Department of Animal Science

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Department of Animal Science

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Open Access
All Flesh is Grass
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1973) Adegbola, A.A
Livestock production in Nigeria is possible within the context of an overall improvement in all other aspects of agricultural development. Just as there is a need for grain surplus as a basis for development in pigs and poultry production; so there is a need for adequate soil management and water conservation practices to keep soils productive; good storage facilities and a cheap and efficient processing technique for crop and animal products, good roads and communications for fast transportation of highly perishable products and efficient distribution at low costs to consumers. There is a need to develop adequate organization for getting scientific information to the farmer. But above all, there is a need to guarantee adequate returns to farmers and to provide incentives like good water supply, adequate housing and rural electrification to farming communities. It is only in this context that we can truly develop the capacity necessary to convert all grass to flesh for the benefit of all in Nigeria.
Open Access
Livestock Production in Nigeria: Our Commissions and Omissions
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1976-01-29) Ademosun, A.Akin
The livestock mission appointed in Nigeria by the Colonial Office in 1949 was probably the first to draw attention to the problems of livestock production in the country and the need to develop the industry. Since the report of the Mission in 1950, many attempts have been made to obtain data on the numbers of the different species of farm animals in Nigeria. The amount of success that has attended this exercise has been, at best, similar to that of the counting of human beings and has generally under-scored the famous statement of Benjamin Disraeli: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." The question of census figures is even confounded in the case of animals because they never contest the statistics nor do they ask for any post-enumeration checks, for as George Eliot stated: "Animals are such agreeable friends-they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
Open Access
Genotype x environment interactions in an exotic commercial egg strain and the local chicken of Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Osu, A.; Dettmers, A.
Six hatches of the Apollo, a commercial egg strain of chicken imported from the United Kingdom at day old and the Local chicken hatched from eggs collected all over Southwestern Nigeria were reared under modem brooding, feeding and management conditions to study genotype, x environment interaction. Body weight, egg weight and egg production from first egg to eight months of production were recorded for each hen. Analyses of variance showed that there were significant breed x hatch interactions for age at sexual maturity, egg weight from the third month of production. and four and eight month egg production. Body weight at 12 and 20 weeks of age, weight of first egg and egg weight at first month of production did not show significant breed 5 hatch interaction effects. The results show that locally adapted breeds and strains are required, in view of large environmental differences between the temperate and tropical climates.
Open Access
The Effect of Prolonged Feeding of Stylosanthes guyanensis Meal on Laying Performance, Egg Quality and Hatchability
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Onwudike, O. C.; Adegbola, A. A.
The utilization of increasing levels of Stylosanthes guyanensis meal (stylo meal) by laying chickens feed for a period of nine months and the effect of increasing levels of vitamin A on the hatchability of eggs were studied using Single Comb White Leghorn birds. The feeding of stylo meal to laying birds lengthened the time taken by the birds to get to peak production. There was no significant effect on the average hen-day production percentage following the feeding of up to 20% stylo meal. The control diet in which there was no stylo meal however had a better production rate than any of the other diets. The feeding of stylo meal increased egg riboflavin content, egg hatchability and yold cholesterol level and depressed serum cholesterol level. The improved egg hatchability observed in this study could not be related entirely to the improved vitamin A status of the diets with the addition of stylo meal. It is suggested that the utilization of higher levels of stylo meal could be improved by a better amino acid balance and pelleting of the rations.
Open Access
An Evaluation of Damage to Bovine Spermatozoa during Processing, Freezing and Thawing II. Effect on Motility, Percentage Live and Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Somade, B.; King, G. J.; Macpherson, J. W.
Thirty semen samples from five bulls were processed and frozen. Each ejaculate was evaluated for percent progressive motility, percent live spermatozoa and percentage of heads, tails and mid-pieces with intact plasma membrane after collections, after extension and cooling just before freezing and after thawing. The greatest decrease in both motility and percent live spermatozoa occurred before freezing. More spermatozoa heads were damaged at each phase of processing for freezing than mid-pieces and tails and there was also a greater number of damaged spermatozoa before freezing than after freezing and thawing.
Open Access
Effect of Age at Breeding on Reproduction in Local Sheep
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Chiboka, O.
Forty nulliparous West African Dwarf and Permer X West African Dwarf crossbred ewes were used in two separate experiments to study the effect of eight breeding groups (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 months) on weight at breeding, gestation length, frequency of twinning, birth weight, frequency of stillborn, placenta weight, frequency of milk ejection and weaning weight. In the first experiment, four out of five West African Dwarf ewes in the six month age group showed heat. After breeding the estrous ewes, only one appeared pregnant but later returned to heat about 57 days post breeding. All the ewe in the 7 month age group showed heat and after breeding only one was pregnant which later aborted about 131 days post breeding. All West African Dwarf ewes bred between the ages of 8 - 13 months were pregnant and successfully went to term. There were significant differences in breeding weight and birth weight among the ewes in age group 8 - 13 months. On the whole breeding at 8 months of age appeared to have the same effect as breeding at a later age. Age and breeding weight were significantly correlated. One out of thirty fetuses (one fetus from group 10) was stillborn and there was 100% milk ejection. In the second experiment, three out of five Permer X WAD ewes assigned to the 6 month age group showed heat but after breeding none became pregnant. All ewes in 7 month age group showed heat but after breeding all showed heat regularly except two which later returned to heat 43 and 47 days (respectively) post breeding. All Permer x WAS ewes bred between the ages 8 - 13 months were pregnant and successfully went to term. Of the age groups that went to term, there was no difference amongst them in all the variables studied except in placenta weight. There was no significant correlation between age and anyone of the variables measured.
Open Access
An Evaluation of Damage to Bovine Spermatozoa during Processing, Freezing and Thawing. I Leakage of Glutamic-oxaloactetic transaminase [GOT] from Spermatozoa
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Somade, B.; King, G. J.; Machperson, J. W.
The activity of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in the seminal plasma of thirty ejaculates after collection; after extension, cooling and equilibration just before freezing; and after freezing and thawing were determined. After correction for the reduction in the activity of GOT caused by the extender and low temperatures the activity of the enzyme was higher (P 0.05) in post thaw semen than in either ejaculated or equilibrated semen just before freezing. However, the pre-freeze leakage of GOT from spermatozoa was similar to the leakage caused by freezing and thawing. The significance of these findings in relation to the use, of GOT activity in seminal plasma as an index of spermatozoa damage were discussed.
Open Access
Preliminary Studies on the Oestrogenic Activity of Guinea Grass [Panicum maximum] var. S112 and Stylo [Stylosanthes gracilis]
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1979) Adepoju, A.; Adegbola, A. A.; Ayininuola, S. I.
Purified oestrogenic extracts were obtained from 25g samples of ground air dried leaf and stem portions of guinea grass (Panicum maximum var. S112) and stylo (Stylosanthes gracilis) at four stages of growth. 0.05ml of each of these extracts was injected into immature female mice weighing 8 to 10g in order to determine the oestrogenic activities of the forages at different stages of growth. The mean values obtained for the oestrogenic potency of guinea grass were 0.30, 0.23, 1.41 and 0.86 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg of the leaf portion and 0.28, 0.15, 1.01 and 0.49 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg of the stem portion at early vegetative, full vegetative, early bloom and full bloom growth stages respectively. Mean values for stylo leaf portion were 0.62, 0.85, 1.50 and 0.75 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg, and those for the stem portion were 0.43, 0.62, 0.80 and 0.55 mcg of diethyl stilbestrol per kg at the early vegetative, full vegetative, early bloom and full bloom growth stages, respectively. The results indicated that the oestrogenic content of Stylosanthes gracilis was significantly higher (P .05) than that of guinea grass. for both forages, oestrogen activity was higher (P .05) in the leaf than in the stem, and the differences observed during the various stages of growth were significant.
Open Access
The Effect of Feeding Cassava Root Meal on the Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Serum and Urinary Thiocyanate Concentration of Fryer Rabbits
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1980) Eshiett, N. O.; Omole, T. A.; Ademosun, A. A.
Thirty-two, five-weeks old New Zealand White fryer rabbits were fed four diets containing, 0, 15, 30 or 45% cassava root meal (CRM) in an experiment designed to investigate the utilization of CRM by fryer rabbits. The levels of CRM fed did not adversely affect the growth rate of the rabbits, but those fed 0 and 15% CRM diets consumed significantly less (P < 0.05) feed than those on the 45% CRM diets. Similarly, rabbits fed the control (0% CRM) diet utilized their feed better (P < 0.05) than those on the CRM diets. The 15 and 30% CRM diets were utilized similarly but were superior to the 45% CRM. The serum thiocyanate concentration of rabbits fed the 0, 15, 30 and 45% CRM diets were 1.59, 1.72, 1.66 and 1.76mg/100ml respectively. Corresponding values for urine thiocyanate were 2.94, 3.15, 3.15 and 3.21mg/100ml. These values were however not significantly different. Carcass quality was similar across treatments.
Open Access
The Effect of Varying Dietary Protein and Antibiotic Levels on the Performance of Weanling Local Pigs
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1980) Ilori, J. O.; Adepoju, A.
Two feeding trials were carried out to examine the effect of graded dietary 'levels of protein and antibiotics on the performance of weanling local pigs. In the first trial, 5 groups of 12 pigs each, were fed a 16% protein diet containing respectively, 5 graded levels of strepcillin (0, 25, 50, 75,100gltonne of diet). In the second trial, 9 groups of 8 pigs each, were fed 9 different diets respectively, in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (3 protein levels of 12, 15, 18%, 3 strepcillin levels of 0, 50, 75gltonne). Daily gains, feed efficiency, scouring incidence, dry matter and crude protein digestibilities were recorded. Increasing dietary strepcillin improved (P < .05) growth rate and feed efficiency. The improvement plateaued at 75g strepcillin/tonne diet. A non significant (P > .05) protein x antibiotic interaction effect was observed on pig performance. Feeding antibiotics reduced scouring incidence, but had no significant effect on nutrient digestibilities.
Open Access
Genetic and Environmental Aspect of Preweaning Weight Gain of Pigs in South Western Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1980) Leigh, A. O.
Data recorded at Fasola Stock Farm for 451 litters and involving 66 boars and 4 breeds of pigs were analysed to investigate the environmental and genetic factors causing variation in preweaning weight gains of pigs. Two specific traits - average pig weight gain from birth to weaning (PPWG), and litter weight gain from birth to weaning (LPWG) were studied. The two traits did not show significant effects of breed, parity of dam, season or interaction (P>. 05). Only PPWG showed highly significant effects of year (P < .05). However, litter size at birth and at eight weeks, and average pig weight at birth had significant influence on both traits. Estimates of heritability based on paternal half-sib correlation were 0.19 to 0.15 and 0.49 to 0.20 for PPWG and LPWG respectively. Both the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the two traits were high and positive (rP = .75 and rG = .98). It is suggested that weight gain from birth to weaning at 8 weeks instead of weaning weight per se should be used as criterion for making initial selections of future breeders.
Open Access
Studies on the Feeding Value of Agro-Industrial By-Products for Livestock: 1. Consumer Acceptance of Beef from Cattle Fed Cocoa-pod Diets
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1981) Smith, O. B.; Ladipo, P.; Adegbola, A. A.
The effect of feeding cocoa-pod, hitherto considered a waste product, to cattle on the organoleptic qualities and consumer acceptance of the resulting beef was investigated. Two consumer acceptance tests were carried out, with the cooking method controlled in one and uncontrolled in the other. The results of the latter test showed that the favourite beef cooking method was to boil (or steam), fry and stew (40%), followed by boiling and stewing (34%). In both tests, beef from cattle fed cocoa-pod and control diets had similar scores (P. > 05) for both tenderness and flavour. Overall acceptability scores were also not different (P. > 05). The majority of consumers (75%) indicated a preference for beef as tender as the experimental samples obtained from rapidly grown cattle as opposed to the usually tougher market beef from older, range grown cattle. Apparently, feeding cattle cocoa-pod at dietary levels of up to 40% would have no adverse effect on the organoleptic qualities and acceptability of beef.
Open Access
The Effect of Environment on Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cattle in South Western Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1982) Somade, B.
The effect of environment on the reproductive performance of 50 Holstein cows at the Iwo Road Dairy Farm of Oyo State, Nigeria, was evaluated by summarising and analysing data collected on the cows over a seven year period (January 1970 to December 1976).Two main seasons were discernible from the rainfall and temperature data: (i) the dry season with a mean rainfall of 36mm and mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 31.6oC and 22.3oC respective1y;and (ii) the wet season with a mean rainfall of 176 mm and mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 29.s0c and 22.7% respectively. These seasonal variations adversely affected reproductive performance. Data collected for the dry and wet seasons respectively were: services per conception, 3.7.and 2.5; number of conceptions, 35 and 121; first oestrus after calving, 61 and 50;days from first service to conception, 64 and 52; and number of claves born, 53 and 91.
Open Access
Effect of Some Non-genetic Factors on Growth Rate of Tropical Cattle in Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1982) Akinokun, O.
Data on 1,962 bulls purchased on cattle routes, and fed on pasture for slaughter were analysed for effects of period of start of feeding, initial weight and age at the start of grazing. Results showed that period of start of grazing had a significant effect, with bulls coming in late in the rainy and early in the dry seasons showing superior growth rate over the first three months and six months, compared with those brought in at other times. Effects of age and weight at time of start of feeding were also highly significant. Least squares means for growth rate over the first three months and the first six months were 130g and 220g respectively. It is suggested that improved pasture management, and supplementary feeding particularly in the dry and early rainy seasons are essential for improvement of growth performance.
Open Access
Requirement of the Nigerian Indigenous Fowl for Protein and Amino Acids
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1982) Oluyemi, J. A.; Longe, O.; Songu, T.
A total of six hundred 28 weeks old/ Nigerian indigenous hens were randomly alloted to 10 diets containing either 15 or 18% crude protein and varying levels of lysine and sulphur amino acids. Different dietary levels of fish meal and blood meal were used to achieve the above. Dietary protein- level had no effect (P > 0.05) on egg production, egg quality, feed efficiency and mortality, while egg size was increased (P< .05) by amino acid profile. Egg production tended to increase with better amino acid profile but both egg production (30.8 - 42.4%) and egg size (39.7 - 43.5g) appeared to be generally low. However, egg size and Haugh Unit were considerably improved (54.39%) and 77.48% respectively) in a second experiment using a dietary regime with 21% crude protein and the high levels of fish meal and blood meal used in 'the first experiment.
Open Access
Effects of Age of Cow at First calving, Period of Calving and Calving Sequence on Calving Interval of N’dama and Keteku Cattle, and their Crosses in Southwestern Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1982) Akinokun, O.
Calving records of N'darna and Keteku cows on range in the humid tropical environment of southwestern Nigeria were analysed to determine the effects of cow age at first calving, period of calving and calving sequence on length of calving intervals. Cow age at first calving and calving sequence significantly affected calving intervals (P < .01). Heifers calving for the first time at 3.6 - 4 years had an average calving interval of 511 days while heifers calving for the first time before 3.6 years had intervals that were 36 days longer. Those calving for the first time at over four years had average calving intervals that were shorter by 73 days. There was a progressive decrease in length of calving interval as calving sequence increased. Period of calving had no significant effect on length of calving interval.
Open Access
The Effect of Dietary Protein and Palm Oil on Performance, Age, and Weight at Puberty of Indigenous Pigs in Nigeria
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1984) Ilori, J. O.; Yusuph, N. A.; Somade, B.
Forty-eight indigenous pigs averaging 89.6 days in age and 12.9 kg body weight were used in a 4 x 2 factorial experiment. Dietary treatments were 15 and 18% levels of protein and 0, 2, 4 and 8% levels of palm oil, added to each protein level. The diets were fed ad libitum and water was available at all times until the onset of puberty (first estrus). Increasing the protein content of the diet gave significantly higher rates and efficiency of gain in pigs. Increasing the palm oil content of the basal 15 or 18% protein diet improved rate and efficiency of gain up to 4% palm oil level in the 18% protein diet but only up to 2% palm oil level in the 15% protein diet, indicating a need for increased dietary palm oil/energy with increased protein intake to maintain conversion efficiency. Increasing the palm oil content of the basal 15% or 18% protein diet improved feed consumption at all palm oil levels in the 15% protein diets but only up to 4% palm oil level, in the 18% protein diets. Increasing the protein content of the diet resulted in heavier and younger pigs at puberty. Increasing the palm oil content of a basal 15% or 18% protein diet did not appreciably affect big weights at puberty (range 33.3 to 36.1 kg) unlike age of pigs at puberty which was significantly reduced (range 152.3 to 167.5 days) by increasing dietary palm oil levels.
Open Access
Treatment of Natural Coccidial Infection in Lambs Using Monensin
(Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ife, 1984) Ayeni, A. O.
The therapeutic effect of monensin on natural coccidial infection was tested in two trials. Lambs with heavy mixed infections were fed a diet containing 20g monensin/tonne over a period of 14 days. In both trials and over a period of 35 days, coccidial oocyst output in non-medicated lambs was reduced by 53.6%. In the medicated lambs, it was practically nil. Monensin thus appears to have some therapeutic effect on sheep coccidiosis.
Open Access
Determination of the Optimum Weight/Age and Composition of Broiler in Tropical Environment.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1984) Williams, Adebayo R.; Sonaiya, E. B.
In a study to determine optimum slaughtering age of broilers in Nigeria, 605 Cobb broilers were raised on floor pens, the birds were weighed weekly and 2 birds/pens were slaughtered fortnightly from six to sixteen weeks. Body weight, carcass weight, abdominal fat thickness and fat weight were measured. Internal body fat was determined by ether extraction of homogenized whole carcass less bone. Two way analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression and correlation analysis were carried out. Data on costs, revenue and net returns were obtained by questionnaire survey of poultry farms around Ile-Ife. The data were summarized and analysed graphically. Body weight, carcass weight, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat weight as % live weight, abdominal fat thickness, total body fat, %total body fat, internal body fat and internal body fat as carcass weight were significantly affected by sex and age (P <0.01). Feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio were significantly affected by age (P <0.01).Highly significant correlations (P <0.01) were obtained among all body traits. Highly significant regression coefficients (P <0.01) were obtained by simple regression of internal body fat on carcass weight, body weight abdominal fat weight and fat thickness. Multiple regression analyses showed that, the regression was including fat thickness after abdominal fat weight and fat weight after carcass weight, Total body fat prediction can be reliably based on carcass weight abdominal fat weight for broilers between 6 - 16 weeks. Economics analysis revealed that profit is made when broilers till 16 weeks. When broilers are sold at a fixed price, the n point of slaughter is close to 12 weeks, but when broilers on weight basis, the optimum marketing age is just above and the physiological body data showed that fat deposition above after 12 weeks.
Open Access
Improving the Nutritive Value of Cocoa-Pod by Chemical Treatment.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Osafo, Emmanuel Lartey Kwame; Smith, O. B.
Two 'In Situ' studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of cocoa-pod ash solutions (PAS) as an alkali for treating cocoa-pods. Feed intake and overall nutrient digestibility of PAS - treated cocoa-pod based diet by cheep and goats were evaluated in two separate trials. In a screening trial, 5g oven dried and untreated cocoa-pod (Upod) or cocoa-pod treated (1:1 volume/weight) with either 4 levels of NaOH, 2, 4, 6 and 8% or corresponding strengths of PAS, P2, P4, P6 and P8 were weighed into nylon bags (2* pore diameter) and incubated for 24 hours in the rumen of two cannulated adult dwarf sheep fed a 50% cocoa-pod diet. Results showed NDF, ADF and Lignin were reduced (P<.05) by increasing PAS or NaOH treatment. Both NaOH and PAS improved (P<.05) degradability of dry matter, NDF and ADF. The % Dry Matter Loss (EMI') were 25.9, 52.1, 54.4 and 55.2 for Upod, 8% NaOH, P6 and P8 respectively. A second trial to compare degradability of Upod, dewaxed cocoa-pod (DWH), 8% NaOH (N8), P6 and P8 treated cocoa-pod after 24 and 48 hour incubation revealed degradation of nutrients was improved by both PAS and NaOH treatment and the degradation was completed in 24 hours for alkali treated pods. A 50% cocoa-pod based diet in which cocoa- pod were either untreated (Upod) or treated with P8 (Test diet 1) were fed to 12 sheep and 12 goats. In a second trial, the cocoa-pods were treated with P2, P4, P6 PAS, and designated Test 2, Test diet 3 and Test diet 4 respectively. Results showed intake of test diet 1 was reduced (P< .05). Digestibility was however improved in both sheep and goats fed Test diet 1. Feed intakes improved when lower levels of PAS treated feed were fed in second trial. Water consumption and volume of urine were significantly higher in animals fed treated diets. These results suggest cocoa-pod ash solutions could be used as a solution for treating cocoa-pods and other fibrous feeds to enhance utilization by livestock.