Research
The effect of spraying vegetable oil and elevating relative humidity during incubation on the hatchability of Rhode Island Red (RIR) eggs
In Ethiopia, Rhode Island Red (RIR) breed of chickens acclimatize very well to the existing production environment with fairly reasonable level of production. Unfortunately however, there is a serious complaint about the poor hatchability of their eggs. This study was conducted at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center (DZARC) to study the effect of oil spraying and elevated Relative Humidity (RH) on hatchability of RIR eggs. Five treatments comprising of 80-85%RH, 80-85%RH plus oil spraying, 90%RH, 90%RH starting from 12th day of incubation and 90%RH during hatching were studied in CRD with four replications. The results obtained revealed that there was no statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the treatments in percent fertility and hatchability. Spraying with vegetable oil negatively affected fertility, whereas, oil spraying as well as elevated relative humidity of 90% during the larger segment of the incubation period were found to be equally depressive in hatchability. More over the weight loss recorded from the eggs sprayed with oil was lower than the others indicating that oil spraying prevented the recommended level of weight loss through water evaporation, which in turn resulted in lower hatchability. On the contrary increasing of relative humidity from 80-85% to 90% during hatching period seem to increase hatchability of RIR eggs.
Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis and its Economic Significance in and around Assela, Ethiopia
A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2009 to march 2010 on bovine fasciolosis in and around Assela and at Assela municipal abattoir to assess its prevalence and economic importance. From total of 400 cattle examined coprlogically 45.25 % (181) were found positive for fasciolosis. The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was higher in male cattle than females and also higher in younger cattle (> 3 yrs) than older ones (> 5 yrs). The prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in the study sites was significantly (p<0.05) affected by sex, age and months of the year, however, its prevalence was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by body conditions. Post mortem examination was done on a total of 183 cattle and 34.97% were found infected with Fasciola at Assela municipal Abattoi. F. hepatica was found to be the predominant facsiola species causing bovine fasciolsis in the study areas. The economic significance of bovine fasciolosis was also assessed from condemned liver and carcass weight loss. Thus based on the retail value of bovine liver and 1kg of beef the total annual economic loss from fasciolosis during the study time was estimated to be 698,700.6 Eth. Birr (51,909.4 USD).
