|
|
- The Egg Production Performance of improved Horro chicken crossed with
Koekoek and Kuroiler breeds
Authors: shambel Taye, Gebeyehu Goshu, Misba Alewi, Solomon Abegaz
Abstract: Evaluation of cross breeding effect on egg production traits of improved Horro chicken crossed with Koekoek and Kurioler chicken in direct and reciprocal mating was carried out for one generation at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Center. The experiment was done by mating foundation lines of improved Horro (H) and Koekoek(K) and Kurioler (Ku) chickens to obtain seven genotypes such as three pure lines (H), (K), (Ku) and their crosses (KxH, Ku x H, H x K, H x Ku). Day-old chicks from the seven genetic groups were randomly distributed between pens using completely randomized design with three replications. The chickens were raised at deep litter system for 40 weeks of age during which data on feed intake, age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first egg (BWFE), egg laid, average egg weight and mortality rate were recorded. The hen-day egg production (HDEP), hen-housed egg production (HHEP) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. The result showed that genotype had significant effect on most egg production traits studied. Older age at first egg was recorded in improved Horro (156) followed by crossbred Hx K (150.33) whereas the lowest number of days for AFE for was recorded for crossbred HxKu (153) followed by KxH (136.67) and Ku x H (139.33). In comparing crossbred, the heaviest body weight at first egg was registered for crossbred pullet Hx Ku (2448 g) followed by Ku x H (2372.33 g) whereas the lowest body weight was recorded for K x H (1726.33 g) followed by Hx K (1777.78 g) crossbred pullet. In comparing all the genotypes, HxKu crossbred hen showed superior (P<0.05) performance in HHEP, HDEP, egg number except egg mass. However, egg weight was higher for Kuroiler, Ku×H and H×K with comparable values but lowest egg weight was registered for improved Horro chickens. Estimates of maternal effects (Me) was significantly (P< 0.05) positive only for age at first egg while additive (Ae) and heterotic effect (He) were non-significant with negative values. Positive and significant effect values were reported for body weight at first egg. From this study it can be recommended that crossbred hens sired by improved Horro (H x Ku) for egg production potential genotypes for family poultry production system in the forthcoming synthetic breed development program. Keywords: Additive effect, Crossbreeding, Egg production, Improved Horro, Heterotic effect
PubDate: 2022-05-16
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- The Role of Direct Feed Microbes
Authors: zemedkun diffe, Tesfa Kassa
Abstract: Feed additives are products used in animal nutrition to improve the quality of feed, the quality of food from animal origin and to improve the animals’ performance and health. Zoo technical additives are digestibility enhancers, gut flora stabilizers; microbials are one of it. Direct feed microbials has a narrower definition relative to probiotics, and are defined as microbial based feed additives. It enhances feed utilization by improving fiber digestibility and increasing energy utilization per unit of feed. Food and Drug Administration and the Association of American Feed Control Officials recommended the term direct fed microbial (DFM) for a feed product that contain live, naturally occurring microorganisms namely bacteria, fungi and yeast; the bacteria can be lactic acid producing or lactic acid utilizing. The microbial feed supplements have generally been supplemented to animals during periods of stress with the assumption that establishment of a beneficial microorganism population in the digestive tract will decrease or prevent pathogenic organism establishment. Some of the modes of action of DFM act within the rumen while others impact the gastrointestinal tract. Lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) affect the rumen positively through preventing ruminal acidosis, facilitating the growth of ruminal microorganisms adapted to the presence of lactic acid in the rumen and by stimulating lactic acid utilizing bacteria (LUB). LUB have been proposed as DFM that can decrease concentrations of lactate and maintain ruminal PH. DFM can inhibit or prevent pathogen like Escherichia coli establishment attached to the intestinal mucosa via hydrophobic interactions and limit pathogens from attaching and also have the ability to modulate host immune function. The roles of DFM administration for dairy calves are rapid adaptation to solid feed by accelerating the establishment of ruminal and intestinal microorganisms and avoiding the establishment of enteropathogens, which often results in diarrhea. DFM used to improve performance of dairy cows through increasing dry matter intake, milk yield and protein content, blood glucose and insulin levels at the pre and post-partum periods. In beef cattle, DFM is very important to prevent ruminal acidosis caused by highly fermentable feeds, improved growth performance, meat production and feed efficiency. Direct-fed microbial products are available in a variety of forms including powders, pastes, boluses, and capsules. It may be mixed with feed or administered in the drinking water. Some study suggested that feeding more than 107 cfu per head per day may cause lower nutrient absorption due to overpopulation in the gastro intestinal tract.
PubDate: 2022-05-16
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Describing the Traditional Breeding Practices for Improvement of Genetics
of Indigenous Goat Populations in South Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Birara Tade, Aberra Melesse, Simret Betsha
Pages: 1 - 15
Abstract: The study was conducted to describe the breeding objectives, selection criteria, and breeding practices for improvement of genetics of indigenous goat populations in South Gondar. To this effect, 3 districts (Farta, Fogera, and Libokemkem) were selected purposely based on distribution of goat population. Data were collected from 153 randomly selected households and gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations. The results indicated that the overall mean of young bucks and does was 7.9% and 10.5%, respectively. The mean number of breeding does per household was 4.55, 5.12, and 5.8 in Farta, Fogera, and Libo-kemkem districts, respectively. The average flock size per household for Fogera, Farta, and Libokemkem was 9.2, 10.5, and 11.7 with an overall average of 10.5 goats. Income generation, meat consumption, and saving ranked first, second, and third, respectively for the reason of goat rearing in all districts. About 62.7 % of the respondents owned breeding bucks of which 70.8 % of them were born in the flock. The overall selection criteria of bucks were early maturity, coat color, and appearance with index values of 0.22, 0.2, and 0.19, respectively. Selection criteria of does were appearance, sexual maturity, and litter size with index values of 0.2, 0.19, and 0.14, respectively. About 95% of the households exercise uncontrolled mating. The results concluded that breeding does in south Gondar represented the largest proportion of goats and covered 49.8% of the total population of goats followed by kids of both sexes. Goat breeding practiced in the study area was traditional, keeping them primarily for income generation. The breeding system of the goat was characterized by uncontrolled mating which would lead to the occurrence of inbreeding depression in small flocks.
PubDate: 2022-01-07
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Review on Opportunities and Constraints of Dairy Production in Ethiopia
Authors: Medina Yassin, Teramaj Abebe, Maticha Korato
Pages: 16 - 23
Abstract: The objective of this paper was to review on opportunities and constraints of dairy production in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. The total livestock population for the country is estimated to be about70.29 a million cattle population. Despite the huge number of cattle and their dairy industry, the productivity is low due to the constraints of disease, scarcity of feed, inefficient and insufficient AI, veterinary services, infectious diseases, environmental, shortage of feed, and shortage of land. The findings of different authors conducted in different regions indicated that the existence of a large population of dairy cattle and diverse dairy animals’ genetic resources, the country’s diverse topography, and climatic condition as favorable for dairying. The high potential of smallholder income employment generation is also the key opportunity to dairy production. Therefore, necessary measures have to be taken to reduce identified constraints that hinder the dairy sector's development.
PubDate: 2022-01-17
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Review on Major Factors that Influence the Success of Artificial
Insemination
Authors: Mosisa Dire Babura
Pages: 24 - 36
Abstract: Artificial insemination (AI) is the first and oldest biotechnological technology for livestock genetic improvement, and it involves inserting sperm into the female's reproductive canal without using natural mating. It's one of a group of technologies known as assisted reproduction technologies (ART), in which babies are produced by enabling the meeting of male and female gametes. Ethiopia has Africa's largest livestock population and a huge potential for dairy production expansion due to the country's favourable climate, which encourages the use of upgraded, high-yielding animal breeds and provides a disease-free environment for livestock development. Over the last four decades, development and research programs have introduced genetic enhancement of indigenous cattle through crossbreeding employing AI technology. However, due to factors such as the AI delivery system, heat detection and time of insemination, intrinsic factors associated with the cow, early embryonic losses, management issues, semen quality, insemination techniques, and lack of awareness, AI technology was not successful in improving cattle reproductive efficiency. As a result, to build a successful technology, the above-mentioned aspects must be resolved to the optimum stage of the technology requirement.
PubDate: 2022-03-23
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Correlation Between Biochemical and Haematological Parameters of Sheep
Authors: Nafisat Aliyu , S.T. Mbap, Benjamin Boyi
Pages: 37 - 49
Abstract: Correlations among blood biochemistry and haematological parameters of sheep in Bauchi, Nigeria were assessed between February and September, 2017. Blood samples were collected from one hundred and twenty sheep comprising Yankasa, Balami, Ouda (32 per each breed) and West African Dwarf (24) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching and Research Farm, Muda Lawal, Durum and Gwallaga markets. The samples were analyzed for both haematological and biochemical parameters. White blood cell (WBC) and RBC (0.210), RBC and HB (0.569), MCV and MCH (0.539) and MCH and NTP (0.346) were positive and significant. Furthermore, others such as between WBC and HB (-0.215), MCV and PLT (-0.223), MCV and MCHC (-0.610) and LYM % and NTP (-0.571) were negative and significant. Correlations among biochemical parameters were in general positive, low to moderate and non-significant. A few such as between Na+ and Cl- (0.379), HCO3- and CRT (0.264), TP and GLC (0.267), Cl- and TP (0.239), CRT and AST (0.182) and UR and ALT (0.405) were positive and significant. In addition, some correlation values namely; between ALB and ALT (-3.93), ALB and GLC (-264), Na+ and ALB (-235) and ALB and AST (-0.211) were negative and significant. The correlation coefficients between haematalogical and biochemical parameters were generally positive, low to moderate and non- significant. A few such as between Na+ and HB (0.239), K+ and HB (0.192), UR and LYM (0.248), TP and LYM (0.385), ALB and MCV (0.182), AST and RCD (0.219), ALT and MCHC (0.242), GLC and LYM (0.267), TC and MCHC (0.212) and WBC and LYM (0.433) were positive and significant. Furthermore, some correlation coefficients namely; between Cl- and MCHC (-0.256), TP and NTP (-0.185), ALT and LYM (-0.199), GLC and MCV (-0.249), TP and NTP (-0.185), ALT and LYM (-0.199), GLC and MCV (-0.249), TC and MCV (-0.185), AP and HCT (-0.207) and WBC and NTP (-0.237) were negative and significant. Therefore, there were generally positive but low to moderate correlations among haematologic, biochemical; and between haematogical and biochemical parameters. The high correlations between parameters could be used as indicators between them to reduce the need to estimate both. The blood parameters needed to be monitored frequently and appropriately controlled to ensure stability and adequate health and nutritional status of sheep.
PubDate: 2022-03-26
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- The Prediction of First Lactation Milk Yield from Part Lactation Yields
for Buffaloes
Authors: C.V. Singh
Pages: 50 - 55
Abstract: The selection of milch buffaloes at an early age on the basis of part yields is beneficial to the dairy farmer as it cuts down the cost of rearing the animals and also helps in progeny testing. Part yields (monthly milk yield)or cumulative monthly records have been shown to have a very high genetic and phenotypic relationship with full records. The ability to predict the complete lactation period of a buffalo from its part yields would determine the successes of dairy herd culling programs. In dairy buffalo, a high rate of genetic improvement is only possible through the early culling of low-producing buffaloes. This can be achieved by selecting females and bulls on the basis of their part records provided that full lactation yield can be accurately predicted from part yields. Predicting total lactation yield on the basis of part lactation records has practical utility. The present study was undertaken to find out the earliest part lactation yield of the first lactation which can efficiently predict the complete lactation yield.
PubDate: 2022-03-27
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Traditional Husbandry Practices and Selection Criteria of Goats in
Selected Districts of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Amsale Hankamo, Tariku Woldeyohannes
Pages: 56 - 78
Abstract: Before implementing any development plan, it is critical to understand traditional goat management practices, which allow breeders to create long-term genetic improvement while preserving indigenous goat production. This study aimed to describe the goat husbandry system in two districts of Sidama zone of southern Ethiopia using two production systems. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to gather information regarding the management activities, the purpose of keeping goats, and farmers’ selection criteria for breeding animals. A total of 240 households were interviewed to collect relevant information for the study. Data collected were statistically analyzed and summarized into descriptive statistics. Indexes were calculated to clarify rankings by using indexes formula. The number goat population was more in Loka Abaya than Aroresa. The primary purpose of keeping goats in the study area is mainly for their milk, meat and income generation. Broad shoulders, compact frame, and short and thick necks of the bucks were considered the most important characteristics for selection. Communal grazing and crop aftermath were the most common feed sources reported by farmers in the study area. River was the major water source for goats in the study districts. The major factors limiting the productivity of goats are feed shortage, diseases, and labour shortage. The management and husbandry practices are nearly equivalent to the rest of the country with the same agroecology. Planning and implementing goat development and extension services on management, improvement, disease control, and suitable forage production strategies helps farmers in increasing goat production and therefore improving their livelihood.
PubDate: 2022-03-31
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Effects of Supplementing Borana Dairy Cows with Local (Vachelliatortilis
pods) and Conventional Feeds on Milk Yield and Milk Composition
Authors: Beshir Hussien, Birhanu Bekele
Pages: 79 - 89
Abstract: An experiment was conducted at Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agricultural Research Center in Oromia National Regional State to evaluate the effects of local and conventional feed supplementation on milk yield and milk composition of Borana cows. Twelve lactating Borana cows of first parity and second parity with a similar stage of lactation were used. The experiment had four treatments with three replications using a randomized complete block design. Treatments included noug seed cake (NSK)+ wheat bran + free grazing (T1), Vachelliatortilis pods + wheat bran + free grazing (T2), Vachelliatortilis pods + free grazing(T3), and the control (free grazing) (T4). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in milk yield between cows fed in control and supplemented as well as within supplemented groups. Higher (P<0.001) significant interaction of parity with the treatment of milk yield was also observed. Significantly (P<0.001) higher (3.10 kg/cow/day) and lower (1.95 kg/cow/day) milk yield was obtained from cows fed T2 and T4, respectively. Except for solid not fat and lactose content all analyzed milk compositions were significantly different (P<0.05) among treatment groups. Higher fat (7.69%), protein (3.59%) and total solids (15.98%), and lower ash (0.73%) were recorded from cows fed T1, T2, T4, and T3, respectively. The treatment diets increased the net profit/cow/day by Ethiopian Birr (ETB) 16.35 (T1), 31.57 (T2), and 13.67 (T3) over the control (T4). In conclusion, supplementation of Vachelliatortilis pods with different feed to Borana cows on natural pasture improved milk yield, milk composition as well as net profit. Therefore, using Vachelliatortilis pods with different feeds as supplementation for lactating cows can be recommended for milk production in the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas.
PubDate: 2022-05-08
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
- Global Trends of Meat Production and Consumption
Authors: Bainesagn Wolelie
Pages: 90 - 98
Abstract: Global meat production and consumption have important implications on health, nutrition, and the environment. The objective of this paper is to review the total meat production and consumption, the global trend of meat production and consumption, and also review factors affecting meat production and meat consumption. From this review, the World is producing a total of 337 million tones at an increasing rate. The world is majorly producing its total meat from Poultry, Pig, Bovine, and ovine. Currently, about 122.5, 121.1, 71.2, and 14.9 million tons of total meat is produced from poultry, pig, Bovine, and ovine respectively. The majority of global total meat is dependent on poultry and pig with an increasing trend. Increased economies, Urbanization, population growth social dynamics, and technological advancement are strong factors that affect meat production and consumption. Therefore, meat production and consumption are continuing to increase around the globe since meat is an important and rich source of protein.
PubDate: 2022-05-16
Issue No: Vol. 10, No. 1 (2022)
|
Open Access journal
