Indigenous chicken production has become an important source of income and protein for many households especially in the developing economies. This study was conducted to identify the common resources used and determine their level of influence on indigenous chicken production in selected wards of Kitui county using the production function approach Primary data was collected by administering structured questionnaires on 120 respondents. A multistage sampling procedure was applied where four sub counties where purposively selected followed by random selection of four wards from each sub county. Finally, 10 respondents were randomly selected from each ward. The questionnaire response rate was 83% and therefore 100 questionnaires were used for analysis. The study established that, the resources used by the indigenous chicken farmers were; poultry house, feeds, feeding traps, water traps, veterinary services and hired labour. The results of the stochastic production frontier showed that the costs of the identified resources significantly influenced the level on indigenous chicken production in the study area. Based on the results, the study suggests that: 1. there was need to educated farmers on optimum production techniques in order to cut down on costs and adjust their scale of production to match the costs and 2. Extension officers should help in mobilizing farmers into small self help groups through which the government and nongovernmental organization can assist the farmers.

D-galactose is widely used as an inducing reagent for animal models of aging. The aging model by D-galactose induction has similarities with natural old. In this study, we described the effect of D-galactose administration in rats against their body weight. Thirty healthy male rats aged 2 months were divided into 2 groups. Control group was treated with aqua sterile as placebo, while D-galactose group was treated with 3 mg/kg BW of D-Galactose orally every day for 6 weeks. The rats in both groups were measured using digital weigher every week. The data were analyzed descriptively for the average of body weight (g) each week and statistically for the average of weight gain (%) after 6 weeks using t-test. The average of body weight in control group from week-0 until week-6 were 119± 16.24; 144± 20.24; 160± 27.37; 170± 29.08; 179± 32.79; 197± 32.37; and 208± 32.07, while in D-galactose group were 129± 13.92; 151± 15.94; 164± 24.63; 173± 25.37; 182± 27.15; 192± 25.55; and 197± 25.55. Statistical analysis using t-test showed that there was a significant difference of average weight gain in both groups (p<0.05). The average of weight gain in control group and D-galactose group was 75.59%±21.19% and 53.76%±21.79%, respectively. D-galactose could decrease the weight gain in rat model of aging.

Twenty (20) yearling west African dwarf goats were used in a study to determine the effects of some browse plants and a supplement diet on the chemical composition and some quality attributes of meat obtained from the goats The experiment lasted for 63 days after an adjustment period of 7 days, the goats were served water ad Libitum. Gmelina (T1), Tamarind (T2), Neem (T3) and Teak (T4) after wilting for 24 hours were fed at 300g/goat/day 2 hours before the concentrate. The supplement was fed at 100g /goat/day. At the end of the feeding trial three (3) goats from each treatment were slaughtered, bled, eviscerated and dressed and there after 60g of meat were cut from the thigh of each of the slaughtered goats and used for the determination of their chemical composition and quality attributes. The experimental design was a completely randomized design , significant means were separated using SPSS version 23.0, 2015 edition, samples of the meat, concentrate diet and the browse plants were analyzed for their proximate composition using the methods outlined by AOAC(2000). There were no significant (P<0.05) differences in the values for daily concentrate intake, ash, moisture, pHi and pHu. Total daily feed intake ranged from 252.50 – 386.00g, and were significantly (P<0.05) different. Fat content values ranged from 4.45 – 10.05%, and were significantly (P>0.05) different protein content values had a range of 18.40 – 23.15% and showed significant (P<0.05) differences values for drip loss, cooking losses, initial and ultimate pH were all significantly (P>0.05) different. The drip loss values ranged from 5.20 – 8.20%, while the cooking loss values were 18.00 – 23.75%, values for both parameters were significantly (P<0.05) different It was concluded that Gmelina (T1) produced goat meat with the best nutrients and quality parameters. Gmelina (T1) at 300g/goat /day as well as bambara nut waste and cereal spent grains based supplement diet were therefore recommended for feeding..