Research Article
Effects of Diets and Rearing Periods on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Cockroach Meal as Source of Protein to Broiler Chicken
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
111-123
Received:
14 July 2025
Accepted:
28 July 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach nymphs (10th-14th instars) were allotted randomly to the diets and rearing periods and replicated five (5) times in buckets. Data on feed intake, growth performance, survival rates, number of ootheca and cost components were recorded and analysed. Samples of the feed ingredients, diets and cockroach meal were collected and analysed for nutritional values using standard methods. Diet D1 was a well-balanced commercial broiler starter, whereas diets D2 was made from three organic wastes and D3 being made from various organic wastes with fortification of minerals and vitamins. The cumulative feed intake by the cockroaches on diet D2 (45.26 g) was higher (p<0.05) than that of diets D1 (26.8 g) and D3 (37.74 g). Cockroaches fed on diet D2 had higher weight gain (7.4 g) than diets D1 (5.9 g) and D2 (4.1 g). Similarly, cockroaches reared for 90 days had higher weight gain (7.6 g) than those reared for 30 (2.5 g), 60 (5.7 g) and 120 (7.3 g) days. The number of ootheca produced were higher (P<0.05) on diet D2 (35) than on diet D1 (13) and D3 (12). The higher (P<0.05) mean survival rate was observed in cockroaches reared for 30 days (91.3%) and 90 days (81.4%) than those reared for 60 days (67.8%) and 120 days (54.9%) periods. The average crude protein content of the cockroach meal was higher at 90 days (720.4 g/kg) and 60 days (716.8 g/kg) than other periods. In conclusion, rearing cockroach nymphs on diet D2 for 90 days was found to be the most effective way of producing cockroaches with relatively low production costs. Further study is recommended on evaluation of the produced cockroach meal as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chicken.
Abstract: A 3 x 4 factorial experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three diets (D1, D2 and D3) and four rearing periods (T30 (30 days), T60 (60 days), T90 (90 days) and T120 (120 days) on the performance and economics of mass production of American cockroaches as source of animal protein in the diets of broiler chickens. A total of 1380 cockroach ...
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Research Article
Termite Damage to Buildings in Benue State, Nigeria: Termite Diversity and Nature of Attacks, Economic Cost of Maintenance and Residents’ Perception and Control
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
124-137
Received:
13 September 2025
Accepted:
25 September 2025
Published:
18 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aje.20250904.12
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Abstract: Globally, the annual economic cost of termite damage and termite prevention in the housing sector is estimated in the billions. However, in sub-Saharan countries in Africa data on damage and cost of termite-related maintenance are scarce. This study was designed to investigate termite damage to public and residential buildings, quantify the financial cost of termite-related building maintenance with the intent of building the capacity of home owners to deploy cost-effective prevention and control measures in Benue state, Nigeria. Four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in all were selected, Makurdi and Otukpo representing urban LGAs while Ushongo and Ogbadibo represented the rural LGAs. Termite infestation was based on visual observation of signs such as termite mud tunnels on walls, pores in walls, damaged parts such as roofs, windows and door frames, and wooden furniture among others. Questionnaires administration and household inspection were conducted concurrently across all four locations. Through purposive sampling techniques, residents and home owners experiencing perceived termite-related challenges within the communities were randomly recruited until 400 participants were enlisted. The termites attacking each house were collected in a vial with 70% ethanol and labeled with the house ID number and relevant data. The overall termite infestation rate in all four locations was high with 71.4% of inspected house having evidences of termite infestation. The rural settlements had higher infestation rates but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05) (χ2=7.783; P=0.100). Macrotermes bellicosus and M. malacensis were the most predominant termite species infesting buildings. Infestation rate was significantly higher in older buildings with building above 50 and 60 years having 29.0% and 23.3% infestations rate respectively (P < 0.05) (χ2=6.31 P=0.177). The overall knowledge about termites, source of infestation and effective control measures is poor at all study locations, with 151 (37.8%) of home owners not having any idea of sources of termite infestation while 128 (32.0%) believed that termites infested their buildings from neigbouring apartments. This perception was not significantly different for both urban and rural locations (P > 0.05). A total of 167 (41.8%) of home owners whose house were infested expressed the desire to abandon their apartments if they had alternatives. These desires were stronger in rural settlements with Ogbadibo and Ushongo having 34.7% and 25.1% respectively. This study revealed that home owners do not have sufficient knowledge regarding termite control. This poor knowledge could be a hurdle in the effective management of termites. Building the capacity of communities to identify and deploy effective termite control strategies through training is vital.
Abstract: Globally, the annual economic cost of termite damage and termite prevention in the housing sector is estimated in the billions. However, in sub-Saharan countries in Africa data on damage and cost of termite-related maintenance are scarce. This study was designed to investigate termite damage to public and residential buildings, quantify the financi...
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,
Martin John Martin
