A cross-sectional survey was done in two Districts in Western Kenya to determine the socio-economic characteristics and perceptions of the cattle types kept. This involved socio-economic profiles of households, herd structure, reasons for keeping specific types of cattle and production and marketing constraints together with desired policy interventions to address the constraints. A total of 210 farmers randomly selected were interviewed. The data was analysed using Statistical Analysis System program. The majority of farmers (84%) were males. The households surveyed had an average family size of 8 (± 4.7) members. The mean land holding was 7.8 acres, with 98% of them owning the land. Most of the farmers (64%) in the two districts were literate and were involved in farming (95%) as the primary livelihood. The majority (80%) of the households preferred keeping indigenous zebu cattle over the exotic cattle. The first three reasons for keeping zebu cattle were, in that order, work, especially ploughing (91%), milk (74%) and as a repository for wealth (32%), which accounted for about 62% of the respondents. Diseases (86%), inadequate and low quality feed (12%) and high cost of drugs (2%) were the major constraints to livestock productivity. The farmers also identified lack of market (48%), poor infrastructure (39%) and misuse by the middlemen traders (12%) as main marketing constraints. The survey showed that there is need for the effective implementation of policies on adequate financial aid and regulation of farm input prices to the farmers as well as improved livestock extension services to enhance the production of ruminant livestock.

This study was carried out to investigate the productivity and the natural disease resistance potential of free-ranging local chickens in Tanzania. A total of 84 adult free-ranging local chicken ecotypes were studied, namely: Mbeya, Morogoro-medium, Ching’wekwe, Kuchi and Singamagazi. Adult body weight, body length, shank length and egg weight were assessed and compared. Average body weight for hens and cocks was 1441g (800 to 2,300g) and 2261g (1000 to 3500g), respectively. Egg weight averaged 41.6g (27 to 72g). Mean body length for hens and cocks was 21.6cm (17 to 26cm) and 24.6cm (21 to 29cm), respectively, and mean shank length 9.7cm (7 to 12cm) and 12.7cm (8.5 to 15cm), respectively. Between ecotypes significant differences were seen in the above parameters. The disease resistance potential was tested on 10 offspring of each ecotype, excluding the Mbeya. Twenty chickens (five from each of the four ecotypes) aged 12 weeks were inoculated with Newcastle disease virus while another 20 aged 20 weeks were inoculated with Salmonella gallinarum. Five chickens per group that were not challenged were used as controls. Following oral, ocular and nasal drop inoculation with Newcastle disease virus, the chickens developed clinical signs of Newcastle disease as from day three after infection. Mortality started on day five after infection, and all but one chicken were dead by day seven after infection. The 20 chickens, infected orally with S. gallinarum, showed clinical signs of fowl typhoid on day three after infection. Mortalities started on day seven after infection and by day 12 after infection 13 chickens had died. Seven birds survived without visible signs of the disease, including all five from the Kuchi ecotype and one each of the Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe ecotypes. At necropsy enlarged and congested liver and spleen, and catarrhal enteritis of the small intestines were seen. The surviving birds were sacrificed on day 14 after infection. Neither the sacrificed surviving birds nor the controls showed the above necropsy picture. It was concluded that free-ranging local chicken ecotypes in Tanzania differ in both productivity and disease resistance potential.

The study was conducted to estimate the economic values (EV) of Begait cattle breeding-objective traits and their effects on the returns to investment in breeding programs using bio-economic model. Production systems were described according to their level of input and sale age, namely, low input herd management (LIHM) and medium input herd management (MIHM) based on fixed herd size for genetic improvement of multiple traits. Results showed that all considered traits have positive economic values across production systems except pre weaning daily body weight gain (PrDG). However, production systems had significant influence on the magnitude of EV of traits. The MIHM was superior by 100 to 9% to the LIHM system. Regardless of the two production systems, calving interval (CI) had the highest EV followed by dressing percentage (DP) and mature weight (MWT). Although, the overall change of beef trait EV influenced the marginal profit through price and production variable changes at constant MY, the more sensitive change was observed with the changes of MY EV. Traits of milk yield had 1 to 12% increment on profit with 1 to10% improvement in its EV by rising milk price, reduced weaning and reduced culling rates. However, beef traits only made 5.1×10-7 to 2.3×10 -6% raises on profits with 18 to 50% increment in its EV by beef price increment and reduced age at first calving. The higher increments of profit parallel to the EV of milk production trait and mostly simultaneous improvements on CI have a great indication to give priorities on milk yield traits than beef traits in any Begait cattle improvement program. Therefore, improving milk production traits and fecundity traits simultaneously with their market outlet is better to increase the profitability of farmers and sustains the valuable breed in their habitat.

A survey of marketing system, socio economic role and intra household dynamics of indigenous chicken was conducted in Gomma Wereda located at 390 km southwest of Addis Ababa. Six Kebeles of the Wereda were randomly identified and 30 households (hh) randomly selected from each kebele were used to collect data on the profile of the respondents, chicken population and flock structure, marketing system, socio economic role and intra household dynamics of the indigenous chicken using questionnaire, regular visit and target group discussions. The results obtained showed that the mean flock size/hh of the study area (6.23 chickens) was greater than that of the national average (4.1) and strangely dominated by hens of > 5 months of age. Informal and open markets of live birds and eggs are common throughout the Wereda. There is variation in market price of chickens and eggs attributed to the physical condition of the birds, disease outbreak, time of incubation, and holidays and festivals. Both eggs and chickens pass through different individuals before reaching consumers and about 52.2% of the market chickens and eggs are collected and transported by retailers to terminal markets contributing to disease spread and quality deterioration. About 96.7% of the ownership of chicken was held by women and with the exception of poultry house construction all the other activities including marketing are done by women indicating that village chickens are source of self-reliance for women. There are no taboos connected to consumption of poultry. And yet, chickens and eggs are not among staple food items in the Gomma Wereda. The results obtained also showed that lack of access to credit and high prevalence of disease conditions and predators are the major constraints to improve household poultry in the study area.

Characterization of the Short-eared Somali goat population around Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, was undertaken in a community-based and participatory approach. Range of participatory tools, including Focal Group Discussions, participatory mappings and transect walks, were employed to study the local community's Indigenous knowledge and practices in animal breeding. The breeding objective was defined in a participatory manner through own-flock ranking experiments. Physical description of the goat population was made based on the "key characteristics" concept used by the community to distinguish their goat type among other breeds within their migratory reach. The Issa community maintains a perception of special association towards the Short-eared Somali goat type, claiming a historic role in its development and adaptation. Local myths persistent in the community associate the origin of the Short-eared Somali goat breed with the communal ethno-history. The community generally practices selective pure breeding employing rather complex indigenous knowledge and traditional practices aimed at polishing the gene pool towards the dictates of the environment. Patchy color patterns were generally dominant (59.8%) in the goat population, while 34% of the patched goats had a unique pattern of black spots on the center core of the face and a black stripe across the spine. Goats were kept for multifaceted purposes ranging from products like milk and meat to functions in socio-cultural and financial state of affairs. The production system was characterized with lack of feed supplementation and rangelands provide the only source of feed throughout the year. Although the production environment was characterized with recurrent droughts and high prevalence of goat diseases, goats were found to have significant contributions to the livelihood of the Issa pastoralists in the study area.

The objective of this study was to assess the carcass characteristics of two goat breed types under different durations of feedlot management. Forty eight yearling intact male Borana (n=24) and Arsi-Bale (n=24) goats were used in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, the factors being breed-type (Borana and Arsi-bale) and feeding days (90, 120 and 150). The goats were slaughtered after 18 hours fasting to evaluate the various carcass traits. The carcasses were separated into leg, lion, rack, shoulder and neck and breast and shank primal cuts. The Borana goats possessed heavier live weight, empty body weight, carcass weight and length than the Arsi-Bale goats in the feedlot environment. Dressing percentage varied from 41.0 to 45.9% for both goat breed types. Borana had greater rib eye area than Arsi-Bale goats for 120 (42.9±3.99) and 150 (47.3±1.28) feeding days. Back fat thickness was higher for both breed-types for 150 days feedlot feeding. The highest bone proportion was 30.9% for Arsi-Bale goats while the lowest was 25.7% for Borana goats. The percentage of rack fat of Borana was higher than for the Arsi-Bale goats.

The aim of the study was to find out the differences of blood biochemical and morphological parameters in cows with and without retained foetal membranes. Sixty cows of different age of Latvian blackand- white breed from two Joint Stock Companies were used in the research that was divided into two groups: control group of 15 cows, and 45 cows with retained foetal membranes. Research was done from September 2007 to January 2009. In haematological parameters on the second day postpartum, control group cows had increased leukocyte count on the account of mature neutrophils, but in the group of cows with retained foetal membranes leukocytes were within the range of normal values. The difference of the above mentioned parameters between both of the groups was significant (p is less than 0.05). At the same time, in cows of both investigated groups the number of band neutrophils was slightly increased (p is greater than 0.05). Haematological analyses showed leukocytes shift to the left and lymphopenia with a tendency to get normal within six weeks postpartum in both cow groups. On the third week postpartum, in cows with retained foetal membranes the band neutrophil count increased significantly (p is less than 0.05) indicating that the inflammation process has flared up. Blood for biochemical examination was sampled from cows within 48 hours postpartum in order to evaluate the functional condition of liver in milking cows. A significantly higher (p is less than 0.05) total and direct reacting bilirubin was observed in cows with retained foetal membranes, although it was within the range of normal values.

Reduced fertility associated with fluid accumulation has been recognized for many years in broodmares. Fluid present in the uterus after ovulation is often associated with mare susceptibility to endometritis. Objective of this study was to determine amount of intrauterine fluid secretion and endometrial oedema in mares at the time of artificial insemination (AI), 6 h, 25 h, and 48 h after AI and at the time of ovulation. A total of 22 cycling light breed mares from MTT Agrifood Research, Ypaja, Finland, were used in the study. Relaxation of the cervix, the number and size of follicles, corpus luteum, and the degree of endometrial oedema were examined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography every other day. According to the closing and opening time of the cervix which was regulated using Bivona catheter, mares were distributed into 3groups. Group A (n=7): immediately after artificial insemination (AI) the catheter was inserted into the uterus. After 25 h, the catheter was opened and the fluid drained. Group B (n=8): immediately after AI, Bivona catheter was inserted into the uterus. After 6 h and 25 h the catheter was opened and the fluid drained. Group C (n=7)-control group: no catheter was inserted into the uterus. According to our investigation, we concluded that the amount of intrauterine fluid accumulation (IUFA) in mares increased within 25 h after AI. Mares with delayed uterine clearance had a significantly larger amount of intrauterine fluid than mares with normal uterine clearance. Open cervix during oestrus period is important for adequate clearance of intrauterine fluid in mares. Opening of intrauterine catheter at 6 h post AI didn’t diminish intrauterine fluid accumulation at 25 h post AI.

There are several unique features in the anatomy of the stomach in African ostrich in comparison with other birds. The goal of this study was to determine changes in the main morphometric parameters and histological features of gastric mucosa in ostrich chickens from the 38th day of embryonal development until 60 days of age. For the study, 6 embryos (38th day of development) and 36 chicks (1, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days post hatching; 6 chicks per time point) of both sexes were obtained from African ostrich farm in Latvia during May - October, 2009. Tissue samples were investigated in Preclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The total area of proventricular mucosa (cm2) and surface area of deep glands (cm2) was measured. Tissue sections for histological assessment were stained with: hematoxylin and eosin and alcian-blue pH 2.5 - periodic acid – Schiff reaction. Thickness of proventricular and ventricular mucosa, depth of proventricular superficial glands as well as surface area of parenchyma occupied by deep glands were measured in histologic sections. As the chick age increased, there were changes in the ratio of areas occupied by proventricular superficial and deep glands with relative decrease in area occupied by deep glands. Proventricular deep glands developed rapidly after hatching; at the age of 30 days deep glands histologically resembled glandular structure of adult birds. Gastric mucosal epithelial cells of 38 days old ostrich embryos and of just hatched ostrich chicks contained neutral, acidic, and mixed mucopolysaccharides. Meanwhile, in the pyloric region of ventriculus acidic mucopolysaccharides predominated.