T2 Diets Research Articles

Effect of supplementation of turmeric, black pepper and their combination as phytogenic feed additive on carcass characteristics and organoleptic parameters of japanese quail

Day-old quail chicks (N=150) were distributed randomly into five treatments with three replicates containing ten birds each and fed with five experimental diets T1 (Basal diet), T2 (Basal diet supplemented with 0.75% turmeric), T3 (Basal diet supplemented with 1% black pepper), T5, (Basal diet supplemented with 0.25% turmeric and 0.5% black pepper) and T5 (Basal diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric and 1% black pepper). Carcass traits like mean dressing percentage, weights of liver, heart, and gizzard did not show any significant difference among the treatment groups. The sensory evaluation scores were improved significantly (p<0.05) pertaining to juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptability when compared with the control and the highest score for overall acceptability was observed in the group provided with a combination of turmeric (0.25%) and black pepper (0.50%) at a low level. Based on this study it can be concluded that a combination of turmeric and black pepper are more useful in improving the meat acceptability than individual supplementation in quail diets.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility and economics of broiler production fed diets containing different levels of camel rumen content in the Semi- Arid Zone of Nigeria

The feeding value of different levels of camel rumen content in broiler diet was investigated using 150 Hover marshal broiler chickens from one-day to 63-days of age. The birds were randomly allotted to five /diets with two replicates of 15 birds each. The diets (starter and finisher) were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% camel rumen content in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 diets respectively. At nine week of the experiment three birds per replicate were selected for carcass measurement. The backs, hearts, kidneys, lungs, liver and spleen were not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) different among the treatment groups while other parameters were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different among the treatment groups. At week eight of the experiment three birds per replicate were selected for digestibility study. At the starter stage, the daily feed intake and daily weight gain were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different among the treatment groups but only the feed conversion ratio was not affected (P&gt;0.05) by the camel rumen content (CRC) in the diets. However, broiler chicks fed CRC T1 (0%), T2 (5%), T3 (10%) and T4 (15%) had better daily weight gain than those fed T5 (20%). During the finisher stage, all the growth parameters were not affected (P&gt;0.05%) by CRC except final body weight which was affected (P&lt;0.05) by the test material. Economic of production showed that CRC diets were not profitable in terms of cost of feed per kg weight gain during the starter stage. At finisher stage the cost of feed per kg weight gain were better in broilers chicken fed CRC based-diets. The result of the experiment showed that camel rumen content can replace maize and groundnut cake up to 15% level without deleterious effect on the roductive performance of broiler chicks.However, at finisher stage up to20%dietarymaize and groundnut cake could be replaced with CRC without adverse effect on the growth performance, carcass parameters, digestibility and economics of production.

Effect of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae on the growth and maturation of Rainbow shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Fowler, 1934) under captive rearing

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of replacing fishmeal with silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) meal in the diet of rainbow shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Fowler, 1934), on growth and maturation. Four isonitrogenous and isocalorific experimental diets (35% CP) were prepared using silkworm pupae (SWP) replacing fish meal at three different levels viz., 30% (T1), 40% (T2) and 50% (T3) and diet with only fish meal served as control (C). The experimental trail was conducted in hapas, in duplicates, installed in an earthen pond. The fish (average weight - 1.4 g and total length - 5.24 cm) were stocked @10 nos. per hapa. During the experimental period, water quality parameters were monitored routinely. The experimental diets T1, T2 and T3 performed significantly better than diet C (control) in terms of growth performance. Among the four diets, T1 showed significantly higher weight gain (5.18±0.28 g), specific growth rate, SGR (2.54±0.07% day-1), protein efficienvy ratio, PER (1.50±0.04) and food conversion ratio, FCR (1.91±0.06) compared to other treatment groups. Among all the diets, highest gonadosomatic index, GSI (14.90%) was obtained in fish fed diet T1. At the end of the experiment, all the experimental diets fed fishes showed similar stages of maturity, late vitellogenic stage. Overall, the results of the present study conclude that SWP can be used as a low-cost animal protein to replace fish meal upto 30% in the diet.

Combined Effects of Leucas aspera, Oxy-Cyclodextrin and Bentonite on the Growth, Serum Biochemistry, and the Expression of Immune-Related Gene in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study investigated the effects of a combination of Leucas aspera, Oxy-cyclodextrin and sodium bentonite (LOB) on growth, digestive enzyme activity, innate immune response, haematology, and expression of immune-related genes in Nile tilapia. A total of 240 juvenile fish (20.15±0.05g) were randomly distributed into four dietary groups in triplicate and fed respective diets containing a graded level of LOB at 0 g kg-1 (Control), 0.3 g kg-1 (T1), 0.6 g kg-1 (T2) and 0.9 g kg-1 diet (T3) for 60 days. After 60 days, higher growth was observed in fish fed T2 diet (P &lt; 0.05). Digestive enzyme activities and innate immune parameters were significantly higher in T3 group. Some of the haematological parameters reported statistically higher counts in T2 group (P&lt;0.05), whereas erythrocyte indices and WBC counts were significantly higher in T3 group. Liver- kidney activities were recorded low in T3 group. Urea and creatinine were higher in control group, whereas T2 group recorded the least value. The highest relative expression of IL-1β, IgM-heavy chain, TGF-β and IFN-γ were recorded in T2 group, but TNF-α was upregulated in T3 group. The results showed that 0.6 - 0.9 g kg1 of LOB is recommended for inclusion in diet.

Effect of different combination levels of palm kernel cake, yam peel and plantain peel meals as partial replacement for maize in broiler starter diets.

Ninety six unsexed day old Marshall broiler chickens were divided into 4 groups of 3 replicates each on weight equalization basis (42.87 – 43.24g). The chicks were used to determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with combinations of palm kernel cake (PKC), yam peel meal (YPM) and plantain peel meal (PPM) in broiler starter diets. Four broiler starter diets were formulated such that diet T1 (control) contained 54% maize. Diets T2, T3 and T4 contained PKC, YPM and PPM in the ratios, 1:1:2, 1: 2:1 and 1: 1: 2 replacing 50% of maize. The chick groups were each randomly assigned to one of the experimental broiler starter diets in a completely randomised design (CRD) experiment. The feed and water were offered ad libitum. Results indicated that birds on diet T4 recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher (861.63g) body weight gain than those on other diets. Feed intake followed similar trend with birds on diet T1 recording significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower (1564.63g) value than other groups. Feed conversion ratio was comparable (p&gt;0.05) for all groups while feed cost savings relative to the control diet ranged from 23.51 – 24.51%. Birds on diets T4 recorded the lowest feed cost per kg body weight gain. It is concluded that combinations of PKC, YPM and PPM could safely replace 50% of maize in broiler starter diet with 1: 1: 2 combination ratio producing a superior performance.

The performance and egg quality characteristics of layers fed diets containing graded levels of Garcinia kola seed meal

Effects of dietary Garcinia kola meal (bitter kola) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens were investigated. Four layers diets were made such that diet T0 (control) contained no Garcinia kola meal while diets T2.5, T5.0 and T7.5 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% Garcinia kola meal, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 laying hens at 30 weeks of laying life for 84 days, using completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further sub-divided into three replicates of 10 hens each. The layers on T2.5 and T5.0 diets added significantly (P &lt; 0.05) less body weight than those on T0 and T7.5 diets. There were no significant differences in their feed intake (P &gt; 0.05). T2.5 significantly (P &lt; 0.05) depressed hen-day egg production but enhanced egg weight. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/ g egg) was not affected by the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). Egg quality indices (egg shape index, egg specific gravity, Haugh unit, egg shell thickness, albumen index and yolk index) were not affected by the treatments (P &gt; 0.05). Egg shell index was significantly (P&lt;0.05) enhanced by Garcinia kola meal. At 2.5% level, it significantly enhanced percent albumin and reduced percent yolk (P&lt;0.05). Cost of egg production (N/kg eggs) was adversely increased as the level of Garcinia kola meal increased.

High quality cassava peel fine mash as replacement for maize in diets of growing pigs: 2. Effects on nutrient and fibre fraction digestibility

Twenty growing pigs with an average initial weight of 53±0.5 kg (± SE) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment and one animal in each replicate. A total tract digestibility trial was carried out to determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with graded levels of high quality cassava peel (HQCP) mashon the nutrient digestibility and fibre fraction digestibility of growing pigs. The control diet T1 had 40% of maize, while the dietary treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% of HQCP corresponding to replacement of maize by 0, 19, 38, 56 and 75% respectively. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient of dry matter, nitrogen free extract, organic matter and energy. There were significant(P&lt;0.05)variationsintheapparentdigestibilityofcrudeprotein,crudefibreand ether extract and the crude protein digestibility decreased as the level of HQCP increased from 7.5 to 30%. Also, there was a significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin digestibilities with the inclusion of HQCP compared to the control, whereas there was no significant (P&gt;0.05) influence of HQCP inclusion on hemicellulose digestibility among the treatments. It can thus be concluded that the nutritional potential of high quality cassava peel can still be realised when fed up to 30% in growing pig diet

Intake, growth performance and economics of production of Yankasa rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top supplemented with varying concentrate regimes

The effects of feeding different levels of a concentrate supplement to growing rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top (AETST) as basal diet on voluntary intake and body weight changes were evaluated. The experiment consisted of four treatments: 0, 300, 450 and 550 g/d in a completely randomized design using 16 growing Yankasa rams. Data collected include feed intake, growth performance and economy of production. Except for AETST intake, and dry matter (DM) intake (% BW) and feed/gain ratio (F/G) which were higher (P&lt;0.05) for the non-supplemented control, total DM, crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P&lt;0.05) for the supplemented diets. Among the supplemented groups, intakes of DM, OM and CP were higher (P&lt;0.05) and F/G lower (P&lt;0.05) for 450 and 550 g/d concentrate levels compared to 350 g/d level. Concentrate intake and ADG followed this rank order: 350 g/d &lt; 450 g/d &lt; 550 g/d P&lt;0.05). Total cost of feed consumed/ram, weight gain (mutton) and monetary value (Naira) of mutton were higher (p&lt;0.05) for T4 than for T1, T2 and T3 diets. Net benefit was higher (p&lt;0.05) for T1, differential and relative benefits were superior (p&lt;0.05) for T2. The study suggests that feeding ruminant animals with AETST supplemented with lower level of concentrate can improve voluntary intake, body weight and economic benefits to farmers. However, diet with 350 g (T2) concentrate supplementation had better economic benefit than other dietary treatments.

Effects of diets containing processed cassava peel meal on performance and feed economies of growing red Sokoto bucks

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of differently processed cassava peel meal on the performance and economies of growing red sokoto bucks. Four experimental diets were formulated; diet T1 (control) contained 20 % sun-dried cassava peel meal while diets T2 , T3 and T4 contained 20 % soaked, 20 % boiled and 20 % fermented cassava peel meal, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 3 bucks for 70 days in a completely randomized design. Among the differently processed cassava peel meals included in the diets of growing red sokoto bucks, inclusion of fermented cassava peel meal significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the final weight (19.63 kg), weight gain (6.63 kg) and total feed intake (19.93 kg) of the bucks; no significant effect was observed on other performance indices. There was also a significant (p&lt;0.05) reduction in the feed cost per kilogram weight gain of bucks fed diet containing fermented cassava peel meal. It was therefore concluded that inclusion of fermented cassava peel meal in the diets of growing red sokoto bucks resulted in better performance of the bucks and reduced the cost of feed per kilogram weight gain.

Haematobiochemical indices of broiler chickens fed probiotic supplemented shea kernel cake meal based diet

A 49-day experiment was conducted with a total of 240 Arbor acre broiler chicks, to determine the effect of probiotic supplementation on graded levels of shea kernel cake meal (SKCM) on their haematological and serum biochemical indices. The birds were randomly grouped into four dietary treatments comprising of 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels of SKCM as T1 , T2 , T3 and T respectively in a completely randomized design having 5 replicates with 12 chicks each. Diet T served as the control, without SKCM and probiotic addition, while diet T2 , T3 and T4 were supplemented with 0.5g/kg Biovet-YC® at both starter and finisher phases. Feed and water were given ad-libitum and routine management were strictly observed. At the end of the feeding trial, three broilers per replicate were randomly selected and blood collected using hypodermal syringe into two different labeled bottles with or without an anti-coagulant (EDTA) for haematology and serum biochemistry investigation respectively. The results showed that there were significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in the white blood cell count and corresponding decrease (p&lt;0.05) in serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentration of birds fed probiotic supplemented SNCM diets. However, other blood parameters measured were not affected (p&gt;0.05) by the probiotic supplementation. Therefore, it can be concluded that incorporation of probiotic supplemented SKCM up to 15% inclusion level did not have any deleterious impact on blood status of the broilerchickens.

Bio-Economics Of Feeding Cassava Root Meal Based Diets to Broiler Finisher Chickens

A study was conducted to investigate the bio-economics of feeding broiler chickens graded levels of cassava root meal based diets, as replacement for maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% to form treatment diets T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 respectively, with adjustment in soybean levels across the treatment diets to have iso-nitrogenous diets. Two hundred and forty- 4 weeks old 'Amos' strain broiler chicks were in a completely randomized design allotted randomly to five treatment groups of 48 birds each and of three replicates with each replicate having 16 birds. Parameters measured included weight gain, feed intake, feed gain ratio, price per kg of feed, price per kg of broiler and weight of carcass cuts. Data were analyzed using analysis of variances. Daily weight gain for T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 were 41.16g/b/d, 39.43, 33.47, 25.25 and 16.91 g/b/d, respectively while, daily feed intake for T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 were 113.35g, 112.75, 102.31, 93.34 and 85.94g, respectively. Results showed weight gain feed intake and feed Conversion ratio values to be significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed as the level of replacement of maize with cassava root meal exceeded 25%. Among the carcass parameters, only the dressed carcass (%) and thigh (%) weight values showed significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease as the level of replacement level of maize with cassava root meal exceeded 25% while, spleen (%) and liver (%) values showed progressive increase (P&lt;0.05) in weight as the level of cassava root meal increased in the diets. Cost of feed decreased (p&lt;0.05) significantly with the increasing level of cassava root meal. However, it did not translate to increase in price per kg of bird. It could therefore be suggested that cassava root meal should not exceed 25% as replacement for maize in broiler finisher diets, as beyond this level growth performance is adversely impaired.

Effect of differently processed shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) cake on growth and haematological parameters of broiler starter chicks

Dietary effects of differently processed Shea Butter Cake (SBC) on growth and haematological parameters of broiler chicks were evaluated in this study lasting 28 days. Six iso-nitrogenous (23% crude protein) and isocaloric (2871.31kcal/kg metabolizable energy) diets tagged T1, T2, T3, T4 T5 and T6 were compounded such that T1 served as the contro while the remaining treatments had 15% inclusion of the differently processed SBC. Two hundred and seventy day old chicks were randomly allocated to the six diets and each treatment was replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design. Dietary inclusion of SBC reduced final live weight significantly (P&lt;0.05). Chicks fed T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 had higher final live weights of 223.89 vs. 265.00 vs. 253.33 and 233.33 g/b, respectively than those fed the T6 (226.67 g/b) which however, were lower than the control (602.22 g/b). Similarly, birds fed T3, T4 and T6 had significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) daily weight gain than those fed the T5 although highest in birds on control (19.90 g/b/d); similar trend was recorded in feed intake and feed cost per kg diet. Birds fed diets T1, T2 and T4 had lower (P&lt;0.05) FCR of 2.01, 2.91 and 2.98, respectively. The RBC increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) in birds fed T4 (2.58 x106 /µl) and T5 (2.41 x106 /µl) compared to other treatments. Broiler chicken producers can therefore, include up to 15% processed Shea butter cake in the diets of broiler chicks without affecting their growth performance as well as wellbeing.

Haematological indices of grower pigs fed low protein and low energy diets supplemented with multi-enzyme

One of the reliable information for evaluating nutritional status, performance and physiological state of farm animals to nutrient utilization is through haematological indices assessment. Haematological parameters of grower pigs fed low crude protein and low energy diets supplemented with multi-enzyme (enziblend plus+) were determined using 36 hybrid (Landrace x Large white) male pigs of 8-10 weeks old. Two metabolizable energy (3000 and 2600 Kcal ME/kg) and three crude protein levels (18, 16 and 14 % CP) were used to formulate Six dietary treatments; T1 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 18 % CP), T2 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 16 % CP+ 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T3 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 14 % CP+ 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T4 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 18 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T5 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 16 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet) and T6 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 14 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet). The treatments were replicated three with two pigs per replicate. The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial, and T1 served as the control. Blood samples were collected (3mls) via the ear vein from one pig in each replicate, three from treatment for haematological analysis. The results of this study recorded significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in most of the hematological parameters evaluated, except in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and basophile counts of the pigs. Grower pigs fed T2 and T4 diets recorded significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher packed cell volume (PCV) (40.15% and 40.22%), hemoglobin (12.25g/dl and 12.00g/dl), red blood cell (7.95 x106 / µl and 8.00 x106 / µl), white blood cell (8.12 x103 / µl and 7.91 x103 / µl) and lymphocyte counts (5.26 x103 / µl and 5.00 x103 / µl). Grower pigs on T6 recorded significantly (P &lt;0.05) lower mean values for PCV (32.55%), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) (9.82g/dl), red blood cell (RBC) (5.32 x103 / µl), white blood cell (WBC) (6.10 x103 / µl), lymphocyte (3.10 x103 / µl) and monocyte (0.31 x103 / µl) counts, respectively. Based on the findings of this study, feeding of growing pigs with low energy and low crude protein diets below 16 % CP with multi-enzyme supplementation adversely effected PCV, hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, lymphocytes and monocytes of grower pigs and therefore should be avoided in pig production.

Blood metabolites and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf goats fed bread waste and Moringa oleifera leaf

The study evaluated the blood metabolites and carcass quality of WAD goats fed bread waste and Moringa oleifera leaf. The goats (n=20, 6-7 months old) were allotted to four treatments (5 goats per treatment) in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted twenty weeks. Bread waste and Moringa oleifera were used to replace Corn bran and Brewer's dried grain (w/w) in the compounded concentrate diets at 0, 25, 50 and 100% to form treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The goats fed diets T2, T3 and T4 had lower (P &lt; 0.05) cholesterol levels (52.83, 45.11, and 33.69 mg/dL, respectively) than T1 (54.89 mg/dL). There was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) among the means of the hematological indices across the treatments. However, the total protein of goats fed diets T2, T3 and T4 were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those on T1. The serum metabolite of the experimental goats indicated no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in the albumin, (AST) and a (ALP) contents while the total protein of goats fed diets T2, T3 and T4 (6.37, 6.39 and 6.53 g/dL respectively) were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than T1 (4.66). The hot carcass weights of goats fed diets T4 (4.56 kg) and T3 (4.45 kg) were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those on diets T2 (4.21 kg) and T1 (4.01kg) whereas there was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in the aspartate aminotransferase lkaline phosphate dressing percentage and head weight. The goats fed diet T1 had highest (P &lt; 0.05) value for the lungs, kidney and spleen weight when compared to diets T2, T3 and T4. It could be concluded that inclusion of bread waste and Moringa oleifera leaf in diet of WAD goats reduced blood cholesterol level, enhanced flesh deposition in the carcass and impacted no

Effects of utilizing treated and untreated corncobs and cassava peel-based diets on carcass and meat performance of West African dwarf goats

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of utilizing treated and untreated corncobs and cassava peels-based concentrate diets on carcass and meat performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) buck goats. Sixteen WAD buck goats of ages between 9 and 10 months, balanced for weight were randomly assigned to four diet treatments with four goats per treatment diets of T1 = untreated cassava peels T2 = Treated corncobs, T3 = Treated cassava peels and T4 = untreated corncobs for 91 days. At the end of the feeding trial, three goats were randomly selected from each treatment and slaughtered. Data were collected on fasted, bled, clean carcasses' weights, lengths, chilled weights, chilling losses, chilling loss weights and dressing percentages as well as external and internal offals, while data on physical, (cooking loss, cooking yield, thermal shortening, cold loss, cold shortening and water holding capacity) proximate (moisture, crude protein, ether extract (fat), ash and nitrogen free extract) and organoleptic (colour, flavour, tenderness, juiciness, texture and overall acceptability) properties of meat were taken in a completely randomized experiment. Data were statistically analysed and significant means were separated at p=0.05. The results of the chemical composition of the experimental diets showed significant differences. Clean carcasses' lengths and chilled weights were higher in T3 than in other treatments, while bled carcasses' weights and chilling losses were lower (p&lt;0.05) in the same T3 than in others. Bled carcasses' weights, chilling losses and percentage chilling losses were higher in T1 and T4 respectively. All the external and internal offals were higher in T3 followed by T2 and least (p&lt;0.05) in T4, but cooking yield and water holding capacity were higher in T3 while thermal shortening, cold loss and shortening were lower. Moisture, crude protein, ether extract (fat) and ash except nitrogen free extract were higher in T3 followed by T1, T2 and least (p&lt;0.05) in T4. Meat from T3 had higher colour, flavour, tenderness, juiciness, texture and overall acceptability followed by meat from T2 and least in T4. All the variables measured except nitrogen free extract were higher in T3. It can be concluded based that diet T3 was the best due to higher effect on the carcasses and meats of experimental goats. Therefore, diet T3 is highly recommended for farmers followed by diet T2.

Assessment of goat blood-rumen content as alternative protein source in broiler chicken diets supplemented with aromatic pants

One hundred and twenty, one day old Anak breeds were randomly assigned to five treatment diets. Each group was replicated into four with six birds per replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated with diet 1 (T1) as control, contained 0% Goat Blood-Rumen Content Mixture (GBRCM) and aromatic plants. Diet 2 (T2) contains 10% GBRCM without aromatic plants supplementation. Diet 3, 4 and 5 (T3, T4 and T5) contained 10% goat blood-rumen content mixture supplemented with garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis). The experiment lasted for 56 days. Parameters evaluated were; body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein intake, protein efficiency ratio, nutrient digestibility and economics of production. The results showed that birds fed with aromatic plant supplemented had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher body weight gain, feed intake and superior feed conversion ratio than birds fed with unsupplemented and control. There was no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference on the parameters of the birds fed with control diet T1 and T2 among the treatments. Diet T3 formulated with 10% goat blood-rumen content and 5 grams of Allium sativum indicated the best performance followed by diet T4 and diet T5 . This showed that the goat blood-rumen content based-diet supplemented with aromatic reduced the high cost of feed material, ensured greater productivity and has no adverse effect on health status of the birds. The GBRCM based-diet supplemented in the broiler bird's diets reduced the cost of production with no adverse effect on performance.

Growth performance and digestibility of nutrients by weaner rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed diets containing varying levels of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) milling waste

Conventional feed resources for livestock are increasingly becoming more expensive, due to competition with man; hence nutritionists are searching for cheaper, locally-available alternatives. A total of forty-five (45) mixed sex weaner rabbits, aged 5 – 6 weeks, with average initial weights of between 694.42 and 761.10 g were used to investigate the effect of varying levels of cowpea milling waste (CMW) diets on their growth performance and nutrient digestibility. They were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with nine rabbits per treatment. The control treatment (T1) contained 0 % CMW while treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had 10, 20, 30 and 40 % CMW dietary inclusion levels, respectively. Clean water and feed were offered ad libitum daily to the rabbits, and record of their feed intake and growth performance were taken for 12 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, a nutrient digestibility trial was carried out. Results show that there were no significant (P&gt;0.05) differences in final body weight, body weight gain, total feed intake and mortality among the dietary treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) for diets T4 (6.65) and T5 (6.66) containing 30 and 40 % CMW respectively, were as good as that of the control diet (6.11). Dry matter and crude protein digestibility showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference across the treatments. Digestibility of crude fibre (72.64, 80.16, 84.04 and 80.90 % for T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively), ether extract (95.98, 94.90, 96.04 and 94.38 % for T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively), nitrogen free extract (94.30, 95.18, 93.58 and 94.90 % for T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively), as well as total digestible nutrient (83.69, 76.11, 81.67 and 80.02 % for T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively) of the test diets compared favourably with that of the control diet (72.94, 95.23, 96.04 and 80.47 % for CF, EE, NFE and TDN respectively). Hence, it can be concluded that CMW can be used safely as a protein source and included up to 40 % in weaner rabbit diets with no detrimental effect on their growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH SOME FEED ADDITIVES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

One hundred and eighty (180), 28 weeks old Gimmizah laying hens were used in the experiment. Hens were distributed at random into 6 treatment groups and divided into 3 replicates of 10 layers each in a completely randomized design. The experiment was performed at a private farm in, Tanta, Gharbia a Governorate, Egypt. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of some feed additives as oxidized palm oil and different levels of probiotic supplementation on the performance of Gimmizah laying hens, Egg quality traits, some blood parameters, blood lipid profile and economic efficiency under our local environmental conditions. hens was fed dietary treatments as: T1, basal diet (positive control, without supplementation), T2 (negative control, 2% oxidized palm oil) and other diets (T3 at T6) were supplemented with two types of probiotics as 0.5% and 1% of saccharomyces cervices and Aspergillus awamori. Results showed that; Hen-day egg production percentage, egg weight, egg number and egg mass were improved by probiotics supplementation at the level of 1% Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil. Also, Feed conversion was significantly (P ≤0.05) improved, while feed intake increased for groups received probiotics with oxidized palm oil at all levels used compared to negative control. While, pronounced effects on egg sell (weight, percentage and thickness) were significantly noted. Albumen and yolk qualities and Hough units were improved by adding received probiotics of yeast and Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil at the level 1% laying hen diets. Plasma total lipid and cholesterol were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by adding dietary yeast and Aspergillus with oxidized palm oil to laying diets. Oxidized palm oil and probiotic supplementation to basal layer diet increased economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency; best values were obtained with 1% Aspergillus awamori with 2% oxidized palm oil. In general, based on obtained experimental results reported herein, from the nutritional and economical point of view, it may be concluded that there are some beneficial effects of oxidized palm oil and probiotics as yeast and Aspergillus awamori supplementation, especially at the level of 1% of Gimmizah hens under the experimental condition.

PSIX-3 Effect of a combination of brown, green and red seaweeds on performance of nursery and growing-finishing pigs, and on carcass characteristics

Abstract The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of a proprietary combination of brown, green and red seaweeds OceanFeedTM Swine (OFS) as a replacement of in-feed antibiotic growth promotors (AGP) or pharmacological levels of zinc oxide on performance of nursery and growing finishing pigs and carcass characteristics. Three hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (5.88 ± 0.26 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly allotted to 1 or 4 dietary treatments of low ZnO and no AGP but formulated to meet NRC (2012) nutrient requirements (Negative control (NC, T1)), NC + OFS (0.75 % in the nursery and 0.5% in the grower-finisher) (T2), NC + high ZnO + OFS (T3), Positive control (PC), formulated to meet NRC (2012) nutrient requirements + high ZnO + AGP, (T4). All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). The model included fixed effect of treatment and random effect of replicate. Pen with 8 pigs was the experimental unit. Adjustment for multiple comparisons was by Tukey Kramer’s method. Overall (d 0 to 149), pigs on T4 diets had greater (0.47 vs 0.50; P = 0.013) and tended to have greater (0.48 vs 0.50; P = 0.083) G:F than pigs on the control (T1) and T2 diets, respectively. Relative to pigs on the T1 diet, ADG (0.796 vs 0.799 kg) and G:F (0.47 vs 0.48) of pigs fed the T2 diet were similar (P ˃0.10). Furthermore, pigs fed T4 and T3 diets did not differ in terms of ADFI (2.15 vs 2.14 kg; P = 0.994), ADG (0.804 vs 0.826 kg; P = 0.235), and G:F (0.48 vs 0.50; P = 0.260). Dietary treatments did not affect final BW, hot carcass weight, carcass yield, BF thickness, rib eye area, and percent lean (P ˃0.10). Based on performance criteria, these findings suggest OFS seaweed blend can replace either antibiotic growth promotors or pharmacological levels of zinc oxide in swine feeds.

Effects of Diets Containing Asyastasia gangetica and Brachiaria decumbens on Intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits

The beneficial effects of feeding rabbits with forages have been recommended. However, limited study has been made on feeding values of locally available forages in rabbits. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Asyastasia gangetica and Brachiaria decunbens on intake, digestibility, and growth performance of rabbits. Twelve rabbits were distributed into three diets: (i) 100% commercial pellet as control (T1), (ii) 50% pellet plus Asyastasia gangetica ad libitum (T2), and (iii) 50% pellet plus Brachiaria decumbens ad libitum (T3). Daily feed intake, nutrient digestibility, weekly body weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. Intakes of total dry matter (DM) (121.2-134.3 g/d) and organic matter (OM) (115.1-132.5 g/d) were similar (p&gt;0.05) for all the groups. The crude protein (CP) intake of rabbits fed with T1 (10.1 g/d) and T3 (9.6 g/d) diets was similar (p&gt;0.05), but lower (p&lt;0.05) than T2 (14.1 g/d) diet. Ether extract intake of rabbits fed with T2 (2.9 g/d) and T3 (3.9 g/d) diets was similar (p&gt;0.05), but lower (p&lt;0.05) than T1 (5.1 g/d) diet. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake was higher (p&lt;0.05) for rabbits fed with T3 (55.8 g/d) diet followed by T2 (41.7 g/d) and T1 (31.7 g/d) diets. There were no differences (p&gt;0.05) on the digestibilities of DM, OM, and CP among treatments. Total weight gain and daily weight gain were higher (p&lt;0.05) for rabbits fed with T1 (568 and 11.0 g) and T2 (468 and 9.0 g) diets than T3 (155 and 3.3 g) diet, respectively. The lowest FCR was obtained with T1 (12.3) and T2 (13.9) diets, whereas the highest was obtained with T3 (30.3) diet. In conclusion, diet containing Asyastasia gangetica showed more benefits in terms of CP and NDF intakes, weight gain and FCR than the diet containing Brachiaria decumbens. A combination of concentrate and Asyastasia gangetica is recommended as a partial replacement for concentrate in rabbit production.