Browsing by Author "Adua, M.M"

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    Bioprediction of Body Weight from Zoometrical Traits of Nondescript Goats using Linear and Non-Linear Models in North Central Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2011-04-15) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ladokun, A.O; Adua, M.M
    Data on body weight and four zoometrical measurements – rump height, withers height, heart girth and body length of 135 Non-descript goats were used to develop linear, quadratic and allometric equations to predict body weight. The animals were extensively managed in north central Nigeria. They were stratified into two groups on the basis of dentition. Goats that were between 1.0–14.3 months old (milk teeth age) were classified as kids while those between 19.4–30.6 months old (animals having between 2–8 permanent incisors) were categorized as adults. Animals were also classified on the basis of incidence of wattle into wattled and non–wattled goats. Highly significant (P<0.01) coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.38–0.95) were recorded, showing the inter-relationship between body weight and the linear body measurements investigated. However, body weight was better estimated in kids (pooled data for males and females) than adult (does) goats (R2 = 0.84–0.94; MSE = 0.01–1.55 versus R2 = 0.41–0.92; MSE =0.005–16.80). Withers height appeared as the highest single prediction variable in kids (R2 = 0.91–0.94; MSE = 0.01–0.88), while in adult goats, heart girth was found to account more for variation in the body weight (R2 = 0.91–0.92; MSE = 0.005–2.54). Among the prediction equations tested, the allometric model seemed to give a better fit, closely followed by the quadratic and linear models respectively. The wattle gene impacted mostly on adult parameters where prediction accuracy appeared to be better in wattled adults compared to their non-wattled counterparts. The present findings could be exploited in designing appropriate management and selection programmes
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    EFFECTS OF FEED RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE, CARCASS YEILD, RELATIVE ORGAN WEIGHTS AND SOME LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF WEANER RABBITS
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2008-04-14) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Salako, A.E; Ladokun, A.O; Adua, M.M; Bature, T.U.K
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    Entrepreneurship Skills of Small and Medium Scale Poultry Farmers in Central Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State Nigeria
    (Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension Nasarawa State Univeristy Keffi, Nigeria., 2017-06-11) Emmanuel, Salau S.; Adua, M.M; Maimako., M.B; Alanji, J.
    The study assessed the level of entrepreneurship skills of small and medium scale poultry farmers in central agricultural zone of Nasarawa State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 70% of the listed poultry farmers in each of the four LGAs in the zone which gave a sample size of 55 respondents. Data collection was by a structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean scores, percentage and linear regression analysis. The results show that majority (78.2%) of the respondents were males, the mean age of the respondents was 41 years, most (58.1%) of them had tertiary education and most (47.3%) of them had between 6-10 years experience in poultry business. The average number of birds kept by the respondents was 260. Majority (85.5%) of them were not members of any group while the average number of extension contacts in a year was 3 and their mean monthly income was N27, 730.91. The respondents were rated high (M> 3.0) in 21 out of the 30 areas of entrepreneurship skills presented with an overall 70% level of competency. Results of the regression analysis show that extension contact, farm size and training had significant positive effects on level of entrepreneurship skills. The major constraints faced by the respondents were high cost of poultry feeds, inadequate capital and poor extension services. It was recommended that the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) extension staff in the zone should focus more attention on small and medium scale poultry farmers in the area by mobilising them to form associations/cooperatives groups for self help.
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    Preliminary investigation on community-based intervention through cockerel exchange programme for sustainable improved rural chicken production in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-01-24) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ari, M.M; Ogbe, A.O; Ogah, D.M; Adua, M.M; Idahor, K.O; Alu, S.E; Ishaq, S.A; Salau, E.S
    Local chickens play an important role for smallholders and contribute significantly to food security of households in rural and semi-urban communities. However, the poultry sector is beset with low productivity in Nigeria. The present study aimed at improving the performance of rural chickens in Nasarawa State through cockerel exchange programme. A total of one hundred and eighty (180), 25-week old cockerels were obtained from a reputable farm in the State. Forty eight (48) households from Danka Sarki Extension Village (University’s Extension Model Village) and ten (10) households from COAL Staff quarters were randomly selected. Each participating farmer (household) was given cockerels depending on the number given in return for his/her own cock(s). Pre- and Post-trial information was obtained on flock size, number of chicks, growers, cocks and hens including number of clutch/bird, eggs/clutch, eggs hatched per clutch, mortality and body weights of chicks and growers. There was no significant difference in the flock size of birds before intervention and after intervention. The mortality rate of chicks/clutch and growers/clutch within the first nine months of study decreased as a result of the introduction of cockerels. Similarly, body weights of chicks and growers of post-intervention birds were higher. The distribution of cockerels (improved exotic birds) to the rural livestock farmers in the study areas appeared to contribute to improved village chicken production