Average Daily Weight Gain Research Articles

ПРОБИОТИЧЕСКАЯ КОРМОВАЯ ДОБАВКА «ЦИТОСПОРИН» И ЕЕ ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ СВИНЕЙ НА ОТКОРМЕ

The article presents data on the study of the effectiveness of a "Cytosporin" based on B. Subtilis VKM B-3171 D, B. Licheniformis VKM B-3172D, inactivated biomass of the fungus R. citrinum VKM B-4930D on the indicators of digestibility, digestibility and zootechnical indicators in pigs on rearing. The study was carried out on 15 heads of local hogs (F1:(DxL) during the fattening period with an initial live weight of 20‒25 kg at the age of 45 days. The duration of the study is 45 days. The inclusion of a probiotic additive inactivated biomass of the mushroom in the composition of full-fledged compound feeds of experimental groups of growing fattened young pigs. "Cytosporin" provide an increase in average daily live weight gain by 0.79‒3.6% compared to control animals. In growing young pigs of experimental groups that received the studied probiotic additives, the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter increased by 0.24–2.4%, organic matter – by 0.6–1.27%, protein – by 0.17‒2.34% compared to control animals.

New integrated system for raising poultry as a factor of increasing its productivity and metabolic status

The article presents the results of studying the influence of a developed scheme for raising poultry, including the use of 2.0% feed additive and 10.0% feed mixture (corn extract, perlite, corn grist) + 1% selephlan on metabolic processes, growth, development, safety and functional state of the liver of broiler chickens. It has been determined that the joint use of feed additives based on grain processing products and selephlan as a part of complete feeds for broiler chickens contributes to an increase in gross and average daily live weight gain by 6.9 and 7.5%, improvement feed conversion by 1.1%. The use of selephlan made it possible to neutralize the high load on the liver caused by the highly nutritious type of feeding of poultry, maintaining its healthy structure and functional activity, helping to reduce hepatoindicative enzymes by 39.2% (ALT) and by 13.4% (AST), and also activate protein and carbohydrate metabolism throughout the entire productive rearing period, which had a beneficial effect on the growth characteristics of meat poultry and the quality of the resulting livestock products.

Efficiency of the complex mycotoxin adsorbent "Galluasorb" in combined mycotoxicosis of pigs

The paper presents the results of studying the efficiency of the method for preventing T-2, afla-, DON- and zearalenone toxicosis in pigs using the complex mycotoxin adsorbent “Galluasorb”. It is shown that as a result of including “Galluasorb” in pig feed, naturally contaminated with four mycotoxins at once, at the rate of 2.5 kg per ton of feed, a protective effect was observed, which was expressed in an increase in weight gain, feed consumption, a decrease in its conversion, normalization of the clinical status and morpho-biochemical blood parameters. Thus, on the 30th day of the experiment, the absolute increase in live weight in piglets receiving the main diet with mycotoxins with the addition of “Galluasorb” was 13.7 kg, while in piglets of the toxic control group - 11.8 kg. The average daily live weight gain per animal in the same groups was 456.7 g and 393.3 g, respectively. In the toxic control group, feed consumption was reduced by 7.4% compared to the group of animals receiving the main diet with mycotoxins with the addition of “Galluasorb”. A decrease in the feed conversion ratio was also noted in the preventive group. Thus, the use of the complex adsorbent had a protective effect in the natural contamination of feed in the T-2 farm with toxin, aflatoxin, DON and zearalenone. The developed adsorbent also opens up prospects for the use of the natural mineral halloysite in combination with an antioxidant, hepatoprotector and organic sorbent in pig farming.

Essential oil supplementation in milk replacers: short- and long-term impacts on feed efficiency, the faecal microbiota and the plasma metabolome in dairy calves.

Early supplementation with oregano essential oil (EO) in milk replacer (MR) may improve growth, immune responses, the microbiota and the metabolome in dairy calves during pre-weaning and in adulthood. Sixteen female dairy calves (3 days of age) were divided in two groups (n = 8/group): the control group (no EO) and the EO group (0.23 ml of EO in MR during 45 days). After weaning, calves were kept in a feedlot and fed ad libitum. The animals were weighed, and blood and faecal samples were collected on days 3 (T0), 45 (T1) and 370 (T2) to measure the biochemical profile and characterise peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs; CD4+, CD8+, CD14+, CD21+ and WC1+), the metabolome and microbiota composition. The EO group only had greater average daily weight gain during the suckling (EO supplementation) period (P = 0.030). The EO group showed higher average CD14+ population (monocytes) values, a lower abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Faecalibacterium, Blautia and Alloprevotella and increased abundances of Allistipes and Akkermansia. The modification of some metabolites in plasma, such as butyric acid, 3-indole-propionic acid and succinic acid, particularly at T1, are consistent with intestinal microbiota changes. The data suggest that early EO supplementation increases feed efficiency only during the suckling period with notable changes in the microbiota and plasma metabolome; however, not all of these changes can be considered desirable from a gut health point of view. Additional research studies is required to demonstrate that EOs are a viable natural alternative to antibiotics for improving calf growth performance and health.

The regulatory mechanism of garlic skin improving the growth performance of fattening sheep through metabolism and immunity.

Garlic skin (GAS) has been proven to improve the growth performance of fattening sheep. However, the mechanism by which GAS affects fattening sheep is not yet clear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of adding GAS to feed on the growth performance, rumen and fecal microbiota, serum and urine metabolism, and transcriptomics of rumen epithelial cells in fattening sheep. GAS with 80 g/kg dry matter (DM) was added to the diet of fattening sheep to study the effects of GAS on gut microbiota, serum and urine metabolism, and transcriptome of rumen epithelial tissue in fattening sheep. Twelve Hu sheep (body weights; BW, 23.0 ± 2.3 kg and ages 120 ± 3.5 d) were randomly divided into two groups. The CON group was the basal diet, while the GAS group was supplemented with GAS in the basal diet. The trial period was 10 weeks, with the first 2 weeks being the pre-trial period. The daily average weight gain of fattening sheep in the GAS group was significantly higher than that in the CON group (p < 0.05), and the serum GSH-Px of the GAS group fattening sheep was significantly increased, while MDA was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Based on the genus classification level, the addition of garlic peel in the diet changed the intestinal microbial composition, and the relative abundance was significantly upregulated by Metanobrevibater (p < 0.05), while significantly downregulated by Akkermansia, Parasutterella, and Guggenheimella (p < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis found that there were 166 significantly different metabolites in serum and 68 significantly different metabolites in urine between the GAS and CON groups (p < 0.05). GAS had an impact on amino acid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, methane metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis pathways (p < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in immune regulatory function, improving the health of fattening sheep. Adding GAS can improve the energy metabolism and immune function of fattening sheep by altering gut microbiota, metabolome, and transcriptome, thereby improving the growth performance of fattening sheep.

Aspir Yağının Japon Bıldırcınlarında Büyüme Performansı, Et Kalitesi, Karkas Kompozisyonu ve Oksidatif Stres Üzerine Etkileri

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the addition of SFO (Chartamus tinctorius L.) to dietary of Japanese quail on growth performance, meat quality, carcass composition, and oxidative stress. A total of 40 Japanese quails at ten days of age were used as material and divided into four groups comprising ten birds. The experiment was continued for 35 days. The control group was fed with a diet including no additives, while 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% SFO were added to the feed of the other groups. For this purpose, the effects of SFO on body weight and average daily weight gain of quails, feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of quails, slaughter and carcass piece weights of quails, breast meat quality characteristics, breast meat color characteristics and stress parameters were investigated. There was no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference between the groups in terms of body weight (BW), daily body weight gain (DBWG), daily feed consumption (DFC), FCR, carcass, and slaughter characteristics, color, and pH values. It was found that the addition of SFO significantly reduced total oxidative status (TOS) (P

Growth response, ammonia emission and rectal temperature of finisher broilers fed varying levels of maize stover biochar (MSB)

This study was designed to assess the dietary effects of maize stover biochar (MSB) on the growth response, ammonia emissions, and rectal temperature of finisher broilers. A total of 120 broilers were randomly distributed into four treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4) using a completely randomized design. Each treatment consisted of 30 broilers and was replicated three times, with 10 broilers per replicate. The birds in T1 received no MSB, while T2, T3, and T4 received MSB at inclusion levels of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, respectively. Data collected on body weight gain, daily feed intake, rectal temperature, and fecal ammonia content were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design (CRD) using SPSS version 21. Significantly different means were separated using Duncan’s New multiple range test. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) in body weight gain, fecal ammonia content, and feed intake were observed among the treatments. The highest body weight gain of 2.94±0.01 kg was reported in T4, with the lowest value of 2.43±0.02 kg recorded in T1. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were evident in average daily weight gain, total feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. T4 displayed the highest average weight gain (52.64±0.27g), significantly surpassing T3 (46.09±0.62g), while T2 and T1 exhibited the lowest values (44.30±0.68 and 43.41±0.51, respectively), which were comparable. Regarding feed conversion ratio (FCR), T1 had the highest value (3.25±0.00), significantly higher than T2 (2.72±0.00) and T3 (2.69±0.01), whereas T4 recorded the lowest value (2.35±0.03). In ammonia emission, T1 had the highest content (4.09 ± 0.19), while T2 and T3 had the values of 1.19 ± 0.03 and 1.32 ± 0.08, respectively. However, T4 had the lowest value of (0.90 ± 0.01) which was statistically (p &lt; 0.05) different from other treatment groups. In rectal temperature, significant variations were observed over the weeks, with T1 consistently recording the highest values and T4 consistently displaying the lowest values. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MSB positively impacted growth response, reduced ammonia emission, and mitigated rectal temperature in finisher broilers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GROWTH OF HEIFFS OF DIFFERENT LINES OF THE BUKOVINY FACTORY TYPE OF THE UKRAINIAN RED-AND-WHITE DAIRY BREED

The study was carried out in the herd of the Myrne breeding farm of the Chernivtsi region on animals of the Bukovyna factory type of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed. It was established that heifers of the Bukovin factory type of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed were characterized by good indicators of live weight. In newborn animals, this indicator was 31.9 kg, by the age of 6 months it increased by 5.4 times or by 134.5 kg, by the age of 12 months – by 9.7 times or by 266.9 kg and by 18 – one month old – 13 times or by 369.8 kg. The average age of the first insemination in the herd was 15.5 months, and the live weight of animals at this age was 365.2 kg. The coefficients of variation of live weight, depending on age, were in the range of 8.9–17.1%. This indicator was the lowest in 18-month-old animals. The variability of the multiplicity of increase in live weight was within 18.4–21.3%. It should be noted that the highest coefficients of variation of the multiplicity of live weight increase (21.3%) were observed in 12-month-old heifers. The highest average daily gains were observed in heifers from 3 to 6 months of age and amounted to 825 g, with a variability of 26.8%. Later, with increasing age of the animals, this indicator decreased and in the age period from 15 to 18 months it was 550 g with a variability of the sign of 56.2%. In general, from birth to 18 months of age, the average daily weight gain of heifers was 684.1 g. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of the live weight of heifers of different lines showed that the heifers of the Starbuck line were better in terms of live weight at birth (34.0 kg) compared to their peers other lines During the 18-month growing period, repair heifers of the Starbuck line were significantly better compared to peers of other lines. At the final stage of cultivation, with an average live weight of 417 kg, they exceeded their peers by 8–64 kg. The average daily gain of live weight in the period from birth to 18 months of age was the highest in heifers of the Starbuck line at an average of 710 g, while in their peers of other lines it was lower by 21–112 g. With the creation of proper growing conditions, heifers are capable of high growth intensity and high milk productivity in the following stages of the technological production cycle of obtaining high-quality products.

Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Powder Additive on Growth Performance, Flock Uniformity and Blood Profile of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica)

Turmeric has been reported to possess various bioactive compounds. This study examined the effects of turmeric powder as a natural feed additive on the growth performance, flock uniformity, and blood profile of Japanese quail. Two hundred and fifty-six (256) male Japanese quail of average weight of 115.00 ± 5g were used for this study. The birds were randomly allotted to four dietary groups with four replicates of sixteen birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. Turmeric powder was added in the diet at 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% to form diet D1, D2, D3, and D4. All the data collected for growth performance were significantly influenced (P&lt;0.05). Birds fed D2 had the highest average daily weight gain (1.33 g/bird) followed by those fed D3 (1.25 g/bird), D1 (1.17 g/bird), and D4 (1.09 g/bird). Birds fed D2 had the highest total feed intake (829.59 g/bird) and D1 had the lowest (786.34 g/bird). Birds fed D4 had the highest flock uniformity and feed conversion ratio (59.40% and 18.17 respectively). All the haematological parameters were significant (P&lt;0.05) except pack cell volume, haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell, and platelet. Birds fed D2 had the highest mean corpuscular volume (163.00 fL). Birds fed D3 had the highest white blood cell count (189.50 103/μL), heterophils (55.00 cells/μL), and eosinophils (1.50 cells/μL). Lymphocyte and platelet count were highest in the birds fed D4. All the serum biochemical parameters were significant (P&lt;0.05) except asparate aminotransferase, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein. Except for total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and globulin, all the significant parameters were highest in birds fed D1. 0.25% of turmeric powder can be included in quail’s diet without adverse effect on the growth performance and health.

THE DYNAMICS OF FIRST-CALF HEIFERS’ EXTERIOR TRAITS WITHIN DIFFERENT YEARS OF EVALUATION, AGE AND THE SEASON OF BIRTH AND CALVING

In the herd of Ukrainian Red Dairy breed of “Rossiya” breeding farm on 2302 cows, the dynamics of first-calf heifers’ exterior of different years of evaluation, age and season of birth and calving were studied. It was established, that the investigated paratypic factors of the season of birth and calving do not have significant influence (0.02…4.9%) on the formation of the exterior of first-calf heifers. More significant (0.3…11.4%) was the influence of the age of exterior evaluation. And the most significant amongst paratypic factors was the influence of the year of evaluation of the cows (5.7…57.5%), which can be explained by the simultaneous influence of as the improvement of the level of breeding and feeding of animals, so the genetic factors of “blood share” of improving breed and parentage of different breeding (genetic) value. The chronological dynamics of the measurements of first-calf heifers led to the adequate changes in the proportions of the body in the direction of increasing of leg length, stoutness and eirisomia with simultaneous curvilinear decrease of conformation indices of stretching, rump-thoratic, thoratic, boneness, massiveness and over-growth. Determined changes in the proportions of the body structure fit the forming of more expressed milk type. Correlation analysis established, that the age of evaluation has a direct significant connection with the depth and width of the chest, indirect length of body and rumps, width of rump in hooks and pelvic width, heart girth. The age of the first calving is reliably directly proportional to the depth and width of the chest and the width at the withers and inversely – to the height at the withers and rump, pelvic width and the girth of the wrist. Less significant, but sometimes reliable, was the correlation between the investigated features of the exterior of first-calf heifers and the intensity of their growth in different periods of rearing. A higher relative variability of most exterior traits was found with the average daily weight gain of heifers during the period of intensive puberty in 6–12 months, a slightly lower – in the first and third half-year of the postnatal ontogenesis. The increase in “blood share” of cows of the Holstein breed shows the combined effect of improvement (formation of the milk type) of the exterior with an increase in the relative share of non-pigmented areas of the skin.

EFFECT OF FEED ADDITIVE DHQEC ON INDICATORS OF ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN FATTENING PIGS

World consumption of pork is steadily increasing, with the growing demand for pork being met by increasing both the number of pigs and their slaughter weight. However, pork production faces negative factors leading to the development of oxidative stress, which does not allow the genetic potential of the breeds to be fully realised. Particular attention is paid to the post-weaning period in pigs, when they are exposed to numerous stresses, with low adaptive capacity. This is an important period in pig rearing as it is often accompanied by temporary low feed intake, poor growth, intestinal dysbiosis and diarrhoea after weaning. These factors pose a threat to animal health and welfare, increasing the risk of mortality and leading to significant economic losses. For many years the problem of oxidative stress has been solved by the use of zinc oxide in the diets of weaned piglets. The use of natural antioxidant additives in pig diets is becoming more and more relevant in pig breeding practice. Natural antioxidants include ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherol (vitamin E) and dihydroquercitin. The aim of our research was to create and test a feed complex with the additive properties of antioxidants and vitamins. We developed a new feed complex of Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) with vitamins E and C (DHQEC), which was fed to boars at a dose of 0.025% of the basic diet during the whole period of fattening. The concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the blood serum of experimental animals was found to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.1) by 12.5% at the end of the study compared with the control group. There was also a dynamics of oxidized glutathione concentration (GSS) decrease in experimental group animals, as well as a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSS) ratio by 45,9%. The concentration of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) was reliably lower (P&lt;0.05) by 33,6% in comparison with the control group, while the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was 48.2% higher in the period before slaughter (p&lt;0,1) in experimental group. The main effect of feeding DHQEC in mixed fodders was evident in the improvement of average daily live weight gain (ADG), including at the beginning of the experiment, the 1st week (p&lt;0.10), and in the first period of fattening (5-8 weeks, p=0.09; 8 weeks, p&lt;0.05). These indices testify to effective action of antioxidants and promote reactivity of organism and stress resistance, which raises the indices of productivity.

Dried tomato vines in substitution to alfalfa hay to feed Barbarine lambs: Effects on diet intake, growth performances and carcass quality

Tomato vines are a by-product of tomato plants pruning at different stage of growth and production. Large quantities of tomato vine biomass are produced and accumulated near greenhouses and cause environmental problems. Tomato vines could be used (DTV) as dry roughage to feed livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting dried tomato vines (DTV) to alfalfa hay at two levels (50% and 75%) on feed intake, growth performances, non-carcass components, and carcass characteristics of Barbarine lambs. Twenty four 8 months-old Barbarine lambs, with an average weight of 31 kg, were divided into three groups of 8 each and fed diets with different compositions of the roughage portion: the Al100 group received only alfalfa hay as forage, the Al50-T50 group received equal portions of alfalfa hay and DTV, and for the T75-Al25group, the roughage portion was composed of 75% of DTV and 25% of alfalfa hay. All lambs received the same amounts of forage (increasing from 1000 to 1400 g) and the same quantities of concentrated feed (increased from 500 to 700 g). The trial lasted 88 days, after which all of the animals were slaughtered. It was found that substituting DTV to alfalfa hay at the levelof 50% had no effect on roughage and total diet intake. In addition, DTV intake did not affect the slaughter weight (P > 0.05), although the average daily gain and total weight gain were 136 g and 11.5 kg for the Al100 and Al50-T50 groups vs. 125 g and 9.6 kg,; for the T75-Al25 group. Overall, carcass yields and non-carcass components were similar for the three groups of lambs. However, DTV incorporation at the levels of 50% and 75% resulted in leaner carcasses for both tomato groups compared with the Al100 group (54.3 vs.49.9% of muscle and 24.4 vs. 28.8% of fat, respectively). Nevertheless, the highest level of tomato incorporation (75%) promoted the development of the leaner second meat grade (SMCC)(18.2%; P = 0.02) compared to the medium (50%) and null level (0%) of DTV incorporation, which resulted in the same proportion of SMCC(17.5%).

EFFECT OF HUMIC FEED ADDITIVE ON METABOLIC PROCESSES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF BEEF CATTLE

The use of made in Kazakhstan organic and mineral feed additives to in-crease the meat productivity of cattle is important for the agro-industrial complex of the Republic. During the study, qualitative and quantitative analysis of raw materials was made. Quality control of the finished feed additive was carried out following the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The studies were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations approved by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 23, 2008 No. 380, Regulation No. 7-1/625 dated 11/28/2014 and Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 22, 2003, on additives for use in animal feeding. Kazakh potassium humate of the Maykubensky deposit is sterile, non-pyrogenic, non-toxic, and harmless, with an average pH of 11.0-1.0, and has a biological effect on laboratory animals (white mice). The effectiveness analysis in the production experiment allowed us to identify the positive effect of feed additives on metabolic processes and increasing meat productivity in bulls. Regardless of age, on the 7th day of taking the feed additive of potassium humate, the calves' coats acquired a noticeable shine and a bright color, and shedding was completed with-in a month. Clinical signs of metabolic disorders and vitamin deficiency, detected in the farm at the time of the experiment in some animals, pass through 20-30 days from the beginning of the application of the feed additive. The optimal scheme for the use of feed additives was tested on the Kazakh meat breed Akbas, and the concentration of humic substances was selected for the maximum mani-festation of the biologically active effect. Animals became mobile and active, their rumination became more active, they grew noticeably, and the average daily weight gain increased by 7.6-8.9%.

Comparative Effects on Using Bilberry Leaves in Broiler Diet Reared under Thermoneutral Conditions vs. Heat Stress on Performance, Health Status and Gut Microbiota.

The study aims to investigate the impact of dietary bilberry leaves on the performance, health status, and gut microbiota of broilers reared in both thermoneutral conditions and under heat stress. Sixty Cobb 500 broiler chicks were divided into two groups (C-TN, BL-TN) and reared in thermoneutral conditions for the first trial. For the second trial, two other groups (C-HS and BL-HS) were reared in heat stress (32 °C), with 30 chickens in each group. The experimental diets were supplemented with 1% bilberry leaves compared to the control diets. The broilers fed a diet with bilberry leaves had lower levels of cholesterol compared to the control birds. At the end of the experiment, six broilers per group were slaughtered, and intestinal contents were collected for bacteriological analyses. The results revealed that bilberry leaves increased body weight and average daily feed intake in the BL-TN group compared to the C-HS group. However, the broilers fed a bilberry leaves diet and reared in heat stress had a significantly lower average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain than the C-TN group. Additionally, the number of staphylococci colonies decreased significantly in the group fed with a BL-supplemented diet and reared in TN compared to C-TN, while lactobacilli increased significantly in BL-TN compared to C-TN. In summary, bilberry leaves can be used as a natural supplement in a broiler's diet to regulate serum cholesterol in heat stress and maintain the health of intestinal microflora in thermoneutral conditions.

Effect of Injection Vitamin B-Complex on Diet for Consumption, Feed Rate Conversion and Average Daily Weight Gain of Bali Cattle in the Growing Phase

The use of Vitamin B-complex injection is considered more practical, low cost, and easier in the implementation process, and the role of Vitamin B-complex is as a cofactor in the metabolic process and stimulates voluntary consumption. The aim of this study is to find out the effect of injecting different cc (ml) of B-Complex vitamins on diet intake, feed conversion, and average daily weight gain of Bali cattle in the growing phase. This study was carried out in the municipality of Bobonaro, with a duration of 81 days. The experimental method was used with T-test statistics. The independent groups represent two groups of male cattle and each group is composed of 5 male cattle. The groups are called A, and B, therefore, group A receives an injection of Vitamin B-Complex according to the initial weight of each animal, and group B as a control without Vitamin-B-Complex injection. Both groups received the same diet which is composed of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricydia spium, Panicum maximum, and rice straw (Oryza sativa Lin). The results of the statistical analysis revealed that there was no difference (P&gt;0.05) between the two groups, mainly in dry matter intake, feed conversion, and average daily weight gain. Therefore, the injection of Vitamin B-Complex should be less necessary to promote the growth of ruminant animals, mainly cattle, due to the degradation of the vitamins in the rumen, in addition to the fact that the vitamin acts by competitive inhibition at different points in the metabolism process, in addition to its participation, it is also fundamental in the oxidation of substrates and energy supply in the animal's metabolism process.

Associations of serostatus upon arrival with clinical respiratory disease, lung consolidation, and growth in veal calves

Respiratory tract infections remain a major problem during calf rearing, especially among milk (formula)-fed veal. Preconditioning of calves through appropriate colostrum management and vaccination could be helpful to address this issue. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of serum antibodies against major respiratory tract pathogens (bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 virus, bovine coronavirus, Mycoplasmopsis bovis, Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida, and Mannheimia haemolytica) and total serum IgG concentration in calves upon arrival at the veal facility were associated with the occurrence of clinical bovine respiratory disease (BRD) or lung consolidation in the first 3 wk, as assessed by both the Wisconsin BRD scorecard (based on 5 clinical signs: cough, rectal temperature, ear position, and nasal and ocular discharge) and by quick thoracic ultrasound scanning. Additionally, the association between calves' serostatus production parameters were explored. A prospective cohort study was conducted among 442 male dairy calves on a large veal calf facility in Belgium. Both clinical scoring and quick thoracic ultrasound scanning were performed on all calves at 4 key moments in the production cycle: arrival at the facility, initiation of first metaphylactic antimicrobial treatment at peak incidence of BRD (wk 1), end of the first metaphylactic treatment (short-term evaluation) and at wk 10 (long-term evaluation). Mixed effects logit regression models were fitted to quantify relationships. The outcomes of interest were clinical respiratory disease (Wisconsin BRD scorecard positive), lung consolidation (≥1 cm or ≥ 3 cm), average daily weight gain, and cold carcass weight. In the first week of production, incidence of lung consolidation (≥1 cm) quickly increased from 14.9% upon arrival to 43.0% at the peak of the BRD incidence, while clinical BRD increased from 3.6% to 16.1%. The main finding of this study was that calves who were seropositive for bovine respiratory syncytial virus and bovine coronavirus at arrival had reduced odds of developing lung consolidation at the peak of the outbreak, 0.58 odds ratio (95% CI: 0.38-0.89) and 0.37 odds ratio (95% CI: 0.20-0.69), respectively. No relationships between serum IgG concentration at arrival and the development of lung consolidations or clinical respiratory disease were found. Nevertheless, on average, throughout the first 10 wk of the fattening cycle, calves with failed transfer of passive immunity (serum IgG < 7.5 g/L) gained 40 g/d (95% CI: 10-70 g/d) less weight (average daily gain). Hence, ensuring that calves have a positive serostatus for these respiratory tract pathogens before entering the facility may help lower the incidence of lung consolidations, subsequently reducing treatment incidence and the adverse effects on primary economic outcomes.

Precision Glycan Supplementation Improves Gut Microbiota Diversity, Performance, and Disease Outbreak Resistance in Broiler Chickens.

The poultry industry contributes significantly to the global meat industry but faces many production challenges like high-density housing, welfare issues, and pathogenic infections. While antibiotics have commonly been used to treat many of these issues, they are being removed from poultry production globally due to increased microbial resistance. Precision glycans offer a viable alternative to antibiotics by modulating microbial metabolic pathways. In this study, we investigated the effects of precision glycan supplementation on productivity and gut microbiota in broilers. The experiment was conducted in a commercial setting using 32,400 male Ross chickens randomly divided into three sheds with 10,800 birds each. One shed with 12 pen replicates of 900 birds was used as control, while the other two with an equal number of replicates and birds were assigned to precision glycan supplementation. The treatment significantly improved the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, with a significant modification in the abundance of several bacterial taxa in the caecum, ileum, and ileum mucosa microbial communities. There was increased richness and diversity in the caecum, with a reduction in Proteobacteria and an increase in Firmicutes. Richness remained unchanged in the ileum, with an increase in diversity and reduction in pathogenic genera like Clostridium and Escherichia-Shigella. Ileum mucosa showed a lower abundance of mucin degraders and an increased presence of next-generation probiotics. Supplemented birds showed a high level of disease resistance when the farm experienced an outbreak of infectious bronchitis, evidenced by lower mortality. Histological analysis confirmed improvements in the ileum and liver health, where the precision glycan supplementation reduced the area of congested sinusoids compared to the control group in the liver and significantly improved ileum intestinal morphology by increasing crypt depth and surface area. These results collectively suggest that precision glycans offer substantial benefits in poultry production by improving productivity, gut health, and disease resistance.

Growth rate dependence on micronutrient provision in replacement heifers during the intrauterine period

According to the developmental origins of health and disease (DoHaD) hypothesis, the conditions during intrauterine development have a long-term effect on postnatal growth and animal health. This study aimed to determine the relationship between fetal micronutrient provision in the last three months of intrauterine development and growth intensity indicators in the first 180 days after birth. This study focused on 40 clinically healthy Simmental heifers. Samples of non-pigmented tail hair were collected from newborns before their first colostrum feeding. The micronutrient content (selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iron, chromium, and molybdenum) was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Nexion 300D, Perkin Elmer, USA). Calf weight was measured on the first day of life and at 180 days, and average daily weight gain was calculated. The relationships between the variables were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient in IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 (IBM Corp., USA). No significant correlations were found between the weights of the newborn calves and the micronutrient content in their hair samples. However, at 180 days of age, calf weight and average daily weight gain (in the first 180 days of life) correlated with the selenium (r = 0.349 and r = 0.408, p &lt; 0.05, respectively), copper (r = 0.378 and r = 0.440, p &lt; 0.01, respectively), zinc (r = 0.455 and r = 0.481, p &lt; 0.01, respectively), and cobalt (r = 0.304 and r = 0.344, p &lt; 0.05, respectively) contents in the hair samples of newborns. No correlations were found for manganese, iron, chromium, and molybdenum.

Использование жиров различного происхождения в комбикормах для бройлеров

Purpose. Determination of the effectiveness of using fats of various origins in compound feed for broiler chickens. Materials and Мethods. A scientific and economic experiment was carried out on 4 groups of broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross at the Verkhnevolzhskaya Poultry Farm (Russia, Tver region). The poultry-rearing period was 37 days. Broilers in the control group received the main diet according to the growing phases; for chickens in the experimental groups, part of the sunflower oil in the diet was replaced with animal feed fat "Olisa": in group 2 – 0.5% in CCF Rost, 1.0% in Finish-1 and Finish- 2; in group 3 – 1.0% in CCF Rost, 1.5% in Finish-1 and Finish-2; in group 4 – 1.5% in CCF Rost, 2.0% in Finish-1 and Finish-2. The dynamics of live weight were recorded by weekly control weighing of broiler chickens. The safety of the poultry population was determined by counting dead birds. The absolute and average daily gain in live weight, the cost of feed per 1 kg of gain in live weight, the productivity index and other indicators were also determined during the growing process. Results. The introduction of 1.5% animal feed fat “Olisa” into the compound feed instead of part of the sunflower oil in CCF Rost and 2.0% in Finish-1 and Finish-2 contributed to an increase in both the average daily and absolute gain in live weight. The latter indicator was higher in broiler chickens of the fourth experimental group by 8.6% compared to the control group. Poultry from the same group had a higher meat yield per 1 m2 of floor area. Their productivity index was higher than in the control group by 6.6%. At the same time, the safety of poultry population in all groups participating in the experiment was high. Conclusion. Replacing part of the sunflower oil in feed with animal fat in the optimal dosage contributes to obtain high live weight, daily gain, safety of broiler chickens and productivity index.

Study of the beef cattle genetic potential realization indicators for digitalization of the animals breeding qualities assessment

In the course of the study, the indicators of the realization of the genetic potential of economically useful traits of beef cattle were considered, allowing to expand the completeness of the assessment of the breeding qualities of animals: exterior criteria (height at the withers, chest depth, trunk width, chest girth, etc.) related to productivity (average daily weight gain, removable live weight, etc.). Factors of selection were studied - genetic and phenotypic features. Particular attention was paid to the phenotypic indicators of the realization of the genetic potential of beef cattle, reflecting the important contribution of genotype and environmental factors. The high level of their variability contributes to the efficiency of selection. At the same time, a significant proportion of variability is due to the action of non-genetic factors, primarily the influence of changeable and unchangeable environmental factors. The accuracy of the assessment of breeding qualities of animals directly depends on the methods of their identification, registration and control of their productivity. The purpose of the study is to study a number of indicators of the best expression of signs of the realization of the genetic potential of animals for the digitalization of the evaluation of breeding qualities of beef cattle. An assessment of breeding animals is proposed, which will allow obtaining an instrument of expanded boundaries of genetic variability in the formation of the desired type of beef cattle. The development of the direction of digitalization of signs of qualitative genetics, in particular, signs of the exterior of an animal related to productivity and their inclusion in programs and plans to increase the genetic potential of animals, will be one of the effective methods of increasing it in cattle herds. Digitalization of the assessment of breeding qualities of beef cattle allows you to realize hidden reserves to increase the genetic potential of signs of meat productivity and covers the use of indicators that were previously not used due to the use of significant resources and the complexity of existing methods of collecting a large amount of data on animals. The proposed assessment of breeding animals will allow us to obtain an instrument of expanded boundaries of genetic variability in the formation of the desired type of beef cattle and will serve as an addition to the zootechnical rules and in the development of an automated system for managing breeding work in beef cattle breeding.