Quality assessment of layer day-old chicks supplied to Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Chick quality assessment was carried out on layer day-old chicks supplied to Maiduguri. A total of 30 layer day-old chicks, comprising of 10 chicks each from three major suppliers were used for this study. Physical, microbiological and serological qualities were assessed. Although the chicks from source C had a higher mean body weight (33.1±0.4 g), there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mean body weight among chicks from all sources. Similarly, no significant difference (p>0.05) was found in the agility between the three sources. However, chicks from source C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher mean chick length (18.2±0.21 cm) than chicks from other sources. Ten percent mortality was recorded in chicks from source A, while no mortality was recorded in chicks from sources B and C. Hundred percent of the chicks from sources A and C had their navel completely closed while 90% navel closure was observed from source B. None of the three sources had chicks with any form of physical deformity. Seven different bacterial organisms were isolated from the cloacal and navel swabs of chicks from the different sources with Escherichia coli being the most prevalent bacteria isolated from all sources. Serological quality showed better protection against Newcastle disease than against IBD among chicks from all sources. The study revealed mixed qualities among chicks from the different sources. Minimum standards are suggested to be set for physical, microbiological and serological qualities and a regulatory body should also be established to ensure strict adherence to the minimum standards of chicks supplied to farmers in Nigeria. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.