Conference Proceedings
30th Annual Conference Proceedings of ASAN
Prof. Suleiman Makama YASHIM , Prof. Abdulmojeed Yakubu , Prof. Uchelle Okpanachi, Dr. Bello Mummuni Munza
Articles 112 Papers
Performance and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae on Cattle Rumen Content Wastes in Ilorin, Nigeria
Performance and Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae on Cattle Rumen Content Wastes in Ilorin, Nigeria
This study evaluated the performance and nutritional composition of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)
reared on cattle rumen content (CRC) wastes in Ilorin, Nigeria. Fresh CRC was collected, processed, and
used either alone (CRC100) or mixed 1:1 with fruit wastes (CRC50). A commercial broiler starter feed (CF)
served as a control. Six-day-old larvae were reared under a completely randomized design with three
treatments, each replicated ten times. Survival rates exceeded 85% across all treatments, with no
significant differences (p>0.05). However, larval weights were highest on CF, followed by CRC50, and
lowest on CRC100 (p<0.05), indicating enhanced growth when CRC was combined with fruit wastes.
Proximate analysis revealed that 15-day-old larvae reared on CRC-based substrates had crude protein
contents (44.68 - 44.91%) comparable to conventional protein sources, but moderate nitrogen-free extract
levels, suggesting moderate energy supply. The results show that CRC, especially when blended with
fruit wastes, can yield protein-rich BSFL suitable as livestock feed, while also promoting sustainable
waste valorization.
NUTRIENT PROFILE OF HONEY HARVESTED ACROSS TWO DIFFERENT SEASONS AT ISAN-EKITI
NUTRIENT PROFILE OF HONEY HARVESTED ACROSS TWO DIFFERENT SEASONS AT ISAN-EKITI
Honey is a nutrient-dense edible product whose composition varies significantly due to a variety of factors
such as floral sources, climate and seasonality. This study was carried out at the apiary unit of the Teaching
and Research Farm, Ekiti State Polytechnic. Harvesting of honey was done during two different periods in
the year viz late dry season (first quarter of the year) and early raining season (second quarter of the year).
Weather parameters such as average rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation and relative
pressure were obtained during both seasons in addition to the proximate compositions of honey samples.
Rainfall in late dry season (March) was 1.53mm compared to 26.64mm in early raining season (May). Solar
radiation was 202.28w/m2 in late dry season and 183.95w/m2
in early raining season. Proximate composition
of honey harvested in late dry season showed that crude protein in late dry season was 2.64% and 0.69% in
early raining season. The ether was 0.23% in late dry season 0.19% in early raining season. The result
showed significant variation in content of protein and some minerals as well as total volume of honey
harvested across both seasons. This study reveals that it may be beneficial to schedule the harvesting of
honey to the period when nutrients laden in it may be higher, typically before the raining season This also
has implications on welfare of bees as harvesting honey at certain periods of the year would amount to
considerable stress on the colony.
Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of weaner Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed Graded Levels of Sorghum Offal as Replacement for wheat Offal
Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of weaner Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed Graded Levels of Sorghum Offal as Replacement for wheat Offal
The study evaluated the growth performance and carcass of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of
sorghum (sorghum bicolor) offal as replacement for wheat offal in diets of weaner rabbits. A total of
60 mixed weaner breeds of rabbits aged 5-6 week were used in the experiment. Five experimental diets
were formulated using graded levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100) and designated as diets 1,2,3, 4 and 5 with
groundnut haulms constituting 20% and soya beans as protein source with 12 rabbis per treatment.
Each treatment was replicated three times with 4 rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized
Design. The diets were offered for a period of 8 weeks and carcass analysis was carried out at the end
of the experiment. Findings showed that there was no significant difference on all growth parameters
measured. Daily weight gain of 25.51g at 100% was obtained; feed conversion ratio 3.75 was highest
at 50%. No significant (p>0.05) differences on most of the carcass parameters measured except
shoulder and back cuts. Dressing percentage of 57.75% was obtained at 100% inclusion. It was
concluded that weaner rabbits can tolerate sorghum offal up to 50% level of inclusion without
significant adverse effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics.
PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS BENEFIT OF WEANER RABBITS FED WITH GRADED LEVELS OF SUN-DRIED SHEEP RUMEN CONTENT AS A REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE OFFAL
PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS BENEFIT OF WEANER RABBITS FED WITH GRADED LEVELS OF SUN-DRIED SHEEP RUMEN CONTENT AS A REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE OFFAL
An experiment was carried out to determine the replacement value of sun dried sheep rumen content
(SDSRC) for maize offal (MO). Five diets were formulated such that SDSRC replaced MO at 0, 25, 50,75
and 100% levels. Fifty weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments replicated five
times with two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomised design. Feed and water were given ad
libitum and the experiment lasted for eight weeks, whereby parameters for performance and economics
benefit were measured. The results portray that, the experimental diets had significant (p<0.05) effect on
total weight gain (579.50-958.20g), daily feed intake (78.86-86.34g), daily weight gain (10.35-11.43g) and
feed conversion ratio (4.71-8.34). The cost of feed shows that as the level of SDSRC increases the price
decreases, the cheapest feed (N/kg) is diet 5(100%SDSRC) and the most expensive is diet 1 (0%SDSRC).
It was concluded that, SDSRC could replace maize offal at 100% without affecting performance attributes
and economics of production. The use of SDSRC is recommended as source of fibre in rabbit diets to reduce
cost of production and environmental pollution in Nigeria.
SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILES OF WEANER RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) FED DIET CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF AFRICAN WILD GRAPE (Lannea microcarpa) LEAF MEAL
SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILES OF WEANER RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) FED DIET CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF AFRICAN WILD GRAPE (Lannea microcarpa) LEAF MEAL
A feeding trial of 70 days was conducted to evaluate the serum biochemistry index of weaner rabbits.
Five diets were formulated, comprising treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%
inclusion levels of African wild grape leaf meal, respectively. Sixty (60) Mongrel weaner bucks’
weighing 750 g ± 50 g were randomly allotted into five different treatments consisting four rabbits per
replicate and twelve per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data generated were
subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Duncan Multiple Range Test to compare the
means. The total protein, creatinine, blood urea and albumin did not differ significantly (P> 0.05).
However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in globulin. African wild grape leaf is
found to improved production quality up to 20% and can be included in the diet of weaner rabbits
without any detrimental effect.
Growth Performance and Economic Benefit of Snails (Archachatina marginata) Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal as Replacement for Soybean Meal
Growth Performance and Economic Benefit of Snails (Archachatina marginata) Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal as Replacement for Soybean Meal
The study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM)
on the growth performance and economic efficiency of growing snails (Archachatina marginata).
Five diets were formulated: T1 (control: 24% soybean, 0% MOLM), T2 (50% soybean replaced with
MOLM), T3 (75% soybean replaced with MOLM), T4 (100% soybean replaced with MOLM), and
T5 (pawpaw leaf only). A total of 150 snails were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a
completely randomized design with three replicates. The feed intake and weight gain were measured
while feed conversion ratio and feed costs per kg diets were calculated. Results revealed that weight
gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments.
Snails fed T3 diet had the highest weight gain (23.36 g) and best FCR (4.63), comparable to the
control, while T5 (pawpaw leaf only) performed poorest (11.34 g weight gain, FCR 9.29). Feed
cost/kg reduced with increasing MOLM inclusion, lowest in T4. However, cost per kg weight gain
was most favorable in T3 (₦2531.70). It is concluded that MOLM can replace soybean meal up to
75% in snail diets for optimal biological and economic performance.
Growth performance and nutrient utilisation of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed dietary Ocimum americanum L. essential oil from Nigeria
Growth performance and nutrient utilisation of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed dietary Ocimum americanum L. essential oil from Nigeria
Ocimum americanum essential oil (OAEO) has shown growth-promoting properties in aquaculture.
However, there is limited information on its optimal dietary inclusion level for enhancing growth and
nutrient utilisation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). This study evaluated the effects of graded levels
of OAEO on the growth performance of O. niloticus fingerlings. Three hundred Nile tilapia (initial weight
1.2±0.02g) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments containing at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 ml
OAEO/100g of feed, representing OAEO0, OAEO1, OAEO2, OAEO3, and OAEO4, respectively and fed for
90 days. Growth metrics such as Mean Weight Gain (MWG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed
Conversion Ratio (FCR) were determined. Results showed that MWG, FCR and SGR were significantly
influenced (P < 0.05) by OAEO inclusion. Highest and lowest MWG was obtained OAEO1 (3.85±0.38) and
OAEO4 (2.94±0.03) respectively. Least FCR and Highest SGR was obtained in OAEO2 (1.58±0.14;
1.61±0.11) while highest FCR and least SGR was obtained in OAEO4 (2.06±0.07; 1.40±0.02) respectively.
Regression analysis identified 0.50ml (OAEO2) as the dietary inclusion level for optimum growth rate.
Growth parameters and Haematological profile of rabbits fed graded levels of potato vines silage
Growth parameters and Haematological profile of rabbits fed graded levels of potato vines silage
The study evaluated the growth parameters and haematological profile of rabbit feed graded level of potato
vine (Solanum Tuberosum) and elephant grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) silage at the Rabbitry Unit,
University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research farm, Choba, Rivers State. Thirty grower rabbits of
mixed breed (New Zealand white and Chinchilla) with initial weights of 1.3±0.2 kg (mean ±SD) and aged
six (6) months were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups (n=6 per group, three
replicates) in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were: T1 (100% elephant grass
silage, control), T2 (90% elephant grass + 10% potato vine silage), T3 (80% elephant grass + 20%
potato vine silage), T4 (70% elephant grass + 30% potato vine silage), and T5 (60% elephant grass
+ 40% potato vine silage). Growth parameters, and Haematological profile were evaluated. Data was
analyzed using SPSS 13 software and treatment means was differentiated using the Duncan. Result showed
significant (P<0.05) differences in growth parameters, and haematological parameters among treatments.
The study revealed that treatment T4 (70% Elephant grass + 30% Potato vine silage) was optimal with
superior growth and haematological outcome. Thus, further research should be carried out to validate the
findings of the current study in large scale rabbit production.
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING MAHOGANY (Khaya senegalensis) BARK AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON CAECUM MICROBIOTA OF BROILER CHICKENS IN THE SEMI-ARID ZONE, NIGERIA
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING MAHOGANY (Khaya senegalensis) BARK AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON CAECUM MICROBIOTA OF BROILER CHICKENS IN THE SEMI-ARID ZONE, NIGERIA
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing aqueous mahogany (Khaya
senegalensis) bark extract (AMBE) on the caecum microbiota of broiler chickens in the semi-arid zone in
Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) day old broiler chicks (mixed-sex) were used for the study. The chicks
were randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments which was replicated four (4) times with each replicate
having ten (10) birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment 1 (T1); control group were fed
diets containing 0.00 ml/L of AMBE while treatment 2(T2,) treatment 3(T3), treatment (T4) and treatment
(T5) were fed 12.50, 25.00, 37.50 and 50.00 ml/L respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks and data
on caecum microbiota were collected and subjected to analysis of variance. The result on total microbial
count showed significant (P<0.05) difference among the treatment groups. There were significant (P<0.05)
differences observed among treatment groups for Escherichia coli, Streptococcus aureus, Streptococcus
faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and Bacterial species. The presence of bacterial population increased with
increased in AMBE concentration. In conclusion, supplementing broiler chickens drinking water with
aqueous mahogany bark extract encouraged the growth of bacterial population
GROWTH AND ECONOMIC INDICES OF SUBSTITUTING A COMMERCIAL PREMIX WITH HORNED MELON MEAL IN BROILER FINISHER DIETS
GROWTH AND ECONOMIC INDICES OF SUBSTITUTING A COMMERCIAL PREMIX WITH HORNED MELON MEAL IN BROILER FINISHER DIETS
The increasing cost of feed premixes, coupled with their dependency on imported raw materials, has presented
economic challenges for poultry farmers particularly in developing countries. This study evaluated the performance
and cost of the performance of broilers finishers fed diets partially substituted with horned melon meal (HMM) as a
replacement for a commercial premix. A total of 160 broiler finishers were randomly assigned to four dietary
treatments with graded levels of HMM inclusion (0%, 25%, 37.5%, and 50%) in a completely randomized design
over four weeks. Growth performance parameters and economic indices were assessed. Results showed no significant
differences (P>0.05) in growth performance parameters, including weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio
(FCR) across the treatments. However, broilers in the control group (0% HMM) consistently exhibited slightly higher
values for this parameters (3173.50g/bird, 1442.50g/bird and 2.20, respectively). Economic analysis indicated that
the diet with 50% HMM inclusion had the lowest cost of feed intake and cost of weight gain, (N2107.76/bird and
N4572.75/bird, respectively) demonstrating potential cost savings. Horned melon meal can partially replace
commercial premix in broiler diets without compromising growth performance and it offers economic advantages at
higher inclusion levels.