Complete Feed Block Research Articles

Effect of Feeding Green Gram Straw-based Complete Feed Blocks With or Without Live Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Supplementation in Ration of Goats

Twelve Marwari kids divided into two equal groups of six in each, were fed ad libitum for 120d a green gram straw based complete feed blocks (GGS-CFB) diet. One group was supplemented with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture (YS), while the other group (YU) without any supplementation served as control. The DM intake was similar between the two groups, which was 78.46 and 84.01 g/kg W0.75 amounting to 3.92 and 4.12 kg/100 kg BW, respectively, in YU and YS groups. Yeast supplementation increased (P<0.01) digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE NFE, CF, NDF and ADF. Average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in YS group (91.89 g) as compared to YU group (82.74 g), whereas feed conversion ratio was similar between the two groups. The DCP and TDN contents were 10.45 and 58.05% in YU group and 11.12 and 61.68% in YS group, respectively and were similar between the groups. Animals of both groups were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances. Yeast supplementation significantly improved rumen pH, decreased concentrations of lactic acid, ammonia nitrogen, and increased TVFA, total protozoal counts, and TCA-perceptible nitrogen. It is concluded that yeast culture supplementation with GGS-CFB based ration improved nutrient digestibility, average daily gain and promoted rumen fermentation by reducing lactic acid production and increasing volatile fatty acids.

Effect of complete feed blocks or grazing and supplementation of lambs on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen fermentation and rumen microbial enzymes

A study to compare two feeding systems, stall feeding (SF) and grazing plus supplementation (GR) was carried out, based on intake, performance and rumen fermentation characteristics of lambs. While SF animals received ad libitum complete feed blocks (CFB), GR animals were allowed grazing for 8 h on a pasture and supplemented with concentrate mixture at 250 g per head per day. Intake in grazing animals was determined using chromium III oxide as internal marker. Intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) were higher ( P < 0.01) in SF than in GR animals. Similarly, digestibility of OM, CP and energy were higher ( P < 0.01) in SF animals. Average daily gain in SF animals (101 g) was significantly ( P < 0.01) higher than in GR animals (78 g) but total wool yield was similar for the two groups (856 g, SF; 782 g, GR). The pH of the rumen content, concentration of total volatile fatty acids and total activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and esterase in the rumen liquor were similar. The concentrations (mg/dl) of total nitrogen (125, SF; 63, GR) and NH3-nitrogen (42, SF; 31, GR) were higher in SF animals than that of GR animals. A significantly higher activity ( P < 0.05) of microcrystalline cellulase (24.5 v. 7.7 units) and lower activity ( P < 0.05) of protease (309 v. 525 units), was observed in the rumen of SF animals than in GR animals. SF animals could therefore harness more energy through degradation of plant cell walls thus reducing breakdown of plant proteins as gluconeogenic source. The SF system of feeding where CFB was offered to sheep appeared superior to GR in terms of intake, nutrient utilisation and animal performance. Therefore the SF feeding system where CFB are offered to animals can be advocated as an alternative to grazing and supplementation feeding strategy for sheep production, especially where the pastures are highly eroded and need resting for regeneration or curing. The CFB feeding can also be adopted under adverse conditions like drought and famine, a common phenomenon in arid and semiarid conditions.

Feed digestion, rumen fermentation and blood biochemical constituents in Malpura rams fed a complete feed-block diet with the inclusion of tree leaves

This experiment assayed the influence of the inclusion of dried Azardirachta indica, Albizzia lebbek or Ailanthus excelsa leaves in pearl millet stover-based complete feed block diets on feed intake, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation characteristics, ciliate protozoa population and blood biochemical constituents in adult Malpura sheep. Complete feed blocks were formulated to have roughage-to-concentrate ratio of 70:30. Pearl millet stover (PMS) was used as basal roughage; 30 parts of pearl millet stover was replaced with dried leaves either of Azardirachta indica (NL), Albizzia lebbek (SL) or Ailanthus excelsa (AL). Twelve hogget Malpura rams, divided into four equal groups, were offered one of the four dietary treatments. A feeding-cum-metabolic trial was conducted to assess nutrient utilization. Rumen liquor samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post-feeding to assess rumen fermentation pattern and ciliate protozoa population. Inclusion of dried leaves in PMS-based diets improved CP and DCP content. Dietary DCP was low ( P < 0.01) in PMS (8.52%) compared to tree leaves (9.77–11.59%) diets. AL and NL diets had higher ( P < 0.05) DCP than the SL diet. The inclusion of tree leaves did not influence organic matter, crude protein or cellulose digestibility, but depressed dry matter, NDF, ADF and energy digestibility. DE content was also lower in tree leave diets. Inclusion of tree leaves improved CP and DCP intake, but DE intake and nitrogen utilization did not change. The pH of rumen liquor (SRL) was low (6.99, P < 0.05), but total nitrogen (52.9 mg/dl SRL) and NH 3-nitrogen (9.34 mg/dl SRL) concentrations were higher ( P < 0.01) in the AL diet. TVFA concentrations and ciliate protozoa population were similar on the four diets. Animals in the four groups had the desired concentration of rumen metabolites required for fibrous diets. Complete feed-block feeding provided a constant nutrient supply to rumen microbes that optimise rumen fermentation. Blood biochemical constituents did not change due to the inclusion of tree leaves. Therefore, tree leaves can be included with roughage-based feeding to improve the protein nutrition status of ruminants. Further studies are required to assess the negative influence of tree leaves on digestibility.

Effect of inclusion of tree leaves in feed on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation in sheep

The effect of inclusion of tree leaves in mustard ( Brassica campestris) straw (MS) based complete feed blocks (CFB) on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation was studied in adult male sheep. Four types of CFB diets (Roughage:Concentrate:Molasses, 70:25:5) were prepared. The compaction process increased bulk density (g/cm 3) of MSB, MSNL, MSSL and MSAL by 2.9, 1.79, 2.40 and 2.26 times, respectively. The dry matter intake (g/day) was higher ( P < 0.05) in MSSL and MSAL than in MSB. Digestibility coefficients of crude protein and hemicellulose increased ( P < 0.05) due to inclusion of tree leaves, while digestibility of dry matter and organic matter showed small improvement. However, inclusion of tree leaves did not affect digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, cellulose and energy. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids in rumen was significantly higher in MSAL than in MSB or MSSL. Blood bio-chemical parameters were within the normal physiological range in all the groups.

Effect of feeding complete feed block containing Prosopis cineraria leaves and polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 on nutrient intake, its utilization, rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile in kids

AbstractA study was carried out to determine the effect of replacing the cake portion of concentrate mixture with 5 parts polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐6000 in a complete feed block (CFB) containing Prosopis cineraria leaves on the performance, rumen fermentation pattern and rumen enzyme profile of kids under an intensive system of rearing. Eighteen weaners of Sirohi goat of similar body weight (16.0 ± 0.5 kg) and age (90 ± 5 days) were divided into three equal groups. They were housed in individual cages in a side open asbestos roof shed with mud floor. All the kids received CFBs containing 50 parts P cineraria leaves and 50 parts concentrate mixture. CFB offered to the first group had high protein (183.8 g kg−1; HP), that offered to the second group had low protein (131.3 g kg−1; LP) and that offered to the third group had low protein (124.7 g kg−1) but contained PEG‐6000 (LP‐PEG). The concentrate mixtures in LP and LP‐PEG were without groundnut cake, whereas in LP‐PEG, groundnut cake was replaced by barley and 5 parts PEG‐6000 were incorporated. CFBs were similar in their nutritive value except for crude protein (CP). Prosopis leaves utilized in the CFB contained (g kg−1 dry matter) 129.1 CP, 535.5 neutral detergent fibre, 395.8 acid detergent fibre and 222.8 acid detergent lignin. There were significant differences in dry matter intake (g day−1) between HP (1102), LP (1108) and LP‐PEG (1194); the trend in Metabolizable energy intake was similar. During the growth trial, LP kids consumed maximum amount of feed (76.91 kg) followed by HP (75.73 kg) and LP‐PEG (73.12 kg). However, maximum feed efficiency (feed consumed kg−1 live weight gain) was recorded in LP‐PEG kids (9.59) followed by HP (10.64) and LP (11.60). These differences were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in the digestibility of dry matter among the groups, there was significant difference in the digestibility of CP, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. The digestibility of CP was 0.591, 0.484 and 0.645, that of neutral detergent fibre was 0.397, 0.308 and 0.499 and that of acid detergent fibre was 0.168, 0.154 and 0.282 in HP, LP and LP‐PEG, respectively. Rumen metabolites studied 6 h after feeding revealed that there were significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences in the concentrations of ammonia N, tri‐chloro acetic acid precipitable N and total volatile fatty acids among the three groups, but not pH. The rumen enzyme concentrations showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences for α‐amylase, whereas the differences were non‐significant for CMcase and protease. After 90 days of feeding trial, the maximum weight gain was recorded in LP‐PEG (7.62 kg) followed by HP (7.23 kg) and LP (6.53 kg). It can be concluded that, when kids are reared under an intensive system on complete feed blocks containing Prosopis leaves, high protein concentrate can be replaced with a low protein concentrate containing 5 parts PEG, which would not only alleviate the negative effects of tannin but would also spare expensive groundnut protein. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of complete feed block on nutrient utilisation and rumen fermentation in Barbari goats

Fifteen Barbari goats (average BW 13 kg) were randomly divided into three groups of five animals each. All animals were fed complete diets consisting of natural grass hay and concentrate mixture in the ratio of 60:40 on the DM basis. In the concentrate mixture, 15% (T 2) or 30% (T 3) CP of mustard cake was replaced with Leucaena leaf meal (LLM). The diet of the control group (T 1) was offered as such, whereas T 2 and T 3 diets were offered in the form of blocks. The bulk density of the complete feed block was 550–600 kg/m 3. Densification of complete diets increased the bulk density 3.2–3.9 times. Total VFA concentration in the rumen was similar in the three groups. Ammonia N concentration was significantly ( P<0.05) higher in the mash-fed goats (T 1) than in the block-fed animals (T 2 and T 3). The rumen anaerobic fungal population was slightly higher in T 2 and T 3 than in T 1 as a result of the proportionate intake of roughage and concentrate from the block form of the diet. The total protozoa population ranged from 7.47×10 4 to 8.65×10 4 ml −1 of strained rumen liquor (SRL). Voluntary feed intake was similar in T 1 (431 g per day), T 2 (409 g per day) and T 3 (415 g per day). Digestibility coefficients (%) of DM, OM, CP, CF and NFE among treatment groups did not differ significantly. Inclusion of Leucaena leaf meal by replacing mustard cake did not affect the N balance in Barbari goats. DCP and TDN intake were sufficient for maintenance. Blood glucose, protein and urea-N were within normal physiological ranges in all groups. It was concluded that Leucaena leaf meal can be incorporated by replacing mustard cake safely and inexpensively without affecting nutrient utilisation in Barbari goats. Further, the process of block making from low bulk density roughage resources substantially reduces the storage space and transportation cost.

Effect of Feeding Chemically Treated Mustard (Brassica campestris) Straw on Rumen Fibre Degrading Enzymes in Sheep

The aim of the experiment was to study the changes in the activities of various rumen fibre degrading enzymes due to the feeding of chemically treated mustard (Brassica campestris) straw in sheep. Mustard straw (MS) (<5 cm particle size) was treated either with urea (4% (w/w), or with 2% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (2% NaOH and 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) and/or supplemented with 2% (w/w) urea. Seven maintenance type rations were prepared using MS (70 parts) with molasses (5 parts) and concentrate (25 parts). They were untreated MS (CMS), urea treated MS (UMS), urea supplemented MS (MS- US), alkali treated MS (AMS), alkali treated and urea supplemented MS (AMS-US), alkali H2O2 treated MS (AHMS) and alkali H2O2 treated and urea supplemented MS (AHMS-US). They were then compressed into a complete feed block with the help of block making machine. Forty two male hoggets of Malpura breed sheep were equally distributed into each treatment group and (were) offered feed and water ad libitum. At the end of 21 days of feeding trial, rumen liquor was collected through stomach tube from three animals in each group at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h of post feeding. Results showed that the level of enzyme varied from 8.52 to 11.12, 40.85 to 50.37, 3.22 to 3.78, 2.09 to 2.77 and 31.44 to 44.24 units/100 ml SRL respectively for carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), α-amylase, microcrystalline cellulase (MCCase), filter paper (FP) degrading enzyme and α-glucosidase. Processing of MS affected the enzyme activities, in a way, that NaOH and AHP treatment significantly reduced CMCase and FP degrading enzyme. The effect of urea treatment showed an increase in the activity of MCCase and α-glucosidase. But the supplementation of urea increased the activity of CMCase, FP degrading enzyme and α-glucosidase. The CMCase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase activities were highest at 4hr whereas MCCase and FP degrading enzyme had maximum activities at 12 h post feeding Results suggested that MS might need longer time in the rumen for its effective degradation. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 11 : 1610-1613)

Nutrient utilization by Murrah buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis) from compressed complete feed blocks

Twelve Murrah male buffaloes of 3.5 years age, weighing 370.3 ± 8.41 kg were assigned to three diets in different physical forms with similar ingredient composition comprising of wheat straw, sugarcane molasses, crushed maize, deoiled peanut meal, mineral mixture, sea salt along with vitablend @ 690, 100, 100, 100, 6,4 and 0.2 g kg −1, respectively in a randomized block design. The animals on Diet 1 received wheat straw impregnated with molasses and concentrate mixture separately, while those on Diet 2 were fed the total feed as a complete mix. Diet 3 was offered after moulding complete mix into a compressed complete feed block (CCFB), prepared with the help of indigenously designed and fabricated feed block machine operable on compression technology. A metabolism trial of seven days duration was conducted after 60 days feeding trial in order to assess nutrient utilization and retention as well as plane of nutrition. The physical form of the diet had no significant influence on nutrient utilization as well as on the digestibility of various nutrients. But feeding of CCFB resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) higher intake of DM and digestible DM and in turn in the intake of all other nutrients as compared to the feeding of diets in other two ways. Though, daily nitrogen retention was not affected, the feeding of CCFB diet resulted in higher ( P < 0.05) retention of calcium and phosphorus. Thus, CCFB would be a balanced wholesome diet for ruminants. Because of a decrease in the bulk density, the handling, storage and transportation becomes easy and economical. Further, they can be a part of famine feed banks for drought prone regions of developing countries as evolved technology is easy to adapt.

Utilization of ammoniated wheat straw given in a feed block and supplemented with varying quantities of fish meal and oil-extracted rice bran

The effect of small amounts of fish meal on the utilization of ammoniated wheat bhoosa (chopped straw) was examined in seven groups of three buffalo calves. All animals were offered ammoniated wheat straw (69.5%) mixed manually with molasses (29%), common salt (0.5%), a mineral supplement (1.0%) and a vitamin supplement (25 g (100 kg) −1 feed) which was compressed into a block weighing 6–7 kg. The blocks were supplemented with fish meal at the rate of 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 g day −1; two additional groups received 25 or 50 g fish meal day −1 and 500 g oil-extracted rice bran per animal. A metabolism trial of 7 days duration was conducted at the end of a 95-day feeding trial. Dry matter intake was significantly increased in animals supplemented with fish meal. There were no significant differences in the digestibility of nutrients. Daily live weight gains were 105, 125, 209, 230 and 301 g in the groups offered increasing quantities of fish meal and 323 and 389 g in the groups offered 25 and 50 g fish meal and rice bran. It is concluded that a complete feed block containing ammoniated wheat straw, molasses, minerals, salts, vitamins and a small amount of bypass protein is suitable for animals experiencing drought and famine. The blocks occupy less space than uncompressed feed and are easy to handle and store.