Browsing by Author "Barde, R.E"

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    Path analysis of body weight and morphometric traits of Nigerian indigenous Muscovy ducks
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2009-09-10) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Musa Azara, I.S; Aya, V.E; Abimiku, H.K; Barde, R.E
    Body weight and seven biometric traits namely, body length, breast circumference, thigh circumference, bill length, neck length, foot length and wing length of 221 adult Nigerian Muscovy ducks were subjected to path analysis. The ducks, reared under the traditional scavenging system, were randomly selected in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria. The investigation aimed at determining the explanatory variables that most effectively influenced the body weight of indigenous ducks of both sexes. Sex-associated differences (P<0.05) were observed in all the studied traits, with superior values recorded for males (drakes). Bivariate correlations between body weight and linear body measurements in drakes ranged from 0.743-0.919. Correspondingly, a range of 0.745- 0.894 was obtained in female ducks. The path analysis revealed that thigh circumference had the strongest direct effect on body weight of drakes, followed by body length, wing length and foot length (path coefficient = 0.326, 0.312, 0.286 and 0.115 respectively). However, a different trend was observed in females, where the influence of wing length on body weight was greatest, followed by thigh circumference, bill length and foot length (path coefficient = 0.340, 0.289, 0.217 and 0.171, respectively). The optimum linear multiple regression model in drakes included forecast indices such as thigh circumference, body length, wing length and foot length, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.962 and determination coefficient of error of 0.038. The corresponding indices in female ducks were wing length, thigh circumference, bill length and foot length with R2 value of 0.917 and determination coefficient of error of 0.083. These models could be useful in weight estimation in the field and for selection purposes.
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    Preliminary investigation of haemoglobin polymorphism and association with morphometric traits in West African Dwarf goats in north central Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-02-14) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Abimiku, H.K; Musa Azara, I.S; Barde, R.E; Raji, Abdulrazak O.
    The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic pool of the West African Dwarf (WAD) goats using haemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism, as well as the association of some morphological traits with the Hb variants. Blood samples were collected from a total of 104 mature goats of both sexes belonging to the WAD breed in north central Nigeria. The red cell lysates were subjected to cellulose acetate electrophoresis and specific staining procedure to reveal the band patterns of haemoglobin. Three co-dominant alleles, causing the presence of three genotypes (AA, AB and AC) were detected among individual goats. The frequencies of the A, B and C alleles were 0.69, 0.30 and 0.01, respectively. The corresponding genotype frequencies for AA, AB and AC in the goat population were 0.37, 0.61 and 0.02, respectively. The discrepancy between the observed and the expected genotype number was significant (P<0.05) thereby violating the Hardy-Weinberg frequencies. The expected heterozygosity (H), which is a measure of gene diversity in the population, was 0.57; while the local inbreeding coefficient (F) was -0.055 indicating disassortative mating. Apart from body weight and heart girth which were higher (P<0.05) in individuals with Hb AA genotype, other body parameters were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by Hb variants. There is a need for further study encompassing more number of goats covering larger areas, use of DNA markers and their relationship with economic traits as well as performance study for detailed understanding of breed characteristics, conservation and genetic improvement of WAD goats in north central Nigeria.
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    Productivity and Egg Quality Characteristics of Free Range Naked Neck and Normal Feathered Nigerian Indigenous Chickens
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2008-09-15) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ogah, D.M; Barde, R.E
    A study was conducted in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria to determine the productivity and egg quality traits of free range naked neck and full-feathered chickens. A total of one hundred and two smallholder farmers were randomly selected. Information was obtained on average eggs per clutch, hatchability and mortality, while hen’s body weight was measured directly on the day of egg collection. One hundred and two freshly laid eggs (51 eggs from each genotype) were used to evaluate external and internal egg qualities. Body weight and average eggs per clutch were significantly (p<0.05) higher in naked neck genotype compared to the normal feathered birds (1.30 vs. 1.16kg; 11.63 vs. 9.71 respectively). Normal feathered genotype recorded higher mortality (36.85%) than naked neck birds (28.60%). No significant (p>0.05) difference was found between the two genotypes in hatchability. Mean values for egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index, shell thickness, albumen weight, albumen height, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width and haugh unit were significantly (p<0.05) higher in naked neck hens than their normal feathered counterparts. There was no superiority in shell weight and yolk index. The association between egg weight and other egg biometrical traits were found to be positive and significant (r = 0.22-0.79; p<0.05). Other egg parameters were either positively or inversely correlated with each other. Egg weight was better predicted (R2 = 34.44%) using a combination of egg length and egg width. The estimation of shell weight from egg length, egg width and egg weight gave lower values (R2 = 2.86-3.91%). The incorporation of allometry improved the prediction accuracy of shell thickness, albumen weight and yolk weight from egg weight (R2 = 44.16,43.89 and 49.89%). It is concluded that the introgression of the naked neck gene into poultry could play a pivotal role in the genetic improvement of traditionally managed flocks.