30th Annual Conference Proceedings of ASAN
Conference Number30
Conference Year2025
VenueMonoliza Event Centre, Abuja
Dates26th – 30th October, 2025
ISSN1596-5570
Editors
Prof. Suleiman Makama YASHIM , Prof. Abdulmojeed Yakubu , Prof. Uchelle Okpanachi, Dr. Bello Mummuni Munza
Articles 201 Papers
REGRESSION EQUATIONS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF BODY WEIGHT IN FUNAAB ALPHA BROILER CHICKEN
The objective of this study was to predict the bodyweight of FUNAAB Alpha broiler line of three genotypes (Normal feather, frizzle feather and necked neck) using linear body measurements. Bodyweight and three body measurements namely breast girth, shank length, and keel lengths were measured at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The birds were intensively raised, fed ad-libitum. PROG REG was used to generate regression equations for predicting bodyweight with other body measurement for each week and coefficient of determination (R2) was used to determine the best fit equation in predicting body weight with linear measurements. The genotype (frizzle feather) had the highest value
(93.28%) of R2 followed by naked neck (93.18%) and normal respectively which means as they increased in weight gain, and also male had the highest growth performance when compared with female. We can conclude that all three ecotypes of FUNAAB Alpha broiler line of chickens increased in body weight gain as the weeks increased; however, FUNAAB Alpha broiler line of frizzle feather has the highest weight gain from week 2 to week 10.
DISCRIMINANT FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF BODY WEIGHT AND GROWTH CONFORMATION TRAITS OF SOME NIGRIAN BREEDS OF CATTLE
AuthorsJohn, P.A., Kabir, M., Iyiola-Tunji, A.O., Millam, J.J. and Okeke, R.O
Pages5 – 9
DISCRIMINANT FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF BODY WEIGHT AND GROWTH CONFORMATION TRAITS OF SOME NIGRIAN BREEDS OF CATTLE
A study was conducted to determine the discriminant function analysis of body weight and body conformation traits among selected Nigerian indigenous cattle. Four (4) Local Government Areas (LGAs) from Adamawa and Taraba States, three (3) from Gombe State and two (2) from Sokoto State were selected. Snowball sampling method was used to sample (1,008) cattle, which consists of 162 Adamawa Gudali, (306) Sokoto Gudali, (234) Bunaji and (306) Rahaji cattle from pastoralists in most communities of the LGAs using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected on body weight, face length, head width, horn length, ear length, neck length, neck circumference, fore leg length, height at withers, chest girth, body length, loin girth, rump height, rear leg length and tail length. Discriminant function analysis was used to determine the variable with discriminating power and large canonical coefficients among variables using (SAS) statistical software package. Significant (p<0.05; 0.01) discriminating powers were observed among other variables measured, such as height at wither (0.7402), body weight (0.7272), chest girth (0.6356), rump height (0.6321), body length (0.6266), face length (0.5038), loin girth (0.4905), neck circumference (0.4540), fore leg length (0.4241) and rear leg length (0.4110), which had high discriminating power in the first canonical function than other variables. Neck circumference exhibited a consisted levels of discriminating power across the three functions. Significant low to high (p<0.05; 0.01) canonical correlation variances were observed in fourth (0.1779), third (0.3685), second (0.5286) and first (0.9537) functions respectively. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that height at withers, body weight, chest girth, rump height and body length had the best discriminating powers than other variables studied.
INFLUENCES OF SEASONS AND REBREEDING INTERVALS ON GROWTH INDICES OF KITS OF HYLA RABBITS IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA
AuthorsAkilapa, T. P
Pages10 – 14
INFLUENCES OF SEASONS AND REBREEDING INTERVALS ON GROWTH INDICES OF KITS OF HYLA RABBITS IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of seasons and rebreeding intervals on the growth of kits of Hyla rabbits. Forty mature rabbits, comprising thirty-two does and eight bucks of an average body weight of 2,600 ± 100 g, were used for the study. Records of growth indices of kits from thirty-two does in four sub-seasons of a year: late rain (S1), early dry (S2), late dry (S3), and early rain (S4) were used to determine the seasonal effects. The thirty-two does were randomly allotted into four experimental treatments: two-week (T1), four-week (T2), six-week (T3), and eight-week (T4) rebreeding intervals to examine the influences of rebreeding intervals on the kits. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that litter weaning weight (LWW), average weaning weight (AWW), litter size at the 12th week, and litter weight at the 12th week were significantly (p<0.05) higher in both late rain (S1) (2544.52 g, 516.52 g, 4.17, and 5436.39 g, respectively) and early dry (S2) (2340.74 g, 480.39 g, 4.04, and 4986.13 g, respectively). LWW, AWW, and average weight at the 12th week were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the six-week rebreeding interval (T3) (2576.40 g, 546.75 g, and 1318.30 g, respectively). However, mortality between weaning and the 12th week was significantly (p<0.05) higher in S3 (13.94), S4 (14.39), and T1 (10.40). It was concluded that late rain, early dry seasons, and a six-week rebreeding interval had favourable influences on the growth of kits of Hyla rabbits
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF DONKEYS IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA
AuthorsRaji, A.O. and Adamu, J.
Pages15 – 19
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF DONKEYS IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA
The principal component analysis of donkey in Sahel agro- ecological zone of north eastern Nigeria was evaluated. A total number of 200 donkeys were sampled randomly comprising of both males and females from donkey owners in Borno and Yobe state and were used for the study. Body weight was estimated by taking readings round the circumference of the chest girth. The body morphometric traits evaluated include: ear length (EL), height at withers(HW), body length (BL), head length (HL), height at wither (HW) and body weight. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify the main components to explain the proportion of the variance in animals’ morphometric. Principal component analysis was analyzed using SPSS version 20 by dimension reduction procedures. A total of 6 principal components (6PCs) were obtained from 12 body measurements in donkeys with 62.06 % of the total variance in body measurements. The Kaiser -mayer - olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s test were accurate with the values of 0.67 for KMO. It can be concluded that back length with the PC1 with the total variance of 22.09%, cumulative % of 17.43% and eigen value of 3.75. The body measurement in PC1 can be used as a selection criterion to improve the performance traits of donkeys.
PRELIMINARY SCREENING ON NIGERIAN CHICKEN-TYPES FOR EXTINCTION PROBABILITY
AuthorsAbdulyekeen Olanrewaju Abdulraheem, Bashar Ali Adamu, Abba Mohammed, Jummai Adamu, Jimoh Olalekan Aremu, Abdulrazaq Onimisi Raji, and Jibrin Aliyu
Pages20 – 23
PRELIMINARY SCREENING ON NIGERIAN CHICKEN-TYPES FOR EXTINCTION PROBABILITY
This study was conducted in Borno state to assess the extinction risk of sixty (60) 6-Nigerian indigenous chicken-types; normal feathered, frizzle feathered, naked neck, shank feathered, crested feathered and rose comb based on a range of socio-economic and genetic factors. The research employed data from 60 households and examined variables including population size (POS), changes in population over the last five years (CHA), disease control (DC), economic development (ECO), cultural importance (CUL), and conservation practices (CON). Genetic diversity was assessed using heamoglobin polymorphism. The estimated extinction probabilities for the genotypes calculated based on these factors revealed an overall extinction probability of 0.58 indicating a moderate to high risk of extinction. Frizzle feathered and naked neck chickens had the highest extinction risks (0.78 and 0.73) while shank feathered chicken had the lowest
(0.28). Genetic analysis revealed varying levels of genetic distinctness between and among the chicken types, with the naked neck and normal feathered chickens showing the greatest genetic differentiation. These findings underscored the importance of targeted conservation efforts, including improved production systems, disease control, and strategic breeding programmes, to reduce extinction risks and preserve the genetic diversity of these Nigerian chicken-types. This result should be confirmed using advanced nucleic acid-based technique.
ASSESSMENT OF EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN TWO GENETIC LINES OF SHIKABROWN® CHICKEN UNDER THE PREVAILING CLIMATE CHANGE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
AuthorsPatrick, O.L, Kabir, M. and Olutunmogun, A.K
Pages24 – 29
ASSESSMENT OF EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN TWO GENETIC LINES OF SHIKABROWN® CHICKEN UNDER THE PREVAILING CLIMATE CHANGE IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
Climate change poses a growing threat to livestock productivity, particularly in poultry systems reliant on optimal thermal conditions. Meteorological data on selected weather variables - temperature and relative humidity – were collected at the National Animal Production Institute weather station over twenty (20) weeks laying period to determine its real-time effects on Hen-house egg production of 100 progenies each from the two genetic lines (Sire and Dam line) of ShikaBrown® breed. The research employed multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics to estimate short-term impacts of
weather elements over the period. The study found significant (p<0.01) real-time effects of temperature (–7.685) and humidity (–3.568) on egg production. Temperature showed a decreasing trend with the minimum (19.10°C) and maximum temperature (35.00°C) in the month of January at weeks 12 and in November at weeks 4. A minimum of 10% humidity is observed across all weeks, while the highest of 41% was recorded in November at week 1. The findings emphasized production planning with seasonal
forecasts and the need for timely climate-adapted management strategies to sustain productivity under changing climatic conditions in tropical regions.
Predicting Body Weight in Pullets Using Machine Learning Techniques
AuthorsAliyu, A.M., Yahuza, S., Abdulhamid, S.U. Rotimi, E. A., Bature, I., Bichi, A.A., Z. S. Jibia., and Mustapha, Y.
Pages30 – 34
Predicting Body Weight in Pullets Using Machine Learning Techniques
This study explores the use of machine learning to predict the body weight of pullets based on noninvasive morphometric traits. Data from 100 Isa Brown birds, including body weight, length, girth, and limb dimensions, were analysed using four models: Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), Linear Regression (LR), Regression Tree (RT), and Kernel Regression (KR) and evaluated using key metrics: R-Squared (R2), Determination Coefficient (R), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). GPR delivered the highest accuracy (R² = 0.99 testing, 0.95 validation) with the lowest RMSE values, outperforming other models. To determine the most effective model, performance outcomes were compared across all algorithms. GPR ultimately demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy, indicating its suitability for real-world poultry applications.
Polymorphism of NRAMP1 Gene and Association with Haematological Parameters of Chickens Inoculated with Attenuated Salmonella enteritidis
AuthorsOjua, O. E., Adedeji, T. A., Oyelami, D. O. and Matt-Obabu, A.D
Pages35 – 39
Polymorphism of NRAMP1 Gene and Association with Haematological Parameters of Chickens Inoculated with Attenuated Salmonella enteritidis
Poultry production is plagued with many severe diseases and one of them is salmonellosis. Treatment of this disease with antibiotics often leads to bacteria-resistance strains and accumulation of antibiotics residue in food, hence the need to use a safer method of treatment. NRAMP 1 is a candidate gene for natural immune response associated with Salmonella enteritidis. One hundred and twenty pure breed progenies generated from Naked neck, Fulani ecotype and Sasso chickens were reared together from day old to 8 weeks. At 7 weeks 10 birds were randomly selected from each genotype and 2ml of blood sample were obtained from each bird for laboratory analysis. The selected birds were inoculated with attenuated S. enteritidis at week 8 and thereafter 2ml of blood was obtained from each bird’s jugular vein for laboratory analysis. Data were collected on Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (HB), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Neutrophils (N), Lymphocytes (L), Monocytes (M), Basophils (B), Eosinophils (E) and Platelet (PLT). The result revealed that genotype and inoculation of Salmonella had significant (p0.05). Sasso chickens had Eosinophilis values before and after (0.00±0.00 and 1.37±0.65), NN (0.50±0.50 and 1.50±0.50) and FE (0.00±0.00). Conclusively, there was a significant effect of genotype on all haematological parameters except eosinophils before and after inoculation. Naked neck had the highest values in all
parameters except for mean corpuscular haemoglobin and lymphocytes.
GENETIC VARIATION AND BODY WEIGHT AND LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF THREE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN STRAINS.
AuthorsIsaac, L, J.
Pages40 – 43
GENETIC VARIATION AND BODY WEIGHT AND LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF THREE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN STRAINS.
The body weight and linear body measurements of the Nigerian local chicken strains were studied with a view to assess their relationship and contribution to the growth of the birds. A total of three hundred (300) local chicken strains comprising one hundred (100) frizzle feathered (FF), one hundred (100) naked neck (NN) and one hundred
(100) normal feathered (NM) birds each replicated ten (10) times with ten (10) birds per replicate, were used in the
study. Data on body weight (BW) in grams (g) and linear body measurements (cm) – body length (BL), heart girth
(HG), neck length (NL) and shank length (SL) were collected weekly for ten (10) weeks and analyzed in a completely
randomized design (CRD) of SAS, statistical package. Significantly different means were separated using the
Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) variations in BW, BL, NL
and SL, an indication that breed differences is implicated in the growth and development of chickens.
Expression Analysis of Orexin Gene in Two Nigerian Indigenous and Exotic Chickens Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)
AuthorsIge, A. O., Salawu H. O., Ajibulu, J. O., Ajibola, A. B. and Matt-Obabu, A.D
Pages44 – 48
Expression Analysis of Orexin Gene in Two Nigerian Indigenous and Exotic Chickens Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)
The Nigerian Indigenous Chickens are suitable for development of meat strain for tropical environment; characterized
by small body size and slow growth. The orexin gene serves as a crucial regulator of appetite, energy balance, and stress
responses in poultry and important molecular marker for understanding breed-specific physiological adaptations. This
study investigated orexin gene expression patterns in two Nigerian Indigenous Chickens which are Fulani and Yoruba
ecotypes and exotic; Cobb-500 broilers using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) technology. Total of 135
birds (45 per breed) were reared for four weeks, after which liver tissue samples were collected for RNA extraction and
analysis. Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) was extracted using the Zymo RNA mini prep kit, followed by cDNA synthesis and
qPCR analysis using Luna® Universal qPCR Mastermix. The TATA box binding protein served as the housekeeping
gene for normalization. Gene expression was quantified using the 2^-ΔΔCT method (Livak method) to determine fold
changes between breeds. Results revealed significant inter-breed variations in orexin expression levels (P < 0.05). The
Fulani chickens demonstrated higher expression (1.37-fold), then Cobb-500 broilers (0.35-fold), while Yoruba ecotype
chickens had lower expression (0.02-fold). Melt curve analysis confirmed primer specificity and amplification
consistency across all samples. The findings suggested that elevated orexin expression in Fulani chickens may reflect
superior physiological adaptability and energy regulation capabilities, supporting their resilience in variable
environmental conditions. The differential expression patterns highlight orexin's potential as a molecular marker for
selective breeding programs aimed at improving indigenous chicken productivity while maintaining genetic diversity
and environmental adaptability.