Department of Agricultural Mechanization And Engineering Education

Permanent URI for this collection

https://ir.aamusted.edu.gh/handle/123456789/551

Browse

Browsing Department of Agricultural Mechanization And Engineering Education by Title

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
  • Item
    Development of feed package for layers using low energy agro-industrial by products
    (African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2010) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Donkoh, Armstrong
    A feeding trial of 20 weeks duration was conducted using 240 point-of-lay Hy-line layers to study the nutritive value of diets containing low-energy agro-industrial by-products namely wheat bran, maize bran, rice bran, brewers’ spent grains and cocoa pod husk on laying performance. The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. They contained an average of 16.3% crude protein and metabolisable energy of 10.38 MJ/kg. Each dietary treatment was replicated four times in a completely randomized design. The initial average live weight of the experimental birds was 1.75 kg. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Among the production parameters studied were feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, hen-day production, hen-housed egg production, egg weight, mortality, shell thickness, and Haugh unit. In addition, cost-benefit analysis was carried out to establish the economic feasibility of the experimental diets. With the exception of feed intake which showed significant response (p < 0.05) to dietary treatments, all the other production parameters showed a non significant positive response (p > 0.05). Cost per kilogram diet was reduced when agro-industrial by products were used. Dietary treatment T2 supported the best egg production with a net revenue of GH¢371.30. Seasonal increases in the prices of conventional feedstuffs like maize and fishmeal would make the use of agro-industrial by-products in poultry diets even more attractive.
  • Item
    Dietary calcium and meat and bone meal as potential precursors for the onset of necrotic enteritis
    (School of Environmental and Rural Science, 2020) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Kheravi, S. K.; Bedford, M. R.; Swick, R. A
  • Item
    Evaluation of Processed Cassava Flour and Blood (PCB) in feed for Broiler Chickens
    (African Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2011) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Dei, H.K
    A six (6) week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of processed cassava flour and fresh blood labeled PCB on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Ninety (90) 2-week old broiler chickens were randomly selected in groups of 15 with mean initial liveweight of 276.6g per bird. Two iso-nitrogenous (19%) and iso-caloric (12.0 ME MJ/Kg) dietary treatments were tested: T1 (Maize + concentrate + wheat bran) and T2 (PCB + concentrate + wheat bran). Completely Randomized Design was used and dietary treatment was replicated thrice. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in weight gain and final weight between birds fed T1 and T2. Birds fed maize-based diet (T1) showed higher (P<0.05) feed intake than their counterparts on PCB-based diet. However, the lower consumption of PCB-based diet did not affect their growth performance. Feed cost was reduced (P<0.05) when PCB was used. No mortality was recorded when PCB was fed to birds. There was no significance difference (P<0.05) in dressed weight, dressing percentage, leg weight and neck between birds fed T1 and T2. There was however significant difference (P<0.05) in gizzard weight, head weight and intestine weight between birds fed maize-based diet (T1) and PCB-based diet (T2). It was concluded that feeding PCB has favourable nutritional effect on growth performance of broilers and can serve as a substitute for maize in concentrate-based diet.
  • Item
    Factors influencing technology adoption among pig farmers in Ashanti region of Ghana
    (Journal of Agricultural Technology 2012, 2012) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Antwiwaa, A.; Agyemang, C.T.
    The study examined the constraints to utilization of pig production technology in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Primary data were collected using a set of structured and validated interview schedule from 80 pig farmers who were selected using multistage sampling techniques from selected villages and towns scattered in the region. Data analysis was carried out using frequency counts, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The result of the analysis showed that the major source of information of pig farmers to utilization of pig production technology was mostly through veterinary officers. The adoptions of improved technologies were associated with age, education, operational land holding, farm size, income from piggery, social participation, extension contact, farming experience, farm education exposure, scientific orientation, knowledge level, training and financial help received. These variables contributed 35.00% variation in the adoption gain in improved technologies in pig farming. The major recommendation that emanated from the study was, that to increase the level of adoption of improved technologies in pig farming, farmers were required to be exposed to as many as cosmopolite sources of information as possible, to make them aware of these technologies.
  • Item
    Influence of two levels of phytic acid and particle size of oyster shell on the performance, calcium digestibility, gastrointestinal pH, and bone traits in broilers
    (Taylor & Francis & British Poultry Science Ltd, 2023-09) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Iddrisu, M.; Fosu, B. G.; Ketemepi, H. K.; Bedford, M. R.
    1. Phytic acid (PA) is an antinutritional factor in poultry diets. The effect of high dietary PA in chicken diets might be exacerbated when the particle size of oyster shell (OS) is too fine. Thus, this study investigated the hypothesis that high PA with fine OS particle size would impair growth in broilers. 2. Two hundred and eighty Cobb 500 broilers were assigned to four diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a CRD. The factors were PA (low or high) and OS particle size (fine or coarse) in starter, grower and finisher diets. Data collected were performance, Ca digestibility, gastrointestinal pH and bone traits. 3. On d 21, high PA increased intake (P<0.05), gain (P=0.099) and body weight (BW; P=0.093) compared to low PA. On d 42, high PA increased BW (P=0.086) and gain (P=0.089) Accepted for publication 11 August 2023 compared to low PA. High PA increased intake (P=0.063), BW (P=0.054) and gain (P=0.056) compared to low PA on d 56. High PA improved liveability on d 56 (P<0.05) compared to low PA. In birds fed coarse OS, crop and ileal pH were reduced (P<0.05) by high PA on d 28. The OS × PA interaction was observed for ileal pH (P<0.05) on d 56, where in birds fed coarse OS, low PA increased ileal pH. Fine OS increased crop (P=0.056) and proventriculus pH (P<0.05) on d 56. There were no treatment effects on calcium digestibility. In birds fed fine OS, high PA decreased the BS (P<0.05). 4. Overall, the study showed that a combination of high PA and coarse OS particle size improves the production performance of broilers, while low PA and coarse OS improve their bone health.
  • Item
    Laying chickens’ response to various levels of palm kernel cake in diets
    (International Journal of Livestock Production, 2011) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Abangiba, J.; Arthur-Badoo, W.; Akparibo, A. D.; Sam, R.
  • Item
    Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research Volume 2, Issue 1: 70-75 (2012POSSIBILITIES OF USING MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) LEAF MEAL AS A PARTIAL SUBSTITUTE FOR FISHMEAL IN BROILER CHICKENS DIETS
    (Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research Volume 2, Issue 1: 70-75 (2012, 2012) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Aseidu, P.; Tampuori, M.; Abada, M.; Asante, I.
    A six-week feeding trial involving 180 2-week old Cobb broiler chicks was conducted to assess the effects of partial replacement of fishmeal with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal on broiler chickens. The birds were randomly assigned in equal numbers in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to four dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, and 15% Moringa leaf meal (MLM). Each treatment was replicated three times giving 15 birds per replicate. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measured were feed intake, initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, carcass traits, hematology, serum biochemistry and meat quality. Final weight, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency significantly (p<0.05) declined with increasing level of MLM. None of the carcass traits measured was significantly affected by addition of MLM. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) was the only hematological parameter that showed significance (P<0.05) difference in treatment groups. Triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) differed significantly (P<0.05). Also incorporation of MLM significantly (P<0.05) affected the moisture, crude protein and crude fat of the meat of experimental birds. Cost benefit analysis showed that incorporation of MLM resulted in reduced feed cost. However, the net revenue from birds fed diets containing MLM reduced as a result of poor weight gain. Based on the data obtained in this study it is concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf meal when partially used to replace fishmeal may hamper growth rate of broiler chickens. Nonetheless, addition of MLM does not adversely affect mortality, carcass traits and blood variables.
  • Item
    Physiological Response of Broiler Chickens to Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Akakapenpen (Rauvolfia vomitoria) Decoctions: Performance and Carcass Characteristics
    (International Journal of Poultry Science, 2011) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Kagya-Agyemang, J.K.; Kwenin, W.K.J.; Bonsu, F.R.K.; Antwi, E.; Ateni, S.
    A 6-week feeding trial was conducted on One hundred and eighty (180) Cobb broilers to evaluate the effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) decoction (AID) and Akakapenpen (Rauvolfia vomitoria) decoction (RVD) on body weight gain, carcass and organ characteristics and haematological values of broiler chickens. The leaves of Azadirachta indica and Rauvolfia vomitoria were harvested and dried in the sun until they became crispy but still greenish in coloration. They were washed and then boiled (40 g of chopped leaves in 9L of water). The decoctions were placed in separate sterilized bottles ready for use and were offered ad libitum. The birds were randomly distributed to the treatments with twenty (20) birds per replicate, with each treatment replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The total replacement of antibiotics and coccidiostat resulted in non-significant depression (p<0.05) in final body weight and weight gain in experimental birds. However, feed intake was slightly affected (p<0.05) by administration of RVD to broilers. There was no significant effect of decoctions on water intake, feed conversion efficiency and mortality. Decoction had no significant influence on the dressing percentage, weights of crop (full), heart, proventriculus (full), intestines (full), feet and head. Decoction however, significantly affected gizzard (both full and empty), crop (empty), liver, kidney and proventriculus (empty). Liver and gizzard weights significantly increased with the inclusion of AID and RVD in water. Apart from WBC and Lymphocytes which were significantly influenced by decoction, the other blood parameters did not show any significant difference. This study suggests that AID and RVD replacement to antibiotics and coccidiostat may have beneficial effects on body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Total comparative profit derived from replacing antibiotics + coccidiostat with AID and RVD resulted in economic gains.
  • Item
    Response of broiler chickens to diets containing varying levels of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leafmeal
    (Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research, 2012) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Mustapha, M.; Addo Nartey, M.
    : A six-week experiment was conducted to assess the response of Cobb broiler chicks to diets containing varying levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of Leucaena leaf meal (LLM). The 4 dietary treatments were allotted to the birds in a completely randomized design. Each treatment consisted of three replicates, with fifteen birds per each replicate. The birds were fed experimental starter diets (14-28 d) and finisher diets (28-56 d). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Final weight, growth rate and feed conversion ratio significantly (P<0.05) declined as the level of LLM in the diets increased. Dressed and carcass weights also reduced significantly (P<0.05) with increasing level of LLM in the diets. All organ characteristics except liver kidney were significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Haematological variables were also not affected (P<0.05). The total cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein of serum decreased (P<0.05) when LLM was included to the diets. Feed cost reduced when LLM was incorporated in the diets, but the net revenue declined as LLM in diet increased. In this study inclusion of LLM in diets for broiler chickens did not affect their health status, but rather depressed their growth.
  • Item
    Response of cockerels to diets containing different levels of sheanut cake
    (Agricultural Sciences Research Journals, 2012) Kwabla Zanu, Holy; Adom, S.O.; Appiah-Adu, P.
    A-four week on-farm-feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the response of 120 ‘Ross 308’ cockerel chicks to diets containing sheanut cake (SNC). Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets represented as SNC 0%, SNC 5%, and SNC 10% were fed in a completely randomized design (CRD). Measured parameters were body weight, weight gains, and feed intake. Also, feed conversion efficiency and feed cost per kilogram diet were calculated. Hematological parameters were also obtained after the 28-day trial. A reduction in performance was observed with inclusion of SNC into the diets. Weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and final body weight reduced significantly (P>0.05) with addition of SNC. However, feed cost per kilogram weight reduced with inclusion of SNC. The highest feed consumption was recorded among birds offered diets containing 10% SNC. The health of the birds was not affected by dietary treatments. It was therefore concluded that though performance of birds was significantly hampered in this experiment, SNC could still serve as a potential replacement for cotton seed cake in cockerels’ diet during periods of scarcity.