Department of Production Animal Clinical Studies

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http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3471

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    Effects of feeding incremental levels of Spirulina platensis on feed intake and growth performance of Boschveld and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds
    (Discover Agriculture, 2024) Nambahu, Aino; Petrus, Ndiilokelwa Patricia; Mupangwa, Johnfisher; Charamba, Vonai; Lutaaya, Emmanuel
    spirulina is increasingly being used in feed manufacturing because of its high nutritional value, especially proteins, for humans and animals. This study examined the feed intake and growth performance of Boschveld and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds when soybean meal was substituted with incremental levels of Spirulina platensis. The experimental design was a 2×4 factorial with repeated measures over a 12-week period, with breed and diet as factors. The experimental unit was a cage holding 3 birds, with 3 cages allocated to each breed-diet combination, hence 36 birds per breed. The diets were: 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% using dried Spirulina platensis powder to replace soybean meal per 100 kg of feed. Chickens fed control diet consumed more (P<0.05) feed than those fed Spirulina-containing diets. Diet affected (P<0.0001) final weights (g) of the birds which were 1093.2, 921.6, 762.8 and 771.2 for 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels of Spirulina platensis, respectively. Boschveld chickens had better average daily gain compared to Potchefstroom Koekoek at week 15–16. Averaged over the 12 weeks, the control diet gave better (P<0.0001) average daily gain (9.42 g/d) than the Spirulina-containing diets. Over the 12 weeks, the control diet had a more desirable (7.79 vs. 8.17, P=0.01) feed conversion ratio than the Spirulina-containing diets Spirulina at a level of 5–10% can be used as a protein supplement in indigenous chicken feeds because it resulted in growth performance close to control diets
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    Effects of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) oil cake as a partial replacement of soyabean meal on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens
    (RUFORUM Conference, 2024) Shipahu, E.; Petrus, N.P.; Shipandeni, M.N.T.
    This paper discusses the effects of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) oil cake as a partial replacement of soyabean meal on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens
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    Prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine campylobacteriosis and trichomonosis in selected areas of Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2024) Kaatura, Israel; Bruwer, F.
    Livestock production in Southern Africa, is faced with low fertility rate partly due to trichomonosis and campylobacteriosis infections. The purpose of this research was to investigate the prevalence of these two pathogens and associated risk factors in selected areas of Namibia. Three areas were selected for the research based on their production systems, Ovitoto communal area in Otjozondjupa region, Okakarara semi-commercial area in Otjozondjupa and Dordabis-Nina commercial area. A total of 172 bull were sampled, sheath scrapings were collected and transported in Steve’s transport media®. Culture and PCR analysis of samples was done for T. foetus testing, whilst for C. foetus only PCR was done at Central Veterinary Laboratory, Windhoek (CVL). A questionnaire guided interview was conducted with the owners/managers of the bulls prior to sample collection to determine the associated risk factors of both diseases. The findings were analysed in Microsoft Excel and the associated risk factors and the prevalence of the two pathogens were assessed. Pearson’s chi-square, Z- score and multiple regression model statistical analysis were used to determine the significant association of the risk factors to the prevalence of the two pathogens. The overall observed true prevalence of the herd was 19.4% for T. foetus and 10.7% for C. fetus out of 172 bulls. The prevalence of T. foetus was the highest in Okakarara semi-commercial areas (36%), but with no significant difference between Ovitoto communal area (7.5%) and Dordabis/Nina commercial farms (14.68%). Furthermore, the prevalence for C. fetus was 12% for Ovitoto communal areas showing no significant difference with that of Okakarara semi-commercial areas at 20%, and no positive cases were reported for Dordabis-Nina commercial farms. There was a significant correlation between the two pathogens and research areas as well as between the prevalence of C. fetus and duration of keeping bulls. The age group of bulls with the highest positivity were found between the age of 4 to 6 years. This research can form a basis for the methodology to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with trichomonosis and campylobacteriosis in beef herds in Namibia. However, further work on more farms is needed to influence and put strategic measures in place to curb the presence of both diseases in the country