Evaluating Genetic Parameters of Cockerels Offered Graded Levels of Sunflower And Beef Tallow Oils (Published)
The effect of sunflower oil and beef tallow, on performance of cockerels was studied. One hundred and twenty (120) day-old Anak cockerel chicks were randomly and equally allotted to six treatment groups, (Diet I – Control,) (Diet 2- SO 3.0%), (Diet 3 – SO 6.0%); (Diet 4 -BT3.0%), (Diet 5-BT 6.0%) and (Diet 6-SO 3.% and BT 3.0%), replicated twice with 20 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD) for 91 days. The results showed that body weight gain and feed -to-gain ratio for all the treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced. Birds fed diet 3 had the highest weight gain (1377.30g) followed by 5 bird fed diet 5 while birds fed diets 1,4 and 6 respectively had their weight depressed. Birds fed diet 6 gave the best feed-to- gain ratio (4.38). The feed cost per kilogramme diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing oil proportion inclusion. Diet 1 (control) gave the least cost per kg weight gain (N158.88) and the lowest accruable. Revenue (N425.56). From the results of this study, it world appear that birds fed diet 6 attain early sexual maturity and better body conformation.
Keywords: Anak cockerel., Conformation, Performance, Sexual maturity, beef tallow, sunflower oil
Body Weight and Linear Measurement at Sexual Maturity of F1 Progeny from West African Dwarf and White Bornu Goats Crossing In Humid Nigeria (Published)
Twenty-four unit breeding herd of two indigenous goat breeds (West African Dwarf and White Bornu) were raised in a humid environment of Nigeria to evaluate the effect of breed and sex on the body weight and linear measurement at sexual maturity of progenies from within and between crosses of both breeds. Results from the study revealed that breed and sex had significant influence on parameters assessed with higher values been observed in the crossbred and the White Bomu purebred. Body weight values ranged from 22. 76 ± 2.17 to 34.43 ± 1. 77 cm with higher value observed in crossbred. This trend was also revealed in traits such as Height at wither (HA W), Heart girth (HG), Body length (BL), Upper fore limb (UFL), Lower fore limb (LFL), and Upper hind limb (UHL). However, lower hind limb (LHL) -was higher in White Bornu purebred with value of 18.47+0.60 and the crossbred recording 17.64 ± 0.74 cm which implies that improvement was made on traits of the West African Dwarf goat due to crossbreeding with White Bornu.
Keywords: Crossbreeding, Improvement, Indigenous goat, Sexual maturity, body weight.