Papers by FUNMILAYO A . OKENIYI
Veterinary Research Notes
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of bamboo leaf meal (BLM) i... more Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of bamboo leaf meal (BLM) in broiler chicken feed to alleviate heat stress. Materials and Methods: This investigation was conducted following institutional policies guiding the handling of animals as approved for scientific research. 150 heat-stressed Arbor Acres broiler chickens were divided randomly into five dietary treatments, T1–T5, of 30 per treatment and 10 per replicate, to determine the consequence of feeding BLM on health and performance. Birds in T1–T4 were fed 0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% BLM-included diets, respectively, while T5 had a 0.2% vitamin C-included diet. Results: Increasing dietary BLM positively impacted body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate (FCR), and stress indices levels. Broiler chickens had better feed intake (267 gm), weight gain (1,504 gm), and FCR (3.64) in T4. Serum glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde levels were not statistically different with increasing dietary BLM...
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences
International journal of research publications, Jun 1, 2022
The hematology and serum biochemical parameters of seventeen (17) healthy West African Dwarf goat... more The hematology and serum biochemical parameters of seventeen (17) healthy West African Dwarf goats (WAD) consisting of ten (10) gravid and 13 non-gravid does were assessed. The animals weighed between 15 to 25kg with ages ranging from 18 to 30 months and were managed under a semi-intensive system. The whole uncoagulated blood and serum were sampled from each of the does. Only the Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts among the hematological parameters showed a significant (p<0.05) difference both of which are higher in the pregnant does (13.93 x 10 12 /L; 25.27 x 10 9 /L) than in the non-pregnant (9.06 x 10 12 /L; 16.51 x 10 9 /L. The urea increased (4.64mg/dL± 0.19 to 4.77mg/dL ± 0.08) significantly (p<0.05) while the calcium decreased (2.56 mmol/dL ±0.07 to 2.49 mmol/dL0.03) significantly (p<0.05) in the pregnant does. No observable significant differences (p>0.05) were obtained among the other determined biochemical parameters, namely sodium (Na), potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), bicarbonate (HNO3); Total protein (Tp), Glucose (Glu), Albumin (Alb), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphate (ALP). These results conclude that hematological and mineral imbalances are unlikely to occur in normal healthy pregnant WAD goats when properly managed while the difference in a few parameters recorded in the gravid and non-gravid suggests the increased activities and nutritional requirement and not the ecological influences.
Journal of Animal Health and Production
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2021
Atresia ani has become a major clinical disease in Livestock especially pigs, cattle and small ru... more Atresia ani has become a major clinical disease in Livestock especially pigs, cattle and small ruminants. It is a condition which do not often occur but requires a dogged approach in treating affected animals. Atresia ani is a congenital embryological condition that often suffice when the hindgut refuses to connect with the perineum for the proper discharge of muconium. In this study, a three-day-old calf was observed to be suffering from Atresia ani at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This condition was obvious due to the inability of the calf to pass out faeces since parturition. The calf was operated on using standard clinical and surgical practices and also putting into consideration the Animal Welfare principles. The result from the surgical procedure showed that there was a massive improvement in defecation and general performance of the calf after the third day. Furthermore, there was no complication reported in the calf after fifteen days (15) of the procedure. This result shows that Atresia ani can be properly managed at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This affirms the ability of the Institution to promote standard practices in Livestock Production Management.
Journal of Agricultural Research and Development, 2021
A study was carried out to investigate the comparative morphology and pH of the gut in the Giant ... more A study was carried out to investigate the comparative morphology and pH of the gut in the Giant African Land Snails, in Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina respectively. The crop is long, distended and less fleshy with reddish brown coloured juice (5.8 ml volume) in A. marginata, while it is short, compact and fleshy with greenish brown coloured juice (3.2 ml volume) in A. achatina. The digestive gland was heavier (17.36 vs. 15.74 g) in the latter than the former. The absolute weight of the crop in A. marginata was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. Achatina, however, the absolute and relative weights of the digestive gland in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. marginata. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in linear measurements of the salivary gland and crop for absolute values and the salivary gland, crop, stomach and digestive gland for relative values. Archachatina marginata had significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gla...
International Journal of Research Publications (IJRP), 2022
The hematology and serum biochemical parameters of seventeen (17) healthy West African Dwarf goat... more The hematology and serum biochemical parameters of seventeen (17) healthy West African Dwarf goats (WAD) consisting of ten (10) gravid and 13 non-gravid does were assessed. The animals weighed between 15 to 25kg with ages ranging from 18 to 30 months and were managed under a semi-intensive system. The whole uncoagulated blood and serum were sampled from each of the does. Only the Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts among the hematological parameters showed a significant (p<0.05) difference both of which are higher in the pregnant does (13.93 x 10 12 /L; 25.27 x 10 9 /L) than in the non-pregnant (9.06 x 10 12 /L; 16.51 x 10 9 /L. The urea increased (4.64mg/dL± 0.19 to 4.77mg/dL ± 0.08) significantly (p<0.05) while the calcium decreased (2.56 mmol/dL ±0.07 to 2.49 mmol/dL0.03) significantly (p<0.05) in the pregnant does. No observable significant differences (p>0.05) were obtained among the other determined biochemical parameters, namely sodium (Na), potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), bicarbonate (HNO3); Total protein (Tp), Glucose (Glu), Albumin (Alb), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphate (ALP). These results conclude that hematological and mineral imbalances are unlikely to occur in normal healthy pregnant WAD goats when properly managed while the difference in a few parameters recorded in the gravid and non-gravid suggests the increased activities and nutritional requirement and not the ecological influences.
Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2022
Atresia ani has become a major clinical disease in Livestock especially pigs, cattle and small ru... more Atresia ani has become a major clinical disease in Livestock especially pigs, cattle and small ruminants. It is a condition which do not often occur but requires a dogged approach in treating affected animals. Atresia ani is a congenital embryological condition that often suffice when the hindgut refuses to connect with the perineum for the proper discharge of muconium. In this study, a three-day-old calf was observed to be suffering from Atresia ani at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This condition was obvious due to the inability of the calf to pass out faeces since parturition. The calf was operated on using standard clinical and surgical practices and also putting into consideration the Animal Welfare principles. The result from the surgical procedure showed that there was a massive improvement in defecation and general performance of the calf after the third day. Furthermore, there was no complication reported in the calf after fifteen days (15) of the procedure. This result shows that Atresia ani can be properly managed at the Landmark University Teaching and Research farm. This affirms the ability of the Institution to promote standard practices in Livestock Production Management.
Journal of Molluscan Research, 2022
A 10-weeks study was conducted to determine the effect of varying dietary protein and energy leve... more A 10-weeks study was conducted to determine the effect of varying dietary protein and energy levels on performance of growing giant African land snail (GALS), Archachatina marginata. One hundred and forty-four snails with mean weight of 138.48g were for this study. The snails were randomly divided into 12 groups of 12 snails each, assigned to 12 diet treatments in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement involving three crude protein levels (25%, 27.5%, and 30%) and four energy levels (300, 320, 340 and 360 kcal/100g). Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 4 snails per replicate giving a total of 12 snails per treatment. Results showed that the diets were different from one another due to the variation in the protein to energy ratio. Snails fed the treatment 3 diet had the highest protein to energy ratio (99.7) while snails fed the treatment 10 diet had the lowest (69.4). The final and weekly body weight gain (BWG), was highest (P < 0.05) for snails (207.84g and 8.75g respectively) fed diet 3 at 30% protein and 300kcal/100g energy levels while the final body weight gain was lowest for snails fed diet 5 (121.08g) and weekly weight gain was lowest for snails fed diet 2 (0.89g). In addition, snails on diet 3 had better (P<0.05) FCR (15.01) compared to snails fed with other diets. Diet with high protein and low energy resulted in better weight gains. Shell width increase was positively affected (p<0.05) by protein and energy levels with highest values corresponding with the highest protein and energy levels. In conclusion, diets with protein and energy levels of 30% and 300 kcal/100kg seems adequate for the optimum performance of GALS (Archachatina marginata) in the humid tropics.
Kwara state. Nigeria. ²Landmark University SDG12 (Responsible consumption and production group). ... more Kwara state. Nigeria. ²Landmark University SDG12 (Responsible consumption and production group). Omu-Aran. Kwara state. Nigeria. ³Landmark University SDG 2 (Zero hunger group). Omu-Aran. Kwara state. Nigeria.
Kwara state. Nigeria. ²Landmark University SDG12 (Responsible consumption and production group). ... more Kwara state. Nigeria. ²Landmark University SDG12 (Responsible consumption and production group). Omu-Aran. Kwara state. Nigeria. ³Landmark University SDG 2 (Zero hunger group). Omu-Aran. Kwara state. Nigeria.
A study was carried out to investigate the comparative morphology and pH of the gut in the Giant ... more A study was carried out to investigate the comparative morphology and pH of the gut in the Giant African Land Snails, in Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina respectively. The crop is long, distended and less fleshy with reddish brown coloured juice (5.8 ml volume) in A. marginata, while it is short, compact and fleshy with greenish brown coloured juice (3.2 ml volume) in A. achatina. The digestive gland was heavier (17.36 vs. 15.74 g) in the latter than the former. The absolute weight of the crop in A. marginata was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. Achatina, however, the absolute and relative weights of the digestive gland in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. marginata. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in linear measurements of the salivary gland and crop for absolute values and the
salivary gland, crop, stomach and digestive gland for relative values. Archachatina marginata had significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland and crop than Achatina achatina for absolute length values and significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland, crop and digestive gland for relative length values. However, the relative stomach length in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) longer than in A. marginata. The gut pH was more acidic in the crop (5.38 and 4.83) than in the mouth (6.93 and 6.82) where it tended towards neutrality in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The pH profiles in the two species, decreased by 1.65 and 1.99 from the mouth to the crop while it increased by 1.46 and 1.97 from the crop to the distal digestive gland in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. In the herbivorous snails, the pH along the gut regions remained acidic all through (5.38 – 6.93 and 4.83 – 6.82) in A. marginata and A.
achatina respectively, confirming the herbivorous habits in these snail species. The longer gut and distended crop with higher volume of crop juice in A. marginata, implies its ability to store, utilize and digest more food materials than A. achatina. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the physiology of the digestive processes in these snails.
Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2022
This study investigated the enzyme activities of two (2) microbial organisms in the fore- and mid... more This study investigated the enzyme activities of two (2) microbial organisms in the fore- and mid- gut regions in the gastrointestinal tract, in Archarchatina marginata, a giant Land snail from the region of West
Africa. Microbial analysis was conducted to verify the microbial organisms present in different parts of the snail gut while enzyme assay was performed to determine the type and level of enzyme activities taking
place in the mouth and stomach regions. Results revealed the different bacteria inhabiting the regions of the alimentary tract in Archarchatina marginata. Azobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas syringae, the two
bacteria isolate that were further investigated, effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, P. syringae exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (8.72µmol/min/ml at 18h) and amylase
(9.05 µmol/min/ml at 24h) while Azobacter chroococcum exhibited the highest enzymatic activity for protease (17.18 µmol/min/ml at 24h) during incubation. Consequently, the study validated amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial activities within the digestive tract of A. marginata. This knowledge is informative for research and an aid to snail farmers in the choice of feeding materials for these land snails.
The poultry industry contributes significantly to the development of
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortun... more The poultry industry contributes significantly to the development of
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise. Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire. The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business. Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and prevent collapse of the poultry industry.
A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets c... more A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets containing fortified fermented cassava stump (FFCS) as a replacement for maize. Cassava stumps and leaves were fermented in the solid state at room temperature, using Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 for 192 and 96 hours, respectively, and then mixed at a ratio of 19:1 to obtain the FFCS. The birds were allotted into four treatments with three replicates (n= 30). The treatments consisted of different inclusion levels of FFCS: Diet 1 containing 0% FFCS (control treatment); Diet 2 containing 20% FFCS; Diet 3 containing 40% FFCS; and Diet 4 containing 60% FFCS. Dressing and eviscerated percentages were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in birds fed the diets with up to 40% FFCS. The carcass yield was not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of FFCS, but values obtained were higher with up to 40%. Meat quality was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the FFCS. In addition, the degree of meat peroxidation decreased with increased FFCS levels. Diets with up to 40% FFCS inclusion resulted in improved carcass traits, oxidative stability, and meat quality. Therefore, the addition of fortified cassava stump in broiler chickens' diets could produce meat of better quality, with low peroxidation, high oxidative stability, and longer shelf-life.
The study aims at evaluating the antibacterial activities of mucus mucin from three species of th... more The study aims at evaluating the antibacterial activities of mucus mucin from three species of the giant African land snails; Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina, and Achatina fulica. Snail slime was collected from forty-five snails comprising the three species of snails from the southwestern region of Nigeria. The antibacterial potential and bacteria growth rate (in hours) of the mucus mucin were determined using agar well diffusion method and liquid broth. Acetic acid (acid), ammonium bicarbonate (alkaline), and water (aqueous) were each used to extract the slime. The result showed that mucus secretions from the three snail species differed in color, degree of the sliminess, and volume. Snail mucus extract had antimicrobial effects on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The inhibitory effects of mucus extracts differed depending on the treatment method and storage time, with acid extracts having a higher inhibitory capacity regardless of snail species or storage time. A. marginata's mucus secretions had a stronger antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis when compared to mucus from A. achatina and A. fulica. The zone of inhibition of the mucus mucin in solid agar ranged between 24.0-19.5mm for A. marginata and ranged between 21.0-17.5mm and 21.0-15.0mm for A. achatina and A. fulica, within 2-72 storage hours). Mucus mucin seems to lose its antibacterial potential with time; however, the antibacterial capability of the giant African snail species could provide the muchneeded solution to antibiotic resistance.
Chilean journal of agricultural & animal sciences, 2022
A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets c... more A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets containing fortified fermented cassava stump (FFCS) as a replacement for maize. Cassava stumps and leaves were fermented in the solid state at room temperature, using Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 for 192 and 96 hours, respectively, and then mixed at a ratio of 19:1 to obtain the FFCS. The birds were allotted into four treatments with three replicates (n= 30). The treatments consisted of different inclusion levels of FFCS: Diet 1 containing 0% FFCS (control treatment); Diet 2 containing 20% FFCS; Diet 3 containing 40% FFCS; and Diet 4 containing 60% FFCS. Dressing and eviscerated percentages were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in birds fed the diets with up to 40% FFCS. The carcass yield was not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of FFCS, but values obtained were higher with up to 40%. Meat quality was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the FFCS. In addition, the degree of meat peroxidation decreased with increased FFCS levels. Diets with up to 40% FFCS inclusion resulted in improved carcass traits, oxidative stability, and meat quality. Therefore, the addition of fortified cassava stump in broiler chickens’ diets could produce meat of better quality, with low peroxidation, high oxidative stability, and longer shelf-life.
Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2013
Cogent Social Sciences, 2021
The poultry industry contributes significantly to the development of
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortu... more The poultry industry contributes significantly to the development of
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with
a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise.
Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies
among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling
techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers
who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire.
The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis
and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and
human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business.
Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to
mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of
experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important
determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted
by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and
financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and
risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and
prevent collapse of the poultry industry.
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Papers by FUNMILAYO A . OKENIYI
salivary gland, crop, stomach and digestive gland for relative values. Archachatina marginata had significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland and crop than Achatina achatina for absolute length values and significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland, crop and digestive gland for relative length values. However, the relative stomach length in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) longer than in A. marginata. The gut pH was more acidic in the crop (5.38 and 4.83) than in the mouth (6.93 and 6.82) where it tended towards neutrality in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The pH profiles in the two species, decreased by 1.65 and 1.99 from the mouth to the crop while it increased by 1.46 and 1.97 from the crop to the distal digestive gland in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. In the herbivorous snails, the pH along the gut regions remained acidic all through (5.38 – 6.93 and 4.83 – 6.82) in A. marginata and A.
achatina respectively, confirming the herbivorous habits in these snail species. The longer gut and distended crop with higher volume of crop juice in A. marginata, implies its ability to store, utilize and digest more food materials than A. achatina. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the physiology of the digestive processes in these snails.
Africa. Microbial analysis was conducted to verify the microbial organisms present in different parts of the snail gut while enzyme assay was performed to determine the type and level of enzyme activities taking
place in the mouth and stomach regions. Results revealed the different bacteria inhabiting the regions of the alimentary tract in Archarchatina marginata. Azobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas syringae, the two
bacteria isolate that were further investigated, effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, P. syringae exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (8.72µmol/min/ml at 18h) and amylase
(9.05 µmol/min/ml at 24h) while Azobacter chroococcum exhibited the highest enzymatic activity for protease (17.18 µmol/min/ml at 24h) during incubation. Consequently, the study validated amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial activities within the digestive tract of A. marginata. This knowledge is informative for research and an aid to snail farmers in the choice of feeding materials for these land snails.
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise. Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire. The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business. Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and prevent collapse of the poultry industry.
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with
a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise.
Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies
among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling
techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers
who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire.
The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis
and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and
human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business.
Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to
mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of
experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important
determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted
by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and
financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and
risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and
prevent collapse of the poultry industry.
salivary gland, crop, stomach and digestive gland for relative values. Archachatina marginata had significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland and crop than Achatina achatina for absolute length values and significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland, crop and digestive gland for relative length values. However, the relative stomach length in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) longer than in A. marginata. The gut pH was more acidic in the crop (5.38 and 4.83) than in the mouth (6.93 and 6.82) where it tended towards neutrality in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The pH profiles in the two species, decreased by 1.65 and 1.99 from the mouth to the crop while it increased by 1.46 and 1.97 from the crop to the distal digestive gland in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. In the herbivorous snails, the pH along the gut regions remained acidic all through (5.38 – 6.93 and 4.83 – 6.82) in A. marginata and A.
achatina respectively, confirming the herbivorous habits in these snail species. The longer gut and distended crop with higher volume of crop juice in A. marginata, implies its ability to store, utilize and digest more food materials than A. achatina. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the physiology of the digestive processes in these snails.
Africa. Microbial analysis was conducted to verify the microbial organisms present in different parts of the snail gut while enzyme assay was performed to determine the type and level of enzyme activities taking
place in the mouth and stomach regions. Results revealed the different bacteria inhabiting the regions of the alimentary tract in Archarchatina marginata. Azobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas syringae, the two
bacteria isolate that were further investigated, effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, P. syringae exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (8.72µmol/min/ml at 18h) and amylase
(9.05 µmol/min/ml at 24h) while Azobacter chroococcum exhibited the highest enzymatic activity for protease (17.18 µmol/min/ml at 24h) during incubation. Consequently, the study validated amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial activities within the digestive tract of A. marginata. This knowledge is informative for research and an aid to snail farmers in the choice of feeding materials for these land snails.
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise. Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire. The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business. Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and prevent collapse of the poultry industry.
Nigeria’s economy. Unfortunately, poultry farmers like other farmers are faced with
a variety of income fluctuations arising from risks associated with the enterprise.
Hence, this study investigated risk perceptions and risk management strategies
among poultry farmers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling
techniques. The techniques resulted to selection of 263 commercial poultry farmers
who provided us with relevant information with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire.
The information gathered was analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis
and linear regression models. Results showed that production risk, financial risk and
human risk were perceived by farmers as most important in poultry business.
Farmers have adopted disease prevention and financial management strategies to
mitigate the effects of various risks. The analysis further showed that years of
experience in poultry business, value of poultry and production risk are important
determinants of disease prevention and financial management strategies adopted
by the respondents. Factors that determine only disease prevention strategy are years of schooling, household size and human risk, while respondents’ sex and
financial risk are the determinants of financial strategy. Policies on risk management in poultry should be targeted at farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and
risk perceptions so as to enhance the growth potentials of poultry farmers and
prevent collapse of the poultry industry.