Department of Animal Sciences-Journal Articles

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.