Browsing by Author "Idahor, K.O"

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    Assessment of flock structure, preference in selection and traits of economic importance for domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) genetic resources in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-01-16) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Abimiku, H.K; Musa Azara, I.S; Idahor, K.O; Akinsola, O.M
    Village poultry have been raised for thousands of years and the selection pressure present in the village environment has resulted in indigenous stock that are well adapted to local conditions. The present investigation examined the flock composition, preference in choice of breeding stock, production traits and culling criteria in indigenous turkeys of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 53 randomly selected households engaged in turkey farming in the study area. A low tom: hen ratio of 1: 2.75 was observed in the turkey population. Body size, egg number, hatchability, heat tolerance, body conformation and disease resistance were the preferred traits for selection of breeding stock. Higher rankings (P<0.01) were accorded economic traits such as high reproductive performance, increased egg production and large body size. Most of the households culled toms with low body size, low fertility and poor health while fertility, egg number, body size and mothering ability were highly ranked as culling criteria for hens. The rate of inbreeding (ΔF) calculated for the indigenous turkey flock considering the existing flock size and management practice was 0.0013 (0.13%), an indication that the population is not at the risk of extinction. It is concluded that community or village-based selective breeding schemes should consider farmers’ traits of preference as a good option to rational and sustainable way to improve and conserve turkey genetic resource in the study area.
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    EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BODY CONFORMATION, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND COST-BENEFIT IN BROILER CHICKENS
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-01-15) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Idahor, K.O; Usman, E.A; Jonathan, L.F; Musa Azara, I.S
    A total of two hundred and seven day-old Arbor Acre commercial hybrid broiler type was used to determine the effects of feed restriction on growth performance, frame size/structure, carcass qualities and profitability in an 8-week trial. Group A birds were fed 24-hour post hatch, and subjected to 4-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week; Group B birds were fed 36-hour post hatch, and subjected to 6- hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week while Group C birds were fed 48-hour post hatch, and subjected to 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week. The final body weight, average weekly body weight, average weekly feed intake, average weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and percentage mortality were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the duration of feed restriction. Apart from neck circumference, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group C birds, other linear type traits were not affected (P > 0.05) by feed restriction. There were no significant differences in the measured carcass parameters among broilers of the three treatment groups. Total cost of feed (₦) consumed per bird was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group A birds. The gross margin revealed that statistically significant values (₦711.97 versus ₦692.47; P<0.05)) were recorded for birds in Groups C and B compared to those in Group A (₦656.07), It is therefore, suggested that feeding broilers 48-hour post hatch coupled with 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week of age could be employed for efficient broiler chicken production.
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    Effect of whole sweet potatoes to tuber flour inclusion in cockerel diet on performance, organs and haematological indices.
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2016-02-14) Idahor, K.O; Jibrin, M.; Yakubu, Abdulmojeeb; Umbugadu, N.S; Tijani, I.M; Ibrahim, U.I; Amin, S.H
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    Mathematical evaluation of the relationships between some objective measurements and prices of breeding bucks and does in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2017-12-12) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ishaya, J.O; Idahor, K.O; Nwangwu, A.
    Body size is one of the most important traits in the breeding objectives and marketing of goats in sub-saharan Africa. This study aimed at determining objectively the relationships between some morphometric measurements and the prices of breeding bucks and does in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria. Data were collected from a total of 1,012 randomly selected live adult goats of both sexes covering the three Nigerian indigenous breeds of goats [332 West African Dwarf (197 males and 135 females), 374 Red Sokoto (216 males and 158 females) and 306 Sahel goats (172 males and 134 females)]. The animals were sampled in Karu/Keffi and Akwanga/Lafia markets. The traits measured were body weight (BW), chest circumference (CC), scrotal circumference (SC) and udder circumference (UC) including the determination of the price of each animal. General linear model (GLM) was used to test the fixed effects of breed, sex and location including their interactions on the body traits. Pearson's coefficients of correlation among the various traits were computed. The prediction of price from body parameters was done using stepwise regression analysis. The univariate analysis revealed that Sahel goats had significantly (P<0.05) higher morphometric variables compared to other breeds. They also commanded (P<0.05) highest price than the other two breeds. Sex also influenced (P<0.05) all the body parameters with higher values recorded for males, while there was no effect (P>0.05) of market location on the body traits. Among the various interactions, only interaction between sex and location were significant (P<0.05) on price. Coefficients of phenotypic correlation between the traits were positive and significant (P<0.01), ranging from 0.55-0.98. Across all the three breeds, CC appeared to be the best single measurement to determine the prevailing market price of goat. The present information will be useful in determining objectively the prices of goats to the advantage of the farmers, sellers and consumers of meat including researchers who need this information to determine selection index and policy makers for decision making.
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    Morphometric traits, spermatozoa microscopy and stripped eggs fertilization with milt collected from live African Mudfish (Clarias gariepinus)
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-06-21) Idahor, K.O; Yakubu, Abdulmojeeb; Umar, A.F; Musa, L.A; Yahaya, F.
    The African Mudfish (C. gariepinus) has been reared in Africa for many decades yet with poor performance record, attributable to unreliable practical farming conditions with particular emphasis on artificial reproduction strategies. This has resulted in killing the male as the last resort for sustainable expansion in aquacultural productivity. Undoubtedly, this will lead to time, economic and genetic resource wastages. Hence, the need for alternative technique aimed at using syringe to collect milt from live African Mudfish. To achieve this, 120 males and 6 females were used in three separate investigations and information were gathered on morphometric parameters of the fish, microscopic observation of milt and fertilization of stripped eggs. The results showed that the papilla length varied between 1.31±0.15 and 1.55±0.06cm, pectoral fin length (6.26±0.24 and 7.07±0.86cm), testicular depth (2.60±0.17 and 3.04±0.35cm) and the testicular length ranged from 4.03±1.05 to 5.08±1.01cm. Also, matured and motile spermatozoa were microscopically observed in the milt collected from 3 (representing 10.0%) of the fish investigated. More significantly, fertilization (13.3%) of the stripped eggs with the milt collected occurred across the treatment groups, irrespective of the syringe insertion point and the testes (left or right). Based on these findings, it may be possible to collect milt with syringe for breeding in African Mudfish which will certainly end the killing of male fish. Nevertheless, the fish restriction technique, syringe insertion angle, possibility of spermatozoa deformation, short needle with small hollow centre and slanted end could be what led to the little or no milt harvested cases recorded. These without doubt posed some confines to the present search for alternative artificial reproduction technique. Hence, more detailed studies would be needed to elucidate the adoption or otherwise of this propounded novel artificial reproduction strategy in African Mudfish
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    MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENTIATION IN BUNAJI AND SOKOTO GUDALI CATTLE
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2010-12-04) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Idahor, K.O; Haruna, Hadiza Salihu; Wheto, Mathew; Amusan, Samuel
    The study aimed at examining morphometric differentiation in two Nigerian breeds of cattle using multifactorial discriminant analyses. Ten morphological traits (withers height, rump height,chest circumference, body length, face length, tail length, rump length, head width, rump width and shoulder width) of 224 Bunaji and 87 Sokoto Gudali cattle were measured. The animals, which were aged 2.5−3.6 years, were subjected to extensive management system. The linear type traits of Sokoto Gudali cattle were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of their Bunaji counterparts, with the exception of body length and face length respectively. The stepwise discriminant analysis gave a better resolution as only three variables, rump width, withers height and face length were more discriminating in separating the two cattle breeds. The Mahalanobis distance (7.19) between the two cattle populations was high and significant, which is an indication that they belong to genetically different groups. This was complemented by the result of the Nearest Neighbour Discriminant Analysis, where 85.48% of Bunaji cattle were classified into their source population while 96.55% of their Sokoto Gudali counterparts were correctly assigned into their source genetic group. The present phenotypic information will be the basis for the establishment of further characterization, conservation and selection strategies for the two Nigerian breeds of cattle.
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    Perliminary study on utilization of screen house and solar drier as poultry egg incubators
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2016-10-11) Idahor, K.O; Jayeoba, O.J; Matthew, B.O; Isah, N.; Lawani, B.; Yakubu, Abdulmojeeb; Haruna, I.M
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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