Grazing Behaviours of four Nigerian Breeds of Cattle in Awka, South East Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the grazing behavior (GB) of four different breeds of cattle (Sokoto Gudali, Red Bororo, Adamawa Gudali, and White Fulani) in Awka, South East Nigeria. The study lasted for 90 days from September-December. Twenty four long weaners (average weight of 83kgs) were randomly allotted to four treatments (breeds) with six animals per treatment. The animals were subjected to rotational grazing system, co-grazed more than 6 ha of range containing grass, legumes and browse plants, the vegetative survey showed an average vegetation height of 2.6cm to 10cm. There was periodic recording of time spent Grazing, resting, bite rate and idle position from all the animals . The result show no significant difference (P>0.05) in the bite rate among the four breeds of cattle, but the highest bite rate was recorded in Red Bororo 3.42 (bite/min). The highest resting time was recorded in Sokoto Gudali 48.08(mins) which is not significantly different (P>0.05) from White Fulani 45.00(mins) and the least resting time was recorded in Adamawa Gudali 35.50(min) which was not significantly different from Red Bororo 39.42(mins). There was no significant different (P>0.05) in grazing time among the breeds. The study further revealed average grazing time of 8:26(hrs) and resting time which ranges from 48:00 - 35:00 minutes among the four breeds. There was no significant difference in the rest position among the breeds which show laying as predominant resting position against standing. the study show that the breeds do not differ on their grazing behavior which disagree with previous works showing breed factor as sources of variation on Grazing behavior among different breeds of indigenous cattle. &nbsp

Nutritional evaluation of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) peel in the diet of weaner pigs

Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous weaner diets for pigs in which maize was progressively replaced with 0,5,10 and 15% of fermented and sundried cassava peel meal (CPM) were formulated. The four treatment diets 1,2,3 and 4 were fed to twenty-four weaner pigs averaging 5.64 +0.09kg at eight weeks of age for 56 days. Results showed that there was a progressive decline (P&lt;0.05) in average daily gain (kg) and protein efficiency ratio as the level of CPM in the diets increased. Pigs performance in terms of these parameters was the same for the control, 5 or 10% CPM diets (P&gt;0.05). Significant difference (P&lt;0.05) only showed up when CPM was fed at 15% level. Pigs on the 10% CPM diet had significantly (P&lt;0.05) better feed conversion ratio and feed cost /kg gain. Haematological examination revealed that the effect of treatments on packed cell volume, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils and monocyte levels were significant (P&lt; 0.05). The results revealed that CPM could replace 10% of maize in a diet for weaner Pigs. </jats:p

Carcass, organ and pathological characteristics of grower pigs fed cassava peel meal

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing maize with Cassava Peel Meal (CPM) on the carcass, organ and pathological characteristics of growing pigs. Twenty-four 16-week old pigs of Landrace x Large White breed were raised on four experimental diets where CPM replaced maize at 0, 10, 20 and 30 percent levels. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic containing 16 % CP and 12.08 MJME/kg. Each diet was fed to a group of six pigs. Results indicated that carcass weight and backfat thickness decreased as level of CPM in the diets increased. Heart, Kidney, Liver and Spleen weights (expressed as percentage of body weight) were significantly higher at the 30 percent level of CPM inclusion. Likewise, Kidney of pigs fed the 30 percent CPM diet showed degeneration, necrosis and dilatation of the tubules. Liver of same pigs had bile duct dilatation, fibrosis and thickening of the interlobular septa. It was concluded that 20 percent of the maize content of the diets of grower pigs can be replaced by CPM without any deleterious effect on the carcass, organ and pathological characteristics.Agro-Science Vol. 4 (1) 2005: pp. 1-

Meat and magic: traditional use of the Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus in Benin

Considered a widespread gamebird found across the northern Afrotropical region, the Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus is used in magical rituals and for traditional medicine in Africa. Although considered to be a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, loss of their habitat and hunting has caused them to be locally threatened. The aim of this ethno-ornithological study was to assess the utilization of Stone Partridge through surveys conducted in traditional communities. Some 384 people across 13 ethnic groups in Benin Republic were interviewed. Standardised ethnozoological indices were used to evaluate the importance of Stone Partridge as a source of food and a socio-cultural aspect in Benin per ethnic groups, gender and age class. Some 91.15% of respondents cited food as the major use category of Stone Partridge, followed by traditional medicinal and magical ritual. Responses varied by ethnic group and gender, but not age. Respondents reported that hunting is a major threat, leading to population declines. Stone Partridge plays an important role in rural communities in the study area, but a national conservation management strategy is lacking for this and other gamebird species. French title: Utilisation traditionnelle de la poule de rocher Ptilopachus petrosus au Bénin: pratiques alimentaires et médico-magiques Considérée comme un oiseau gibier répandu dans la région afrotropicale du nord, la poule de rocher Ptilopachus petrosus est utilisée dans les rituels magiques et en médecine traditionnelle en Afrique. Bien que considérée comme une espèce de préoccupation mineure par l’UICN, la perte de l’habitat et la chasse constituent les principaux facteurs de menace. Le, but de cette étude ethno-ornithologique est d’évaluer l’utilisation de la poule de rocher à travers des enquêtes menées chez les populations locales. 384 personnes de 13 groupes ethniques de la République du Bénin ont été interrogées. Des indices ethnozoologiques ont été utilisés pour évaluer&nbsp; l’importance alimentaire et socioculturelle de l’espèce par groupe ethnique, sexe et classe d’âge. 91,15% des répondants ont cité l’usage alimentaire comme la principale catégorie d’utilisation de la poule de rocher, suivie des utilisations médico-magiques. Les réponses varient suivant le sexe et le groupe ethnique de l’espèce mais pas selon l’âge. Les répondants ont indiqué que la chasse était une menace majeure, entraînant un déclin de la population. La poule de rocher joue un rôle important en milieu rural au Bénin. Cependant, il n’existe aucune stratégie de gestion de conservation pour cette espèce au niveau national. Keywords: Bénin, culture, gamebird, gibier, perception