Survey of External Parasites of Wild Birds in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Aims: As wild birds interact with poultry the likelihood of exchange of external parasites between wild birds and poultry highlights the need to understand wild bird parasites so as to reduce cross infection at the wild bird-poultry interface. There is paucity of data on external parasites of wild birds in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and diversity of external parasites among wild birds in Kaduna State. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Kaduna State, Nigeria between March, and June 2012. Methodology: Wild birds were captured and examined for external parasites by visual and microscopic examination. The data were analyzed using Quantitative Parasitology software. Results: Of the 233 wild birds representing 56 species and 25 families examined, the ectoparasite prevalence was 10.7% (25/233). The ectoparasites identified were Menacanthus spp (0.9%), Amblyomma variegatum (0.9%), Argas persicus (3.4%), Gonides gigas (2.1%) and Rhipicephalus spp (2.6%). Streptopelia senegalensis and Chalcomitra senegalensis were infested with Amblyomma varigatum while Numida meleagris and Ploceus cucullatus had Rhipicephalus spp. Conclusion: This is the first report to the best of our knowledge of hard tick infestation of free flying birds in Kaduna State. This study establishes baseline data for future study of wild bird host-parasite interaction in Nigeria. There is need for more studies on external parasites of wild birds to understand their impact on the survival of wild bird species in Nigeria.

Rheological and Flow Behaviour of Yolk, Albumen and Liquid Whole Egg from Eggs of Six Different Poultry Species

Liquid egg products are one of the basic raw materials for the food industry. Knowledge of their rheological and flow behaviour in real technical elements is absolutely necessary for the selection of suitable technological equipment for their processing. In this article, the rheological properties of liquid egg products were determined. Eggs from six different species of poultry are used: domestic hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) hybrid Hisex Brown; Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica); German carrier goose (Anser anser f. domestica); domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica); domestic guinea fowl (Numida meleagris f. domestica); and domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo f. domestica). Liquid egg products showed pseudoplastic behaviour in range of shear strain rates from 0.2 up to 200 s−1 and at the temperature of 18 °C. Thus, the flow curves were constructed using the Ostwald-de Waele rheological model, with respect to the pseudoplastic behaviour of liquid egg products. According to the values of the coefficients of determination (R2), the sum of squared estimate of errors (SSE) and the root mean square error (RMSE), this model was appropriately chosen. Using the consistency coefficient K, the flow index n and the adjusted equations for the flow rate of technical and biological fluids in standard pipelines, the 3D velocity profiles of liquid egg products were successfully modelled. The values of the Reynolds number of the individual liquid egg products were calculated, and the type of flow was also determined. A turbulent flow has been detected for some liquid egg products.

Characteristics of local guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) production and breeding systems in northern Côte d'Ivoire's Poro region

Local guinea fowl are the second most abundant poultry resource in the area, behind local chickens, and they are exploited in an uncontrolled system that affects production. Rural poultry farmers in 12 villages in the departments of Korhogo and Sinématiali participated in a descriptive study on their agricultural system. 35 local guinea fowl owners were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings show that in the Poro region, local méléagriculture is practiced solely in a large-scale system. This practice is restricted for men (94 %), supported by family members (68.60 %), and seen as secondary by the respondents (68.57 %). Farmers, planters, and retailers make up most of them (85.71 %). The original breeding nucleus was made up of eggs (80%) and female guinea fowl (14.28 %). Guinea fowls lay the first eggs at an average age of 7 months (54.28 percent), with the early ones around 6 months (20 %). The flocks are tiny (average of 25 guinea fowl) and are made up of mature (55.69%), young (23.11%), and early (11.40%) guinea fowl. All these guinea fowl have pearled feathers and are primarily grey (71.43 %). They live in rudimentary shelters and forage for food on the streets. The main causes of guinea fowl mortality (68.59 %) were rain and humidity, which had an impact on productivity. This region had the highest percentage of livestock items for sale (62.84%). The socio-economic position of the farmer, the farming method, and the utilization of chicken products were used to identify three agricultural sub-systems.

Beç Tavuklarında (Numida meleagris) Sayısal Görüntü Analizi ve Matematiksel Formüller Kullanılarak Yumurta Kalite Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

A total of 200 Guinea fowl (Numidae meleagris) eggs were obtained from guinea fowl flock at the age of 42 weeks of age, which are breeding at an altitude of 1240 m in the Wild Animals Breeding Station affiliated to Ministry of Forest and Water Affairs in Yozgat/Turkey. Eggs were taken at a resolution of 72 pixels per inch and 5184 × 3456 pixels in size, with the individual egg weights. Average Projection area (16,07 cm2), Perimeter (15,82 cm), Circularity (0,81), Height (5,17 cm), Width (4,04 cm), Mean grey value (82,82), Semi axis (2,02 cm), First long half height (2,96 cm), Second short half height (2,20 cm) values were determined by numerical image analysis. Mean Elongation (1,28), Shape Index (78,27) were calculated over the obtained data. Surface area (55,43 cm2), Height (5,16 cm), Width (3,77 cm), Elongation (1,37), Shape Index (73,01), Volume (40,14 cm3), Surface / Volume ratio (1,38), Shell weight (3,17 g), Shell thickness (0,28 mm), pore numbers (6666,25; 5132,39; 5011,12), pore density (120,32; 92,56; 90,31), Yellow ratio (14,85), Yellow Weight (5,95 g), Albumen Weight (30,75), Albumen ratio (77,21) parameters have been calculated using individual egg weights. Eggs were divided into 3 groups as 90 in terms of gray value, eggs 79 in terms of shape index, and 43 in terms of weight. The effects on the properties were investigated. As a result, it is thought that the data obtained can be used in scientific studies.

Preliminary study of the avifauna of the families Numididae and Phasianidae (Galliformes) of the Bombo-Lumene hunting area and reserve in Kinshasa (DR Congo)

The present study consisted of the identification of Numididae and Phasianidae birds of the Bombo-Lumene Hunting Estate and Reserve with a view to a domestication trial of one or two of their species. It focuses on direct field observations and trapping of birds. The following parameters were targeted in relation to domestication: weight, size, diet of these birds. A total of 468 bird specimens were observed (105) and captured (363) in various habitats. Of the individuals captured, 31 or 8.5% were Numididae and 332 or 91.4% were Phasianidae. The identification revealed five (5) species, three (3) genera, two (2) families and a single order. The species Francolinus afer, Numida meleagris and Francolinus coqui are the richest with respectively 364 individuals, 58 individuals and 42 individuals. On the other hand, the species Guttera pucherani and Francolinus streptophorus are the least rich with three individuals and one individual respectively. As millet farming has already been successfully experimented elsewhere and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the results obtained from the targeted parameters indicate that among the species identified, only the species Guttera pucherani (Numididae) and Francolinus afer (Phasianidae) are eligible for a domestication trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Avaliação da viabilidade espermática de sêmen caprino criopreservado em meio ACP-101c e TRIS acrescido de gema de ovo de Numida meleagris

Um meio diluente ideal para a criopreservação seminal deve suprir as células espermáticas com energia, proteção e manutenção de um ambiente adequado à sua sobrevivência. Objetivou-se avaliar a integridade in vitro do sêmen caprino criopreservado em meio ACP-101c® associado à gema de ovo de Numida meleagris, por meio de duas técnicas de análise individual da célula espermática. Foram colhidos 15 ejaculados de cinco caprinos, com auxílio de uma vagina artificial. Os ejaculados foram reunidos em um pool, e dividido em 12 grupos, sendo dois grupos controles: GC1 TRIS, com adição 2,5% da gema de ovo de Gallus gallus domesticus GOGD, GC2 ACP-101c®, com adição 2,5% da gema de ovo de Gallus gallus domesticus GOGD e dez grupos experimentais GE, contendo a adição da gema de ovo de Numida meleagris. Seguidamente, as alíquotas foram envasadas em palhetas francesas de 0,25 mL e congeladas com auxílio do aparelho TK3000® e armazenadas em nitrogênio líquido. Amostras foram descongeladas após sete dias e avaliadas quanto à integridade do DNA e quanto a sua ultraestrutura individual, por meio do teste cometa e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, respectivamente. Nos resultados obtidos pelo teste cometa, não foi evidenciado diferença estatística quanto ao comprimento da cauda, entre os grupos TRIS acrescido de GONM, nas concentrações de 2,5%, 5% e 10% em relação ao grupo controle TRIS 2,5% de GOGD. Também não houve diferença estatística quanto ao percentual de fragmentação de DNA na cauda, nos grupos TRIS com 2,5%; 5%; e 20% de GONM em comparação ao grupo controle TRIS 2,5% GOGD (P>0,05). Os grupos ACP® com 10%, 15% e 20% de GONM apresentaram maior comprimento de cauda quando comparados aos grupos ACP com 2,5% e 5% de GONM e grupo controle (ACP® 2,5% de GOGD). Na análise ultraestrutural o grupo ACP® com 10% de GONM, destacou-se com melhor integridade celular frente aos demais grupos, inclusive, frente às amostras avaliadas do grupo controle. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a gema de ovo de Numida meleagris, como crioprotetor externo de membrana, acrescida aos diluentes ACP-101c® ou TRIS, pode reduzir os danos causados durante o processo de criopreservação do sêmen caprino.

Positive Influence of a Probiotic Mixture on the Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota of Farmed Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris)

To understand the effectiveness of a probiotic mixture on intestinal morphology, mucus layer composition, and cecal microbiota diversity, 40 10-day-old Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) were assigned to two groups: the control group (C), receiving drinking water, and the treated group (P), receiving water plus a commercial multi-strain probiotic (Slab51®, 2 × 1011 CFU/L). Birds were slaughtered after 4 months, and the intestines were collected. Samples from the duodenum, ileum, and cecum were processed for morphological and morphometric studies, and conventional glycohistochemistry. Cecal samples were also used to assess the microbiota by 16S metataxonomic approach. Group P showed significant increase in the villus height (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and p < 0.05 in the ileum and cecum), villus width (p < 0.05 in all investigated tracts), depth of crypts (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and cecum; p < 0.05 in the ileum), and goblet cells per villus (p < 0.001 in all investigated tracts) compared with group C. Cecal microbiota of the birds varied considerably and comparing the relative abundance of the main observational taxonomic units (OTUs), a positive enrichment of several beneficial taxa, such as Oscillospira, Eubacterium, Prevotella, and members of the Ruminococcaceae, was observed. The enrichment of those taxa can improve microbiota stability and resilience facing environmental stresses, enhancing its resistance against invading pathogens. Ruminococcaceae, which represent the most important taxon in both groups, and Prevotella have a key role in the gut physiology due to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are a vital energy source for enterocytes, improve glucose metabolism, and exert an overall anti-inflammatory effect. Probiotic administration enriches the presence of Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Eubacterium taxa that produce butyrate, which exerts a beneficial effect on growth performance, structure of villi, and pathogen control and has anti-inflammatory properties too. This study indicates that Slab51® supplementation positively affects the morphology and microbiota diversity of the guinea fowl intestine.

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the Pearl Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in the Middle belt of Ghana. Thirty-two (32) males and one hundred and twenty-eight (128) female Pearl Guinea fowls aged one-day-old were used for the study. A 3 x 4 factorial experimental design was used for the experiment. Data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS for Windows, version 7) and means were separated by the probability of difference (PDIFF) procedure of SAS (2008). Mean cell volume was highest (175.39 fl) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal level. Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 15 % moringa leaf meal had the highest (3.44 x1012/L) red blood cells production. Eosinophil level was highest (3.95 x1012/L) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 9 % moringa leaf meal. Birds fed with the moringa diets recorded the highest (P= 0.022) WBC values as compared to the control diet. Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of dietary moringa leaf meal in the diet. The highest (P= 0.0025) level of progesterone was observed among birds fed with diet containing 12 and 15 % moringa leaf meal inclusion levels. The level of sodium was highest (166.69 nmol/l) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal. The major and minor rainy seasons recorded the highest (P<0.05) mean cell hemoglobin, red blood cells, albumin and oestrogen levels. Platelets, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and chlorine levels were highest (P<0.05) in the dry season while basophil level was highest in the major rainy season. Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and potassium levels were highest (P<0.05) in the major rainy season. This study concludes that feeding Guinea fowls with moringa leaf meal had positive effect on some haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters.