The Nigerian indigenous chickens (NICs) are a critical component of the global animal genetic resources. They are distributed in rural areas, kept by the majority of the rural poor. They constitute different strains, or ecotypes local to tribes, regions, or ecological zones and are valued for their disease resistance, adaptation, and yield of valuable products and income on marginal inputs making them a low risk species. They are hence a unique and vital genetic resource and gene pool for present and long-term genetic improvement and human need for food and sustenance. The NIC is however; threatened by extinction owing to neglect, negative selection, breed substitution, and genetic introgression. There is need to draw research and policy attention to the conservation of NICs in accord with the global effort for the conservation of indigenous chickens which is probably the most neglected among farm animal species. The present review therefore, focuses on the physical and performance characteristics, genetic diversity and improvement, utilization and conservation of NIC genetic resources.
Part of the book: Landraces
Feed remains the most important component of the cost of production in any poultry operations. Hence, the need to harness the potentials of numerous alternative ingredients such as activated charcoal (AC) produced from agricultural wastes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physic-chemical properties of AC produced from a blend of agro-wastes for use as feed additives. 120 day old broilers were distributed into four treatment groups (T1-T4) of thirty birds each and were maintained on a starter and finisher diet for 3 weeks each respectively with T1 (control) fed diet containing no AC. T2-T4 was fed diet which contained 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of AC respectively. Physical and chemical properties of the produced AC were determined while the blood and performance parameters were determined and all data subjected to statistical analysis. The AC significantly (P > 0.05) reduced feed intake, jejunum pH, FCR, serum cholesterol levels and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain, intestinal lengths, carcass weight and some hematological indices especially in T3 when compared with broilers fed control diet. It was concluded that AC enhanced production and health by improving on the performance, hematology of young chicks and reduction in serum cholesterol level.
Part of the book: Agricultural Waste
Traditional agricultural production is circular. Virtually no waste is produced. Residues are returned to soil as compost; used as bedding material in livestock husbandry (and returned to soil as compost) or as feed to produce animal protein and manure; utilized as construction materials; or fuel for domestic energy. Circular agricultural production ensures soil conservation, waste reduction, residues reuse, and recycling. The ever rising global population, and demand for food and agro-industrial products, necessitated a transition to linear agricultural production which generates enormous quantities of agricultural residues, agro-industrial, and food wastes. The economic losses, environmental degradation, and health hazards resulting from poor management of excess wastes, and their mitigation have been the subject of research and policy efforts at continental and regional levels. Current waste management models redirect attention to circular agricultural production and bioeconomic approaches aimed at waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Such approaches view agricultural wastes as raw materials with economic benefits for the farmer, consumer, and investor in varied industrial enterprises (crop and animal production, animal and human health, food, beverage, neutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and material industries). The present review attempts to collate information on global production, and possible valorization of recyclable agro-industrial residues and food wastes.
Part of the book: Agricultural Waste