Commercial Finisher Research Articles

Performance of Commercial Broilers under Separate Sex Rearing and Feeding during the Finisher Period

The performance of commercial broiler chicken was evaluated under separate sex rearing and feeding during the finisher stage (22-42 days age). A total of 210, (21 days-old) commercial broilers were randomly allocated to five groups, viz., A (male & female mixed), B (male), C (male), D (female), and E (female) containing 42 birds in each group. The birds from groups A, C, and E were fed with a commercial broiler finisher diet containing 3250 kcal ME/kg, 19.5% CP, 1.00% Dig. Lysine (Dig. Lys) and 0.49% Dig. Methionine (Dig, Met). The males in group B were fed a special male diet containing 3000 kcal ME/kg, 18% Crude Protein (CP), and females from group D were fed a special female diet containing 3100 kcal ME/kg, 19.5 % CP. The Dig. Lys and Dig. Met levels in group B and D finisher diets were 2% higher than in group A. The results of the study concluded that the separate sex rearing of broilers may be followed by feeding special finisher diets to males (B) and females (D) to achieve similar body weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency to that of males (C) and females fed with a commercial finisher diet. Separate sex rearing of commercial broilers with special feeding is more economical than commercial diets fed to mixed and separate sex. Females fed on a special finisher diet had significantly (P < .05) higher serum total protein, albumin, and A/G ratio than males fed on a special finisher diet.

The effects of age of castration on carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid profile of finishing South African Mutton Merino lambs

This study compared the effect of either keeping South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) ram lambs intact, or castrated with age applicable methods on their carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat (SCF) and intramuscular fat (IMF). Ten lambs per treatment were castrated early at one week of age (EAR) with an elastrator band (4.4 kg ± 0.78 kg: mean ± SD), another 10 lambs at eight weeks of age (late castration - LAT) with a burdizzo (23.6 kg ± 2.26 kg: mean ± SD), whereas another ten lambs were left intact (CON). The two castration methods used were based on cost, ethical prescriptions and to mimic commercial operations. The lambs were housed individually in 30 pens (1.404 m2) for the duration of the study. Animals were housed on an elevated slatted wooden floor in the same metabolic building with an extractor fan to promote ventilation. At the start of the feeding trial, the age of the lambs was on average two and a half months with a live weight of 24.3 kg ± 4.10 kg (mean ± SD). The lambs were fed a standard commercial finishing diet for 67 days and slaughtered when they reached approximately 44.2 kg ± 6.35 kg (mean ± SD) live weight. After slaughter, carcass characteristics (cold carcass) and meat quality were evaluated. The left 3-rib cut was dissected (9th through 11th rib) and the muscle percentage for CON lambs was higher compared to both EAR and LAT lambs. Therefore, CON lambs produced leaner carcasses compared to EAR and LAT lambs. Castration status had no effect on meat Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), consumer sensory analysis nor colour. For proximate composition, CON lambs had higher moisture compared to LAT lambs while LAT had higher dry matter compared to CON lambs. Both, EAR and LAT lamb’s meat had higher organic matter compared to CON lamb’s meat, but these differences were negligible. For IMF in the longissimus thoracic et lumborum muscle, CON lambs’ meat had higher total PUFA, α-linolenic acid, total PUFA n-6, linoleic acid, PUFA:SFA ratio and PUFA:MUFA ratio than meat from both EAR and LAT lambs. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total PUFA n-3 were both higher for meat from CON lambs than LAT lamb’s meat, while palmitic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were higher for EAR lamb’s meat than CON lamb’s meat and EAR lambs than LAT lamb’s meat, respectively. For SCF, CON lambs had higher heptadecenoic acid and linolelaidic acid than LAT lambs. The calculated atherogenicity index (AI) of SCF was higher for LAT lambs compared to CON lambs. Limited effects of castration age on the possible health benefits of SAMM lamb meat were proven in the current study. It is however suggested that for a higher production response and carcass muscle content, to either keep SAMM rams intact or at least postpone castration for as long as possible.

Effect of a Mixed Fermented Loquat Leaf Tea By-Product on the Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Tsushima-Jidori Crossbred Chicken.

In the present study, the effects of dietary supplementation with a mixed fermented loquat leaf tea residue (MFL) were evaluated on muscle α-tocopherol concentration and drip loss of Tsushima-Jidori crossbred chicken. MFL contained significantly less β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and total catechin than that of residues of green tea leaf infusion, although total polyphenol was significantly higher and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity tended to be higher, indicating increased antioxidant properties. A total of 120 male Tsushima-Jidori crossbred chickens were divided into two groups at 62 days of age. The control group was fed a basal diet (commercial finisher diet containing 16.5% crude protein and 12.77 MJ/kg metabolizable energy) and the test group was fed a basal diet supplemented with MFL at a concentration of 1.0% until 90 days of age. Body mass, body mass gain, feed intake, and tissue mass did not significantly differ between the two groups. Dietary supplementation with MFL significantly increased breast muscle α-tocopherol concentration and reduced muscle drip loss. This was accompanied by a lower muscle K-value, which indicated the freshness of the meat. These results suggested that dietary supplementation with MFL improved the shelf life and water-holding capacity of breast muscles of Tsushima-Jidori crossbred chickens.

Growth performance and nitrogen excretion of broiler chickens fed low protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of amino acid (AA) supplementation in low-protein (LP) diets on growth performance and nitrogen (N) excretion. A total of 175 7-day-old Ross 308 male broilers, with a mean body weight (BW) of 165 g (standard deviation = 11.2 g), were grouped into five blocks by BW and allocated to seven treatments according to a randomized complete block design with five replicate cages at five birds per cage. Dietary treatments comprised a control diet containing 20.0% crude protein (CP) and six LP diets containing either 18.5% or 17.0% CP. These LP diets were supplemented with either no AA supplementation, indispensable AA, or both indispensable and dispensable AA (glutamic acid and glycine). Birds were fed experimental grower diets from day 7 to 21 and then commercial finisher diets until day 28. During the grower period (day 7 to 21), birds fed LP diets supplemented with indispensable AA exhibited greater (p < 0.05) BW, body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) than birds fed LP diets without crystalline AA and were comparable to birds fed the control diet. During the finisher period (day 21 to 28), birds fed LP diets supplemented with indispensable AA showed greater (p < 0.05) BW than birds fed LP diets without crystalline AA, and their growth performance was comparable to birds fed the control diet. Throughout the overall period, supplementing indispensable AA in LP diets resulted in elevated (p < 0.05) BWG, FI, and G:F more than those of LP diets without crystalline AA and were comparable to those of the control diet. Supplementing indispensable AA in LP diets decreased amount and coefficient of N excretion as much as the control diet. Dispensable AA supplementation in LP diets did not influence growth performance and N excretion. In conclusion, supplementing indispensable AA in LP diets maintains growth performance and N excretion until the dietary CP lowers from 20.0% to 17.0% during the grower period. As long as dietary CP is above 17.0%, dispensable AA may not be deficient in LP diets during the grower period.

Nutrientes em dejetos de suínos para sua utilização como adubo de solo

ABSTRACT Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of animal protein, and swine farming plays a significant role in this sector. With the increase in the prices of mineral fertilizers, swine manure can be an alternative for fertilization and reduce production costs if carefully monitored to minimize damage and environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to characterize swine liquid slurry from a commercial finishing farm and determine the concentrations of total nitrogen, N-NH4 +, total phosphorus, and potassium for its use as a source of nutrients for the soil. The manure volume was calculated. The body retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and physical and chemical attributes of the feed and manure were evaluated. In the analyzed swine manure, the concentrations of the total nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, total phosphorus, and potassium were 6.14, 2.87, 3.66, and 2.64 g L-1, respectively. Liquid swine manure proved to be an efficient substitute for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium chemical fertilizers, representing cost savings of R$11,743.44 in chemical fertilizers.

39 Using Finishing Pig Body Measurements as a Tool to Estimate Body Weight

Abstract Approximately $220 million is lost every year by the pork industry due to sort losses defined as the loss of value associated with marketing pigs that fall outside the premium body weight (BW) range. Current industry standards of by “eye” measuring results in a sort loss greater than 10% in most loads. Stationary imaging systems to predict BW have been developed to help producers better market their pigs at the appropriate BW; however, they can be costly and still require stockpersons to individually mark relevant pigs. Flank to Flank measurements using a cloth tape have been found suitable for predicting breeding sow and boar weights. The objective of the study was to establish a linear equation based on body measurements (body length, heart girth, and flank) to predict BW in finishing pigs. This study used 223 finisher pigs (121 gilts, 102 barrows), divided between 2 replicate groups (28.5 ±0.7 days). Measurements of BW, body length (base of neck to base of tail), heart girth (circumference around the chest), and flank (measurement was taken in front of hind legs from the bottom of one flank to the other sides bottom of the flank) were measured every 7 d beginning at 135 d of age until 163 d of age. Linear regression was used to establish equations for each body measurement alone and in combination and the R2 coefficient was used to compare predictability of equations. An R2 value of 0.76, 0.24, and 0.65 was found for heart girth, body length, and flank length, respectively. The linear equation from the greatest R2 value measurement was BW = 1.95 × (heart girth) - 101.78. The R2 value can be improved by combining multiple points of measurement provided added variable(s) make a significant contribution. The linear equation accounting for all three measurements [BW = (0.17 × length) + (1.49 × heart) + (0.12 × flank) - 122.98] had R2 = 0.78. The combination of body length and heart girth [BW = (1.45 × heart) + (0.87 × flank) - 118.94] resulted in an equation with a similar accuracy (R2 = 0.78) as all 3 measurements combined. Body length marginally improved the R2 value likely because it had a relatively low R2 value alone. The equation combining heart girth and flank explained the greatest proportion of the variation in BW, although there was limited additional value above heart girth alone. Within a commercial finisher barn, measuring heart girth of every pig may not be practical. However, this method could be suitable to train stockpersons for improved visual estimation of pig weight or to gauge overall barn performance based on a random sampling of pigs just prior to marketing.

Model Pendugaan Energi Metabolis Pakan dan Bahan Pakan Ayam Broiler Berdasarkan Analisis Proksimat dan Energi Bruto

This study aimed to make estimation model of metabolizable energy (ME) of broiler chicken ration and feedstuffs based on proximate analysis and gross energy (GE). The estimation model used multiple and simple linear regression analysis with in vivo data approach. A total of 34 starter commercial ration data, 33 finisher commercial ration data, 17 experimental ration data, 14 corn data, 8 palm kernel cake (PKC) data from Center for Quality Testing and Feed Certification Laboratory and other research while the moisture content (MC), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), GE and ME were used as database and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results showed that ME estimation using multiple regression equation for starter commercial ration ME = 2,444.89 + 201.34x(MC) - 415.85x(ash) - 0.87x(CP) + 282.58x(EE) 284.96x(CF), finisher commercial ration ME = 6,451.05 - 244.99x(MC) - 226.72x(ash) - 101.40x(EE) + 363.12x(CF), experimental ration ME = 3,001.07 + 41.39x(MC) - 19.49x(ash) - 12.82 x(CP) + 87.31x(EE) - 160.99x(CF), corn ME= 8,504.07- 301.32x(MC) + 196.41x(ash) -252.58x(CP) + 114.52x(EE) + 47.99x(CF) and PKC ME = 6,197.28 - 111.45x(CF) while linear equation for starter commercial ration ME= 3,821.79 - 0.15GE, finisher commercial ration ME = 12,266.23 - 2.19 (GE), research ration ME= 1,416.83 + 0.398x(GE), corn ME= -2,958.80 + 1.68x(GE), PKC ME = -5,769.41 + 2.09x(GE). These two models could be used to estimate ME content in commercial finisher ration, experimental ration, corn, and PKC whereas both models could not be used for commercial feed starter.&#x0D; Key words: chicken feed, corn, metabolizable energy, palm kernel cake, regression analysis

Prediction of growth in grower-finisher pigs using recurrent neural networks

Accurate prediction of pig growth is an important tool for supporting sustainable global pork production, due to the potential benefits to farm management in monitoring growth according to target, promoting efficient use of resources and planning sale of finished animals. In this paper, a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network architecture was designed to predict how long it would take for grower-finisher pigs housed in a climate-controlled building reflecting commercial practice to reach a target liveweight of 90 kg. To make these predictions, data on pig liveweight and food consumption were integrated, along with various combinations of environmental temperature recorded by the building control system and, to represent seasonality, encodings of day of the year. Also, ensembles were created and evaluated by averaging the predictions of multiple models, each trained with different combinations of input features, and comparisons were made between the performance of the LSTM models and other machine learning algorithms. Overall, the LSTM model achieved the best prediction performance, with a RMSE of 2.470 days and a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.962. Integrating both environmental temperature and seasonality data into the models generally resulted in an improvement in predictive performance. The results demonstrate the potential of LSTM models as a precision livestock farming tool for the early prediction of growth in commercial finisher pigs. • A machine learning pipeline for the forecasting of pig growth was designed. • Predicting the time to reach a target weight can improve data availability. • Specialised neural network architectures are very effective at predicting growth. • Utilising environmental temperatures can improve growth prediction accuracy. • Specialised algorithms can be used to remove outliers from non-cyclical time series.

The effect of floor cooling on respiration rate and distribution of pigs in the pen

High indoor temperatures in traditional finisher pig buildings may lead to deteriorating production results, increased pen fouling and increased respiration rate and rectal temperature. Floor cooling may improve the thermal conditions for pigs on solid floors during warm periods, and therefore the objective was to investigate whether floor cooling could lower the respiration rate (RR), increase the percentage of pigs located on the solid floor and reduce fouling.In a commercial finisher pig building in Denmark, ten pens were assigned floor cooling and ten pens served as controls. Water was continuously circulated in embedded pipes in the concrete solid floor and the water was cooled when both the return water from the floor and the outdoor air was warmer than set thresholds. These thresholds were adjusted during the investigation and for outdoor temperature it was either 20 or 18°C, and for return water flow 18, 20 or 22°C.The results showed that floor cooling significantly reduced RR and increased the percentage of pigs located on the solid floor at all three return flow temperatures. E.g. at return flow temperature 20°C, in the temperature interval [28;30.1], floor cooling reduced RR from 98 to 50 bpm (P < 0.0001) and increased the percentage of pigs located on the solid floor from 31.8% to 28.2% (P < 0.001). At return flow temperature 18°C and 20°C, the interaction between pen temperature and cooling was significant, hence floor cooling reduced the effect of the pen temperature. RR increased by 6.6 bpm when the pen temperature increased by 1°C in pens without floor cooling and by 1.9bpm in pens with floor cooling. Floor cooling did, however, not affect pen fouling where more than 25% of the solid floor was soiled in 13% of the observations in both cooled and uncooled pens.

High DHA algae meal as cost-effective alternative to high DHA fish oil in finisher feed for sobaity sea bream (Sparidentex hasta)

This study evaluated the effects of high DHA algae meal (AlgaPrime™ DHA) as cost-effective substitute for high DHA fish oil in finisher feeds on growth performance and nutritional quality of sobaity (Sparidentex hasta) muscle. The amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in finisher feeds were fixed at 9.34% DHA (i.e 0.1.82 g DHA 100−1 g feed), a level equivalent to a commercial finisher feed (Focus Omega 3 P, Skretting, Italy). Two experimental finisher diets (Diets 2 and 3) were prepared by adding high DHA fish oil and high DHA algae meal, respectively into a basal diet (Optibream 3 P, Skretting, Italy) which was used as grow out diet (Diet 1). A commercial finisher feed (Focus Omega 3 P, Skretting, Italy) was used as Diet 4. Each treatment had three replicates in a randomized block design. Fish in all treatments were fed with the same grow-out feed from the beginning for 3 month and then, three treatment received finisher feeds for another 2 months. All finisher feed treatments resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) better growth performance, feed utilization and higher tissue eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA content compared to those receiving the grow-out feed (Diet 1). No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed between growth and muscle DHA and EPA levels of fish receiving fish oil (Diet 2) and high DHA algae meal (Diet 3)-based finisher feeds. The muscle DHA levels of fish in finisher diets 2 and 3 were also higher (P < 0.05) than those receiving commercial finisher diet (Diet 4). Muscle DHA and EPA in fish receiving finisher feeds were also higher than those of wild sobaity muscle. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed between muscle sensory attributes of wild and cultured sobaity. The inclusion of high DHA algae meal at 7% level in the finisher diet also enhanced the non-immunity factors like lysozyme and phagocytic activity of fish. Compared to the grow-out diet, both high DHA algae meal and fish oil diets showed significant elevated levels of immune gene expression for interleukin and superoxide dismutase. The results of the present study demonstrated that high DHA algae meal can be a cost-effective alternative to high DHA fish oil in finisher feeds for sobaity bream.

Yeast Fermentate-Mediated Reduction of Salmonella Reading and Typhimurium in an in vitro Turkey Cecal Culture Model.

Salmonella Reading is an ongoing public health issue in the turkey industry, leading to significant morbidity in humans in the United States. Pre-harvest intervention strategies that contribute to the reduction of foodborne pathogens in food animals, such as the yeast fermentation metabolites of Original XPCTM (XPC), may become the key to multi-hurdle farm to fork strategies. Therefore, we developed an anaerobic in vitro turkey cecal model to assess the effects of XPC on the ceca of commercial finisher tom turkeys fed diets void of XPC and antibiotics. Using the in vitro turkey cecal culture method, ceca were tested with and without XPC for their anti-Salmonella Reading and the previously defined anti-Typhimurium (ST97) effects. Ultimately, the anti-Salmonella effects were independent of serovar (P > 0.05). At 0 h post inoculation (hpi), Salmonella levels were equivalent between treatments at 7.3 Log10 CFU/mL, and at 24 hpi, counts in XPC were reduced by 5 Log10 CFU/mL, which was 2.1 Log10 lower than the control (P < 0.05). No differences in serovar prevalence existed (P > 0.05), with a 92% reduction in Salmonella positive XPC-treated ceca cultures by 48 hpi (P < 0.05). To evaluate changes to the microbiota independent of the immune response, the 16S rDNA was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Data indicated a profound effect of time and treatment for the reduction of Salmonella irrespective of serovar. XPC sustained diversity metrics compared to the control, demonstrating a reduction in diversity over time (Q < 0.05).

Preliminary Observations On The Use Of Maize/ Sorghum Based Dried Brewer's Grains Fortified With Palm Oil For Finishing Broilers

Production of beer based on maize and sorghum gives rise to a byproduct (brewer's grains) which appears less fibrous and more nutritious than the conventional barley-based by-product. Studies were conducted to determine its proximate composition and effect as broiler finisher diet when fortified with 8% palm oil, 3% bone meal and 0.25% of lysine, methionine, salt and trace mineral/vitamin premix, respectively. The maize/sorghum based dried brewer's grains so treated was compared with a conventional commercial broiler finisher diet in a 4-week feeding trial involving 6-week old broiler chicks of Anak breed. The maize/sorghum based dried brewers' grains contained 28.64%, 6.5%, 7.27%, 12.42% and 45.17% crude protein, fat, total ash, fibre and NFE, respectively. Fortified maize/sorghum based brewers’ grains supported weight gain for finisher broilers comparable to the control, the commercial finisher diet.

Nutrition During the Early Rearing Period Affects the Incidence of Wooden Breasts in Broilers.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between early nutrition and the incidence of wooden breasts (WB) in broilers. Sixteen male and twenty female neonatal ROSS 308 broiler chicks were divided equally into four flocks. From 0–12 days of age, starter diet H, composed of 22.4% crude protein (CP), 6.6% crude fat (CF), 1.25% lysine, 0.48% methionine, and ≥3,070 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME), was fed to two flocks, and starter diet L, composed of 19.9% CP, 2.5% CF, 1.04% lysine, 0.38% methionine, and ≥2,930 kcal/kg ME, was fed to the remaining two flocks. All the flocks were fed the same commercial finisher diet, composed of 20.3% CP, 7.5% CF, 1.18% lysine, 0.44% methionine, and ≥3,300 kcal/kg ME, from 12–47 days of age. The birds were weighed every 2–5 days, subjected to a wing-lift test, and histology was conducted on the pectoralis major muscle tissue samples from all the birds necropsied at 47 days of age. Significant differences in the mean body weight between groups H and L were observed during 6–16 days and 24–26 days of age in males and during 6–26 days of age in females. Regarding the score evaluation of the individual lesions reflecting wooden breast, the birds in which back-to-back wing contact was not possible had higher lesion scores than those in which back-to-back wing contact was possible. The absence of back-to-back wing contact appeared more frequently in flocks fed the starter diet L, particularly in males. These results indicate that inappropriate nutrition levels in the starter diet increase the incidence of WB. Therefore, avoiding early nutrition deficits is a cost-effective feeding strategy.

Investigation of the flammability properties of a cotton and elastane blend denim fabric in the presence of boric acid, borax, and nano-SiO2

This study contributes to the field of flammable resistant textiles. Boric acid, borax, and nano SiO2 were added to a commercial finishing solution, separate solutions were prepared for each. The difference in this study is to improve the functional finishing processes of denim fabrics consisting of 99% cotton and 1% elastane. The aim is to draw attention to the flame-retardant performance improvements that can be created by a synergistic mechanism for textiles. Using TGA, LOI and vertical combustion tests for determining flame retardant effect were sufficient to achieve meaningful and precise results. Each chemical added to increase the flammability performance effect of the commercial finish solution entered the fabric surface structure, and the flammability performance of the commercial finish solution was improved by a simple and feasible method. Denim fabric can be made suitable for industrial textiles by flame retardant finishing process.

Maintenance of broiler performance on commercial diets diluted with copra meal and supplemented with feed enzymes

Context Dilution of commercial feed with moderate levels of copra meal (CM), a byproduct of coconut oil extraction, was shown to maintain broiler performance in older breeds, but reports on its use in modern fast-growing broilers are limited. Aims We evaluated feed dilution with CM and enzyme supplementation in broiler chickens. We hypothesised that (i) diluting commercial feed with CM will maintain performance of modern fast-growing broilers, and (ii) enzyme supplementation will improve utilisation of the diluted diets. Methods Experiment 1 studied the performance of growing broilers (10–21 days of age) fed commercial grower diet alone (control), or diluted with one of two levels of CM (50 and 100 g/kg) and with or without enzyme supplementation. Cobb 500 broiler chicks (10 days old), 200 in total, were assigned to five dietary treatments with four replicates, in a completely randomised design. Experiment 2 investigated higher levels of dilution (100 and 200 g CM/kg) and enzyme supplementation of commercial finisher diet in 200 finishing broilers (22–42 days of age) assigned to five treatments with four replicates each. Key results In Experiment 1, feed intake was reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on the 100 g CM/kg diet without enzyme compared with 50 g CM/kg without enzyme and both of the enzyme-supplemented diets but was not different (P &amp;gt; 0.05) from the control. Bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio were not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by dietary treatment. In Experiment 2, feed intake was reduced on 200 g CM/kg with enzyme but did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.05) among the control and other CM-based diets. Bodyweight gain (P &amp;lt; 0.05) was reduced on the 200 g CM/kg diet without enzyme compared with the 100 g CM/kg diet without enzyme. Feed:gain was not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by diet. The relative weight of carcass and cuts, gut segments and annex organs was not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by diet. Conclusions Diluting commercial grower and finisher diets with 50 and 100 g CM/kg has no adverse effects on performance of modern broilers. At higher levels of dilution (100 and 200 g/kg), enzyme supplementation may be required. Implications These findings will reduce the cost of broiler production and add value to CM in coconut-producing regions. We recommend more research into higher rates of dilution, sources of CM, and enzyme sources and levels that might improve performance and reduce cost of production.

Health performance and blood profile changes in commercial broilers supplemented with dietary monocalcium phosphate

Fast-growing broilers faced with various leg health problems are in crucial need of an adequate nutritional supply of both calcium and phosphorus. The aim of the current work was to study the effect of different level of monocalcium phosphate supplementation on the health performance, haematology, and biochemistry changes of commercial broiler chickens. A total of 108 broiler birds (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicates. Treatment 1 (control) was fed with available commercial starter and finisher diets containing dicalcium phosphate. Treatments 2 and 3 were fed with the same commercial diets but supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% of monocalcium phosphate respectively. Throughout the 42 days of feeding trial, broilers from each treatment group were observed and recorded daily for any abnormal signs of leg disorders. Six broilers were randomly selected on days 21 and 42 from each treatment group where blood samples were collected via the brachial vein into anticoagulant (EDTA) and plain blood tubes for haematology and biochemistry analysis. Leg weakness, lameness, recumbency, and splay legs were the main findings observed in broiler demonstrating leg problems. The total broiler culled because of leg problem was relatively highest in T3 (4 broilers), followed by T1 (2 broilers), and T2 (none). There were significant differences (P ˂ 0.05) in the WBC, total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase on day 21. Only WBC and alkaline phosphatase exhibited significant differences (P ˂ 0.05) between groups on day 42. Broilers supplemented with 0.5% MCP (T2) revealed the highest significant values compared to the other treatment groups for both starter and finisher phases. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the other parameters. In summary, 0.5% monocalcium phosphate was recommended as supplementation through this study; as it improves the overall health performances of the commercial broiler chickens.

Feed intake, growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ sizes of broilers fed baobab seed oilcake supplemented finisher diets

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed oilcake has been proven a potential low-cost and locally available protein source for various livestock diets. A study was conducted to determine growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ sizes of finisher broilers fed a commercial finisher diet supplemented with baobab seed oilcake. Three-week-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks (n = 160) that were reared on a starter and grower commercial diets for the first three weeks were allotted to one of four broiler finisher dietary treatments (10 chicks/pen, four replications/treatment) using a completely randomised design. The broiler finisher diets were: control diet, which was a commercial finisher diet (T1), T2 contained 6 g/kg baobab seed oilcake plus maize mash (BSOCMM) mixed with 114 g/kg commercial finisher diet; T3 contained 18 g/kg BSOCMM mixed with 102 g/kg commercial finisher diet; while T4 contained 30 g/kg BSOCMM mixed with 90 g/kg commercial finisher diet. There were no significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences in the growth parameters among the treatments. However, the birds on T2 had a higher feed conversion ratio and average daily gains. Final body weights at day 35 were not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) different, but T3 and T4 birds had the highest values numerically. There were significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences in the carcass weights and dressing percentages among the treatments. The T4 birds had the highest dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.05) compared to T2, which had the lowest. The cut portion yield (thigh, wing, breast and feet) of the carcass were not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) different among the treatments. However, the drumstick yield was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) different among the treatments. Organ sizes showed no significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences among treatments, except for the gizzard and the heart, which differed (P &lt; 0.05) among treatments. The study concluded that the inclusion of 6–30 g/kg of BSOC blended with maize mash as partial supplementation to a commercial diet can improve final body weights without negatively affecting the feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics in the broiler.

Towards Automated Manufacturing for Cell Therapies.

Many cell therapy products are beginning to reach the commercial finish line and a rapidly escalating pipeline of products are in clinical development. The need to develop manufacturing capability that will support a successful commercial business model has become a top priority as many cell therapy developers look to secure long-term visions to enable both funding and treatment success. Manufacturing automation is both highly compelling and very challenging at the same time as a key tactic to address quality, cost of goods, scale, and sustainability that are fundamental drivers for commercially viable manufacturing. This paper presents an overview and strategic drivers for application of automation to cell therapy manufacturing. It also explores unique automation considerations for patient-specific cell therapy (PSCT) where each full-scale lot is for one patient vs off-the-shelf cell therapy (OTSCT) where a full-scale lot will treat many patients, and finally some practical considerations for implementing automation.

Effect of Diet Containing Palm Kernel Cake and Coconut Meal Cake on Growth Performance and Carcass Quality of Free-Range Chicken in Malaysia

Significant increase in feed cost has forced many farmers to identify new alternative sources for free-range chicken diet by using local ingredients to replace imported feeds. This study aim was to evaluate the effect of age and diet containing palm kernel cake (PKC) and coconut meal cake (CMC) on feed intake, growth and carcass quality of free-range chickens in Malaysia. Two hundred crossbred free-range chickens were reared from day old to 12 Weeks of age. At 3 Weeks of age, chickens were divided into 2 dietary treatment groups: Commercial finisher diet (CFD) and formulated finisher diet (FFD) containing CMC and PKC, whereby the body weight and feed intake were measured weekly until the end of the study. The chickens were slaughtered at 9 and 12 Weeks of age. Most data showed no significant difference on growth performance between diets. Male CFD showed higher growth rate than the male FFD diet, while no significant difference was observed on growth rate of female chicken for both diets. Despite that, FFD fed chickens showed no significant different between CFD chickens in term of meat to bone ratio at 12th Week of age, indicating that FFD could result in production meat as good as CFD chickens and produce low undesirable products. In conclusion, CMC and PKC have the potential to be used in FFD as an alternative to CFD for free range chickens.

Disinfectant Performance of a Chlorine Regenerable Antibacterial Microfiber Fabric as a Reusable Wiper.

Rechargeable disinfectant performance of a microfiber fabric grafted with a halamine precursor, 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (ADMH), was tested in an actual use situation in a university student dining hall. The precursor was successfully incorporated onto the surfaces of polyester fibers by using a radical graft polymerization process through a commercial finishing facility. The N–H bonds of ADMH moieties on the fibers can be converted to biocidal N–Cl bonds, when the fabrics are washed in a diluted chlorine bleach containing 3000 ppm available chlorine, providing a refreshable disinfectant function. By wiping the surfaces of 30 tables (equivalent to 18 m2) with wet chlorinated fabrics, both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in concentrations of 105 CFU/mL were totally killed in a contact time of 3 min. The disinfectant properties of the fabrics were still superior after 10 times successive machine washes (equivalent to fifty household machine washes), and rechargeable after wiping 30 tables before each recharge. Recharging conditions, such as temperature, time, active chlorine concentration and pH value of sodium hypochlorite solution, as well as the addition of a detergent, were studied. The product has the potential to improve public safety against biological contaminations and the transmission of diseases.