Broiler production supplements income of smallholder farm households. Profitability and productivity and analysis are important considerations in measuring efficiency or performance of a farm business; hence, improved output and income are not only a function of increase in the scale of production, but also how efficiently the resources are being utilized. This study therefore estimates the profitability and level of productivity among broiler farmers in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select respondents for this study. Primary data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting model and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) analysis. The study revealed that the net farm income of broiler production was ₦96,900/flock size; suggesting a relatively profitable venture with prospects for improved economic potentials. The estimated percentage profit margin was 45.6%; indicative of the percentage net margin accruable to the farmer from the estimated gross margin and benefit-cost ratio was 0.84. Furthermore, most (54.3%) of broiler farmers were sub-optimally productive as their TFP indices were below the optimal scale; attributable to sub-efficient input mix and cost of production inputs. In addition, constraints of broiler production in the study area included the following; high cost of feeds (92.9); high cost of chicks (85.7%); financial constraints (80%); high cost of poultry equipment (55.7%); high cost of medication (35.7); disease outbreak (28.6%) and inefficient market system (21.4%). Improving access to and subsidy of poultry feeds, chicks, production inputs and credit, extension, medical services and cooperative formation for market linkages are strongly recommended.

The study was carried out to examine the effect of varied levels of dietary monosodium glutamate on acetylcholinesterase, specific acetylcholinesterase and total protein concentrations in the brain regions of broiler chickens. Three hundred (300) day – old unsexed Abor – acre chickens were randomly assigned to diets: A, B, C, D, E and F containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg MSG respectively. Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed ad – libitum and provided with clean water for 8 weeks (56 days) after which 2 birds per replicates were slaughtered. The brains were removed, dissected into different regions comprising of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The different parts of the brain were homogenized to determine the acetylcholinesterase and total protein which were also used in the assessment of the specific acetylcholinesterase of the brain. No significant differences were observed in the acetylcholinesterase activity of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum except for the medulla. Likewise, the dietary monosodium glutamate did not influence the activities of the total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase of the olfactory lobe portion of the brain. The dietary monosodium glutamate exerted significant effects on the total protein of other brain parts studied and which invariably resulted in significant changes in the specific acetylcholinesterase of the optic lobe, cerebellum and medulla except for the optic lobe. This study revealed that monosodium glutamate added to broilers diet above 0.75 g/kg significantly altered the concentration of the brain acetylcholinesterase, total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase thereby impaired brain functions.

The aim of this review paper is to explore the available information from research findings on the use of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as a reliable phytogenic antibiotic for poultry production in the tropics especially in Nigeria and other countries. A wide range of phytogenic additives has found a growing interest in fortification of poultry diets. Supplementation of natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in order to maintain both birds’ performance and health in the tropics will be a welcome development. Turmeric has reportedly been widely supplemented in poultry diets as natural alternative antibiotics in several studies with outstanding performances. The nutritional, medicinal, haematological and phyto-toxicological effects of turmeric were reviewed in this paper. Hence, turmeric supplementation at recommended inclusion rate in poultry feeds without posing any deleterious effects to the birds’ performances as well as the consumers of the products, and ultimately, leading to better profitability on the part of the farmers, will be a nutritional breakthrough for the farmers in the tropics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of partially replacing the commercial soybean meal (SBM) with a home-treated, locally produced raw-full fat soybean (RFFSB) in the diets of broilers. A 3×2×2+1 factorial arrangement was used to conduct this feeding trial. A test ingredient (RFFSB) was differently soaked (0, 6 or 12 hrs), drained, boiled (25 or 35 min) and sundried. Following this, it was hammered to pass through a 0.2-mm sieve, then 12 experimental diets were formulated, replacing the SBM by such a home-treated-RFFSB at 50 or 75%. The control diet didn’t contain any RFFSBN. Totally 13 experimental diets were prepared and every treatment was replicated 3 times and 10 chicks per replicate. The results revealed that replacing the commercial SBM by a treated RFFSB had no significant interaction effects on any measured parameter. However, soaking and then boiling it (RFFSB) had significant (P<0.05) interaction effect on the BWTG (1-13d and 14-28d). When increasing the soaking time, the FI (feed intake), BWTG (body weight gain) and feed efficiency were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. When increasing the boiling duration, both FI and feed efficiency (14-28d) were improved. But, when increasing the replacement rate of RFFSB, the feed efficiency was deteriorated. Broilers fed on both control and diets, containing a non-soaked RFFSB had higher (P<0.05) BWTG (1-13d). Birds fed on diets containing RFFSB that was soaked for the longest period (12 hrs) had significantly lower BWTG. Birds fed on diets, containing prolonged boiling duration had significantly (P<0.05) higher BWTG and feed efficiency. There was no interaction (P> 0.05) effect on both carcass yield and cut-products. Neither increasing a boiling time nor a replacement rate had (P<0.05) any influence on the WT (weight) of the carcass. Birds on both control and on non-soaked RFFSB diets had better WT of carcass products. There was no interaction (P>0.05) effect on organ developments. However, increasing the soaking-duration significantly (P<0.05) reduced the organ developments. Therefore, it is concluded that commercial SBM can be replaced by a non-soaked, but boiled raw soybean in diets of broilers.