ANIMAL SCIENCE .

The study was carried out to determine the yield, physical and chemical composition of Opepe leaves (Nauclea diiderrichi) De Wild. and T. Durand. The leaves used were harvested and blended, before the leaf Protein Concentrate was extracted using 3 different methods (Heat coagulation , acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods) . The result from the analysis showed that acid coagulation , alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods yielded 2.398% , 3.913% and 6.383% respectively. The yield of bagasse was 23.508%. The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dry matter and NFE were higher in alum precipitation method than in acid coagulation and heat coagulation methods . It also showed that CP , CF and ASH were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods, while EE was higher in the heat coagulation method than in the other two methods . The mineral analysis showed that Mg , Na and P were higher in the heat coagulationmethod than in the acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods . It also showed that K , Fe and Mn were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods . LPC result of Ca , showed that acid and heat coagulation methods yielded the same amount , which were higher than that of alum precipitation method .

An insectarium was designed and constructed for the production of Black soldier fly larvae, to be used as resource for insect protein. The larvae of the Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucen) family was grown on three different substrates- poultry dung, kitchen waste and brewers dry grain. The venture made possible the conversion of wastes into a valuable biomass (BSFL) rich in protein and fat. Harvesting was performed after 30 days of setting up the insectarium. The yield obtained was appreciable. Among the three treatments, kitchen waste, BDG, Poultry droppings, kitchen waste gave the highest yield. The production system thus serves the dual purpose of providing a nutrient-rich resource as well as a source of waste transformation and reduction.

The nutritive value of rice straw biodegraded with Pleurotus tuberregium (PTR) were studied through analysis of their chemical composition, cell wall components, and in vitro fermentation characteristics. Chemical analysis showed an increase in the crude protein from 4.375 at (0% for 8 weeks) to 9.625 (at 0 % for 8 weeks), and increases from 3.500 (at 15% POS for 4 weeks) to 9.625 (at 15% POS for 6 weeks). Fungal treatment decreases crude fiber from 37.00 % in 0% POS rice straw treatment at 8 weeks to 27.00% in 0 weeks of biodegradation. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose was significantly different (p<0.05). A significant higher (80.33) OMD was obtained in rice straw after 8 weeks of biodegradation, and the gas volume produced was not significantly different after 24 hours of Biodegradation. It is therefore concluded from this study that P. tuberregium treatment on rice straw with 0% and 15% POS improved the potential feeding value of the resultant substrate. Therefore, the product of fungal treatment has a good potential as feed resources for ruminants.

This project was carried out to determine the Estimate of Heritability of Growth Rate in Rabbits" which endeavors to interpret the genetic basis governing the growth performance of rabbits, an important trait in the context of animal agriculture. The experiment was carried out at the rabbitry section of the University of Benin Farm Project, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of
twenty rabbits (fifteen females and five males), of which five belong to one breed, were used for this experiment. The breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla, Hyla and Dutch. The rabbits, which were 3 months of age, were kept for a duration of 18 weeks. Data collected were on Litter size at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning, Litter weight at Birth, at two weeks and at weaning were collected. encompassing a diverse population of rabbits, we aimed to quantify the heritability of growth rates, thereby discerning the relative influence of genetic factors. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using GENSTAT, 12th edition and Heritability estimate was obtained by first Solving for variance components (due to sire, due to standard error and phenotype) using the result obtained from the analysis.

the experiment was conducted to determine the yield, physical and chemical composition of leaf protein concentrates and bagasse obtained from oil palm leaf using three different processing methods. The process of extraction were heat coagulation, acid coagulation, and alum precipitation methods. The leaf protein concentrates and bagasse obtained were further analysed for their chemical and mineral compositions. The yield of LPC and bagasse obtained from acid coagulation, alum precipitation, and heat precipitation were comparable. But, the yield of OLPC was not significantly (p>0.05) different in the acid and alum processing methods, but was significantly (p<0.05) different for the heat processing method. Result, from the chemical analysis shows that the CP and EE of acid coagulation method were significantly (p<0.05) different from alum and heat processing methods. At the same time, the MC and NFE of OLPC for heat were significantly (p<0.05) different from alum precipitation method and acid coagulation method. From the results obtained from this study, Oil palm leaf protein concentrates obtained using heat coagulation, acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods were comparable but heat coagulation would be preferable as a result of its high Ca (633.0), Cu (15.67), Mn (66.83), Zn (108.77), Na (3.46), Mg (501.63), P (417.67), Fe (154.30)
and Cl (1.307) values.

uminants depend mostly on all year-round grazing on natural pastures residue. Most of these areas face seasonal dry periods in which the availability of these pasture decreases and also, its quality by a reduction in the content of digestible energy and nitrogen. Ruminant livestock raised in Nigeria tend to reflect the cyclical variation in quality and quantity of these available for ages. Although ruminants are endowed with the ability to convert low quality feed into high quality animal protein and utilize feeds from land not suitable for cultivation of crops, however, the utilization of these low-quality crop residues is hampered by its low protein content, fiber content, digestibility, vitamin and minerals. Biodegradation of crop residues using edible mushroom has been reported to give rise to products with enhanced nutritive values that promote farm animal performance. This study was carried out to determine the effect of biodegradation period on the chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of rice straw with 60% palm oil sludge (POS) in ruminant feeding. Different inclusion rate of palm oil sludge (POS) and rice straw such as 0%RS, 40%RS and 100% RS at different biodegradation periods; 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The substrates used were dried, mixed to inclusion levels (40% rice straw and 60% palm oil sludge), inoculated with fungal (Pleurotus tuber-regium) to aid biodegradation and further milled to uniform power. Chemical composition and in vitro fermentation study were carried out and data analyzed. However, there was no significant difference between the chemical composition, gas volume production and shown by the data analyzed but the post in vitro gas production has significant difference. Thus, this result shows that it can be included in ruminant diets as an increase in crude protein and decrease in crude fiber and methane gas production.