Feeding Finisher Diets Research Articles

Fatty acid and oxidative shelf-life profiles of meat from lambs fed finisher diets containing Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal

Five diets containing Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal (AMLM; 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg DM) substituted for Triticum aestivum bran were fed to lambs for 42 days. The effect of diet and retail display period on meat fatty acid (FA) composition (day 1); colour, antioxidant activity, myoglobin and lipid oxidation (day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9); protein oxidation (1, 3 and 7 d) and instrumental tenderness (day 1, 5 and 10) were evaluated. Dietary AMLM linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) individual (14:0, 16:0, 18:0) and total saturated FA and increased (P ≤ 0.05) trans(t)-monounsaturated FA (MUFA) mainly t10/t11–18:1, individual and total conjugated linoleic acids, n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) contents. The contents of cis(c)-MUFA, mainly c9–18:1, exhibited a quadratic response reaching a minimum at 50 g/kg AMLM (P ≤ 0.05). Meat antioxidant on day 9 was higher (P ≤ 0.05) for diets containing ≥100 g/kg DM AMLM compared to the other diet × retail display period interactions. Relative to the other interactions, meat redness values were lowest on day 7 and 9 for AMLM diets containing ≥150 g/kg DM (P ≤ 0.05). Dietary addition of AMLM increased (P ≤ 0.05) meat lightness and oxymyoglobin, and reduced (P ≤ 0.05) TBARS and instrumental tenderness values. However, oxymyoglobin values declined (P ≤ 0.05) over the retail display period, while lightness, metmyoglobin, TBARS and carbonyls increased (P ≤ 0.05). Results indicate that AMLM up to 200 g/kg DM in lamb finisher diets, improves meat fatty acid composition, tenderness, and lipid shelf-life.

Health value and keeping quality of chevon from goats fed finisher diets containing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed cake

Wether goats (n = 7) were fed finishing diets containing either 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 g/kg DM of hempseed cake (HSC) substituting soybean meal to evaluate chevon fatty acid, volatile and oxidative profiles. Feeding HSC diets linearly decreased (P < 0.05) chevon c9–16:1, 16:0, total saturated FA (SFA) and protein oxidation but linearly increased (P < 0.05) t9–18:1, t11–18:1, conjugated linoleic acids, n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), individual long-chain n-6 PUFA and antioxidant activity. On day 1 and 7 of retail display, diets containing 75 and 100 g/kg DM HSC had greater (P < 0.05) TBARS than the other diet × day interactions. Addition of HSC to the diet increased (P < 0.05) and preserved (P < 0.05) chevon contents of hexanal and methyl caprate throughout the retail display period. Overall, feeding HSC up to 100 g/kg DM enhances chevon profiles of healthful PUFA, desirable flavor volatiles and protein shelf-stability.

Growth performance of broiler birds fed varying dietary levels of artemisia annua (sweet wormwood)

The study was conducted to investigate the growth performance of broiler birds fed varying dietary levels of Artemisia annua. A total of 90 broiler chickens (Arbor Acre strain) were used. The study lasted for eight weeks. At the starter phase, 90 fourteen-day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five groups and fed starter diets containing five levels of A. annua (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g per kg of diet, respectively). At the finisher phase, 90 forty-two-day old finisher broilers were randomly allocated to five groups and fed finisher diets containing five levels of A. annua (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g per kg of diet, respectively). Each group was replicated three times with six birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Parameter measured includes body weight, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. The result of the proximate composition showed that Artemisia annua leaf meal contained 10.50% moisture, 26.27% crude protein, 5.00% crude fibre, 9.60% ash, 2.00% ether extract and 46.63% nitrogen-free extract. The result showed that at the starter phase, the inclusion of varying levels of A. annua in the starter diets had significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect on the final body weight (FBW) of birds. Birds fed diet 2 (diet containing 50g of A. annua per kg diet) had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher final body weight (FBW) value (1115.00g) than those fed diet 5 (diet containing 200g of A. annua per kg of diet) which had FBW value of 915.00g. Dietary treatments had no significant (p &gt; 0.05) effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI), total weight gain (TWG), average daily weight gain (ADWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficient ratio(PER) of the birds. At the finisher phase, significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences existed among treatments in ADWG, TWG, FBW and ADFI. Birds fed diet containing 50 g A. annua per kg diet had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher ADWG, TWG and FWG values than those fed the control diet. However, no significant (p &gt; 0.05) differences existed among treatments in FCR and PER. It is concluded that A. annua leaf meal can be included in the diet of starter and finisher broilers at 200g per kg of diet without any deleterious effect on the growth performance of birds.

Improvement of nutritional quality of cultured sobaity sea bream, Sparidentex hasta (Valenciennes) muscle by preharvest feeding of finisher feeds

A 6-month long study was conducted to improve the nutritional quality of the cultured sobaity bream, Sparidentex hasta by feeding them finisher feeds containing high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at the last two months of the grow-out stage so that the muscle DHA level be increased at par to the wild. A grow-out feed used from the beginning until the end of the trial was considered as the control (Diet 1). Experimental diets 2 and 3 were formulated to contain 9.0% DHA (e.g. 1.68 g DHA/100 g feed) and 10.5% DHA (2.20 g DHA/100 g feed), by incorporating high DHA tuna oil into a sea bream grow-out diet. For comparison, a commercial finisher feed (Diet 4) from Skretting, Italy was also used. The results of this study demonstrated that fish fed DHA enriched finisher diets resulted in significantly (p < .05) better growth, feed utilization and higher muscle eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA content compared to those fed grow-out diet. The muscle DHA and EPA of fish fed finisher diets were also higher than those of the whole year average DHA and EPA content of wild sobaity. An organoleptic evaluation showed no significant (p > .05) differences between sensory attributes of muscle from cultured and wild sea bream. The results of the study demonstrated that feeding finisher feed enriched with DHA at the later part of the grow-out operation, the n-3 PUFA levels of cultured sobaity can cost-effectively be increased at par to the wild.

Effects of feeding increasing levels of grape (Vitis vinifera cv. Pinotage) pomace on lamb shelf-life and eating quality

The study evaluated shelf-life and sensory quality of meat from lambs fed finisher diets containing increasing levels of grape pomace (GP; 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% GP/kg DM). Color, antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation of the longissimus lumborum were evaluated on different storage times (days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) post-slaughter using overwrapped air-permeable packaging. Treatments 0, 10 and 20% GP/kg DM were used for evaluation of protein oxidation and microbial counts on days 1, 5 and 7, while a trained panel assessed the sensory quality on day 1. Diet neither influenced meat color nor sensory quality. Diet × day interactions were observed for antioxidant activity, lipid and protein oxidation. Overall, the 20% GP/kg-diet finished lamb meat had the highest antioxidant activity and the lowest total viable bacterial counts, lipid and protein oxidation values during the shelf-life period. The 20% GP/kg DM in lamb diets, therefore, improved lamb meat shelf-life without negatively affecting sensory quality.

Effects of varying conditioning temperature and mixer-added fat on feed manufacturing efficiency, 28- to 42-day broiler performance, early skeletal effect, and true amino acid digestibility

Three experiments (EXP) were conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of varying steam conditioning temperatures (CT) and mixer-added fat (MAF) on a practical broiler finisher diet on feed manufacture variables (EXP 1), 28- to 42-d broiler performance (EXP 2), and early skeletal effect using 3-to 21-d broiler performance and tibiae ash measurements and true amino acid digestibility using cecectomized roosters (EXP 3). For all EXP, we used a 3 CT (74, 85, or 96°C) by 2 MAF (low or high) factorial arrangement, resulting in 6 experimental diets. Prior to EXP 2 and 3, all diets were ground to a common crumble size. In EXP 1, increasing both CT and MAF decreased relative electrical energy use at the pellet mill. In EXP 2, feeding finisher diets manufactured utilizing increased CT and decreased MAF to broilers from 28 to 42 d resulted in increased FCR. Also, CT by MAF interactions demonstrated the highest BW gain when birds were fed diets with high MAF, conditioned at 85°C. In EXP 3, feeding diets manufactured in EXP 1 to broilers from 3 to 21 d resulted in no significant effects on live performance variables. However, a significant CT by MAF interaction was observed, where chicks fed diets using low MAF conditioned at 85 and 96°C resulted in incrementally increased percent tibia ash over those with high MAF. In addition, based on true amino acid digestibility data, altering MAF and especially CT can affect the digestibility of several amino acids.

Effects of β-Alanine Dietary Supplementation on Concentration of Carnosine and Quality of Broiler Muscle Tissue

The research was carried out on 75 Cobb 500 broilers, which were divided into three groups. During the last three weeks of fattening broilers were fed finisher diets supplemented with s-alanine (P1=control group, P2=0.5% s-alanine and P3=1% s-alanine). The research objective was to evaluate effects of s-alanine supplemented to designed broiler diets on the quality of broiler muscle tissue and concentration of carnosine. After slaughtering, the following traits of muscle tissue quality were measured: initial and final pH value (measured 45 minutes after slaughtering pH1, and 24 hours after cooling pH2), drip loss, color (Minolta colorimeter, expressed as CIE L*, CIE a* and CIE b* values), softness of meat and cooking loss. Samples of breast and thigh muscle tissue were used for determination of moisture, fat, protein, collagen and carnosine. Intensity of lipid oxidation (TBARS) was determined in breast muscle tissue. Statistical analysis proved that supplementation of 1% s-alanine to broiler diets significantly lowered portion of collagen in thigh muscle tissue (P1=1.28% compared to P3=1.06%), while it increased cooking loss in breast muscle tissue (P1=24.23% compared to P3=33.29%). Supplementation of s-alanine to diets (0.5% or 1%) affected more intensive a* color in breast muscle tissue (P1=1.78 compared to P2=2.88 and P3=2.82). Analysis of results referring to concentration of carnosine in broiler tissue showed that supplementation of 1% of s-alanine increased concentration of carnosine in breast muscles from 756.15 µg/g of tissue (P1) to 911.01 µg/g of tissue (P3), while thigh muscle tissue exhibited significantly higher concentration of carnosine already within dietary supplementation of 0.5% of β-alanine (P1=371.78 µg/g of tissue compared to P2=540.29 µg/g of tissue and P3=526.83 µg/g of tissue ; P<0.05). Feeding treatments and time of meat storage had no effect on TBARS values.

Effects of organic selenium in broiler feed on the content of selenium and fatty acid profile in lipids of thigh muscle tissue

The aim of our study was to determine the effects of selenium supplementation to broiler feed on the content of selenium, total fatty acids in lipids and on the oxidative stability of broiler thigh muscle tissue. The experiment involved 40 broilers fattened for 42 days. During the first three weeks, all broilers consumed starter diet containing 22% crude protein. After three weeks, broilers were divided into two groups and fed finisher diets containing 18% crude protein and supplemented with 3% sunflower oil and 3% linseed oil. Group 1 was not administered artificial selenium; Group 2 was supplemented with organic selenium at the amount of 0.5 mg Se/kg of feed. Significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) content of selenium was observed in the thigh muscle tissue of Group 2 compared to Group 1 (1.071 and 0.511 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively). The increase of selenium content in feed to 0.5 mg/kg resulted in an increase of total n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (from 5.27% to 6.25%), and in reduction of total monounsaturated fatty acids (from 39.60% to 36.74%) in the lipids of thigh muscle tissue. The increase in total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids induced significant (P &lt; 0.05) lowering of the n6/n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (4.62 and 5.01 for the first and second group, respectively). The increase of selenium content in broiler feed led to a decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P &gt; 0.05) and increase of linolenic acid and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P &lt; 0.05) in thigh muscle tissue of broilers. Since selenium and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are nutricines, our results show that the produced broiler meat may be considered as functional food.

The Effect of Artichocke Leaves Meal on the Utilization of Dietary Energy for Broiler Chicks

The main target of this study was to evaluate artichoke leaves meal in broiler diets containing different energy levels (the strain requirement and lower energy level). In this study, a total number of 240 unsexed one day old Ross broiler chicks were distributed randomly and divided equally into eight experimental groups (in 3 replicates of 10 each). The experimental groups were 4 levels of artichoke leaves meal (0, 2, 4 and 6% of the diet, mainly of the corn) in each of two diets. The first diet contained the recommended strain requirement of energy (RE), while the second diet contained 200 kcal ME /kg diet lower energy level (LE). All diets were formulated to meet other nutrient requirements of the chicks according to the strain requirement. After 28 days of age all birds fed finisher diets (RE or LE) without artichoke. The chemical analysis of artichoke leaves meal showed that it had good nutritive value. It contains some amino acids, the highest were for the essential amino acids arginine (0.51%) and leucine (0.42%). Artichoke contents of cynarin and total flavonoids were 1.194 and 1.064%. The results of this study showed that, the artichoke leaves meal used in this experiment decreased both BW and BWG, decreased the amount of consumed feed during the 28 days of age, while removing of artichoke increased the feed intake (28-42 days of age), in addition; it deteriorated both the feed conversion values and EPEI as compared with the control (without artichoke). The interaction between diet energy level and artichoke level had no significant effect on broiler performance during the total experimental period. Incorporation of artichoke leaves meal, regardless to energy level, had no significant effects on carcass characteristics except abdominal fat pad (AFP) which was decreased, especially at 4% artichoke when incorporated in low energy diet. The energy level, artichoke level or the interaction had no significant effect on blood constituents, in general at 28 and 42 days of age. It was observed that artichoke increased blood proteins and decreased blood total lipids and blood cholesterol at 28 days of age. Diets containing RE improved the digestibility coefficients (P < 0.05) of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE as compared to LE diets. Supplementation of artichoke at 2 and 4% of diet improved the utilization of all the nutrients, significantly except NFE which was improved numerically, compared to the two control groups (without artichoke). Results indicated that LE diets depressed total feed cost/kg BW and improved net revenue and economic efficiency compared to RE diets. Addition of artichoke increased total feed cost/kg BW and decreased net revenue and economic efficiency compared to the control diet. However 4% artichoke when added to LE diet gave the same relative economic efficiency value as that of the RE control diet.

Effect of Source and Concentration of Selenium on Growth Performance and Selenium Retention in Broiler Chickens

A 6-wk experiment was conducted using 360 one-day-old Jumbo Cornish Cross broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of the source and concentration of Se on growth performance and Se retention. Broilers were fed corn-soy-based diets formulated to contain 0 (negative control), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 ppm of supplemental Se from SelenoSource AF (Se yeast A, Diamond V Mills, Cedar Rapids, IA), 0.3 ppm of Se from Sel-Plex (Se yeast B, Alltech, Nicholasville, KY), or 0.3 ppm of Se from sodium selenite. Starter diets were fed for the first 21 d (6 replicates of 10 broilers per treatment). On d 21, broilers were regrouped within dietary treatments to finisher cages (11 replicates of 5 broilers per treatment) and fed finisher diets for the following 21 d. Feed intake was measured daily. Body weights of the broilers were measured on d 1, 21, and 42. Excreta samples were collected for 4 consecutive days at the end of each 3-wk feeding period to estimate Se retention. Blood samples were collected from 11 broilers per treatment on d 42 to determine blood Se concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Selenium supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) the growth performance of broilers at 42 d of age. Blood Se and GPX activities increased (P < 0.05) as the concentration of Se in diets increased. Selenium retention as a percentage of Se intake decreased linearly (P = 0.01) as the concentration of Se increased in the diets. At 0.3 ppm, blood Se and GPX activities were higher (P = 0.01) for broilers supplemented with Se yeast A compared with Se yeast B when expressed as relative to Se intake. Selenium retention was greater when organic Se was supplemented (P = 0.01), compared with inorganic Se. Results of the study suggest that Se retention had an inverse relationship with the concentration of Se supplemented and was influenced by the dietary source of Se. Whole blood Se relative to Se intake suggests a higher bioavailability of Se from the organic source compared with inorganic sodium selenite and that differences in bioavailability may exist between organic sources of Se.

Growth Performance, Carcass Composition, and Pigmentation of Broilers Fed Supplemental Nickel

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental Ni on growth performance, carcass composition, and pigmentation of broilers. In Experiment 1, female broilers (n = 120) were housed in individual cages from 21 to 49 d of age and fed a commercial finisher diet that contained 2.4 ± .1 ppm Ni. Supplementation of this diet with 6 or 12 ppm NiCl2 did not affect growth performance or carcass composition. In Experiment 2, female broilers (n = 60) housed in individual cages were fed finisher diets with 44 or 77 ppm xanthophyll and 0 or 12 ppm supplemental NiCl2. Growth performance from 21 to 49 d of age was not altered by diet. At 49 d of age, serum xanthophyll concentration as well as amount of lutein and total xanthophylls in skin were higher (P ≤ .01) in broilers fed 77 ppm xanthophyll. Supplemental NiCl2 decreased (P ≤ .1) yellow color of carcasses from broilers fed 44 ppm xanthophyll and increased yellow color of carcasses from broilers fed 77 ppm xanthophyll. Abdominal fat yields and concentration of total xanthophylls in skin followed a similar pattern, suggesting that supplemental NiCl2 may have indirectly influenced pigmentation by altering fat deposition. These data indicated that an adequate level of Ni was present in the basal diet to promote optimal growth performance and carcass quality.

Processing Yields as Affected by Dietary Potassium Chloride Concentration and Energy Level in Summer and Winter

Equal numbers of male and female Cobb color-sexed broilers (28 days of age) were fed finisher diets containing 2665, 3056, or 3335 kcal ME/kg of diet. One-half of the birds on each dietary energy treatment were fed .75% potassium chloride (KCl) the last 5 days prior to slaughter. The experiments were conducted in winter (Feb to Mar) and in summer (Jul to Aug). Birds were processed and various yield parameters calculated. Raw ready-to-cook carcass composition was also determined.During winter, decreasing dietary energy level significantly decreased percent yield due to increased shrink. The addition of KCl to the diet in winter had no effect on yield characteristics and composition was affected only slightly by KCl treatment. In summer, percent shrink was significantly decreased as dietary energy level was decreased, whereas water uptake was significantly increased. This resulted in no dietary energy effect on ready-to-cook yield. Adding KCl to the diet in summer increased ready-to-cook yield by decreasing shrink. Fat was increased as dietary energy level was increased in both summer and winter. Moisture was inversely related to fat.

DIETARY CALCIUM-PHOSPHORUS LEVELS FOR GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN GILTS AND SOWS

The effect of feeding barley-wheat-soya finisher, gestation and lactation diets containing (A) 1979 National Research Council (NRC) recommended calcium-phosphorus (Ca-P) levels or (B) 150% of NRC levels from 65 kg body weight (Bwt) on growth and reproduction was studied in two experiments using Lacombe (L) and Yorkshire (Y) gilts. The number of gilts used were 299 (148 L + 151 Y) and 107 (53 Y + 54 Y) in exp. 1 and 216 (106 L + 110 Y) and 101 (49 L + 52 Y) in exp. 2 during finishing and gestation-lactation periods, respectively. The reproductive performance during second parity was measured only in exp. 2 using 85 (36 L + 49 Y) primiparous sows. All pigs were housed in confinement except during breeding and gestation, when they were housed in outside dirt-lot pens. Average daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were similar for gilts fed finisher diets A or B in both experiments. In exp. 1, both L and Y gilts fed gestation diet B had more (P &lt; 0.05) total (9.5 ± 0.3 vs. 8.6 ± 0.3) and live pigs (9.2 ± 0.3 vs. 8.2 ± 0.3) born and weaned (7.7 ± 0.3 vs 6.9 ± 0.2) with lower piglet weight gains at 3 wk (3.5 ± 0.1 vs. 3.9 ± 0.1 kg) and 5 wk (6.9 ± 0.2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2 kg) when compared to gestation diet A group. These differences were not significant in exp. 2. Higher dietary Ca-P levels elevated the serum P during both gestation (7.3 ± 0.1 vs. 7.0 ± 0.1 mg/dL) and lactation (6.2 ± 0.1 vs. 5.9 ± 0.1 mg/dL) periods in exp. 1 but not in exp. 2. The changes in body weight during gestation and lactation, piglet birth weights, and weaning to estrus interval were similar for both treatment groups. These results indicated that the 1979 NRC recommended dietary Ca-P levels may be adequate to support the maximum growth and reproduction in gilts during finishing and lactation but are too low for gestation. Key words: Calcium, phosphorus, gilts, sows, growth, reproduction

Feed Texture and Light Treatment Effects on the Performance of Chicken Broilers

A total of 4800 broiler chicks from a commercial parent genotype was used in two experiments to evaluate effects of feeding finisher diets containing different levels of “fines”. These experiments also included a comparison of incandescent continuous green lighting and white lighting with continuous and intermittent exposure at different intensities, including one treatment which was phased down to darkness at 21 days of age and continued to 49 days of age. Fines used in these diets were ground pellets having equivalent levels of protein, fat and fiber. Performance of birds fed crumbled starters (1–28d) and pelleted finishers (29–49d) was superior to birds fed all-mash starters and finishers. As the proportion of fines in finisher diets increased, there was a significant decrease in body weights and monetary returns.Performance under both intermittent white lighting vs. continuous white or green lighting had no differential impact with light intensity of .5 lux or 7 lux from 21 to 49 days of age. Broilers grown in darkness from 21 to 49 days performed well although body weights were reduced compared with birds grown in light. There was no evidence of an interaction between light and feed texture treatments.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF RYE TO WHEAT IN THE GRAIN COMPONENT OF BROILER FINISHER DIETS ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE

A total of 1,520 commercial-type broiler chicks were used in two experiments to evaluate the effects on performance of feeding finisher diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% of the diet as ground rye as a replacement by weight for ground wheat. The finisher diets were fed approximately 3 wk commencing at 28 days of age. Biological data provide evidence that up to 10% of the ground wheat in broiler finisher diets can be replaced by an equal quantity of ground rye without an adverse effect on performance. Evidence indicates that feeding a finisher diet containing 15% ground rye resulted in inferior performance.