Commercial Diet Research Articles

Growth, Hepatic Enzymatic Activity, and Quality of European Seabass Fed on Hermetia illucens and Poultry By-Product Meal in a Commercial Farm.

Protein meals from insects in combination with poultry by-product meal appear to be promising ingredients for replacing conventional proteins in the diets of carnivorous fish. The present study explored the effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymatic activity, and fillet physical and nutritional characteristics during a 66-day feeding trial performed on European seabass. A total of 3000 fish were distributed into three tanks, where the control group was fed with a commercial diet (CG) and a second group was fed in duplicate with the experimental diet (SSH) containing 10% Hermetia illucens larva meal, 30% poultry by-product meal, and <5.5 g/100 g of feed of marine origin proteins. All fish showed good growth performance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities were higher in the SSH group than in the CG group. The fillet fatty acid profile was largely unaffected by diet, except for a few fatty acids. Fish fed the SSH diet had a lower C22:1n-11 content than CG, thus suggesting an increased β-oxidation. The oxidative status of muscle lipids was not affected by the diet. In conclusion, the present study showed that European seabass can be successfully fed the SSH diet for two months in a commercial setting.

Effectiveness of lycopene dietary enrichment for growth performance, digestive enzymes, blood health, immunity, and antioxidant status of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) against chronic glyphosate toxicity

For food safety challenges, sustainable aquaculture emerges as a significant source in recent years; however, despite its potential, the industry still facing challenges, notably the exposure of cultured animals to pesticidal pollution. This pollution originating from agricultural practices that can enter aquaculture system directly: to integrated-agriculture aquaculture practices, or indirectly via soil leakage. Current research based on glyphosate (GLY) toxicity and its amelioration by lycopene (LYC). Four fish groups used for six-weeks experiment in which four groups were used. Control group (CL) was fed with basal commercial diet only without any LYC and GLY exposure; 2) LYC group: exposed to LYC supplemented diet (15 mg/kg per fish diet); 3) GLY group: exposed to glyphosate only (1/5th of 96 h LC50: 0.0892 mg/L) with basal commercial diet, and; 4) GLY + LYC group: exposed to both lycopene supplemented diet (15 mg/kg per fish diet) and glyphosate (1/5th of 96 h LC50: 0.0892 mg/L). GLY observed to decrease growth parameters and feed utilization whereas, lycopene ameliorated growth rate (WG, SGR, HSI, CF) and feeding utilization (FCR) as compared to the control group. Also, GLY induced toxicity within hematobiochemical parameters with alleviation by LYC supplementation. GLY induced cytotoxicity was observed within RBCs as lobbing, notching, vacuolation, blebbing, micronuclei, and condensation. Increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed by GLY exposure. Also, there is observed reduction in antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, POD, TPC and GSH) upon GLY exposure. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde: MDA), 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine) and DIY (dityrosine) observed to increase by GLY toxicity. There was improvement in immune responses; increased AChE (acetylcholinesterase) activity, lysozyme content, ACP (acid phosphatase), NBT (nitro blue tetrazolium), NO (nitric oxide) and IgM levels (immunoglobulin M) and digestive enzyme activities (protease, lipase and amylase) observed by LYC supplemented diet. Taken together, LYC supplementation observed to alleviate GLY induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity with improved immunity, digestive actions and blood health within C. carpio. Therefore, dietary supplementation with lycopene can protect common carp from the harmful effects by glyphosate within agri-integrated aquaculture practices, so suggesting it as potential feed additive.

PSII-11 Achieving heavier piglet weights at weaning with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation under field conditions

Abstract The benefits of live yeast supplementation during both gestation and lactation on piglet performance, nutrient digestibility and immune status have been well reported. However, the application of live yeast to gestation diets in some commercial practices may not be warranted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding live yeast to lactating sows on piglet performance at weaning under field conditions. Before start of the study, a total of 268 Camborough L42 gestating sows were fed a restricted, commercial diet. From ≈112 d of gestation until weaning, sows were fed a commercial lactation mash diet with or without inclusion of live yeast (Vistacell, AB Vista, UK) at 1 kg/t. Piglets were cross-fostered within treatment to standardize piglet numbers on sows, and weaned at approximately 24 d. Body weights of piglets at weaning were collected from around 40% of sows. Data were statistically analyzed by Mixed Model using JMP Pro v.16.2 software (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC), with significance being accepted at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Treatment was included as a fixed factor in all models, with sow ID and piglet ID nested within treatment included as random variables for sow and piglet performance, respectively. The interaction between treatment and parity was also included in the model for sow performance. Sow parities of 4 and above were combined into one group. Proportional piglet body weights were assessed by non-parametric Wilcoxon Test. An interaction between treatment and parity was shown for average daily feed intake (ADFI), whereby parity-1 sows fed the control diet and parities-3 and -4 sows fed live yeast had greater feed intakes than parity-2 sows fed live yeast. Sow body weights and body condition scores at weaning were unaffected by treatment. Piglet body weights at processing, the number of piglets weaned and weaning ages were also unaffected by treatment. However, piglets from sows fed live yeast were significantly heavier (7.12 kg vs. 6.85 kg) at weaning than piglets from sows fed control diets (P &amp;lt; 0.01). In addition, the proportion of piglets at weaning with body weights of less than 7 kg tended to be fewer (45% vs. 55%), with a greater percentage of heavier (&amp;gt;7 kg) piglets, from sows supplemented with live yeast (P = 0.08). In conclusion, these findings indicate that supplementing live yeast solely to the lactating sow can promote growth of nursing piglets leading to improved piglet performance at weaning.

246 The effect of trypsin inhibitor unit concentrations from raw soybeans in grower pig performance and protein digestibility

Abstract Soybeans contain two major protease inhibitors, Kunitz trypsin and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitors, both of which are anti-nutritional components that can be directly linked to a reduction in amino acid bioavailability and growth performance in swine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the level at which trypsin inhibitor units (TIU, expressed as TIU/mg of complete feed), coming from raw soybeans, in pig diets result in reduction in growth performance and digestibility. This study used 45 grower gilts initial body weight (BW) = 39.7 ± 2.1 kg] that were individually penned and fed one of five dietary TIU treatments (n = 9 pigs/trt) in a complete randomized design. Diets were representative of a commercial corn-soybean meal diet and formulated to have ranging TIU/mg of complete feed of 0.89, 1.77, 3.55, 6.99, and 11.54 TIU/mg utilizing raw ground soybeans and soybean meal at incremental levels. Analyzed diets contained 0.99, 2.23, 3.07, 6.49, and 9.38 active TIU/mg. Diets were balanced to the same grams of SID Lys:ME of 2.85 and NDF concentration of 7.4% utilizing soybean oil and soybean hulls, respectively. Individual feed intake was recorded throughout, and pig BW were collected on d 0, 21, and 27 to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency gain to feed ratio (G:F). All pigs were placed into metabolism crates on d 21 for 6 d to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N), N excretion and N balance. Growth performance and ATTD data were analyzed with pig as the experimental unit and diet TIU level as a fixed effect using ANOVA, linear, and quadratic contrast models. Overall, ADG decreased as diet TIU increased (1.07, 1.03, 1.02, 0.91, and 0.83 kg/d, respectively, linear P &amp;lt; 0.001). However, no differences in ADFI (P &amp;gt; 0.10) were reported and this resulted in a decrease in G:F (0.48, 0.45, 0.43, 0.41, 0.36, respectively, linear P &amp;lt; 0.001) as dietary TIU concentrations increased from 0.99 to 9.38 TIU/mg. Compared with 0.99 TIU/mg, pigs fed 9.38 TIU/mg had a 9.32% reduction in final BW (68.7 vs. 62.3 kg, linear P &amp;lt; 0.001). Apparent total tract digestibility of N decreased when pigs were fed 9.38 TIU/mg compared with 0.99 and 2.23 TIU/mg (83.26% vs. 90.29% and 89.57%, respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.001). In conclusion, as total trypsin inhibitor units increase in complete feed of grower pigs, digestibility of protein, growth rates and feed efficiency are reduced in a linear manner.

PSII-21 Feed intake and growth of young turkeys in the brood when supplemented with Viribus Essentials, a blend of botanical extracts and natural flavors

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of adding Viribus Essentials (VB) on top of standard commercial brood diets on the performance and survivability of young turkeys in a large-scale commercial research facility. A total of 1,360 hybrid turkey toms were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design for a 42-d trial. There were 85 turkeys per pen and 8 replicate pens per treatment. The 2 dietary treatments were 1) CONTROL a standard set of commercial turkey brood rations (Starter, Grower), and 2) CONTROL + 1,362 grams per ton of VB in Starter and Grower. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded by pen for d 0 to 42 to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The Grubb’s test was used to check data for outliers with P &amp;lt; 0.05 as the level of significance for eliminating a replicate; no replicates were removed. Data were used to calculate all parameters and were analyzed using the GLM procedure in Minitab with Fisher’s t-test determining differences between treatments. Results from this trial are shown in Table 1. VB improved feed intake by 4.6% (P &amp;lt; 0.05), which resulted in improved average daily gain (ADG) by 3.8% (P &amp;lt; 0.01), with no change in feed conversion ratio (FCR) or Mortality adjusted FCR. Survivability was numerically increased by 1.1% (P = 0.367). Overall, the supplementation of VB increases the body weight of the turkey toms at the end of the brood by 4.7% (P &amp;lt; 0.01) which is an important indicator for the lifetime performance of turkeys.

144 Bioavailability of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of methionine relative to DL-methionine to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs

Abstract Methionine (Met) is typically the third limiting AA in commercial swine diets and is commonly supplied as dry DL-Met (99% pure) or DL-Met hydroxy analogue. Data on the relative bioavailability (RBV) of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of DL-Met (MHA-Ca; 84%) compared with DL-Met in weaned pigs is scarce. The objective of the experiment was to determine the RBV of MHA-Ca compared with DL-Met to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs. A total of 504 piglets [DNA x Pietrain pigs; approximately 42 d of age and 11 kg body weight (BW)] were used in two blocks of 252 pigs each with 6 pigs (3 entire males and 3 gilts) per pen and 12 replicate pens per treatment. Within each block, pigs were randomly allotted to 7 diets for 21 d. A basal diet (BD) was formulated to be adequate in all essential nutrients except for Met (0.22% standardized ileal digestible Met), which was 61% of the SID Met requirement of 0.36% recommended by NRC (2012) for 10 to 25 kg pigs. The Met-deficient BD was then supplemented with 3 graded levels of DL-Met (0.05, 0.10, and 0.15%) or MHA-Ca (0.077, 0.154, and 0.231%) at the expense of corn. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed (mash) and water. Individual pigs and pen feed disappearance were weighed on d 0 and d 21 to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). On d 21, blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen after 8 h fasting to determine total protein, albumin and glucose. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc.). Orthogonal-polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of DL-Met and MHA-Ca, and the effect of Met sources. The final BW at d 21 and overall average daily gain (ADG; 375, 401, 429, 430, 402, 431, and 428 g/d for diets 1 to 7, respectively) increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by graded additions with both Met sources. The ADFI was not different but the overall FCR (1.64, 1.55, 1.51, 1.45, 1.59, 1.46, and 1.50 for diets 1 to 7, respectively) improved linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by supplementation with DL-Met or MHA-Ca. Pig performance responses (ADG, ADFI and FCR) was not different (P ≥ 0.15) when Met was supplemented in the Met-deficient diet at a DL-Met to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 on a product basis. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin and glucose on d 21 were not affected (P &amp;gt;0.05) by dietary treatments or Met sources. Based on ADG as a response of Met supplementation level, the linear and exponential regressions estimated the RBV of 64 and 65%, respectively for MHA-Ca relative to DL-Met (product-to-product basis) in 11 to 20 kg pigs.

156 Growth performance, energy, and nutrient digestibility of nursery pigs fed high-shear dry extruded corn and soymeal

Abstract Altering the processing method via high-shear dry extrusion of both soybean meal and corn has been shown to improve diet energy and digestibility. The objective was to evaluate the effect using high-shear dry extruded corn and mechanically processed soymeal on growth performance, energy, and nutrient digestibility of nursery pigs. A total of 240 newly weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 5.7 ± 1.3 kg] were assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments (n = 16 pens per treatment with 3 pigs per pen) in a complete randomized design for three dietary phases over a 6 wk study duration. Pigs were allowed a 7-d acclimation period where they were fed a common commercial medicated starter pellet diet (d 0-7, Phase 1). In phase 2 and 3, experimental diets included: 1) solvent-extracted soybean meal and conventional ground corn (Con), 2) solvent-extracted soybean meal and high-shear dry extruded corn (ECorn), 3) mechanically processed soymeal and conventional corn (ExSoy), 4) mechanically processed soymeal and high-shear dry extruded corn (same ME and Lysine as treatment 1 to 3; Comb), and 5) mechanically processed soymeal and conventional corn (energy floated with same Lys:ME; Comb+). The phase 2 mash test diets contained 0.40% titanium dioxide as a digestibility marker (d 8-21) and phase 3 test diets were fed from d 22-42. Pigs were individually weighed on d 0, 7, 21 and 42 and feed disappearance was recorded to calculate average daily feed intake (ADFI) and Gain:Feed within phase 1, 2 and 3, and overall (phase 2 and 3 combined). Data were analyzed using pen as the experimental unit. Compared with Cont, end BW did not differ in the ECorn and ExSoy treatment, while Comb and Comb+ pigs were 13 to 17% lighter (26.1, 24.2, 24.0, 22.6 and 21.5 kg, respectively, P = 0.004). Overall, the Con fed pigs had 30% greater average daily gain (ADG) and 12 to 21% increase in feed efficiency compared with either Comb or Comb+ treatments (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Overall ADFI did not differ. During phase 3, Con and ECorn fed pigs observed increased ADG and feed efficiency compared with pigs fed either Comb treatment (Both P = 0.002, respectively). Compared with Cont, ECorn and Comb+ had greater GE ATTD coefficients, while ExSoy and Comb were less (82.1, 84.6, 86.9, 78.7 and 79.1%, respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Nitrogen ATTD coefficients were greatest in Comb+, followed by ECorn, Cont, ExSoy and Comb (84.4, 78.8, 77.9, 73.0 and 72.3%, respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.001). In conclusion, substituting conventional corn or solvent-extracted soybean meal with extruded corn or mechanically processed soymeal resulted in equal pig growth performance. Further research is needed to determine the effects on the performance of nursery pigs fed diets including more than one high-shear dry extruded ingredients.

Coculture of abalone (Haliotis midae) and sea cucumber (Neostichopus grammatus) to reduce tank cleaning frequency in abalone farming

Abalone farming produces nutrient-rich sludge, and the frequent cleaning and removal of sludge from abalone tanks is labour and capital-intensive. This study aimed to assess the effect of culture methods and tank cleaning frequency on abalone growth, water quality, and sludge characteristics. The study was conducted for 16 weeks. Four treatments were used, namely, abalone cocultured with sea cucumber cleaned once (AS1) and twice weekly (AS2); abalone monoculture cleaned once (A1) and cleaned twice weekly (A2). Abalone (initial avg weight = 40.9 g) were maintained under commercial stocking conditions in flow through systems at a salinity of 35 ppt and fed a commercial formulated diet (Abfeed™) and fresh seaweed (Ulva lacinulata and Gracillaria gracilis). The stocking densities were 200 abalone m−2 and 50 sea cucumbers m−2. The sea cucumbers (initial average weight = 12.5 g) fed on the abalone faeces and leftover feed, which settled at the abalone tank's bottom (sludge). There was a significant interaction between the type of culture and the frequency of cleaning on abalone weight (F (1,476) = 12.41, p < 0.001). Abalone in the A2 treatment group showed higher growth (p = 0.006) than those of the A1 treatment group, while abalone in AS1 had significantly higher growth (p < 0.001) than those in the AS2 treatment group. Also, abalone in AS1 showed higher growth (p = 0.026) than abalone in the A1 treatment. However, abalone in AS1 had growth similar (p = 0.53) to those in A2. The survival rate of the sea cucumbers was high, however, the sea cucumbers experienced a reduction in weight regardless of the treatment. This study showed that growth optimisation in abalone farming can be achieved by cleaning tanks twice instead of once weekly. However, when abalone are cocultured with sea cucumber, tanks need only be cleaned once a week without compromising abalone growth or water quality. The coculture of abalone and sea cucumber results in an additional aquacultured product, a significant reduction in labour and other associated costs of cleaning, without an additional cost of production.

Microbiome composition and presence of cultivable commensal groups of Southern Tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) varies with captive conditions

Southern Tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) belong to the specialized placental myrmecophages. There is not much information about their intestinal microbiome. Moreover, due to their food specialization, it is difficult to create an adequate diet under breeding conditions. Therefore, we used 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the fecal microbiome of captive Southern Tamanduas from four locations in the Czech Republic and evaluated the impact of the incoming diet and facility conditions on microbiome composition. Together with the microbiome analysis, we also quantified and identified cultivable commensals. The anteater fecal microbiome was dominated by the phyla Bacillota and Bacteroidota, while Pseudomonadota, Spirochaetota, and Actinobacteriota were less abundant. At the taxonomic family level, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Spirochaetaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Leuconostocaceae, and Streptococcaceae were mainly represented in the fecal microbiome of animals from all locations. Interestingly, Lactobacillaceae dominated in the location with a zoo-made diet. These animals also had significantly lower diversity of gut microbiome in comparison with animals from other locations fed mainly with a complete commercial diet. Moreover, captive conditions of analyzed anteater included other factors such as the enrichment of the diet with insect-based products, probiotic interventions, the presence of other animals in the exposure, which can potentially affect the composition of the microbiome and cultivable microbes. In total, 63 bacterial species from beneficial commensal to opportunistic pathogen were isolated and identified using MALDI-TOF MS in the set of more than one thousand selected isolates. Half of the detected species were present in the fecal microbiota of most animals, the rest varied across animals and locations.

Two studies evaluated the effects of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on the growth performance of broilers fed corn/soybean diets and deficient in nutrients and energy

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) on performance of broilers fed US type diets with reduced nutrients and energy. Each experiment utilized a completely randomized block design where four treatments were tested with 10 replicate groups, each treatment totaling 270 day-of-hatch male Ross 308 broilers. The diets were: 1), a nutrient-adequate control (PC) and 2), a nutrient and energy-reduced negative control (NC): PC minus 0.19 % avP, 0.23 % Ca, 0.045 % Na, up to 0.05 % unit dig AA and 37 kcal/kg ME and 3), NC with PhyG supplemented at 1,500 FTU/kg (PhyG1500) 4), PC minus 0.164 % avP, 0.201 % Ca, 0.037 % Na, up to 0.035 %-unit dig. AA and 29 kcal/kg ME plus the PhyG at 750 FTU/kg (PhyG750). Xylanase was included in all diets at 750 XU/kg with 25 kcal/kg of ME matrix applied. Experiment 1 diets (wholly vegetable) were based on corn-soybean meal with <2 % DDGs. Experiment 2 diets (conventional) were based on corn-soybean meal with <3 % DDGS and <4 % meat and bone meal. Diets were pelleted and fed ad libitum over four phases: starter (1–10d), grower (11–21d), finisher 1 (22–35d), and finisher 2 (36–42d). In both experiments, compared with PC, birds fed the nutrient and energy reduced NC exhibited reduced 42d BW and increased overall 1–42d FCR (P < 0.05). During all phases, in both experiments, PhyG at each dose-level produced growth performance measures that were by phase and cumulatively equivalent to PC. PhyG at 1500 FTU improved accumulative FCR (1–21d, 1–35d and 1–42d) in experiment 1, and 1–21d FCR in experiment 2 compared to PC. Similarly, PhyG750 and PhyG1500 increased (P < 0.05) tibia ash and carcass yield vs. NC to similar levels as PC. For all measures, response values were numerically highest with 1500 FTU/kg. In conclusion, the novel consensus phytase variant completely compensated for the reduction in avP, Ca, Na, dig AA, and ME respectively at each dose-level and maintained growth performance, carcass characteristics, and bone quality of broilers fed wholly vegetable or conventional US type commercial diets through 42 days of age, leading to reduced feed cost and production benefit.

LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS FED PSIDIUM GUAJAVA AND MANGIFERA INDICA LEAF EXTRACT

The length weight relationship (LWR) of Clarias gariepinus fed Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica leaf extract was evaluated for six (6) months. A total of 420, eight (8) weeks old fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus was used for this study. Experimental fish were fed 40 % crude protein diet with inclusion of both leaf extracts at 0 %, 4 %, 6 %, and 8 %. Experimental fish were stocked in twenty-one 4ft by 4ft tarpaulin tanks half filled with borehole water, acclimation was done for 7 days during which they were fed commercial diet. Aqueous extract was done for both leaves and stored in plastic cans for further use. Weight and length of fish was measured biweekly and data was used to assess the length-weight relationship. The result of this study showed that the best weight was recorded in treatment 2 fed 4 % Psidium guajava extract and the least in treatment 5 fed 4 % Mangifera indica extract. The result on LWR revealed the regression coefficient ‘b’ to be from 17.68-20.40 which indicates a positive allometric growth, since ‘b’ value is more than 3. This further means that the fish samples in this study became heavier, stouter, deeper bodied or bigger as it increases in length i.e all parts of the fish increase in size proportionately with the length.

Inclusion of by-products of the brewing and wine industry in dairy goats

The aim of the following work was to evaluate a diet formulated with byproducts from the brewing and wine industry for lactating goats and quantify its potential in terms of nutritional quality and quantity. Twelve multiparous Nubian x Saanen goats, 2.75 years old (+ 1,24) during an experimental period of 12 weeks: 2 weeks of habituation and 10 weeks of testing. In both diets the goats grazed 6 hours on natural grass. Diet T0 (n = 6): Commercial feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM) and diet T1 (n = 6): non-traditional balanced feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM). Productive performance and health parameters were evaluated in goats fed with both diets during a period of 5 weeks starting 35 days postpartum. Total dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and corrected (MY and MYC), live weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), degree of FAMACHA© and quantitative coproparasitological diagnosis (EPG and OPG) were measured. A greater DMI was observed at T0 compared to T1 (p &lt; 0.05). MY, MYC, BW, BCS, FAMACHA©, EPG and OPG did not show significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) between both diets (T0 vs T1) throughout the experimental period evaluated. Goat health parameters throughout the study were within the physiological range during the production cycle and did not interfere with dietary treatments. The formulation of the diet with barley bagasse and grape pomace in dairy goats had a productive behaviour and health parameters like those of the commercial diet evaluated, without affecting milk production.

Tibia properties in broilers raised on their own commercial diets with different growth rates and sex during a 10-week rearing period.

Genetic selection applied to broilers results in fast growth and an increase in meat yield. However, this situation causes welfare problems in broilers. The aim of this study is to determine the weekly changes in the tibia characteristics in broilers raised on their own commercial diets. In the study, 168 (84 female and 84 male) slow-growing (Hubbard-Isa Red JA) and 168 (84 female and 84 male) fast-growing (Ross-308) day-old broiler chicks were used. Six broilers from each genotype and sex group were weighed weekly and slaughtered to determine the tibia properties during the 10-week fattening period. Fast-growing broilers had higher tibia weight and longer length, diaphysis diameter and medullary canal diameter than those of slow-growing broilers at the same age. In fast-growing genotypes, the cortical index was low only in the 2nd week, and Robusticity and Seedor indices were observed to be better throughout the whole fattening. The ash content of the total tibia in the fast-growing broilers was higher in all of the examined weeks except the 4th week and the 9th week of fattening than that in the slow-growing broilers. Although the amount of ash per unit body weight in the 1st week of fattening was higher in fast-growing broilers, this situation reversed after the 4th week. The level of all minerals examined in total tibia weight is high in fast-growing broilers, and they differed according to the fattening period. When comparing tibia characteristics of two different genotypes fed their own commercial diets, the tibia structure was found to be stronger in fast-growing broilers compared to other genotypes at the same age, but slow-growing broilers were more prominent in terms of body weight. It was observed that the mineral density was higher in male broilers, except in the 1st week.

Effects of the Marek's Disease Vaccine on the Performance, Meat Yield, and Incidence of Woody Breast Myopathy in Ross 708 Broilers When Administered Alone or in Conjunction with In ovo and Dietary Supplemental 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol.

The effects of the Marek's disease vaccine (MDV) on the live performance, breast meat yield, and incidence of woody breast myopathy (WBM) of Ross 708 broilers were investigated when administered alone or in conjunction with in ovo and dietary supplemental 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3). At 18 d of incubation (doi), four in ovo injection treatments were randomly assigned to live embryonated Ross 708 broiler hatching eggs: (1) non-injected; (2) commercial MDV alone; or MDV containing either (3) 1.2 or (4) 2.4 μg of 25OHD3. An Inovoject multi-egg injector was used to inject a 50 μL solution volume into each egg. The birds were provided a commercial diet that contained 250 IU of cholecalciferol/kg of feed (control) or a commercial diet that was supplemented with an additional 2760 IU of 25OHD3/kg of feed (HyD-diet). In the growout period, 14 male broilers were placed in each of 48 floor pens resulting 6 replicated pens per in ovo x dietary treatment combination. Live performance variable were measured at each dietary phases from 0 to 14, 15 to 28, and 29 to 40 d of age (doa). At 14 and 40 doa, pectoralis major (P. major) and pectoralis minor (P. minor) muscles were determined for one bird within each of the six replicate pens. At 41 doa, WBM incidence was determined. No significant main or interaction effects occurred for WBM among the dietary or in ovo injection treatments. However, in response to in ovo 25OHD3 supplementation, BW and BWG in the 29 to 40 doa period and BWG and FCR in the 0 to 40 doa period improved. In addition, at 40 and 41 doa, breast meat yield increased in response to in ovo and dietary 25OHD3 supplementation. Future research is needed to determine the possible reasons that may have been involved in the aforementioned improvements.

Use of black soldier fly larvae and freshwater shrimp to partly substitute commercial diet for Nile tilapia cultured in smallholder fish farms – A case study in Busia County, Kenya

Fish-farming in Kenya is challenged by the availability and high cost of feed ingredients, especially protein sources. Using black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) (BSFL) directly or indirectly as a feed ingredient to feed fish is interesting as they efficiently convert organic wastes into high-quality proteins. In addition, the freshwater shrimp (Caridina nilotica) (CN), an important by-catch of the silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea) fisheries in Lake Victoria, could be another alternative protein source. Therefore, this study determined whether dried BSFL or dried CN could partly substitute the commercial diet when growing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a smallholder farm aggregated in an aquapark. The nutritional values and cost-effectiveness of the alternative feeding strategies were compared to commercial diet (CD) only. During an 84-day experimental period, Nile tilapia were fed one of the three feeding strategies, including the use of only the commercial diet, to be compared with diets replacing 20% of the commercial diet with BSFL or CN. The fish were fed to apparent satiation twice a day. At the end of the trial, biomass, the number of fish, growth, survival rate, total fish production, economic feed conversion rate and productivity per pond, were determined. As such, Body Weight (BW) was similar across feeding strategies (P &amp;gt; 0.05), measured 63.2 ± 3.9, 68.0 ± 7.4 and 68.0 ± 7.4 g for fish-fed diets with CD, BSFL and CN, respectively. Hence, nutritionally and from a production point of view, the three feeding strategies used in this study performed equally well. Notably, the use of BSFL led to a significantly higher economic return (P &amp;lt; 0.05) compared to the use of CN and commercial diet alone. The trials in this study demonstrate that BSFL and CN can be used to partly substitute commercial diet. In addition, the trial show that the use of BSFL to partly substitute the commercial diet can boost sustainable fish production in a smallholder farm set-up aggregated in an aquapark.

Domestic dogs maintain clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year.

Domestic dogs can maintain health on complete and well-balanced canine plant-based nutrition (K9PBN). Novel insight on health outcomes in dogs consuming K9PBN is of relevance to veterinary professionals and consumers given a growing interest in non-traditional dog foods with perceived health benefits, while considering potential safety concerns. We aimed to investigate nutritional equivalence by measuring clinical health outcomes in adult dogs fed K9PBN over twelve months compared to a meat-based diet at baseline. We enrolled fifteen clinically healthy adult dogs living in households in Los Angeles County, California in a prospective cohort study and evaluated clinical, hematological, and nutritional parameters in dogs at 0, 6, and 12 months, including complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, cardiac biomarkers, plasma amino acids, and serum vitamin concentrations. The study found that clinically healthy, client-owned, adult dogs maintain health, based on physical exams, complete blood count, serum chemistry, plasma amino acids, serum vitamins, and cardiac biomarkers combined with client-reported observations, when fed commercial K9PBN over a twelve-month period. This study is the most comprehensive and longest known K9PBN investigation to date and provides clinically relevant evidence-based nutrition data and new knowledge on outcomes in clinically healthy dogs who thrive without consumption of animal-derived ingredients. These results also provide a valuable foundation for the future study of K9PBN as a potential nutritional intervention for clinically relevant pathologies in canine medicine. Lastly, it is of major relevance to One Health paradigms since ingredients produced independent of industrial food animal production are both more sustainable and help to circumvent ethical dilemmas for maintenance of health in domestic dogs.

PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS EVALUATION OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL DIETS

An experiment was carried out to determine the utilization of five selected commercial broiler chicken diets by broilers. Three hundred day-old chicks were randomly allotted to five diets in replicates of three containing 20 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and the feeding trial lasted for six weeks. Results for overall performance, indicated that daily feed intake was higher (P&lt;0.05) on diets A (103.00 g), D (101.79 g) E (100.18 g) and B (96.06 g) which were the same and lower on diet C85.21 g) while daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio assumed the same trend as daily feed intake. Carcass evaluation showed a higher (P&lt;0.05) dressing percentage on diet D (76.72 %) and lowest on diet C (67.96 %). It was therefore concluded that diets D and A gave higher dressing percentages, hence recommended for broiler chicken farmers in the study area.

PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF RABBIT BUCKS FED SUPPLEMENTAL LEVELS OF Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbit bucks. Eighteen bucks were used for the study. They were assigned to three treatment groups with 6 bucks per treatment, replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design for twenty-eight (28) days. The bucks were allowed one week of acclimatization before the commencement of the study, during which they were fed commercial growers diets and forages. The bucks were fed a formulated ration supplemented with S. cerevisiae at 0.0, 0.3 and 0.6g respectively and were coded T1, T2 and T3 respectively. T1served as control. Growth parameters, haematological indices and serum chemistry were measured in the course of the study. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 21, and means were separated using Duncan of same software. The results revealed that S. cerevisae did not have effect (p&gt;0.05) on the growth parameters in the rabbit bucks. This study revealed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not have significant effect (p&gt;0.05) in the PCV of bucks in the study as T1, T2 and T3 all had similar (p&gt;0.05) PCV values of 39.00, 39.00 and 41.00% respectively. S. cerevisiae influenced (P&lt;0.05) serum enzymes but did not have significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on total protein, blood urea, ALT creatinine and glucose. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of S. cerevisiae at 0.60% did not have significant effect on growth parameters and most haematological and serum biochemical indices.

Effects of temperature and live prey concentration on Colossoma macropomum larviculture

Objective. The study evaluated the performance and survival of Colossoma macropomum larvae at different temperatures and concentrations of prey. Materials and methods. Two temperatures (28 and 32ºC) (T) and two initial daily concentrations (500 and 1,000 Artemia nauplii per larva) (CP) of prey were used. These concentrations were increased every 5 days during the first 15 days of cultivation. From the 16th to the 30th day, the larvae received exclusively a commercial diet. Results. In the first 7 days, weight (P), total length (TL) and daily specific growth rate (SGR) were higher for T32 treatments (p&lt;0.05). After 15 days, P, TL and SGR were higher for CP1000 (p&lt;0.05). After 22 days, P and TL suffered the effect of the initial concentration of prey and water temperature with higher values for CP1000 and T32 (p&lt;0.05). At the end of 30 days of cultivation, P was affected only by water temperature with higher values for T32 (p&lt;0.05). The TL showed an effect of temperature and initial concentration of prey with higher values for CP1000 and T32 (p&lt;0.05). During feeding with a commercial diet (days 16-30 of cultivation), survival was higher for T32 (94.38±6.12%) (p&lt;0.05), with no difference for initial prey concentration. Conclusions. It is concluded that the larviculture of C. macropomum must be carried out with a temperature of 32° C and that the food management must be differentiated during the first 15 days, positively influenced in the period of feeding with ration.

Meat quality and sensory traits in rabbits fed with two different percentages of bovine colostrum

The nutritional, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of bovine colostrum (BC) have encouraged its use in animal nutrition as a functional food in recent years. Nonetheless, the potential implications of BC supplementation on meat quality remain to be thoroughly assessed. To address this, thirty-nine New Zealand White rabbits (n = 13/group) were fed different dietary regimens until slaughter.: commercial standard diet for the control group (C) and C with 2.5% and 5% w/w of BC for BC-2.5 and BC-5 groups, respectively. Rabbits were slaughtered at 91 days of age and meat quality, and sensory characteristics were evaluated at days 2 (48 h after slaughter), 5, and 10 of refrigerated storage at 4 °C.The addition of colostrum in the diet resulted in a reduction of the total viable count, albeit only at the highest concentration and at the final detection, whereas for Lactobacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., there was little or no effect. The colour coordinates showed no differences between the groups, but they varied over time according to diet. Some differences between groups emerged in the definition of sensory attributes but did not affect the overall liking and overall scores of individual descriptors. These results indicate that the use of colostrum in rabbit feeding does not significantly impart meat quality and sensory attributes, but the potential of this valuable by-product for the food industry needs further investigation.