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J Parasit Dis Diagn Ther 2017 | Volume 2 Issue 4
International Conference on
Zoology, Microbiology & Medical Parasitology
October 30-November 01, 2017 | Chicago, USA
T
his study was carried out to determine the performance
characteristics of African hinged back tortoise (kinixys
spp) under different watering regimes. Sixteen (16) tortoises
with weight ranges from 150 to 675g were randomly
distributed into four treatment groups and each treatment
was allotted with four tortoises. The watering regime
serves as the treatment group, these were; Ad- libitum
watering (07.00-07.00hrs), 12 hour daily watering (0700-
1900hrs), 6 hour daily watering (1300-1900hrs) and 12
hour night watering (1900-0700hrs) serving as treatments
1,2,3 and 4 respectively. All the animals were fed
ad libitum
the on boiled cocoyam mashed and mixed with palm oil.
Parameters on feed intake, water intake, weight changes,
and blood metabolites were collected and used to assess
their performance. The study lasted for five weeks, however,
a pre experimental period of two weeks was allowed for
adaptation of the animals. The results obtained showed that
the mean water consumption for the treatments 1, 2, 3 and
4 where 152mls, 179mls, 58mls, and 81mls respectively and
the mean feed intake were 24.70g, 17.60g 15.80g and 25.20g
respectively, revealing that the animals served water at night
consumed more feed, followed by those watered 24 hour
daily. The least feed consumption was recorded for animals
watered in the afternoon for only 6 hour per day. Also, the
values obtained for the weight increment for the treatments
were 75g, 38g, 63g and 175g for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4
respectively. This indicates that the highest weight gain
was recorded for animals under the 12 hour night watering
regime followed by those under the
ad libitum
watering
regime. The least weight gain was recorded in the group
of animals under the 12 hour day treatment. The analysis
of some blood metabolites showed the packed cell volume
ranges from 23.5 to 33.5%, total serum protein 5.85 to 5.90g/
dl, serum albumin 3.00 to 3.20g/dl and serum globulin 2.70
to 2.90 g/dl. Results obtained from the experiment showed
that the mean feed and water intake were affected by the
duration of watering that the animal was subjected to,
however, the blood metabolite were not influenced by the
watering regime.
Keywords:
Performance, Tortoises
(Kinixys Spp)
, Different
Watering Regimes in Captivity
e:
james.imasuen@uniben.eduPerformance characteristics of Tortoises (Kinixys Spp) fed boiled Cocoyam mixed with palm oil under
different watering regimes in captivity in tropical environment
Imasuen, J.A., Nwokoro, S.O and U.G.S. Osa
University of Benin, Benin City