Papers by Christopher Tsopito
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 1998
Donkeys are good grazers as well as browsers. The teeth and lips of donkeys permit them to graze ... more Donkeys are good grazers as well as browsers. The teeth and lips of donkeys permit them to graze close to the ground; thus they can graze short vegetation efficiently. Donkeys are non-selective grazers and can feed on a wide variety of foodstuffs, including kitchen leftovers. They struggle for dominance when group fed. The dominant donkey in a group kicks the
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Animals, 2023
Simple Summary:
The inclusion of morula kernel cake (MKC) as a source of protein in finishing di... more Simple Summary:
The inclusion of morula kernel cake (MKC) as a source of protein in finishing diets of Tswana lambs positively supported growth and enhanced sensory attributes of cooked meatsteaks. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass traits were
similar for lambs fed on diets containing Lucerne (commercial diet), sunflower seedcake, or MKC. However, lambs from a commercial diet (CD) had a better nitrogen retention than lambs from a sunflower seedcake diet (SCD). Nitrogen retention in lambs fed a morula kernel cake diet (MKCD) was numerically better than those from SCD. The nutritional meat quality parameters were similar across the dietary treatments and were within the recommended reference values. Additionally, meat
steaks of lambs that consumed MKCD were rich in oleic acid while meat steaks of lambs that ate SCD had no oleic acid. Furthermore, the gross margins from lambs fed either MKCD or SCD were better than those fed CD. This was attributed to lower variable costs of feed that accounted to 51% of production costs in lambs fed either MKCD or SCD when compared to lambs fed CD, which had variable costs of 71% apportioned to feed.
Abstract:
A trial evaluated growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic returns of fattened lambs fed on diets containing different protein sources. Six castrated male Tswana lambs per treatment were used in a completely randomised design (CRD) trial and fed on complete diets containing Lucerne (CD; commercial diet), morula kernel cake (MKC), or sunflower seedcake (SC) as protein sources over a 103-day experiment. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed
in the dry matter intake, final body weight, average daily gain, and FCR. This was attributable to all the diets providing an equal supply of nutrients to the lambs. Meat quality attributes and proximate composition values were similar (p > 0.05) across the treatments. Longissimus dorsi muscle
organoleptic quality did not differ (p > 0.05) across the treatments. The gross margin analysis was significantly greater (p < 0.05) when feeding SCD than feeding CD and was intermediate for lambs fed MKCD. Morula kernel cake (Sclerocarya birrea) can be used for fattening lambs when common protein sources are either not available or expensive.
Keywords: morula kernel cake; nitrogen retention; organoleptic attributes; lamb
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Animals, Apr 18, 2023
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Animals, Apr 18, 2023
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Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2014
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The impact of family chickens on the livelihoods of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) was i... more The impact of family chickens on the livelihoods of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) was investigated in Khudumelapye, Mogobane, Mokubilo and Serowe villages of Botswana. The objectives of this study were to determine the consumption and marketing of family chickens and to evaluate the contribution of family chickens towards household income and nutrition of PLWHA in four villages of Botswana. Data were collected from 100 respondents (25 from each village) using a structured questionnaire and through direct observation. The results showed that 79% of the respondents slaughtered chickens for family consumption and 21% to honour guests. Sixty-one percent of respondents consumed eggs while the remainder used eggs for breeding purposes. Seventy-four percent of the respondents sold some chickens to meet immediate family needs. Eighty-two percent of chickens were sold for cash followed by barter (10%). A total of 874 chickens were sold from the surveyed villages earning the sum of ...
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The aim of the study was to determine the effects of weaning age and sex on bone development of p... more The aim of the study was to determine the effects of weaning age and sex on bone development of pigs raised under intensive system and slaughtered at 70 kg body weight. A total of 24 piglets were randomly assigned to 3 weaning ages: treatment 1 (21 days of age), treatment 2 (28 days of age) and treatment 3 (35 days of age). Feed and water were given ad libitum up to slaughter weight of 70 kg. Data were analysed as completely randomized design (CRD) using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis system, version 9.3. Weaning age did not have significant (P > 0.05) effect on bone length and width of pigs. However, pigs weaned at 35 days of age tended to have longer femur (17.4 ± 0.17 cm), tibia (16.0 ± 0.19 cm) and humerus (15.6 ± 0.17 cm) than those weaned at 21 and 28 days of age. A 28 days weaning age resulted in significantly heavier femur (239.0 ± 6.19 g vs. 216.8 ± 6.19 g), tibia (145.8 ± 4.02 g vs. 132.0 ± 4.02 g) and humerus (211.7 ± 4.91 g vs. 195.9 ...
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Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 2013
A feeding trial was conducted to determine growth and laying performance of indigenous Tswana hen... more A feeding trial was conducted to determine growth and laying performance of indigenous Tswana hens fed diets formulated with four different protein sources consisting of either Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) or Vigna subterranea (L) Verde or Imbrasia belina (Westwood) and commercial diets under an intensive system in Botswana. Sixty 25 weeks old normal feathered Tswana hens were bought from a local farmer and reared up to 38 weeks on diets containing T. esculentum (Burchell) or V. subterranea (L) Verde or I. belina (Westwood) and a commercial diet (control). The hens were then randomly allocated to four treatment groups of 15 hens, with each treatment having three replicates of five hens each. Tylosema esculentum , V. subterranea and I. belina diets were formulated to meet the nutritional composition of commercial layers diet using T. esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber beans, V. subterranea (L) Verde beans and I. belina (Westwood), respectively as sources of protein before the start of...
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A B S T R A C T densities D1, D2, D3 and D4 being 10 birds/m 2 , 13 birds/m 2 , 16 birds/m 2 and ... more A B S T R A C T densities D1, D2, D3 and D4 being 10 birds/m 2 , 13 birds/m 2 , 16 birds/m 2 and 19 birds/m 2 in the first phase (0-6 weeks); 8 birds/m 2 , 11 birds/m 2 , 14 birds/m 2 and 17 birds/m 2 in the second phase (7-12 weeks) and lastly 6 birds/m 2 , 9 birds/m 2 , 12 birds/m 2 and 15 birds/m 2 in the third phase (13-18 weeks) due to slaughtering which occurred at the end of each phase in a completely randomized design. The number of replicates per treatment was four. Parameters recorded included feed intake, body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, final live weight, dressed weight and dressing percentage. Data were analysed using the General Linear Model Procedures in Statistical Analysis System. The growth parameters of family chickens reared in three phases under intensive system were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by different stocking densities probably because of slaughtering that occurred at six weekly intervals. A sign...
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THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2020
This study investigated the effect of weaning age on carcass characteristics of crossbred piglets... more This study investigated the effect of weaning age on carcass characteristics of crossbred piglets reared up to 70 kg body weight (BW) under intensive system. A total of 24 piglets were used in a completely randomized design. The experiment comprised three treatments: piglets weaned at 21, 28, and 35 days of age with four replicates each with two piglets (castrate and female). At 70 kg BW two piglets (castrate and female) were randomly selected from each replicate and sacrificed for carcass evaluation. Hot carcass weight (HCW) was measured and thereafter dressing out percentage was calculated. Carcasses were chilled at 7 0C for 24 hours to determine cold dressed weight (CDW). Carcasses were cut into the left and right halves along the median line. The left half of the carcass was used to measure carcass length (CRLTH), average backfat depth and longissimus muscle area (LMA) at the 10th rib, while the right half of the carcass was physically dissected into bone, muscle and fat and the...
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Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, 2016
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Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, 2018
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Journal of Animal Science, 2000
In vitro digestion and growth studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of level of soybean ... more In vitro digestion and growth studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of level of soybean oil inclusion in forage-based diets. In Exp. 1, diets were bromegrass hay (H), bromegrass hay and corn-soybean meal supplement (C), C with 3% added soybean oil (O3), and C with 6% added soybean (O6). Diets containing supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Treatment means were compared using a single-degree-of-freedom contrast (H vs C, O3, and O6) and orthogonal polynomial contrasts within diets C, O3, and O6. Diet H had the lowest (P = .0003) IVDMD and a linear decline (P = .0001) in IVDMD was observed from C to O6, but 24-h IVDMD disappearance was greatest (P = .001; quadratic) for O3. Total VFA increased from C to O3 and then decreased from O3 to O6 (quadratic; P = .001), and acetate:propionate ratio decreased linearly (P = .0001) from C to O6. Changes in long-chain fatty acids reflected biohydrogenation by ruminal microbes; however, only 18:3 was hydrogenated to the same extent across all diets. In Exp. 2, 36 Angus x Gelbvieh heifers (260.0 +/- 6.0 kg initial BW) were individually fed C, O3, or O6 as mixed rations for 104 d. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and provide ADG of .91 kg. Feed efficiency and ADG was greatest (P &lt; .02; quadratic) for O3 heifers. Serum NEFA increased linearly (P = .02) and serum glucose (P = .02), cholesterol (P = .002), and GH (P = .04) showed a quadratic response to level of dietary soybean oil. Plasma proportions of 16:0, 16:1, 18:0, and 18:1 increased quadratically (P &lt; .03), and 18:2 increased linearly (P &lt; .001) from C to O6. In Exp. 3, 42 Angus x Gelbvieh heifers (288.7 +/- 6.6 kg initial BW) were divided into six pens (two pens/treatment) in a randomized complete block designed experiment. Rations were delivered as hay plus a top-dressed supplement (C, O3, or O6). Heifers fed O3 conceived 10 d earlier (quadratic; P = .06) than heifers fed C and O6. Other production estimates did not differ (P &gt; or = .10) among dietary treatments. Inclusion of soybean oil at 3% of a forage-based diet increased total VFA, many blood metabolites, ADG, and feed efficiency, and it decreased time to conception. Adding soybean oil as 3% of a forage-based diet is an acceptable feeding strategy for developing beef heifers.
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A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of housing and parenteral vitamin B complex admi... more A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of housing and parenteral vitamin B complex administration on the survival of goat kids born during winter. Some pregnant does were flushed in the last month of pregnancy. Kids born to these does were housed at night and injected with vitamin B complex, using the subcutaneous route. Ninety percent of these goat kids survived in the first 12 weeks of life. In the control group only 23.3% of the kids survived. For successful winter kidding, the does should be flushed, kids injected with vitamin B complex and housed in order to reduce kid mortality.
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Desde octubre a febrero (estación seca) de 1995-6 se muestreó el agua de 5 pozos seleccionados al... more Desde octubre a febrero (estación seca) de 1995-6 se muestreó el agua de 5 pozos seleccionados al azar en Kweneng oeste (Botswana). La concentración, siempre por debajode niveles tóxicos, de minerales analizados (S04, CO3H , Cl, NO3 , F, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe) varió de un pozo a otro y de un mes a otro pero, en cualquier caso, supone un aporte sustancial de minerales a la dieta. Teniendo en cuenta los sólidos totales disueltos y las concentraciones de nitratos y fluoruros el agua puede considerarse de aceptable calidad.
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Biomass is considered a potential feedstock for many renewable energy production systems and inte... more Biomass is considered a potential feedstock for many renewable energy production systems and interest especially in grass production has increased markedly in the last two decades. The present work focuses on grass biomass in the semi arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa and includes the study of two different methods of harvesting and baling as well as two different bale storage methods. The results indicated an average dry matter yield of 22600 kg ha -1 . The average harvesting rate and fuel consumption were 1.57 h ha -1 and 6.23 ℓ ha -1 , respectively. The baling rate was 0.80 h ha -1 while diesel consumption during baling was 2.69 ℓ ha -1 . Manual harvesting using scythes varied extensively depending on time of day and the quality of the handmade bales though acceptable could at times fall below standards. The open barn storage method and open barn plus tarpaulin cover storage method could be used to store bales for a period of up to 5 months with minimum changes in neural deterge...
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Four separate studies were conducted to evaluate the feed value of indigenous browses of Botswana... more Four separate studies were conducted to evaluate the feed value of indigenous browses of Botswana. In the first study, browse seeds from nine Acacia species were analysed for proximate composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. Nutrient composition of the seeds varied, crude protein content of Acacia robusta was 12.52 p.100 while Acacia erubescens was 21.82 p.100. The second study was to evaluate the influence of processing on fibre content and in vitro digestibility of seeds from five browse species using three physical forms of the seeds namely whole seeds, coarsely ground and finely ground. Physical forms of the seeds affected the neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and dry matter digestibility of all seeds evaluated. The third study was to evaluate the tannin content and crude protein degradation of leaves and twigs from indigenous Acacia species in Botswana rangelands. Correlation between crude protein was found to be negative (-0.582). The fourth study was a feeding trial lasting 98 days using 12 yearling Tswana malegoats fed buffalo grass hay as basal diet and Acacia fleckii or Acacia tortilis as supplements and lucerne to the control group to evaluate animal performance on these browses. Average daily dry matter intake of goats on Acacia fleckii as supplement was 768.40 g and 790.79 g for those on Acacia tortilis as supplements. The average daily body weight gain was higher for goats on lucerne 81 g compared to 72 g and 76 g for those on Acacia fleckii and Acacia tortilis as supplements respectively. Goats fed on the Acacia species consumed the leaves, twigs and even the thorns leaving only the stalks.
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Se han realizado cuatro estudios diferentes para evaluar el valor alimenticio de forrajes leñosos... more Se han realizado cuatro estudios diferentes para evaluar el valor alimenticio de forrajes leñosos indígenas de Botswana. En el primero, se ha analizado la composición nutritiva y digestibilidad in vitro de la materia seca de semillas de nueve especies de Acacia. La composición nutritiva de las semillas varió; así, el contenido de proteína bruta de Acacia robusta fue 12,52 p.100 mientras que el de Acacia erubescens fue 21,82 p.100. El segundo estudio fue para evaluar la influencia del procesado sobre el nivel de fibra y la digestibilidad in vitro de semillas de cinco especies, presentadas como semillas enteras, molidas groseramente y finamente molidas. La forma física afectó a la fibra neutro detergente, fibra ácido detergente y digestibilidad de todas las semillas. En el tercer estudio se evaluó el contenido de taninos y la degradación de la proteína de hojas y brotes de especies indígenas de Acacia en Botswana. El cuarto estudio fue un ensayo de alimentación durante 98 días usando ...
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International Journal of Poultry Science, 2014
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A study was carried out in Central, Kweneng and South East districts of Botswanato document ethno... more A study was carried out in Central, Kweneng and South East districts of Botswanato document ethnoveterinary practices used in health management of family chickens. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and through direct observation. The questionnaires were administered to 100 respondents (25 respondents per village) inKhudumelapye (Kweneng), Mogobane (South East), Mokubilo and Serowe (Central). The results of the study showed that females were the main owners and carers of family chickens constituting 86%. Forty-eight percent of the respondents were mature followed by youth (31%) and adults (21%). Family chicken losses were attributed to predation (35.29%), diseases (29.75%), parasites (20.09%) and theft (14.87%).The common diseases experienced by respondents were Newcastle Disease (NCD), fowl pox, and infectious bronchitis disease. Sixty-five percent of the respondents used modern medicines, 10% traditional remedies while 25% used both modern medicines and tradition...
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Papers by Christopher Tsopito
The inclusion of morula kernel cake (MKC) as a source of protein in finishing diets of Tswana lambs positively supported growth and enhanced sensory attributes of cooked meatsteaks. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass traits were
similar for lambs fed on diets containing Lucerne (commercial diet), sunflower seedcake, or MKC. However, lambs from a commercial diet (CD) had a better nitrogen retention than lambs from a sunflower seedcake diet (SCD). Nitrogen retention in lambs fed a morula kernel cake diet (MKCD) was numerically better than those from SCD. The nutritional meat quality parameters were similar across the dietary treatments and were within the recommended reference values. Additionally, meat
steaks of lambs that consumed MKCD were rich in oleic acid while meat steaks of lambs that ate SCD had no oleic acid. Furthermore, the gross margins from lambs fed either MKCD or SCD were better than those fed CD. This was attributed to lower variable costs of feed that accounted to 51% of production costs in lambs fed either MKCD or SCD when compared to lambs fed CD, which had variable costs of 71% apportioned to feed.
Abstract:
A trial evaluated growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic returns of fattened lambs fed on diets containing different protein sources. Six castrated male Tswana lambs per treatment were used in a completely randomised design (CRD) trial and fed on complete diets containing Lucerne (CD; commercial diet), morula kernel cake (MKC), or sunflower seedcake (SC) as protein sources over a 103-day experiment. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed
in the dry matter intake, final body weight, average daily gain, and FCR. This was attributable to all the diets providing an equal supply of nutrients to the lambs. Meat quality attributes and proximate composition values were similar (p > 0.05) across the treatments. Longissimus dorsi muscle
organoleptic quality did not differ (p > 0.05) across the treatments. The gross margin analysis was significantly greater (p < 0.05) when feeding SCD than feeding CD and was intermediate for lambs fed MKCD. Morula kernel cake (Sclerocarya birrea) can be used for fattening lambs when common protein sources are either not available or expensive.
Keywords: morula kernel cake; nitrogen retention; organoleptic attributes; lamb
The inclusion of morula kernel cake (MKC) as a source of protein in finishing diets of Tswana lambs positively supported growth and enhanced sensory attributes of cooked meatsteaks. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass traits were
similar for lambs fed on diets containing Lucerne (commercial diet), sunflower seedcake, or MKC. However, lambs from a commercial diet (CD) had a better nitrogen retention than lambs from a sunflower seedcake diet (SCD). Nitrogen retention in lambs fed a morula kernel cake diet (MKCD) was numerically better than those from SCD. The nutritional meat quality parameters were similar across the dietary treatments and were within the recommended reference values. Additionally, meat
steaks of lambs that consumed MKCD were rich in oleic acid while meat steaks of lambs that ate SCD had no oleic acid. Furthermore, the gross margins from lambs fed either MKCD or SCD were better than those fed CD. This was attributed to lower variable costs of feed that accounted to 51% of production costs in lambs fed either MKCD or SCD when compared to lambs fed CD, which had variable costs of 71% apportioned to feed.
Abstract:
A trial evaluated growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic returns of fattened lambs fed on diets containing different protein sources. Six castrated male Tswana lambs per treatment were used in a completely randomised design (CRD) trial and fed on complete diets containing Lucerne (CD; commercial diet), morula kernel cake (MKC), or sunflower seedcake (SC) as protein sources over a 103-day experiment. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed
in the dry matter intake, final body weight, average daily gain, and FCR. This was attributable to all the diets providing an equal supply of nutrients to the lambs. Meat quality attributes and proximate composition values were similar (p > 0.05) across the treatments. Longissimus dorsi muscle
organoleptic quality did not differ (p > 0.05) across the treatments. The gross margin analysis was significantly greater (p < 0.05) when feeding SCD than feeding CD and was intermediate for lambs fed MKCD. Morula kernel cake (Sclerocarya birrea) can be used for fattening lambs when common protein sources are either not available or expensive.
Keywords: morula kernel cake; nitrogen retention; organoleptic attributes; lamb