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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION1.1 Background of the Study
The increase in price of feed ingredients in developing countries has greatly reduced the rate of expansion of the poultry industry (Ogunfowora, 1984) and the protein intake of Nigerians has been on a decline as a result of the ever increasing population. Feed is one of the most expensive energy feed ingredient item in poultry production, responsible for between 60-80% of total cost of production (Bamgbose et al., 2005). The use of maize in livestock diets and its use as food by human as well as its use as an alternative fuel ethanol production have increased the demand for maize, thereby necessitating the exploration of other energy sources for livestock diets (Agbabiaka L.A. 2012). This competition that exists between human and animals has brought about limited availability of maize, thus increasing the price and scarcity. This has also necessitated research into non-conventional energy ingredients that would replace maize without compromising the growth efficiency, economic production and carcass quality of the birds.
Poultry production, especially the broiler chicken remains one of the veritable ways of achieving sustainable and rapid production of high quality protein to meet the increasing demand of the Nigerian teeming populace (Obidinma, 2009) due to short generation interval of broiler chicken (Nkwocha, et al., 2014
However the present reality in third world countries source for alternative energy sources to cereal ingredients has necessitated the need to investigate the potentials of some other energy feed stuffs such as tiger-nut that are cheap and readily available with less competition with human and beer brewing industries compared to maize in livestock nutrient. This will reduce the cost of feed and animal products such as meat and egg among others for Nigerian populace.
Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) is one of the underutilized crops of the family Cyperaceae, which produces rhizomes from the base and tubers that are somewhat spherical. According to Sanchez-Zapata et al., (2012), tiger nut is an edible perennial grass-like plant native to the ‘old world’ (consists of Europe, Asia and Africa, regarded collectively as the part of the world known to Europeans before Europe contacts with the Americans), and is a lesser-known vegetable that produces sweet nut-like tubers known as ‘earth almond’. It is often cultivated for its nutritive edible nuts and high content of soluble glucose of 21% (Bamishaiye et al., 2010).
In spite of the numerous health benefits of tiger nut, its potentials and prospects as energy source for poultry and livestock production has not been delve into extensively (Oladeleet al., 2010). It was against this backdrop that this study was embarked upon to elucidate the prospect of feeding graded levels of tiger nut seedmeal to the diet of broiler birds to replace maize
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Modern livestock production is faced with the challenges ofproducing high quality animal protein at low prices; there has also been an increase in the prices of conventional protein feedstuffs due to competition among ingredients used in the manufacture of animal feed. There is consequently a great need for alternatives that can supply in high demand for such ingredients, in particular for soya bean meal (Chisoro, 2015).Animal protein intake is low indeveloping countries, Nigeria as case study (Barwa, 2009) and one of the ways of making protein available is by the use of some leafs, trees and seeds that are of high nutritional properties and beneficial when incorporated into livestockfeed.
Agriculturists and most financial institutions are interested in ventures that will bring maximum returns on investment within a reasonably short period. This results in a short fall on the forestry sub-sector because trees are known to have a long gestation period (A major shortfall of the forestry sector in Nigeria). The forester needs to work at utilizing the rejected and unproductive lands for tree growth and at the same time work at developing tree crops that could adapt to harsh soil and climatic conditionsfor poultry seasoning. This in the long run will help in revitalizing the land for growth performance of broiler chicks fed with tiger nuts in Nigeria.
1.3 Justification of the tudy
Success with growing trees on rejected/unproductive lands will ultimately result in utilization of such lands, leading to reclamation. It will reduce land hunger and conflict; promote private / individual poultry practices in Nigeria. Making use of such tiger nuts will make poultry business attractive.
This will increase the production of the marginal food proteins, improve the conservation of tiger nuts and ameliorate the hostile between poultry and human consumption within the area. It will also provide baseline information for further research.
Perennial trees from the forest could be used to remediate soil salinity since their roots can stand into the tiger nuts as an alternative to chicken feeding.
The society will benefit from the result of this research as more land will be available for otherusers.
Objectives of the Study
The study examines the response of Growth performance of broiler chicks fed with Tiger specie
Specific Objectives
(i). To determine the salinity and hormonal levels suitable for the germination of the tiger nuts(grasses species).
(iii). To determine the effect of hormones on the early growth performance of broiler chicks feeding.
This research will investigate Growth performance of broiler chicks fed with Tiger nuts in Nigeria.
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