New Category : Animals/Pets

BAMSI Brings in Purebred animals

Wed, Mar 6th 2024, 02:39 PM

IN A STRATEGIC MOVE to boost the genetic quality of livestock available in the country, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) recently collaborated with the Department of Agriculture to acquire purebred small ruminants (sheep and goats). The initiative is part of BAMSI's broader breeding programme to inject quality genetics into the local livestock population. Shedding light on the project's objectives and timeline, Dr Mark Butler, the Institute's Veterinarian, said the animals promise a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.

The newly acquired stock of animals, Dorper and Barbados Black Belly sheep and Boer and Savanna goats, are integral to the upcoming artificial insemination programme which BAMSI is set to commence later this year.

"The new animals will be used in one arm of our breeding programme, facilitating natural mating to ensure genetic diversity and quality," Dr Butler explained. "The goal is to increase the herd and improve genetic traits, and we anticipate over 85 per cent success in terms of animals giving birth—a crucial marker for the programme's success."

Currently, 30 sheep and 30 goats are part of the breeding programme, with the expectation of 50 to 60 live births by the end of the year. The focus is not only on increasing the herd size but also on ensuring the genetic quality of the offspring.

"We want offspring that exhibit high genetic quality. Purebred Dorper sheep and Boer goats show better growth rates and are ideal for farmers looking for efficient weight gain at market age," Dr Butler emphasized.

Ayrett Lightbourne, BAMSI's Farm Manager, addressed why BAMSI chose these specific breeds, and their potential impact on the local livestock industry. "The Dorper Sheep, for example, gains weight faster than native breeds, offering a different market for lean meat consumers. Similarly, the Boer and Savanna goats, being larger and more meat-producing, contribute significantly to improving meat quality in the country."

The imported purebred animals will create a nucleus herd at BAMSI's farm in Andros to upgrade the existing livestock population. Their offspring will breed with the native flock, and some of the offspring will be distributed to local farmers. This collaborative effort between BAMSI and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to enhance the genetic potential of the native flocks, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers alike.

The BAMSI herd, comprising 190 animals, is expected to grow as the breeding programme progresses. The next phase involves artificial insemination, marking a crucial step towards achieving BAMSI's goal of increasing the quantity and improving the genetic quality of Bahamian livestock. The institute's dedication to scientific advancements in agriculture promises a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.

IN A STRATEGIC MOVE to boost the genetic quality of livestock available in the country, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) recently collaborated with the Department of Agriculture to acquire purebred small ruminants (sheep and goats). The initiative is part of BAMSI's broader breeding programme to inject quality genetics into the local livestock population. Shedding light on the project's objectives and timeline, Dr Mark Butler, the Institute's Veterinarian, said the animals promise a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community. The newly acquired stock of animals, Dorper and Barbados Black Belly sheep and Boer and Savanna goats, are integral to the upcoming artificial insemination programme which BAMSI is set to commence later this year. "The new animals will be used in one arm of our breeding programme, facilitating natural mating to ensure genetic diversity and quality," Dr Butler explained. "The goal is to increase the herd and improve genetic traits, and we anticipate over 85 per cent success in terms of animals giving birth—a crucial marker for the programme's success." Currently, 30 sheep and 30 goats are part of the breeding programme, with the expectation of 50 to 60 live births by the end of the year. The focus is not only on increasing the herd size but also on ensuring the genetic quality of the offspring. "We want offspring that exhibit high genetic quality. Purebred Dorper sheep and Boer goats show better growth rates and are ideal for farmers looking for efficient weight gain at market age," Dr Butler emphasized. Ayrett Lightbourne, BAMSI's Farm Manager, addressed why BAMSI chose these specific breeds, and their potential impact on the local livestock industry. "The Dorper Sheep, for example, gains weight faster than native breeds, offering a different market for lean meat consumers. Similarly, the Boer and Savanna goats, being larger and more meat-producing, contribute significantly to improving meat quality in the country." The imported purebred animals will create a nucleus herd at BAMSI's farm in Andros to upgrade the existing livestock population. Their offspring will breed with the native flock, and some of the offspring will be distributed to local farmers. This collaborative effort between BAMSI and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to enhance the genetic potential of the native flocks, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers alike. The BAMSI herd, comprising 190 animals, is expected to grow as the breeding programme progresses. The next phase involves artificial insemination, marking a crucial step towards achieving BAMSI's goal of increasing the quantity and improving the genetic quality of Bahamian livestock. The institute's dedication to scientific advancements in agriculture promises a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.

BAMSI increases production at Poultry Facility

Tue, Aug 8th 2023, 11:00 AM

The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is ramping up efforts to build capacity at its Poultry Research and Training Centre as the latest batch of layer hens were shipped on the MV Prince on Friday to North Andros. Some 600 Rhode Island Red Layer Hens made the seven-hour trip and were promptly transferred to the enriched cage-system at BAMSI’s farm where they are expected to produce almost 500 eggs per day.

Justin Taylor, BAMSI’s Poultry Specialist, explained the importance of the poultry programme, saying Bahamian consumers should know that they are getting fresh eggs from BAMSI. “These eggs are fresh, when you look at the carbon footprint, it takes five to six days to get to a table and in some cases it could go from the chicken to the table in hours, that’s amazing.”

He said that fresher eggs also have an impact when used in recipes. Cakes, pastries and other baked goods that use eggs will be enriched and items like mayonnaise will collate better when fresh eggs are used. He added that with an increasingly health conscious population, restaurants and bakeries can advertise that they are using locally produced eggs in their recipes and customers will recognize the value in that, he added.

“With these imported brands we don’t know how fresh these eggs are, but BAMSI can reassure the public that their eggs are fresh and are fortified with nutrients such as omega3 which comes from the flaxseed in the feed. Customers can know what they are eating. Our chickens are never fed with antibiotics or hormones, they are given an all-natural feed so for our retail clients, that’s a good marketing perception,” Mr. Taylor said.

Another benefit of having egg production in the Bahamas is the flavour of the eggs, “because the nutrients will be there inside the eggs and will not have been depleted based on the age of the eggs that are produced locally. Eggs that are imported through the US take longer to reach the consumer, and this takes away from the taste because the essential minerals needed for egg composition and integrity have been depleted”.

With the shipment between New Providence and Andros, the five-month old birds will take a few days to get acclimatized to their new environment, but are expected to begin producing eggs within two weeks.

“There was a lot of rain on the journey to Andros, which will have affected them. And like humans, animals can experience getting seasick, so we were careful not to give them any food or water while on the journey. Now that they are on land, it will take some days for them to feel comfortable in their surroundings,” Mr. Taylor said.

In a matter of weeks, the full complement of birds should be in Andros, with the facility reaching its maximum capacity of 2,800 birds. Once fully outfitted, the Research Centre is expected to produce an estimated 584,000 eggs annually.

Mr. Taylor said that since its opening in April, egg production has been going well, but the recent heat wave has caused a temporary slowdown in production. “With the climate, the higher heat index…the heat reduces the feed intake by the birds, which results in production losses of five to seven per cent. This is not a normal heat, typically, these birds can produce in heat up to 94 degrees, but the higher temperatures are causing a reduction in production.”

He further explained that the bird house is designed to accommodate a climatic control fan system to provide chickens with adequate ventilation, but to mitigate these extreme temperatures, the poultry team has introduced additional fans to the climate smart system to draw the hot air out of the house.

The layers, which were purchased from a hatchery in Georgia, were just one-day old when they arrived in the Bahamas by plane. Mr. Taylor said the birds were kept in New Providence until they were five months old and were big enough to be safely housed at the Andros facility.

“We have an enriched cage system, and the birds can’t be put in the cage at a young age, they need to be a certain size so they won’t fit through the mesh. In a week or two they will be laying eggs once they get acclimatized to the environment.”

During the opening ceremony of the facility in April, BAMSI Chairman Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, said the Institute hoped to achieve a number of objectives through the Poultry Research and Training Centre, and the Layers Programme. “We will be increasing the number of healthy eggs on the market, introducing Bahamian students to the science of poultry and poultry management, and we will be supporting the education and training of farmers and agri-prenuers who are interested in either creating or growing a successful poultry business.”

Mr. Taylor said now that the layers programme is up and running and egg production is steady, the focus will turn to training and research. “In September we will begin feeding trials using probiotics and enzymes, and working with various forms of calcium alternatives in the diet (which is necessary for shell integrity) to see the impact on the shells. If the eggshell is thicker, it will allow eggshells to be strong, reducing breakage during handling and transport, minimizing any pathogens from penetrating the eggshell and allowing the composition of the nutrients to stay longer inside the egg. This can result in a longer storage time and support the scientific principles of Haugh Unit, which is a measure of the internal quality of an egg. This will be part of our outreach programme, as we share this information with poultry farmers.”

Another aspect of the research and outreach programme will involve using the chicken manure as fertilizer in crop production, including vegetables, and for banana and coconut tree production. The goal of the research component of BAMSI’s layers programme is to encourage increased entrepreneurial ventures in the agriculture sector, to help existing poultry farmers produce eggs sustainably and to offer varied learning opportunities in agriculture and agro-entrepreneurship to student.

The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is ramping up efforts to build capacity at its Poultry Research and Training Centre as the latest batch of layer hens were shipped on the MV Prince on Friday to North Andros. Some 600 Rhode Island Red Layer Hens made the seven-hour trip and were promptly transferred to the enriched cage-system at BAMSI’s farm where they are expected to produce almost 500 eggs per day. Justin Taylor, BAMSI’s Poultry Specialist, explained the importance of the poultry programme, saying Bahamian consumers should know that they are getting fresh eggs from BAMSI. “These eggs are fresh, when you look at the carbon footprint, it takes five to six days to get to a table and in some cases it could go from the chicken to the table in hours, that’s amazing.” He said that fresher eggs also have an impact when used in recipes. Cakes, pastries and other baked goods that use eggs will be enriched and items like mayonnaise will collate better when fresh eggs are used. He added that with an increasingly health conscious population, restaurants and bakeries can advertise that they are using locally produced eggs in their recipes and customers will recognize the value in that, he added. “With these imported brands we don’t know how fresh these eggs are, but BAMSI can reassure the public that their eggs are fresh and are fortified with nutrients such as omega3 which comes from the flaxseed in the feed. Customers can know what they are eating. Our chickens are never fed with antibiotics or hormones, they are given an all-natural feed so for our retail clients, that’s a good marketing perception,” Mr. Taylor said. Another benefit of having egg production in the Bahamas is the flavour of the eggs, “because the nutrients will be there inside the eggs and will not have been depleted based on the age of the eggs that are produced locally. Eggs that are imported through the US take longer to reach the consumer, and this takes away from the taste because the essential minerals needed for egg composition and integrity have been depleted”. With the shipment between New Providence and Andros, the five-month old birds will take a few days to get acclimatized to their new environment, but are expected to begin producing eggs within two weeks. “There was a lot of rain on the journey to Andros, which will have affected them. And like humans, animals can experience getting seasick, so we were careful not to give them any food or water while on the journey. Now that they are on land, it will take some days for them to feel comfortable in their surroundings,” Mr. Taylor said. In a matter of weeks, the full complement of birds should be in Andros, with the facility reaching its maximum capacity of 2,800 birds. Once fully outfitted, the Research Centre is expected to produce an estimated 584,000 eggs annually. Mr. Taylor said that since its opening in April, egg production has been going well, but the recent heat wave has caused a temporary slowdown in production. “With the climate, the higher heat index…the heat reduces the feed intake by the birds, which results in production losses of five to seven per cent. This is not a normal heat, typically, these birds can produce in heat up to 94 degrees, but the higher temperatures are causing a reduction in production.” He further explained that the bird house is designed to accommodate a climatic control fan system to provide chickens with adequate ventilation, but to mitigate these extreme temperatures, the poultry team has introduced additional fans to the climate smart system to draw the hot air out of the house. The layers, which were purchased from a hatchery in Georgia, were just one-day old when they arrived in the Bahamas by plane. Mr. Taylor said the birds were kept in New Providence until they were five months old and were big enough to be safely housed at the Andros facility. “We have an enriched cage system, and the birds can’t be put in the cage at a young age, they need to be a certain size so they won’t fit through the mesh. In a week or two they will be laying eggs once they get acclimatized to the environment.” During the opening ceremony of the facility in April, BAMSI Chairman Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, said the Institute hoped to achieve a number of objectives through the Poultry Research and Training Centre, and the Layers Programme. “We will be increasing the number of healthy eggs on the market, introducing Bahamian students to the science of poultry and poultry management, and we will be supporting the education and training of farmers and agri-prenuers who are interested in either creating or growing a successful poultry business.” Mr. Taylor said now that the layers programme is up and running and egg production is steady, the focus will turn to training and research. “In September we will begin feeding trials using probiotics and enzymes, and working with various forms of calcium alternatives in the diet (which is necessary for shell integrity) to see the impact on the shells. If the eggshell is thicker, it will allow eggshells to be strong, reducing breakage during handling and transport, minimizing any pathogens from penetrating the eggshell and allowing the composition of the nutrients to stay longer inside the egg. This can result in a longer storage time and support the scientific principles of Haugh Unit, which is a measure of the internal quality of an egg. This will be part of our outreach programme, as we share this information with poultry farmers.” Another aspect of the research and outreach programme will involve using the chicken manure as fertilizer in crop production, including vegetables, and for banana and coconut tree production. The goal of the research component of BAMSI’s layers programme is to encourage increased entrepreneurial ventures in the agriculture sector, to help existing poultry farmers produce eggs sustainably and to offer varied learning opportunities in agriculture and agro-entrepreneurship to student.

Woman hospitalized after vicious dog attack in Lucaya

Tue, Mar 28th 2023, 09:09 AM

Two mixed-breed pit bulls were euthanized and the Police K-9 Unit was searching for one animal after an older woman was viciously attacked by the dogs while engaging in her regular early morning exercise on March 17.

The woman was in hospital, Grand Bahama News learned.

She was rescued by a passerby who rushed her to the Accident & Emergency unit of Rand Memorial Hospital.

The man who rescued her asked not to be identified.

He said it was just luck that he was in the area at the time.

"I don't usually take that route when headed to work, but that morning, I needed to stop at Cooper's Service Station and Convenience Store on Midshipman Road," he said.

"As I was halfway on Balao in between Midshipman and East Sunrise Highway, I saw a pack of dogs, and honestly thought they were ganging up on another dog."

The man said he continued driving, but stopped after hearing a woman's screams.

"You couldn't see anything, and the only reason I stopped is because I heard the screams and realized that it was a woman being brutally attacked," he said.

"I immediately slammed on my brakes, turned the car around and sped the car towards where the attack was happening. I honked my horn and the dogs looked up for a split second."

He said he jumped out of his vehicle, not thinking, just acting.

"I started pelting the dogs with rocks and anything I could get my hands on. I noticed in the corner of my eye, another gentleman had gotten out of his vehicle and was doing the same thing."

He noted that with both him and the other man throwing rocks and yelling, the animals got distracted and the woman was able to get away from them.

"In that split second, that lady was able to get up and she literally ran to my car and jumped inside," the man said.

"At that point, I just thought she needed to get to the hospital. I didn't think to call an ambulance, just to get her some help.

"I don't wish anyone to have to seen that (her wounds). When I say the damage the dogs had done ... it was gruesome. I can't get it out of my head."

After getting the victim to the Rand, the man said he called the Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) and was given the number to contact the police K-9 Unit to make a report, which he did.

Last Tuesday, police charged Elliot Hepburn, 63, in connection with the attack.

Hepburn appeared in the Freeport Magistrate's Court where he was arraigned on two counts of allowing a dangerous dog to be at large; two counts of possessing an unlicensed dog; one count of negligently causing harm, and one count of negligently causing grievous harm.

Hepburn pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted $2,000 bail with two sureties. The matter was adjourned to June 19, 2023.

In a recent interview with Grand Bahama News, Chief Superintendent Sherry Armaly, officer in charge of the Southwestern Division/Port Lucaya Station, revealed that there have been several reports of dog attacks in the area.

"A vexing problem that we have been faced with lately in the division is ferocious dog attacks," Armaly said.

"As a result, we have partnered with our Animal Control Section in order to address this problem. They created flyers and we moved about the residential area sensitizing those residents on how to control and secure their animals."

HSGB Executive Director Tip Burrows confirmed that society's veterinarians euthanized two dogs at the request and authorization of Animal Control officials last week.

Burrows believes that the dogs were not properly socialized.

"This is not normal behavior for dogs to do that kind of damage to a person," she said.

"I would say these dogs were poorly socialized, not trained. I don't know what kind of living conditions they were in, but this is not typical behavior for companion animals."

She stressed that untrained, unsocialized dogs can become a problem.

"Socializing is a natural thing to do with your animals," Burrows said.

"The dog should be a part of your family from when it is young. Owners should be spending lots of time with the dog.

"It is basic training and when I say training, it doesn't have to be professional. There is so much information online about how to train your dog to listen, to sit, to let you know when it wants to go outside and not jump on people.

"So, when I say training, it's interaction with the dog and teaching it basic manners. That's something anyone can do."

Burrows added, "When dogs are strictly outside and not allowed inside to become part of the family, people tend to not spend much time with them.

"So, as they get older and grow up, they get lonely, bored, they become destructive, and can become aggressive.

"While they can serve in other roles like protection, therapy, service and guard dogs, at the end of the day, they need that human interaction."

Parliament passed an updated Animal Protection and Control Act in 2010 providing stiffer penalties for attacks and prohibiting owners from allowing their animals to roam free.

The act also states: "An owner of an animal which has caused damage or injury while being at large is liable, and shall fully reimburse the victim in respect of such damage or injury."

Burrows said, "I am hoping that, in this case, the owner will get the full penalty because I do think that consequences of being a careless pet owner should have repercussions. When someone is attacked and almost loses their life, they will have scars for life, and have to undergo a lot of medical procedures to heal ... that's really serious and I think the punishments, fine or whatever, should be pretty strong."

BAARK’s 2nd Annual International Potcake Golf Tournament

Thu, Oct 6th 2022, 06:19 PM

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- During a press conference on October 5th at Lowes, Baark! (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) announced the 2nd Annual International Potcake Golf Tournament, to be held on December 11th, 2022 at The Ocean Club Golf Course, Atlantis, Paradise Island.

The goal of this Golf Tournament is to raise $100,000 to support the ongoing operations of the Baark! Mobile Clinic. Since the mobile clinic arrived in March 2022, there have been nearly 1,600 spay and neuter surgeries performed in the mobile clinic in the communities of Fox Hill, Chippingham, Nassau Village, and Kemp Road.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture, Clay Sweeting commended Baark!, saying, “I congratulate Baark! on the progress that has been made in the past year as evidenced by this new mobile clinic to do the work that you all are so passionate about.”

Amber Carey from ALIV stated, “We’re excited to be the Title Sponsor for the 2nd Annual Potcake Golf Tournament and we look forward to making this a bigger and better event. ”
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Looking back, Ms. Carey recalled, “a year ago when we partnered with Baark! on their inaugural annual golf tournament, the mobile clinic was still a dream and now, it is here!  ALIV is committed to an organisation like Baark! which gives their time and resources to what is sometimes a thankless job.”

“We’re also committed to supporting Baark!’s 5 year plan to reduce the amount of stray dogs and cats across New Providence and the Family Islands.”

“We look forward to continued efforts to work together with Baark!, not just as a Ministry, but also with private individuals and non-profit entities to ensure that we raise awareness, help animal safety and reduce animal cruelty in our country,” Minister Sweeting said.

Speaking about the event, Laura Kimble, President of Baark! stated, “we promise a fantastic day for 124 golfers. Each player will get an amazing tote bag filled with goodies and the opportunity to win fantastic prizes, including the chance to win a BYD Han Luxury Sedan if they shoot a hole in one!’

In addition to ALIV as the event’s title sponsor, the event has 38 corporate sponsors to help fund the ongoing operations of the mobile clinic.

To sign-up to play or to donate, visit baarkbahamas.com call 427-SPAY.