንድ ኩንታል ደረቅ ተረፈ-ምርት መኖ ዋጋ በተጠኑት ከተሞች በአማካይ 82.50 እንደሚሸጥ ለማውቅ ተችሏል፡፡ የጥናቱ ከተሞች በዓመታዊ የጥቅል ገቢና ወጪ ክፍያዎቻቸው የሚለያዩ ሲሆኑ የሰበታ ከብት አርቢ በዓመት ለአንዲት ታላቢ ዲቃላ የወተት ከብት ከሚያወጣው ወጪ አንፃር ሲታይ በጥቅሉ በበደሌና ደ/ብርሃን ከተሞች ከሚገኙ አርቢዎች የላቀ ትርፍ በዓመት ማግኘት እንደሚችል ለመረዳት ተችሏል፡፡ Abstract The study was conducted at Sebeta and Bedele towns in Oromia regional state and at Debre-Berhan town in Amhara regional state during October-January 2016/17. The objectives of the study were; to assess the current feed byproduct production potentials of the breweries, existing storage conditions and the status of brewery spent grain utilization by smallholder dairy farms in the study areas. The result showed that brewery spent grain (BSG) and Brewer’s spent yeast (BSY) are the commonly produced byproduct feeds across all beer factories in Ethiopia. There were 12 beer factories producing an estimated 26722.8 tons BSG (DM basis) and 360,758.1 hectoliter (hl) of BSY in 2016 G.C... Substantial differences (P0.05). There was however, great variations in farmers’ response towards long term effect of BSG feeding on milk compositional changes (P

አህፅሮትየሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ በአገራችን በስኳር ፋብሪካዎች አከባቢና እና በአነስተኛ ሸንኮራ አገዳ አምራች ገበሬዎች ዘንድ የሚገኝ የእንስሳት መኖ ሀብት ነው፡፡ ይሁን እንጂ በሀገራችን እስካሁን የመኖ ጠቃሜታውን ለማሻሻልና በአያያዝ ጉድለት የሚመጣውን ብክነት ለመቀነስ የተካሄደ ጥናት በስፋት የለም። የዚህ ጥናት ዓላማም የርጥብ ሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍን ድርቆሽ በማዘጋጀት ሳይበላሽ ለረጅም ጊዜ ለማቆየት እንዲቻል ጥራቱን በተለያዩ የድርቆሽ አዘገጃጀት ዘዴዎች መፈተሽ ነው። ይህም በሳት የተቃጠለና (የተለበለበ) ያልተቃጠለ (ያልተለበለበ) የሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍን ሳይከረታተፍና ተከረታትፎ በፀሀይና በጥላ ሥር በማድረቅ ዘዴ የሚዘጋጀውን ድርቆሽ የንጥረ-ነገር ይዘት፣ የመፈጨት ደረጃውንና ለመድረቅ የሚፈጀውን ጊዜ ለመገምገም ነበር። የእያንዳንዱን አሰራር ዘዴ አምስት ጊዜ በመደጋገምና በተለያዩ ጊዜያት ናሙናዎች በመውሰድ አማካይ የድርቀት መጠናቸዉ 85 በመቶ ሲቃረብ በማቆም የናሙናዎች ኬየሚካለዊ ትንተና ተካሂደዋል። በተለበለቡና ባልተለበለቡ የሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ መነሻ ናሙናዎች (fresh/original sugarcane tops) መካከል ያለው የመኖ ንጥረ-ነገር ይዘት ልዩነት የጎላ አልነበረም። ተከርትፈዉ በፀሀይ የደረቁት የሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ ናሙናዎች ሦስት ቀናት ባልበለጠ ጊዜ የደረቁ ሲሆን፤ በአንፃሩ ያልተከረተፉት ናሙናዎች ለመድረቅ ከ45 እስከ 68 ቀናት ወስዶባቸዋል። በማድረቂያ ዘዴዎችና በሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ ዓይነቶች መለየት ምክንያት በሚንራል(ash)፣ በቃጫ (NDF, ADL)፣በሟሚ ካርቦኃይድሬቶች (NFC)፣ በኃይል ሰጪ (ME)፣ በፎስፈረስ ይዘትና በተፈጭነት ደረጃ (digestibility) ልዩነት ማየት ተችሏል። የማድረቂያ ዘዴዎቹ መለያየት ከናሙናዎቹ ድርቀት(DM) እና ፕሮቲን ይዘት ዉጪ በሌሎች ንጥረ-ነገሮች ይዘቶች ላይ ልዩነት አልነበራቸዉም። በሌላ በኩል በፀሀይ የደረቀ ያልተከረተፈ-የተቃጠለ የሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ ድርቆሽ የቃጫ(NDF) ይዘት አነስተኛና በፀሀይ ከደረቀው ያልተከረተፈ-ያልተቃጠለ ናሙና ልዩነት የለውም። በአንፃሩ የተከረተፉና በፀሐይ የደረቁ ናሙናዎች ሳይከረተፉ ከደረቁት ናሙናዎች በሟሚ ካርቦሀይድሬት፣ በቅባትና በሄማይሴሉለስ-ቃጫ ይዘት ከፍተኛ ሆነው በADF-ቃጫ ይዘት በእጅጉ ያነሱ ናቸዉ። በአጠቃላይ ከሸንኮራ አገዳ ጫፍ ድርቆሽ ለማዘጋጀት መከርተፍና በፀሀይ ማድረቅ የሚወስደዉን ጊዜ በእጅጉ ይቀንሳል፣ ብልሽትንና የንጥረ-ነገር ብክነትን በመቀነስ የመኖ ጠቀሜታውን ያጎላል። AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate effects of different drying methods on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and drying rate of sugarcane tops (SCT). Treatments were set in factorial arrangement (2 SCT types (green and burnt) x 3 drying methods (shed and sun drying of intact SCT and sun drying of chopped SCT) in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated 5 times and samples were dried at a swath density of 4 kg/m2. Dry matter (DM) of samples was determined at time interval until the treatment average approached the safest content (≈ 85% DM) for storage. Fresh (samples at harvesting) and dried samples were chemically analyzed. The fresh burnt SCT had slightly higher DM, ash, EE, ADL, Ca, P, IVDMD, IVOMD and ME contents, but had lower CP and NFC contents than the fresh green SCT. The chopped burnt and green SCT dried at a rate of 19.8 and 20.7% per day, respectively. Rate of drying was highest in the 1st week for all drying methods, then after decreased progressively. The lowest dehydration rate (0.92 and 0.99% per day), or longest drying time (68 and 60 days) was attained by shed dried intact green and burnt SCT, respectively. There were significant interaction effects (P0.05) among the drying methods. However, ADF contents of sun- and shed dried intact SCT were not different (P>0.05), but were higher (P>0.05) than that of chopped sun-dried SCT. The sun-dried chopped SCT had higher (P0.05) in DM, OM digestibility and ME contents. The NFC content was inversely related to the fiber fraction, being lower (P

አህፅሮት ይህ የመስክ ጥናት የተካሄደው በ2009 ዓ.ም ከኦሮሚያ ክልላዊ መንግስት በተመረጡ የሰበታና በደሌ ከተሞች እንዲሁም ከአማራ ክልላዊ መንግስት በተመረጠ የደብረ ብርሃን ከተማ ውስጥ ነበር፡፡ ጥናቱ በአጠቃላይ 195 የከተማ ወተት ከብት አርቢዎችን ያሳተፈ ሲሆን ዝርዝር ዓላማዎቹም በተመረጡት ከተሞች ውስጥ ለወተት ከብቶች ለመኖነት የሚውሉ የመኖ ዓይነቶች ከነአመጋገብ ሥርዓታቸው በመለየት የዲቃላ ወተት ከብቶቹን የምርማነት እና የሥነ-ተዋልዶ ደረጃቸውን ማወቅ ነው፡፡ በዚሁ መሰረት ተጠያቂ አርቢዎች ለወተት ከብት እርባታ፤ ለመኖ እና ሰብል ምርት ልማት ሊውል የሚችል 0.57±0.04፣ 0.15±0.03፣ 0.72±0.06 ሄክታር በተጠያቂ አርብቶ-አደር ደረጃ በግል፣ በኪራይ የተገኘ እና ጠቅላላ የመሬት ይዞታ እንዳላቸው ለማወቅ ተችሏል፡፡ በተነፃፃሪ አርቢዎቹ ከአጠቃላይ አማካይ የመሬት ይዞታቸው ለዓመታዊ የሰብል፤ግጦሽ እና የተፈጥሮ ሣር ድርቆሽ ልማት ያዋሉት መሬት በጣም ከፍተኛ ነው፡፡ በ7.51 ትሮፒካል የከብቶች ልኬት በአርቢ ደረጃ ሲታይ የወተት ከብቶች ይዞታ ከአጠቃላይ የእንስሳት ኃብት 79.14 በመቶ እንደሚሆን ለማስላት ተችሏል፡፡ ከኮርማዎችና ሴት ታዳጊ ጥጆች ውጭ በተነፃፃሪ በሰበታ የሚገኙ የወተት ከብት አርቢዎች በዛ ያሉ ዲቃላ የወተት ከብቶች፣ ታላቢ ላሞች እና የርቢ ጊደሮች እንዳላቸው ለማወቅ ተችሏል፡፡ በሌላ መልኩ በሰበታ የሚገኙ አርቢዎች በዕለታዊ እና በአነድ አለባ ወቅት የሚያገኙት የወተት ምርት ከሌሎቹ የተሻለ ሲሆን በጥጃ የውልደት ጊዜ ርዝማኔ እጥረት በበደሌ ከተማ የሚገኙ አርቢዎች የተሻሉ መሆናቸው ተረጋግጧል፡፡ መኖን በተመለከተ በሁሉም ጥናቱ ያካተታቸው ከተሞች የተፈጥሮ ሣር ድርቆሽ ሣር እና የግብርና ተረፈ-ምርት መኖዎች በዋነኛነት በመሰረታዊ መኖነት ጥቅም ላይ ሲውሉ ተረፈ-ግብርና እንደስትሪ መኖዎችና ከባህላዊ የመጠጥ ምርት (የአረቄና ጠላ አተላ) የሚገኙ መኖዎች በስፋት ለወተት ከብቶች የድጎማ መኖነት በስፋት መዋላቸውን በጥናቱ ለማወቅ ተችሏል፡፡ ጥናቱ ከተካሄደባቸው ከተሞች በአማካይ 73.85 በመቶ የሚጠጉ አርቢዎች ዲቃላ የወተት ከብቶቻቸውን በቤት ውስጥ አስረው የሚቀልቡ ሲሆን 26.15 በመቶ የሚጠጉት ደግሞ በከፊል የቤት ውስጥ እንዲሁም በከፊል የግጦሽ አመጋገብ ሥርዓት እንደሚከተሉ ለማስተዋል ተችሏል፡፡ የመጠጥ ውኃን በተመለከተ 64.35 በመቶ የሚጠጉት አርቢዎች ከቧንቧ የሚገኝ የመጠጥ ውኃን ለከብቶቻቸው የሚጠቀሙ ሲሆን 25.12 በመቶዎቹ ደግሞ ከወራጅ ወንዝ የሚገኝ ውኃን እንደሚጠቀሙ ለማወቅ ተችሏል፡፡ ጠቅለል ባለ መልኩ ጥናቱ በተካሄደባቸው ከተሞች ለርባታ እና መኖ ልማት ሊውል የሚችል በቂ መሬት እጦት፣ ንፁህ እና በቂ የመጠጥ ውኃ እጥረት፣ በሣይንስ የተደገፈ የወተት ከብቶች አረባብ ዘዴ ሥልጠና ያለመኖር፣ የመረጃ አያያዝ እጦት፣ የተረፈ-ግብርና እንደስትሪ የድጎማ መኖ እና ሠው-ሰራሽ የማዳቀያ ዘዴዎች ያለመገኘት ወይም የአቅርቦት ዋጋቸው ውድ መሆን ወዘተ. ለአርቢዎቹ ስኬት ከፍተኛ ማነቆ መሆናቸውን ጭምር በዚህ ጥናት ለማረጋገጥ ተችሏል፡፡ AbstractThe study was conducted in Sebeta and Bedele towns, Oromia regional state and Debre Berhan town, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, between October-January, 2016/17. The objective of the study was; to assess the feed resource base, feeding practices and major productive and reproductive performances of selected urban smallholder dairy farms in study districts. A total of 195 household (HH) respondents were participated in the survey study. The survey result indicated that respondents on average owned about 0.57±0.04, 0.15±0.03, 0.72±0.06 ha of private, rented-in and total land respectively, with no difference among the dairy urban centers. Land use pattern on the other hand indicated as more land was allocated to annual crop production followed by dry season grazing and hay making (P

A total of 192 day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly and equally distributed in to 12 pens and used to evaluate the effects of replacing maize with enset corm on feed intake, body weight gain, carcass characteristics, blood hematology and biochemistry. Treatments were dietary levels of enset corm at 0% (T1), 15% (T2), 30% (T3) and 45% (T4) to replace maize by weight. Isocaloric and isonitrogenous starter and finisher rations were prepared and used for 42 days trial at Haramaya University. Four broilers (2 from each sex) were randomly taken from each pen and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Daily dry matter intake during the entire period of the study ranged from 86.9 to 90 g/bird and was significantly (p0.05) among the treatments except alkaline phosphatase (ALP) which was significantly higher (p, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2018): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

This study was conducted to assess farmers’ perception, production and utilization of improved forage (IF) under rural and peri-urban production systems of Adea-berga and Ejere districts of West Shewa and Welmera district of Oromia special Zone, central highlands of Ethiopia. A questionnaire based survey was conducted on 105 households (47 rural, 58 peri-urban) identified by purposive random sampling method. Fifteen non-users were also included to assess factors hindering IF utilization. The known commonly grown IF includes; oats, elephant grass, and vetch as reported by 95, 85 and 67% of the respondents, respectively. About 92% of the respondents produce their own IF while others either purchase or purchase and produce. About 91 % of respondents have medium and high level of perception score. Illiterateness and land holding significantly (p, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2018): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

A study was conducted to evaluate the feedlot performance of intact and castrated Washera sheep under Low (300 g/day) and High (450 g/day dry matter (DM)) levels of concentrate mix supplementation. The concentrate mix contained 68 and 32% of wheat bran and noug seed cake, respectively. Twenty four sheep (12 intact and 12 castrated) with age range of 9-10 months and initial weight of 24.1±1.8 kg (mean ± SD) were used. A randomized complete block design in a 2x2 factorial treatment arrangement (2 sex category and 2 concentrate levels) was employed. The study period lasted for 90 days of fattening and 7 days of digestibility. Basal hay was fed ad libitum at a rate of 20% refusal. Total DM (871 vs 738), organic matter (OM) (789 vs 666), and crude protein (CP) (134 vs 104 g/d) intakes were significantly higher (p, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2017): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

This study evaluated the potential of three sheep breeds (Blackhead Ogaden (BHO), Horro, and Washera) under two concentrate supplement levels (CSL) (L1= 1% body weight and L2= 1.75% body weight) for quantity and quality of skin and leather production. Forty eight yearling intact sheep, 16 from each genotype (8 per CSL) with average initial weight of 21.3±1.5 kg (mean ±SD) were used in a 3 breed x 2CSL factorial arrangement of treatments in randomized complete block design. The animals were individually fed for 90 days a basal diet of pasture hay ad libitum supplemented with L1 or L2 and slaughtered for skin and leather quality study. Skin weight, length and width were measured. Skins were preserved and processed into leather for physico-chemical analysis. Horro breed produced leather with higher (p, East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2017): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

A survey was conducted to assess goat production system and production constraints under two farming systems (Agro-pastoral (AP) and mixed crop livestock (MCL)) in the rural areas of Dire Dawa Administration, Ethiopia. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 150 goat owning households. Household goat holding was higher in AP (32.00±2.3) as compared to MCL farming system (14.13±1.08). Lower age at first kidding (16.08±0.24 months) and shorter kidding interval (7.64±0.11 months) was reported in MCL as compared to AP farming system (17.00±0.21 and 8.23±0.14 months, respectively). Age at marketing in AP (13.83±0.89 months) was lower than MCL farming system (17.55±0.75 months). In both farming systems, cash income from sales of live goat was the primary objective of goat production. Grazing on natural pasture in wet season and crop stubble after crop harvest were the main sources of feed. About 79.3% of the total respondents have got their own buck. Higher proportion of respondents in AP farming (84%) practice breeding buck selection as compared to MCL farming system (53.3%). In both farming systems, size, parent performance and body conformation were the three main criteria to select breeding buck. Goats are kept overnight in an open kraal in AP farming (72%) and with human in the same main living house in MCL farming system (48%). Feed scarcity was ranked as the first important constraint of goat rearing, while disease and predator attack in MCL, and scarcity of water and market access in AP farming system ranked as second and third important constraints, respectively. Thus, enhancement of goat production in the study area requires improvement in quality and quantity of the available feed, improved breeding practices, housing practices, utilization of health services, and access to water and market., East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 2 (2017): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

The study was conducted to describe and compare the current pig production practices in Bishoftu and Holeta towns and their surroundings, central Ethiopia. The areas were selected since they are the most important pig production areas in the country. A structured questionnaire was used to interview 20 and 23 pig farmers from Holeta and Bishoftu, respectively. The parameters studied in the survey included socio-economic characteristics, production and management, ownership, herd structure, purpose of keeping, feed resource, feeding and fattening practices, reproductive management, meat utilization and marketing, and pig production constraints. Results indicate that household characteristics of pig keepers did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two study areas. Pig farmers keep adapted exotic pig breeds. Herd composition did not differ statistically (P > 0.05) between the two study areas. Mean pig herd size per household was 5.72. The majority (58%) practice both pig breeding and fattening. The two study areas were similar (P > 0.05) in the type of pig house. Pigs were permanently housed by 88.4% of the households. Major feed sources offered to pigs in both study areas include household wastes, market wastes and crop residues. Reproductive managements did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two study areas. Similar results (P > 0.05) were obtained for origin of animal stocks in the two study areas. Most (83.7 %) of the farmers acquired their foundation stock from local markets. The farmers did not slaughter pigs for home consumption and pigs were kept as a source of income. Farmers in both study areas named high cost of feeds, followed by pig mortality due to diseases, marketing constraints and lack of capital as major constraints for pig production. Despite the existence of production constraints, most respondents had aspiration to continue rearing pigs and plan to expand pig farm. It can be concluded that an improvement of pig production in Central Ethiopia should consider an improvement in feeding practices, marketing system, prevention of diseases, and a reduction of inbreeding., East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2017): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

This study was aimed at evaluating the anticoccidial efficacy of Lepidium sativum (Garden cress (GC)), Capsicum frutescens (Hot red pepper (Hrp)) and their mixtures powder in``` broiler chickens. A total of 144 Cobb-500 broiler chickens were randomly allocated into six treatment groups with three replications. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Rations were fortified with 0.75% GC, 0.75% Hrp, 0.38% GC+0.38% Hrp and 0.0125% amprolium in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively and fed to the chicks starting on day two of age. Ration fed to chicks in group 1 and 2 were without any additives. Chicks in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were infected with 105 sporulated Eimeria tenella oocyst per chick at the age of 15 days. Animal performance, oocysts output, cecal lesion score, carcass and serum parameters were recorded during the experiment. Uninfected-unfortified and amprolium ration groups in the starter period and group that received ration fortified with a mixture of GC+Hrp and uninfected-unfortified ration in the finisher phase resulted in a higher body weight gain (BWG). Across the entire experimental period, BWG was higher in the uninfected-unfortified ration group. The average feed intake in the entire period was higher in uninfected-unfortified ration, GC and amprolium groups. Broiler chicks fed a diet fortified with GC 0.75% or amprolium (0.0125%) as additive were equally effective to reduce E. tenella oocyst shed at day 6, 7, 8 and average total count post inoculation. Infected chickens fed diet fortified with GC, Hrp and their mixtures showed cecal lesion similar to those fed with infected-unfortified diet group at day 7 post inoculation. Highest intestinal length at 27 days post inoculation was observed in the uninfected-unfortified ration group and the shortest length was noticed in infected-unfortified ration group. In conclusion, broilers fed diet fortified with GC 0.75%, Hrp 0.75%, GC 0.38%+Hrp 0.38% mixture and amprolium 0.0125% showed better BWG at the end of the production phase than infected-unfortified ration group. Garden cress and amprolium lowered oocyst shed indicating better protection against E. tenella infection., East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 1 (2017): East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Due to increasing price of conventional feeds, alternative locally available non-conventional feed ingredient is required for layers’ production. Rumen contents are abundantly available as slaughterhouse by-product and mainly considered as waste material creating environmental pollution. Therefore, a study was conducted for 90 days to evaluate effects of sun-dried rumen content (SDRC) inclusion in layer rations on egg laying performance, egg quality parameters, fertility, and hatchability, chick quality and blood parameters. Treatment diets contained T1, T2, T3, and T4 at 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent SDRC, respectively. On chemical analysis, the rumen content contained 11.18% crude protein, 1.22% ether extract, 22.99% crude fibre, 21.54% ash and 1099.32 cal/kg of DM of metabolizable energy. The daily DM intake value increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in level of rumen content. The bird fed with 10 percent SDRC diet had a high DM intake. The weight gain and egg production of the laying hens reduced significantly (P < 0.05) as the level of rumen content increased. The average egg weight increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of rumen content. The feed to gain ratio increased as the level of rumen content increased in the diet. The hen fed T2 (5 percent SDRC) had the best feed to gain ratio. Most external and internal egg quality parameters, especially yolk color, were improved when the diet contained sun-dried rumen content (SDRC). Fertility, hatchability, early and mid embryonic mortality showed no significant differences among treatments. However, chick quality parameters increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of rumen content. Mortality rate was not influenced by treatments. All blood parameters studied were within the normal range. It is concluded that under the condition of this experiment, diets up to 10% SDRC in the ration did not affect DMI, daily weight gain, egg production performances and blood parameters in white leghorn layers.  Keywords: White leghorns; SDRC; Egg mass; Egg quality; Fertility; Hatchability, East African Journal of Sciences, Vol. 10 No. 1 (2016): East African Journal of Sciences

Sheep is an important animal kept as livestock in Ethiopia. However, productivity of the animal is constrained by scarcity of feed. Therefore, an experiment was carried out using twenty-four yearling male Black Head Ogaden sheep with an initial body weight of 12.95 ± 1.79 kg (mean ± SD) to evaluate the effect of different levels of soybean meal supplementation to natural pasture hay on feed intake, digestibility, average daily body weight gain, and carcass characteristics. The experimental sheep were blocked into six blocks of four animals based on initial body weight and randomly assigned to one of the four treatments. Treatments were ad libitum feeding of natural pasture hay and + 50 g/day wheat bran (T1) supplemented with 125 g/day soybean meal (T2), 250 g/day soybean meal (T3), 375 g/day soybean meal (T4). The experiment consisted of 90 days of feeding and 7 days of digestibility trials followed by evaluation of carcass. Supplementation of SBM increased dry matter and crude protein digestibility but neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibilities decreased with increasing levels of SBM supplementation. Average daily body weight gain and hot carcass was significantly increased as soybean supplementation increased. Dressing percentages both on pre-slaughter (37.3, 44.6, 46.4 and 48.6% (SEM = 0.94) and empty body weight (48.4, 51.9, 54.2 and 59.7% (SEM = 0.94)) basis for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively were highest for T4, intermediate for T3, and T2, and the lowest for T1. It could be concluded that feeding the Black Head Ogaden sheep on natural pasture hay supplemented with 375 g/day soybean meal resulted in superior biological as well as economic productivity.  Keywords: Body Weight Change; Digestibility Dressing Percentage; [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Â, East African Journal of Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2014): East African Journal of Sciences Volume (8) N0 2