Clarence Lakpini

Seasonal, sex and live weight variations in feed and water consumptions of adult captive African Giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse-1840) kept individually in cages.

Adult African Giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) (AGRs) (n = 231) of both sexes (117 bucks, 114 does) were live-trapped in the wild in Zaria, Nigeria. Live weight (LW), daily feed consumption (FC) and water consumption (WC) of the AGRs were measured during the cold-dry (CDS), hot-dry (HDS) and rainy (RS) seasons for 2 years with the aim of determining seasonal, sex and LW variations. Feed consumption was significantly different (p < 0.001) between all the seasons, with the lowest mean value recorded during the HDS, while the highest was obtained during the RS. Water consumption was also lowest (p < 0.001) during the HDS but did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the CDS and RS. Both feed and water consumptions were higher (p < 0.01) in the males (bucks) than the females (does) during the CDS and HDS, but the sex difference was not significant (p > 0.05) during the RS. Feed consumption correlated positively (p < 0.0001) with WC and relative humidity, but negatively (p < 0.0001) with LW, ambient temperature and heat index. In conclusion, both feed and water consumptions in AGRs decrease with increased seasonal heat and adult LW and are lower in does than in bucks during the dry seasons (CDS and HDS). Intervention may be indicated during the HDS to improve feed and water consumptions for optimal performance of the AGRs.

Variations in liveweight gains, milk yield and composition of Red Sokoto goats fed crop-residue-based supplements in the subhumid zone of Nigeria

Variations in weight gain, milk yield, milk composition, nutrient intake and digestibility of Red Sokoto goats supplemented with crop-residue-based rations during the long, dry period were investigated. Ration A, the conventional concentrate ration, was used as the positive control, Rations B and C were the two crop-residue test diets, while Ration D the unsupplemented treatment, was used as the negative control. Each of the supplementation rations was fed at 1 and 2% of the goat’s body weight (designated as 1A, 2A, 1B, 2B and 1C, 2C, respectively). The supplemented group of goats had significantly higher ( P , 0.05) dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intakes as well as nutrient digestibilities than the unsupplemented groups. DM digestibility improved with supplementation by a range of 4.1–27.9%, while CP digestibility improved by 17.1–42.2%, the highest value being in does on Ration A. It was evident that supplementation significantly (P , 0.01) influenced weight gains and milk yield of dams. Goats on ration 2C recorded the highest average daily gains of 39.29 g / day while their counterparts fed rations 1B and D lost 28.57 and 92.86 g / day, respectively. Ration 1C which comprised mainly of crop residue with much lesser protein levels than the concentrate ration, produced 54 kg of milk over a 90-day lactation period averaging 0.60 kg per day. Goats on Ration D had the shortest lactation length of 41 days and the least total and average daily milk yields of 10.2 and 0.25 kg, respectively. Milk from does on ration 2A contained the highest percentages of fat (6%), protein (6.33%), total solids (21.85%) and solids-not-fat (15.85%). Milk from goats on ration D ranked least with respect to all parameters studied. It was concluded that the goats made appreciable gains in the long dry season on crop-residue-based diets that compared favourably with the conventional concentrate rations. Ration C fed at 1% level was a good supplementary feed package for increased liveweight gains and milk production in Red Sokoto goats.  2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphometric Dimentions of the Genitalia of Savanna Brown Goats between Day 24 and 30 Postpartum.

This study was carried out to determine changes in ovarian and uterine dimensions in Savanna Brown (SB) goats between days 24 and 30 postpartum (pp). The mean (± sem) weight of the right ovary (ROV) was significantly higher (P 0.3 cm in diameter in the ROV was higher (P< 0.05) at day 30 pp than day 26 pp. Mean weight of FF from the left ovary (LOV) was heavier (P< 0.05) than from the ROV during the period of study. The inter-caruncular distance in both the right (Rh) and left (Lh) uterine horns was longer (P< 0.05) at day 30 pp. The left oviduct was longer (P <0.05) than the right oviduct at day 30 pp. It is concluded that pp ovarian follicle activity was higher in the ROV than LOV and inter-carunucular distance and left oviductal length were significantly longer between days 28 and 30 pp.