Abstract: Using black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae as a novel protein source substituting fishmeal (FM) in animal feeds is globally gaining momentum. BSF can be reared on agro-industrial residues. However, incorporating BSF larval meal (BSFLM) into finisher pig diets has received inadequate attention. This study evaluated the effects of replacing dietary FM with BSFLM on growth, carcass traits and meat quality of finisher pigs. A control diet (including FM: 0% BSFLM) was compa...
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed on 3 black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) and Greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum)-based meals. We evaluated growth performance, carcass quality, and profitability under various commercial pathways (doorstep, retail, whole, and assorted). Desmodium and BSFL powders were formulated into 3 ratios: T1 25:75, T2 50:50, and T3 75:25. A commercial feed was used as a control. One hundred and twenty mix...
The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly impacted various industries worldwide, particularly livestock. The study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on livestock production in Sierra Leone's Koinadugu area. The data was gathered from 162 livestock farmers in six chiefdoms of the Koinadugu District. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data was collected via personal observations, desk research, a...
Abstract: Evaluation of the biosecurity of layer farms is essential for successfully controlling and preventing poultry diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biosecurity of layer farms in Sierra Leone using the Biocheck. UGent scoring system. This online biosecurity evaluation tool assesses the farm's biosecurity compliance. The data was collected from 38 layer farms in four provinces and one area in the country. The data were encoded online to provide ratings for each farm...
Climate change is having a negative influence on agriculture and livestock production systems. This study aims to assess livestock farmers’ perceptions and adaptive responses to climate change in the Koinadugu area of northern Sierra Leone. A sample of 126 livestock farmers was selected from four chiefdoms. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and meteorological time series data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and excel were used to ...
The poultry industry worldwide suffers significantly due to climate change, which may affect the chicken protein source. The study examined backyard poultry farmers' awareness, perceptions, and responses to climate change in Tonkolili, Sierra Leone. Data were collected from 232 backyard poultry farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 Software. According to the respondents' socioeconomic profiles, the majority of farmers (53.4%) were between the ag...
The poultry industry globally provides chicken meat and eggs, the most significant protein sources among animal foods. The industry is grappling with the effect of climate change which causes heat stress and harms the performance and welfare of the chicken. Heat stress has been the most significant environmental stress challenging the global poultry industry, as chickens only tolerate a narrow range of temperatures during heat stress. This review aims to assess the impact of heat stress on ch...
Slaughterhouse workers are more susceptible to zoonotic disease infections from cuts and bloodletting, spreading blood-borne pathogens to societies. Adopting biosecurity measures by slaughterhouse workers in their daily tasks can lower the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases while improving food safety. This study aims to examine slaughterhouse workers' awareness of biosecurity, their perception of the efficiency of biosecurity measures in reducing zoonotic infections, and, most crucially, th...
Abstract Over the years, expenditures of public and private sectors are regulated by the activities in the oil and gas industry. The budget of Nigeria is hinged on the international price of crude oil and any shock on oil price affects the general activities in the country. With quarterly data from the period of 1981Q1 to 2020Q2, the study uses an exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity approach to examine oil price volatility and inflation level in Nigeria. An ...
A study was conducted in Bekwarra, Cross River State-Nigeria, to assess the production and management profile of indigenous chickens. A total of 208 households were painstakingly sampled across seven administrative council wards of the local government. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) analysis. Results showed that majority of indigenous Nigerian chickens are reared and survive under traditional scavenging system (64.40%), semi-intensive (29.80%) a...
This study focused on determining the effect of white ginger root (Mondia whitei) on haematological indices and serum biochemistry of starter broiler chickens. A 28-day feeding trial was conducted using a total of One hundred and fifty Arbor Acre broiler chicken. The birds were divided into five dietary groups with three replicates of ten birds. The dietary groups were control (basal diet), Mondia whitei meal (MWM) + basal diet at graded levels of 1g/kg, 1.5g/kg, 2.0g/kg and 2.5g/kg. Blood sa...
Abstract The study was conducted to characterize pork and pork products marketing and challenges in Ethiopia. Multistage random sampling procedure was applied to select a total of 40 pork retailers from six towns. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information through face to face interview. Pork retailers were clustered into three categories as small scale (sell 10kg pork per day) based on quantities of pork selling ...
A seven-week feeding trial was conducted at the Rabbitary Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to evaluate the growth performance, hematology and serum biochemistry of 15 unsexed weaner rabbits fed varying levels of Parboiled sundried false yam (Icacina tricantha) meal. Five treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three, four and five parboiled sundried false yam meal replaced the percentage proportion of...
A sixteen week trial was conducted to assess the effect of replacing cassava grit (CG) formaize on the haematology and serum biochemistry of 120 “day old” Harco cockerelchickens. Four experimental cockerel starter and finisher diets were formulated withformulated to contain 0% cassava grit while diet 2, 3 and 4 were formulated to containcassava grit at 33.3, 66.6 and 100% replacement for maizeto the four treatment diets in a completely randomized designed (CRD). Haindices assayed revealed...