Effects of the dietary replacement of maize with sun-dried cocoa pods on the performance of growing rabbits.

Twenty seven mixed-breed growing rabbits (1.2-1.3 kg body weight) aged 10-12 weeks were used to study the effects of the dietary replacement of maize with sun-dried cocoa pod husks on the performance of growing rabbits in a 6-week trial. Three treatment diets were compounded whereby sun-dried cocoa pod husks replaced maize at 0, 50, and 100 %, respectively. The animals were divided among the three treatment diets so that each diet had 3 replicates of 3 animals each. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded; faeces were also collected for digestibility trials, and cost analysis was also carried out. Results showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in daily feed intake between the dietary treatments. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the final metabolic weights, total metabolic weight gain, daily growth rate, and feed conversion ratio between the treatments. The digestibility study showed a decrease in the digestibility of dry matter and metabolisable energy with the increase in cocoa pod husk inclusion. Cost analysis indicate that significant net gains can be made by incorporating 200 g sundried cocoa pod husks per kg of the diet of growing rabbits compared with the same proportion of maize. These results suggest that sun-dried cocoa pod husks can totally replace maize and provide a cheap source of energy in the diets of growing rabbits.

Effect of cow parity and synchronization method with PGF2α on conception rates of Bos indicus cows in Cameroon.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of two synchronization methods with prostaglandins F2α (PGF2α) on heifers and multiparous cows. Fourty-three Bos indicus cows (white and Red Fulani) were divided into four groups in a two-by-two factorial structure, parity x method of synchronization. The synchronization methods consisted of a two-dose regime which involved injection of animals on day 0 with PGF2α (Lutalyse) at 5 ml per cow intramuscularly. On day 11, the injection was repeated at the same dosage. On day 14 (72 h after the second injection), a fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) was done. On day 15 (96 h after the second injection), a second insemination was done. The one-and-a-half-dose regime consisted of an injection similar to the first treatment mentioned above on day 0. Thereafter, cows were observed for heat, and anyone showing heat was inseminated. A second dose was given on day 11 to all animals not having shown any heat. A fixed-time AI was done on days 14 and 15. Blood samples were collected on the day 0 of insemination for each cow while day 11 and day 21 after insemination. Progesterone was analysed by means of standard ELISA progesterone kits to determine its profiles after insemination. Results show no evidence of the effect of treatments on conception rates (P > 0.05). Similarly, heifers and multiparous cows had similar conception rates (P > 0.05). Between 3 weeks and 3 months of pregnancy, there was a loss of embryos of 28% in heifers and 20% in multiparous cows, but the difference between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). It recommended that farmers do not synchronize animals with poor body condition score (BCS). They should also monitor weight gains of heifers, remove them from the herd when they have been mixed with young growing bulls and put them in a breeding herd. The two-dose regime is better to be used in areas where the inseminator cannot easily be available.

Effect of pre-partum feed supplementation on post-partum ovarian activity, milk production and calf growth of small holder dairy Cattle in Cameroon.

Seventy-two cows were selected for an on-farm study on the effect of feed supplementation before calving on milk production, ovarian activity and calf growth of Holstein, indigenous Red Fulani cows and their crosses. Pre-partum feed supplementation was done using cotton seed cake (80%), maize (18%), bone meal (1%) and kitchen salt (1% NaCl). Supplementation levels consisted of a low supplementation fed at 1 kg per animal per day and high supplementation fed at 2 kg per animal per day. In addition, Red Fulani cows received the supplements in two different ways namely a pre-partum supplementation consisting of 1 kg per cow per day and pre- and post-partum supplementation consisting of 1 kg per cow per day before calving and 1 kg per cow per day post-partum up to 30 days after calving. Blood samples were analysed using ELISA Progesterone kits to determine the length of post-partum anoestrus. Results show that pre-partum levels of feeding did not have any effect (P > 0.05) on body condition score (BCS) at 12 weeks after calving, calf birth weight, average daily weight gain of calves, milk production and post-partum anoestrus. High BCS at calving was shown to influence BCS at 12 weeks of lactation. Holstein cows had bigger calves (P < 0.01) at birth (45 kg) compared to traditional cows (36 kg) and crosses (34 kg). There was little benefit of pre-partum supplementation on the parameters investigated in this study. Consequently, low income farmers are advised to concentrate their efforts of supplementation early in lactation.