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Indigenous ducks are important biodiversity resources and genetic reservoirs needed for mitigating future challenges of food insecurity even though they are highly prejudiced in some parts of Nigeria. They can compare favourably with chickens to produce meat and egg, can adapt to different climatic conditions since raising them does not require elaborate houses. These ducks are known for their high hatching rate that is higher than any other local poultry species and also have the potential to perform better under improved management systems. Average body weight of 2.7 and 1.6 kg have been reported for drakes and females respectively, egg weight of about 50-60 g have equally been reported. Each duck can lay between 60-80 eggs annually under scavenging conditions, while meat from duck is rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are advantageous for human health. Wide variations in phenotypic traits and also high genetic diversity exist among ducks. Thus the findings of this paper suggest that the genetic makeup of these ducks have not been altered through selective breeding therefore, their genetic improvement and conservation is highly essential towards achieving food security.

The need to improve the nutritive value of feed materials containing high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) such as lignin, cellulose, mannan among others for monogastric feeding has led to interest in solid state fermentation (SSF) in recent years. In this study, the efficacy of SSF to improve nutritive value of mixture of grated cassava roots and palm kernel cake for pig feeding was evaluated using 40 unsexed crossbred (Large White X Nigerian Indigenous) weaner pigs. The pigs were randomly allotted to five treatment groups and fed experimental diets in which the maize in the control diet was partially (50%) or completely replaced with either solid state fermented mixture of grated cassava root and palm kernel cake (FEMCARPP) or a 1:1 blend of cassava meal and palm kernel cake (CSM-PKC). Data was collected weekly on the live-weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, and efficiency of protein utilization. The pigs on dietary FEMCARPP consumed significantly (p

Pollution occurs through natural and anthropogenic activities. Toxic substances generated from different sources may accumulate in the soil and water bodies and potentially alter their physicochemical properties and ecosystem function. Although several environmental remediation methods have traditionally been tried with some success, bioremediation processes have been found eco-friendlier and cost-effective. Plant-assisted bioremediation, a remediation method that utilizes green plants and their associated microflora to eliminate contaminants from the soil or environment has been found commercially applicable because of its cost-effectiveness among other benefits. Phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization among others are techniques commonly used to remove heavy metals and inorganic contaminants from polluted environments. Endophytes such as bacterial or fungal organisms that live within or between healthy plant tissues are known to portray either obligate or facultative association along with complex interaction with their host plant, which may be mutualistic and antagonistic in nature. Plant root exudates also contribute to plant–microbe interaction due to the fact that these exudates provide important nutrients and energy for associated soil microorganisms. Chemotaxis influences the movement of bacteria to plant root by the attraction of root exudates that exist between the soil and the rhizosphere. Specifically, the natural ability of most rhizospheric bacteria to tolerate environmental contaminants has lent them to phytoremediation use, especially in removing organic pollutants from food crops. Similarly, the ability of some plant species to be tolerant to specific stress in a time-dependent manner is being exploited in phytoremediation processes. For example, maintenance of high antioxidant levels that are capable of detoxifying toxic reactive oxygen species is associated with a plant’s ability to tolerate environmental stress. Therefore, information on rhizospheric microorganisms and their benefits in phytoremediation processes should continually be updated, especially in tropical environments where cost is a critical factor. Furthermore, screening of plants to identify those with phytoremediation potentials, especially in tropical regions of the world that harbor rich plant biodiversity is imperative for cost-effective bioremediation of polluted environments.

Data on all the registered slaughter slabs in Rivers State was obtained from the Livestock/Veterinary Department of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Port Harcourt, from 2003 to 2005. Rumueme slaughter slab was used as a case study. The total number of cattle and goats inspected and slaughtered was monitored for a period of 6 weeks. From this the actual average daily slaughter figures from which blood waste potential of the abattoir was quantified and annual projection made from it. Three categories of cattle and goats were sampled and slaughtered. Average blood yield per animal species was determined. The percentage shortfall observed at Rumueme was used across the records of all the slaughter slabs in the State and projections made from it. Results showed that 7727 cattle and 4049 goats were slaughtered annually at Rumueme and 181,770 cattle and 237,300 goats were slaughtered annually in Rivers State. Results also showed that 2461,633–2518,000 kg of blood waste was generated annually in Rivers State. I...

Research on the concentrations of aerial pollutant gases in tropical livestock buildings is needed in order to establish baselines for exposure limits in context of animal and human welfare in the tropical environments. The concentrations of aerial ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide in selected pigpens in the Owerri area of Imo State, Nigeria were measured during the month of August 2002. These were thereafter correlated with pig building measurements in order to determine the possible influence of building measurements on concentration of the gases. Overall mean aerial concentrations of carbon monoxide CO (2.7 ± 0.34 ppm) was the highest mean value recorded and was followed by the 1.4 ± 0.0 ppm and 0.07 ± 0.14 ppm recorded for flammable gas (methane) and hydrogen sulfide respectively while the 0.0 ± 0.0 ppm recorded for ammonia was lowest. The average length of the buildings was 64.20 ft., while 21.40 ft., 11.60 ft and 4.35 ft. were obtained for width, height and sidewalls respectively. In all pens, the simple linear regression was not significant (P

This study was carried out to identify the common moulds growing in selected commercial poultry feed sold in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Forty-eight bulk samples derived froml92 bags of feeds were collected from broiler starter (BS), broiler finishers (BF), grower mash (GM) and layer mash (LM) across 4 different brands of ommercial poultry feeds, which included Livestock (LF), Top (TF) Guinea (GF) and Vital (VF) feeds. The feed samples were collected during the rainy season months of June, July and August. The common moulds isolated from these feeds were Aspergillus sp., Peicillium sp.,Mucor sp., Yeast sp., Rhizopus sp., Epicoecum sp., Gymnoaseus sp., Cladosporium sp., Mortierella sp. as well as Bacteria. Generally, more organisms were isolated in June than the other months with Mortierella sp. being the only one not isolated in that month. Vital feed with 8 different isolates had the highest diversity of fungal species while the others had between 4 and 5 species. Prevalence rates across the feed types, generally ranged from 18.76% in layer mash to 30.03% in broiler finisher. The four Aspergillus sp. isolated came from GM and BF. This study highlights the need for constant monitoring of moulds in commercial feedstuff produced in the humid tropical environments such as Imo state, Nigeria. There is also the need to routinely include fungal growth nhibitors in commercial feeds since moulds are capable of reducing the nutritional values of feedstuff as well as elaborating pathogenic toxins.

The production, handling, sales, and consumption of poor quality animal food products are serious public health problems in Nigeria traceable to the underdeveloped status of livestock producers, marketers, meat processors, quality regulating agencies, and consumers. Operational research and published information about the quality status, consequence of contaminated animal food products on human health, the economics, and socio-cultural factors inhibiting change in the country are scanty and fragmented. The present report establishes some aspects of the quality status of animal food products as well as the need to investigate the socio-cultural facts and statistics about the status of animal food products production, handling, and consumption and their impact on human health in the country. It further highlights the major research issues that need to be addressed in order to generate relevant information for intervention and containment of the problem and its health risks.

Research on the concentrations of pollutant gasses in tropical livestock buildings is needed in order to establish baselines for exposure limits in the context of animal and human welfare in tropica l environments. Concentrations of aerial ammonia NH , nitrous oxide (NO ), flammable gas (methane, CH ), 4 2 4 carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H S) and sulfur dioxide (SO ) were measured in five intensive layer 2 2 farms located Imo state during the month of August 2002. Data obtained were correlated with poultry house measurements in other to understand rates of increases of these pollutants as a result of changes in poultry house measurements. Overall mean aerial concentration of CO (3.11±0.73 ppm) was highest, followed by the 1.93 ± 0.14 ppm and 1.53 ± 0.71 ppm recorded for CH and H S respectively, while the 0.09 ± 0.19 ppm 4 2 and the 0.14 ± 0.20 recorded for SO and NH respectively were lowest. The range of 3.25 ± 0.7ppm to 2 4 4.0±0.0 ppm of CO obtained in the four pens FA, FB , FB and FC was significantly (P

A study of six farms each randomly selected from each of five local government areas of Abak agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria, was conducted to assess on-farm prevalence and management of poultry coccidiosis. The study, which involved scrutiny of farm and clinical records, distribution of structured and pre-tested questionnaires to elicit relevant data, showed that in the previous 12 months, 3,327 (29.36%) birds out of 11,333 encountered in the 30 farms suffered from coccidiosis. Overall mortality rate was 2.63%. The highest prevalence rates were recorded in the rainy season (12.7%), among birds managed in deep litter (26.69%), birds 1-5 weeks old (18.75%), layers (22.29%) and Harco strain (26.42%). Sixty percent of the farms consulted veterinarians for diagnosis and treatment especially at first incidence while 34.94% indulged in self-diagnosi s. Good sanitary and hygiene practices were being employed in 50% of the farms as the major preventive measure. Combined administration of anticoccidial drugs and removal of litter (43.33%) ranked highest as control measure. Continued veterinary education and extension services are needed in the area to update the knowledge of the farmers especially on the benefits of vaccination, dangers of self-diagnosis and adoption of an integrated approach involving good hygienic practices and use of both drugs and vaccines in disease prevention.

Information is required on the diversity of indigenous plant species for ruminant production in Nigeria. A preliminary field survey was carried out to determine the diversity of plants utilized for small ruminant feeding at three rural farming communities spread over three states of south-eastern Nigeria. Indigenous farmers in the area for their ruminant feeding were utilizing 163 fodder plants. Out of this number, 161 were utilized at Orsumoghu in Anambra State, 143 at Umuokanne in Imo State and 111 at Umugo in Abia State. One hundred and eleven plant species were common to the three sites, 25 were common to Orsumoghu and Umuokanne alone, while two each were common to Orsumoghu/Umugo and Umugo/Umuokanne. Twenty-three plants were exclusively identified at Orsumoghu. Thirteen plants were commonly identified as preferred browses at the three sites, while 10 plants each were named exclusively at Abia/Imo and Anambra sites. Dactyledama batterii, Alchornea cordifolia, Aspilia africana, Manniophyton fulvum and Costus afer among others were highly preferred at the three sites. It is probable that the diversity of plants utilized at the different sites may reflect the differences in livestock rearing systems practiced at these sites. Although the present study produced a more comprehensive list of plants utilized for ruminant feeding in the area than previous studies, further in-depth studies are needed in order to understand whether the differences observed between the sites reflect the availability of plants in the areas.

A thirty-five day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler finishers fed Microdesmis puberula leaf meal supplemented with "Safzyme " (a cellulolytic enzyme). Microdesmis R puberula is a choice tropical browse plant. Three broiler finisher diets were formulated to contain 0.0, 12.5% Microdesmis puberula leaf meal without enzyme. and 12.5% Microdesmis puberula leaf meal with 0.10% enzyme. One hundred and twenty (120) four-week-old Hubbard broiler chicks were divided into three groups of forty (40) birds each and randomly assigned to the three treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. There was significant difference (p 0.05) from birds on leaf meal diets without enzyme supplementation. Birds on 0.0% leaf meal diet recorded the highest daily body weight gain. Feed conversion ratios of all treatment groups were comparable. The result suggests that 0.10% of the enzyme supplementation in diets containing 12.5% Microdesmis puberula leaf meal did not improve the performance of finisher broilers.

Rising human population throughout the world especially in developing and underdeveloped countries has detrimental effects on life supporting system on earth. Traditionally, plants have been used to treat different kinds of ailments. The growing importance of phytochemicals in males has been reported. Contraceptive ability of plants has been reported in several animal models. The reversibility of the anti-fertility effects of plants and its active compounds are of potential clinical relevance in the development of male contraceptive. This review attempts to discuss the latest reports on the potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles in males.

Information on the level to which commercial feeds and feed raw materials are involved in the dissemination of anti-microbial resistant pathogenic and commensal bacteria in Nigeria is necessary for feed and stock management. Forty four Escherichia coli isolates from 4 commercial feed brands coded SF, GF, TF and ACF and from 90 various feed raw materials such, fish meal (FM), maize (MA), maize offal (MO), wheat offal (WO), spent grain (SG), blood meal (BM) and soybean meal (SM) etc were screened for anti-microbial resistance profile against 10 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. Overall, the isolates recorded 80.8 % resistance to cefuroxime, 76.9 % to nalidixic acid, 75 % to ampicillin, and 59.6 % to cotrimoxazole while very low 7.7 % was recorded for tetracycline and 5.8 % for gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Across commercial feed brands, isolates from SF were resistant to nitrofurantoin (100 %), nalidixic acid (50 %) and ampicillin (70 %), while those from TF, GF and ACF were resistant to 7, 6 and 5 antibiotics respectively. Resistance against ampicillin, nalidixic acid and cefuroxime, in isolates from SG, palm kernel cake (PK), MO and WO were high. Organisms isolated from SG and PK recorded high resistance against cefuroxime and cotrimoxazole. Isolates from bone/limestone (B/L) registered 100 % resistance against ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and cefuroxime, while those from maize MA recorded 100 % resistance to cefuroxime and norfloxacin, and over 70 % to nalidixic acid. Soybean meal isolates values for nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid and ampicillin were high but below 80 %. Thirty fives resistance patterns were observed; with the CF-NB-CO-NA-AM pattern being the most predominant (occurring 10 times). The present data shows that commercial feeds and feed raw materials are important vehicles for the introduction of multi-drug resistance encoding E coli into poultry.

No Abstract. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 52 (2) 2004: pp. 111-118

The incidence of cysticercosis due to Taenia saginata in both local and exotic breeds of cattle slaughtered for meat in southeastern Nigeria between November 1999 and April 2002 is reported. The examination of various organs of 25,800 cattle in 10 major abattoirs of this region showed that 6750 (26.2%) were infected with Cysticercus (C.) bovis. The prevalence rates varied from one abattoir to another while the rates of cysticercosis in local and exotic breeds varied significantly (P > 0.05). Sixty percent of all the infected animals had cysts. The tongue, cardiac, and masseter muscles were the main predilection sites of the cysts. Out of 11,720 male cattle, examined, 3215 (27.4%) had cysts of C. bovis while 160 (13.6%) of the 1180 female animals investigated were infected. There was an inverse relationship between the ages of the animals and prevalence of infection with C. bovis (r=−0.8743, P < 0.05). Monthly occurrence of the cysts in the animals revealed an upsurge of infected animals during the dry season. The epidemiology and epizootiology of Taenia saginata and C. bovis in relation to the veterinary service agencies and public health planners in southeastern Nigeria are highlighted.

The common brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most predominant tick of dogs in Nigeria. It does not readily attack humans but usually prefers non-human hosts for completion of its development. We report a case of multi-host and environmental infestation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus involving five humans, two canines and three ovine hosts at a peri-urban site in south-eastern Nigeria. Eleven cases of human infestation were recorded, ten of which involved children between the ages of 4 and 8 years, while a single case was recorded in an adult female. Among the domestic animals ticks were found attached to a 2-year-old male Alsatian, an 8- year-old mongrel and three West African dwarf (WAD) sheep comprising a ewe and her two lambs. This case of multi-host parasitism may have resulted from extensive bush clearing in the area resulting in non-availability of other alternative hosts.