Colony Cages Research Articles

Carcass Characteristics of Male Peking Ducks with Fermented Yeast (Saccharomyces cereviceae) Culture Pineapple Peel Feed

The male Peking duck is a type of meat duck that has great potential to be developed as a producer of carcasses and primal carcass cuts. The research was carried out with the aim of finding out the best level of addition of pineapple peel fermented yeast (Saccharomyces cereviceae) culture to the percentage of carcasses and carcass primal cuts of male Peking ducks. The material used in this research was 240 male Peking ducks with an initial weight of 343.90 ± 0.90 g. The ration used contains 16% crude protein, with a metabolic energy (ME) of 2.900 kcal/kg. The cage system used is a battery colony cage measuring 200 cm x 60 cm x 50 cm with 30 plots. Each plot contained eight male Peking ducks which were kept until 8 weeks of age. The research data were analyzed using One Way Anova based on a Completely Randomized Design with a unidirectional pattern and followed by the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using the SPSS version 16 program. The research results showed that the treatment with the addition of 10% fermented pineapple peel in the ration (P2) could produce a male Peking duck carcass percentage of 55.52% higher than the P0 treatment (54.94%); P1 (54.11%); P3 (53.85%); P4 (53.61%) and P5 (52.07%), while in primal carcass cuts the highest percentage was found in the chest at 37.17%, followed by the back (22.67%), wings (13.96%), lower thighs (13.72%) and upper thighs (12.43%). Conclusion: The addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cereviceae) culture fermented pineapple peel at a level of 10% in the ration can produce a higher percentage of carcasses and carcass primal cuts of male Peking ducks compared to other treatments.

Comparative Analysis of Broiler Housing Systems: Implications for Production and Wellbeing.

This study compares the effects of modern colony cage systems and traditional floor systems on the production and welfare of broiler chickens. Through two trials spanning 35 days each, we evaluated various physiological parameters, including growth performance, bone health, stress responses, and meat quality. Colony cages demonstrated superior thermal regulation and growth performance compared to traditional floor systems, but also exhibited higher frequencies of leg deformity and reduced standing ability. Conversely, the broilers in traditional floor systems experienced heat stress-related challenges, impacting the meat quality. Our findings underscore the need to balance productivity with animal welfare in broiler farming practices. By understanding the distinct impacts of different housing systems, we can work towards improving broiler rearing methods to ensure optimal welfare and production outcomes.

Feeding tobacco waste flour as a feed additive to evaluate quail performances and physical qualities of quail eggs under the tropics

This research aimed to assess quail performances and physical qualities of quail eggs which fed various level additions of tobacco waste flour in laying quail diets for the first couple weeks of maintenance under tropical environment. This research used layer quail aged 85 days with bodyweight around 205.15±22.61 g/bird as experimental animals. It was as many as 240 birds that were randomly divided based on 4 treatment levels with 6 repetitions. Treatment levels of tobacco waste flour (TWF) additives were formulated rations without TWF (0% TWF, T1 as negative control); formulated rations with 1.5% TWF (T2); formulated rations with 3% (T3) and commercial feed (0% TWF, T4 as positive control). This research was designed using a CRD pattern. Quail housed in colony cages were fed rations with 4 treatment levels according to the quail standard necessity and ad-libitum access to drinking water. The parameters observed were quail performances which consisted of daily feed intake, quail day production, and physical qualities (egg weight, egg shape index, yolk color, and haugh unit [HU]) of quail eggs. Results denoted that treatment levels were strongly significant (P<0.05) on the daily feed intake but had a similar (P>0.05) percentage of quail day production. It also presented a significant result (P<0.05) on all parameters of physical qualities, except on HU. They indicated that the inclusion of TWF in the quail diet under tropical environments was able to streamline daily intake, and maintain egg production stability, but did not adverse physical qualities of quail eggs.

Authentication of Laying Hen Housing Systems Based on Egg Yolk Using 1H NMR Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.

(1) Background: The authenticity of eggs in relation to the housing system of laying hens is susceptible to food fraud due to the potential for egg mislabeling. (2) Methods: A total of 4188 egg yolks, obtained from four different breeds of laying hens housed in colony cage, barn, free-range, and organic systems, were analyzed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The data of the resulting 1H NMR spectra were used for different machine learning methods to build classification models for the four housing systems. (3) Results: The comparison of the seven computed models showed that the support vector machine (SVM) model gave the best results with a cross-validation accuracy of 98.5%. The test of classification models with eggs from supermarkets showed that only a maximum of 62.8% of samples were classified according to the housing system labeled on the eggs. (4) Conclusion: The classification models developed in this study included the largest sample size compared to the literature. The SVM model is most suitable for evaluating 1H NMR data in terms of the hen housing system. The test with supermarket samples showed that more authentic samples to analyze influencing factors such as breed, feeding, and housing changes are required.

Exploring the Relationship Between Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR) Gene and Body Proportions in Bangkok Chickens: Insights from DNA Sequencing and Hin6I Enzyme-Restricted PCR-RFLP Analysis

The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) gene and also to analyze the association of the GHSR gene with the body proportions of Bangkok chickens. A total of 125 Bangkok chickens were reared, and blood samples were taken. Bangkok chickens were kept in colony cages with ad libitum feeding and drinking. The GHSR gene polymorphism was determined using the PCR-RFLP method. The restriction enzyme used in this study was Hin6I. The data analyzed were indicators of body proportions, which included data on body weight, carcass weight, and commercial cut weight. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification using the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis 7 program with reference number AB095994.1. Allele frequency values, genotype frequencies, and Hardy-Weinberg balance values were also analyzed. The association between the GHSR gene and the traits observed in Bangkok chickens was analyzed using the T-test. The results of the study showed that the GHSR gene in Bangkok chickens had two genotypes, namely TT and CT. The values for Ho and He were 0.224 and 0.198, respectively. The genotype frequencies of TT and CT were 0.776 and 0.224, respectively. The two genotypes were associated with body weight, carcass weight, and commercial weight (p &lt; 0.05). For all measured criteria, the TT genotype showed a higher weight value than the CT genotype. The GHSR gene has the potential to be used as a genetic marker for the selection process on body weight, carcass weight, and commercial weight traits.

Feed form and perch design do not interact to production performance, gastrointestinal tract traits, behaviour and welfare of laying hens reared in enriched cages

ABSTRACT 1. It was hypothesised that perch material and design may affect utility and maintenance energy demand in laying hens, affecting their feed form preferences and daily feed consumption. Accordingly, perch design and feed form on hen performance, gastrointestinal tract functions and some behavioural and welfare-related traits were studied in laying hens (ATAK-S) reared in enriched colony cages from 24 to 40 weeks of age. 2. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial investigating two perch materials and design (circular steel or mushroom-shaped plastic) and feed form (mash or crumble). A total of 396 hens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups with nine replicates each (11 birds per replicate). 3. Except for feeding behaviour and prevalence of foot pad dermatitis at 40 weeks of age, the modification of the perch design did not have a significant effect on the traits examined. Mushroom-shaped plastic perches reduced feeding behaviour (p < 0.01) and the incidence of foot pad dermatitis at 40 weeks of age (p < 0.001). 4. Performance traits were not affected by feed form. Intake, final body weight and FCR for crumble-fed laying hens were greater than those fed mash (p < 0.01). 5. Hens fed mash had higher (p < 0.01) relative gizzard weights along with lower (p < 0.05) pH values, pancreatic chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase activities (p < 0.05), and duodenal absorption surface areas (p < 0.01). Ultimately, this gave higher protein digestibility (p < 0.05) compared to those receiving crumble. 6. In conclusion, in enriched cage rearing systems, mashed feed was preferred over crumble to efficiently maintain productive performance. Compared to circular steel, plastic mushroom-shaped perches were associated with better footpad health and welfare.

Enlarged colony housing promotes linear progression of subchondral bone remodeling in joint instability rat models.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease with high prevalence and an unmet medical need for disease modifying treatments. In rat models, OA-like subchondral bone and cartilage changes can be induced by instability surgery with different severity levels. Factors which determine structural changes additionally comprise the study duration and activity-impacted joint loading. Methods: A medial meniscal tear (MMT) or anterior cruciate ligament transection with partial meniscectomy (ACLT+pMx) was induced unilaterally in rats housed in a rat colony cage (RCC), allowing high activity levels including jumping and stair climbing. In parallel, ACLT+pMx rats were housed in Type IV cages. The time course of OA-related changes was investigated at 4, 8, 12, and 16weeks after surgery by micro-CT, gait analysis and joint diameter measurements. Results: Gait disturbance was observed after 2weeks and to a similar extend in all models. The increase in ipsilateral joint diameters peaked after 2weeks and were more pronounced after ACLT+pMx compared to MMT-surgery, but independent of housing. Micro-CT analysis revealed that increases in osseous tibial width were most distinct after ACLT+pMx in RCC and progressed continuously until week sixteen. In contrast, osseous tibial width of ipsilateral joints in MMT RCC and ACLT+pMx Type IV groups did not increase further after week twelve. In contralateral joints, this parameter was not affected, regardless of the model or caging. However, a significant increase in bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness was observed over time in the femur and tibia of both ipsilateral and contralateral knees. Here, the medial tibial compartment of the operated joint was most affected and linear changes were most pronounced in the ACLT+pMx RCC group. Conclusion: Increased movement of animals in colony cages leads to robust structural changes in subchondral bone after surgically induced joint instability over time, while in regular Type IV housing maximal changes are reached in week twelve. The new insights into the differentiation of the models, particularly with respect to the linear progression of bone changes in ACLT+pMx in the RCC, may be useful for the design of chronic OA-studies within a longer lifespan and therefore supporting the development of novel therapies.

Impact of Stocking Densities on the Microbiota of the Cloaca, Eggshell, and Egg Content of White Egg Layers in Colony Cages

Food safety is a major concern for commercial poultry producers and consumers. Currently, there is also pressure from retailers and legislators to increase the space per hen in cages. Five different density treatments consisting of six (208 in2/bird), nine (139 in2/bird), twelve (104 in2/bird), fifteen (83 in2/bird), and eighteen birds (69 in2/bird) per cage were examined in colony cage environments. Microbiological tests were performed at 39, 55, and 68 weeks of age. The populations of total aerobic bacteria; E. coli/coliform; Enterobacteriaceae; and yeasts and molds from an eggshell rinse, egg content, and cloacal swabs were enumerated. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in these samples was also monitored. Overall, no bacteria were detected in any of the egg content, and there were no differences (p &gt; 0.05) between treatments for the shell rinse. Stocking density did not influence the eggshell microbiota of the hens. Hens housed at 104 in2 per hen showed higher levels of total aerobic bacterial counts from the cloaca compared to hens at 208 in2 and 69 in2 per hen. Hens housed at 139 in2 per hen had the highest level of cloacal molds. This research demonstrates that stocking density does not influence eggshell microbiota or Salmonella contamination of the eggshell or cloaca, thereby indicating that allowing more space per hen will not positively or negatively affect the prevalence or concentration of foodborne pathogen-associated bacteria in or on the eggs.

Assessing Methods for Replacement of Soiled Bedding Sentinels in Cage-level Exhaust IVC Racks.

Soiled bedding sentinel programs have long been the cornerstone of rodent health monitoring surveillance. Many recent studies have evaluated methods to replace live animals in these programs; however, the type of ventilated rack being used greatly influences the detection rate of adventitious pathogens. This study evaluated 4 alternative sampling techniques across 5 distinct vivaria and assessed their accuracy in detecting 5 pathogens. Testing was done in an operational (real-world) setting using IVC racks that vent air at the cage level. The 5 agents surveyed were mouse norovirus, Helicobacter spp., Rodentibacter spp. Entamoeba muris, and Spironucleus muris. Samples were collected for subsequent PCR assays as follows: 1) cages with live sentinels exposed to soiled bedding; 2) filter paper placed on the lid of an unoccupied cage containing soiled bedding; 3) filter paper placed in the bedding of an unoccupied cage that contained soiled bedding; 4) swabs from an unoccupied sentinel cage that contained soiled bedding; and 5) pooled swabs from colony cages admixed with swabs from soiled bedding sentinel mice. Cumulative accuracy for all pathogens of interest was highest with the existing soiled bedding sentinel program, followed by pooled swabs of colony cages mixed with swabs from occupied soiled bedding sentinel cages. Soiled bedding sentinel cages detected mouse norovirus, Helicobacter spp., and S. muris with the highest accuracy; the pooled swabs were best in detecting Rodentibacter spp. and E. muris. The findings suggest that with the type of rack and caging used in our facilities, the soiled bedding sentinel method has highest concurrence with the expected health status of an animal room, and the results from this method can be enhanced with the addition of pooled swabs of colony animals.

Effect of cage space allowance on egg production, egg quality, immune responses and anti-oxidant variables in White Leghorn layers

A comprehensive study was conducted to optimise cage space allowance (CSA) for White Leghorn (WL) layers (65-80 weeks of age). For the purpose, a total of 900 layers were housed in California colony cages in an open sided poultry house at three different CSA (422, 563, 844 cm2/bird). Each of the CSA was studied with 20 replicates. The daily egg production (EP), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE, FI/egg mass) and egg quality traits were recorded at the end of each 28d interval. Anti-oxidant responses like lipid peroxidation (LP) and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase in blood were measured at 80 weeks of age. Similarly, the antibody titres against ND vaccine and cell mediated immune response (CMI) against PHA- P were measured at 80 weeks of age. The variation in CSA did not influence EP, egg mass, weight gain and egg shell thickness. The FI reduced and FE improved with reduction in CSA. However, the egg density and egg shell percentage increased with increase in CSA. The LP was higher and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes were lower at 422 cm2/bird as compared to the higher space allowances. No effect of CSA on ND titre was observed, while the CMI response was higher at 844 cm2/ bird than the other two CSA. It could be concluded that, though the FE was better at 422 cm2/b, the trends of shell quality traits and antioxidant variables indicated 546 cm2/bird as requirement for WL layers in open sided poultry house under tropical regions.

Nematode and Coccidia Infections in Singing Birds Kept in Bird Stalls

Singing birds are adored by so many people in the Special Region of Yogyakarta because of their beautiful voices. Even so, these birds have the possibility to carry endoparasitic infections, namely nematode and coccidia. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of nematode and coccidia infection in singing birds traded in bird stalls in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The singing birds were categorized into five feeding guilds, consisting of 19 herbivores, 19 granivores, 31 omnivores, 20 insectivores, and five carnivores. Thirty-seven birds kept in colony cages (eg. 4-6 birds of the same species in one cage) and 57 birds kept in individual cages were used in this study. Fresh faeces was sampled and transported in ice box to the laboratory for parasitological examination. Whitlock method was used to assess the presence of endoparasites. The incidence of endoparasites infection was analyzed descriptively. The result showed that 5.32% of the birds were infected by nematode and 30% by coccidia. Based on the cage systems, the incidence of nematode infection in the birds kept in the colony cage was 10.8%, whereas those in the individual cage was at the lower level of 1.8%. The incidence of coccidia infection in birds kept in colony and in individual cages was 35% and 26%, respectively. Based on the feeding guild categories, nematode infection was found in herbivores (10.5%), granivores (10.5%), and omnivores (3.2%). The coccidia infection was observed in herbivorous (47.4%), omnivorous (41.9%), granivorous (15.7%), and insectivorous (15%) birds. Maintenance management needs to be considered to prevent and eradicate endoparasites infection in singing birds kept individually or in colonies.

Profil Asam Lemak kuning Telur Puyuh Jepang yang Disuplementasi Jus Daun Afrika (Vernonia amygdalina Del) dalam Air Minum

This study aimed to determine the effect of african leaf juice (Vernonia amygdalina) supplementation in drinking water on the performance and fatty acid profile of quail egg yolk. A total of 120 eight-week-old Japanese quail was used in this study and reared for 6 weeks in colony cage. Completely randomized design with three treatments and five replications were used in this study. The treatments were control treatment (without african leaf juice supplementation), 3 ml bird-1 day-1 supplementation and 6 ml bird-1 day-1 supplementation. The data were analyzed for variance, the significant difference results were tested by LSD test at p&lt;0.05. The variables were feed consumption, drinking water consumption, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion and mortality as well as analysis of egg yolk fatty acid. The results showed that african leaf juice contained high flavonoid and saponin. Daily supplementation of african leaf juice in drinking water at the doses 3 and 6 ml bird-1 day-1 did not affect the performance of laying quails. Mortality in treated quail was 33.3% and this value was lower than control. Ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 was ranging 24.5% – 26.2% fat. It could be concluded that african leaf juice could use to reduced mortality.

The Effect of Housing Environment on Physical Egg Quality of White Egg Layers

Currently, the egg industry is experiencing a shift in demand for eggs from cage-free environments. This study aims to evaluate the egg quality parameters of white eggs laid in several different housing environments utilized in the industry. Egg quality parameters from battery cages, barren colony cages, enriched colony cages and cage-free pens were compared. Overall, most egg quality parameters were found to be different across housing environments. Battery cages produced the heaviest eggs and eggs with the highest Haugh unit (p &lt; 0.05). Cage-free hens produced eggs with the darkest yolks, lowest Haugh units, strongest shells and highest solids percentage compared to other environments (p &lt; 0.05). This study did not detect differences between any housing environment in shell color, shell elasticity, vitelline membrane strength or vitelline membrane elasticity (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, this study did not detect any differences in egg quality parameters between enriched and barren colony cages (p &gt; 0.05). It appears that white egg-laying hens had superior egg quality performance in caged environments and that cage-free pens only improved yolk color. Furthermore, it appears that simply adding enrichments to cages does not affect any egg quality parameters. From the results of our study, we believe that current intensive environments, such as cages, are the most beneficial for white egg layer egg quality and that as the industry moves toward cage-free, new strategies will need to be developed to preserve egg quality. More research is needed, particularly evaluating free-range environments.

The physical characteristics of quail egg fed lower grade tobacco as a feed additive in the tropical environment

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics of quail eggs which fed with and without lower grade tobacco as a potential additive. This study used laying quail as experimental animals that offered rations with or without lower grade tobacco flour. The tobacco addition as an additive treatment was 0%; 0.5%; 1% and 2%. Each level treatment was repeated 4 times and designed using a Completely Randomized Design pattern. Quail reared in colony cages were fed rations with and without tobacco addition according to standard requirements and drinking water on ad-libitum basis. The parameter observed were the physical quality of quail eggs which consisted of egg weight, egg shape index, yolk colour, shell weight and thickness. The results of this study presented strongly significant on yolk colour and shell thickness. Otherwise, the tobacco additives did not have any impact on egg weight, egg shape index, shell weight, and haugh unit which were an average of 9.98 g, 80.10, 0.91 g, and 61.33, respectively. This result indicated that the tobacco addition of up to 2% in quail ration was safe and had no detrimental effect on the physical characteristics of quail eggs and it showed a significantly increase on yolk colour along with the increase levels of tobacco addition.

Evaluation of Physical Egg Quality Parameters of Commercial Brown Laying Hens Housed in Five Production Systems.

This study evaluates the effect of housing environment on the egg quality characteristics of brown egg layers as many different environments are currently used in the industry. Battery cages, barren colony cages, enriched colony cages, cage-free, and free-range environments were evaluated. Overall, all egg quality measurements were affected by housing environment (p < 0.01) except for vitelline membrane strength, elasticity, and egg solids. Eggshells and yolks were lightest in barren colony cages and darkest from free-range hens (p < 0.0001). Free-range eggs were heavier than eggs from all other environments (p < 0.0001). Cage-free eggs had lower albumen height and Haugh units than other environments (p < 0.0001). Lastly, cage-free and free-range eggs had stronger eggshells than the other environments (p < 0.0001), and free-range eggs had more elastic eggshells than eggs from conventional battery cages and barren colony cages (p < 0.01). Access to the range seemed to give free-range hens different nutritional advantages, which allowed for the darker yolks and shells. Furthermore, eggs from barren colony cages seemed to exhibit more negative characteristics. Simply adding enrichments to colony cages did not improve or detract from egg quality. From this research, it appears that, as the industry moves toward extensive environments, the egg quality of brown egg layers will improve.

The Effect of Housing Environment on Commercial Brown Egg Layer Production, USDA Grade and USDA Size Distribution.

Consumer demand for retail cage-free eggs is driving the layer industry towards greater use of extensive housing environments. However, there is limited research on how these environments affect egg production characteristics of brown egg layers, as was the focus of this study. Five housing environments were evaluated under typical industry conditions, including conventional cages, enrichable colony cages, enriched colony cages, cage-free and free-range. Three different brown egg laying strains were housed in the different housing environments and managed according to standard husbandry practices and stocking densities. Data collection for the strains began at 17 weeks of age, with a base period of 28 days for feed weigh backs and egg quality assessments. Housing environment had a highly significant (p < 0.0001) effect on all egg production characteristics measured, including egg production rates (% hen-day and % hen-housed), feed consumption (g/bird/day), feed conversion (egg g/feed g), and mortality rate (%) as well as percent grade A, B, and loss. Previous research revealed better egg production metrics for white egg layers in caged environments than extensive environments. In contrast, we observed brown egg layers had optimum production results for the free-range housing environments, and the poorest performance in enrichable colony cages.

Cattle corporation village program as small-scale farmer group empowerment to support National beef self sufficiency

Government of Indonesia has implemented various programs to increase cattle population and beef production. In 2020, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture has introduced Cattle Corporation Village Program (CCVP). The study aims to identify the capability of small-scale farmer group empowered by CCVP on good farming practices, availability of forage, utilization of infrastructure and colony cages, and corporate institution formed by farmers. The study was located at Cianjur District in 2022. The primary and secondary data were obtained by survey and interview that analyzed by qualitative descriptive. The results of the study indicate: (1) capability of farmer is encouraged to develop good farming practices with business scale; (2) the productivity of cattle should be supported by the sufficiency of forages and additional concentrate; (3) facilities has been provided by CCVP utilized by farmers, however the improvement of some facilities may required; and (4) CCVP is designed as profitable integrated corporation farming for small-scale farmers with upstream to downstream business integration. Through the CCVP, farmers are empowered and assisted in implementing good farming practices with business-scale. In addition, they will obtain some support from various institution and stakeholders to increase their income and welfare.

The Impacts of Colony Cages on the Welfare of Chickens Farmed for Meat.

There is growing interest in keeping meat chickens in modern colony cages (CCs) rather than conventional litter-floor barns. Suggested welfare improvements for chickens in such systems include reduced bodily lesions due to lower contact with flooring contaminated with faeces and urine, due to slatted flooring and automated faeces removal. This systematic review sought to determine the animal welfare impacts of CCs using slatted flooring, in comparison to litter-based non-cage systems. Overall, 23 relevant studies were retrieved. From one perspective, the extant research appeared mixed. Fifteen (65%) of these 23 studies identified some form of welfare concern about slatted floors, and thus CCs. Yet, when considering actual welfare indicators assessed, the tallies generated in favour of each housing system were similar. Crucially however, there were incomplete behavioural welfare measures in 100% of the empirical studies reviewed. Accordingly, significant welfare concerns exist about CCs, centring around behavioural deprivation. Given that over 70 billion chickens are farmed then slaughtered each year globally, widespread implementation of CCs would create a major animal welfare concern. Instead of implementing such CC systems, research and development is recommended into improving welfare outcomes of conventional litter barns using different forms of commercially feasible enrichment. As a minimum, a full behavioural analysis, as detailed in the Welfare Quality Assessment protocols, should form a mandatory part of any future studies aimed at assessing the welfare impacts of housing systems on farmed chickens.

PRODUKTIVITAS ITIK (ANAS DOMESTICUS) PETELUR DENGAN SUPLEMENTASI TEPUNG LIMBAH UDANG DALAM PAKAN KOMPLIT

This study aims to determine that the addition of Shrimp Waste Flour (SWF) can increase the productivity of mojosari ducks. The research was conducted at the mojosari laying duck farm in the Butuh village, District of Purworejo. The experimental livestock used were 60 mojosari ducks with 24 weeks years old, the cattle were placed in 20 colony cage plots, each cage plot filled with 3 ducks. The materials used are Shrimp Waste Flour (SWF) and complete feed. The feed treatment given to the ducks was as follows; P0, P1, P2, P3, P4 containing 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% SWF, respectively. The method used in this study is the experimental method using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 4 replications in order to obtain 20 experimental units. Parameters observed were consumption of dry mater and crude protein, drinking consumption, average daily growth of duck, hen day product, conversion and feed efficiency. The data obtained were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test, if there is a difference, then the Duncan New Range Test (DMRT) test with a significance level of 5%. The results showed that shrimp waste flour had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on consumption dry mater as much as 128.04 g; 121.47 g; 134.96 g and 135.66 g. Consumption crude protein had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) as much as 14.29%; 14.88%; 15.47%; 10.06% and 16.65%. Drinking water consumption had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) in the amount of 0.78 l; 0.83 l; 0.93 l; 1.1 l and 1.24 l. Average daily growth of duck had unsignificant effect (P&gt;0.05) of 2.23 g; 2.18 g; 1.76 g; 0.94 g and 1.52 g. Hen day product had unsignificant effect (P&gt;0.05) with a percentage of 49.7%; 53.87%; 54.76%; 57.74% and 49.41%. The feed conversion value had unsignificant effect (P&gt;0.05) with a value of 4.53; 4.05; 4.05; 4.51 and 4.24. Feed efficiency was unsignificantly different (P&gt;0.05) with a percentage of 20.74%; 23.23%; 23.58%; 23.12% and 20.86%. Shrimp waste flour had a significant on consumption of dry mater, crude protein and drinking water, but has unsignificant on average daily growth of duck, hen day product, conversion and feed efficiency. Keywords: Shrimp waste flour, productivity, mojosari duck

Effects of carrot leaves on digestibility of feed, and cholesterol and β-carotene content of egg yolks

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of carrot leaf supplementation on feed digestibility and the cholesterol and β-carotene contents of the yolks of eggs produced by Lohmann Brown laying hens. A feeding trial was conducted using 240 healthy 30-week-old laying hens kept in colony cages to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with carrot leaves. Carrot leaf extract (CLE) was prepared by macerating carrot leaves in distilled water (1:1, w/w). The hens were fed diets i) without carrot leaves (C0), ii) supplemented with 2% carrot leaf flour (CLF)(C1); iii) supplemented with 2% CLE(C2); and iv) supplemented with 1% CLF and 1% CLE (C3). Supplementation of CLE, CLF and in combination increased dry matter, organic matter and protein digestibility significantly. Feed efficiency was improved, and eggshell thickness, yolk colour and β-carotene content in yolk increased. Supplementation with CFL or CLE produced significantly lower serum and yolk cholesterol contents. Dietary supplementation of laying hens with CLF and CLE also increased egg production and β-carotene contents in yolk.