Feed Consumption Ratio Research Articles

The level of rice bran usage in the growth of local chickens reared in rural areas

This study aimed to determine the level of rice bran usage in the growth of local chickens raised in rural areas. It was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design , consisting of 4 types of feed as treatments with 4 replications. Each replication consisted of 10 chickens of one week old so that the total number of chickens used was 160. The treatments were commercial feed mixed with rice bran as follows: a) T1: 50% rice bran, b) T2: 60% rice bran, c) T3: 70% rice bran, d) T4: 80% rice bran. This experiment lasted for 12 weeks, consisting of 3 weeks adaptation period and 9 weeks observation period. The parameters observed were a) daily weight gain (DWG), b) feed consumption ratio (FCR), c) protein efficiency ratio (PER), d) energy efficiency ratio , and e) revenue/cost (R/C) ratio. Data were analyzed using the computer program of SPSS version 24.0. In case a difference occurs between the treatments, data were further analyzed using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results of this study revealed that feed treatments had significant effects on all parameters observed. It can be concluded that the T1 feed ration had the best response to the DWG (17.2 g/bird/d), FCR (4.43) and R/C ratio (1.39).

Dietary Crude Protein and Total Digestible Nutrient on The Performance of Boerka Goats Male Growing Phase

Boerka goat is the best meat type goat. Feed quality is one of the biggest factors that affect productivity, so it is necessary to know in advance the need for nutrients. The purpose of this study was to determine the dietray of crude protein (CP) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) in efficient feed for the production of Boerka goats male growing phase. This study was designed in a completely randomized design, consisting of six combination feed treatments with six replications. Namely: 1 (CP 13.00% and TDN 63.10%); 2 (CP 13.03% and TDN 65.07%); 3 (CP 13.00% and TDN 70.00%); 4 (CP 15.00% and TDN 62.69%); 5 (CP 15.12% and TDN 65.00%); 6 (CP 15.00% and TDN 70.00%). The observed variables were feed consumption, feed consumption ratio (FCR), nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein) and average daily gain (ADG). Results of this study show that the balanced of CP and TDN has no significant effect on consumption and FCR. However, it was significantly different for digestibility and ADG. Feed treatment (CP 13.03% and TDN 65.07%) obtained the higher digestibility of DM and OM (71.49 and 70.5%), while the highest CP digestibility was treated with CP 15.05% and TDN 62.69% (71.59%). The ADG response of Boerka goats with CP 13.03% and TDN 65.07% was the good results (144.90 g head-1day-1) while the lowest response was on CP 13.08% and TDN 63.10%. It is concluded that the dietray of CP 13.03% and TDN 65.07% is a recommended of Boerka goat male growing phase.

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THE GENETIC GROUP, EGG WEIGHT, AND THEIR INTERACTION ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF QUAIL BIRDS DURING THE GROWTH STAGE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the genetic groups (three of local quails different with feather color, which are white, black and brown) and the egg weight (three classes of eggs are heavy, medium and light) and the interaction between them on productive performance during the growth phase (0-6 weeks of age). Eggs were individually weighed and graded into three groups: heavy (11.5-12.4g), medium (10.5-11.4g), and light (9.5-10.4g) inside each genetic group. The results of the statistical analysis showed a significant effect (p?0.05) of the genetic group (feather color), egg weight and their interaction on the productive performance during the total breeding period.The brown birds had significantly higher values of body weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics and better feed conversion ratio in all analyzed weeks. The birds which hatched from heavy eggs showed higher value of body weight, weight gain, carcass characteristics, feed consumption and better feed conversion ratio. Brown birds which hatched from heavy eggs had higher value of body weight, weight gain and carcass characteristics, while brown birds which hatched from medium eggs had better feed conversion ratio. We can therefore consider brown quail as the best for fattening purposes

Supplementation of Fermented Moringa Leaf Powder (Moringa oleifera) on Feed Consumption, Egg Weight and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in Laying Duck

This study aimed to determine the effect of the addition of fermented moringa leaf powder on feed consumption, egg weight, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of laying ducks. 60 laying ducks were randomized into four treatments i.e. (P0) 0% Moringa leaf powder fermentation, (P1) 0.5% Moringa leaf powder fermentation, (P2) 1% Moringa leaf powder fermentation, and (P3) 1.5% Moringa leaf fermentation. Treatment of concentration refered in 100% commercial feed for 3 weeks. The results showed that the adding of Moringa leaf powder fermentation to feed consumption in each treatment showed significantly different results (p <0.05) in each treatment, with the highest consumption at P2 (176.21 ± 0.92) and the lowest at P0 (158.21 ± 1.07). The results of the study on duck egg weight showed that P1, P2, P3 were significantly different with P0. The highest egg weight in P2 is (70.50 ± 0.34) and the lowest is P0 (66.98a ± 0.29). FCR of laying duck in each treatment showed significantly different results in each treatment, with the highest at P0 (3,81± 0,34) and the lowest at P2 (3,27 ± 0,09). In conclusion, the addition of 1% Moringa leaf powder in 100% of commercial feed can increase feed consumption, increase egg weight and decrease FCR.

Optical Characterization of Alternaria spp. Contaminated Wheat Grain and Its Influence in Early Broilers Nutrition on Oxidative Stress

The aim of this research was the visual characterization and investigating the effects of Alternaria spp. contaminated wheat grains in the starter stage of broilers nutrition on productive parameters and oxidative stress. The research was divided into two phases. Bunches of wheat in post-harvest period of year 2020 was collected from a various locality in Serbia and Albania. In the first phase, collected samples were visual characterized by Alternaria spp. presence by color measurement methods. Gained results are conferred in the range of the color properties of grain color properties of Alternaria toxins. Wheat grain samples were significantly different (p < 0.05) in terms of all measured color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Classification of field fungi in analyzed wheat grain samples showed that the significant field fungi were Rhizopus spp., followed by Alternaria spp., and Fusarium spp. In the second phase, biological tests with chickens were carried out during the broiler chickens’ dietary starter period in the first 14th days of age. At the beginning of the experiment, a total of 180-day-old Ross 308 strain broilers were equally distributed into three dietary treatments, with four replicates each. Dietary treatments in the experiments were as follows: basal diet without visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat (A1), a basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Serbia (A2), basal diet with visual contamination of Alternaria spp. with 25% wheat from Albania (A3). The trial with chickens lasted for 14 days. After the first experimental week, wheat infected with Alternaria spp. in treatment A2 and A3 expressed adverse effects. The highest body weight of chickens of 140.40 g was recorded in broilers on control treatment A1 with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to treatments A2 (137.32 g) and A3 (135.35 g). At the end of the second week of test period, a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in body weight of broiler chickens could be noticed. The highest body weight of 352.68 g was recorded in control treatment A1, with statistically significant differences compared to other Alternaria spp. treatments. The lowest body weight of chickens was recorded in treatment A3 (335.93 g). Results of feed consumption and feed conversion ratio showed some numerical differences between treatments but without any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Alternaria spp. contaminated diet increased glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and decreased peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) serum levels, respectively. Built on the achieved results, it can be concluded that the wheat contaminated with Alternaria spp. in broilers nutrition negatively affected growth, decreased oxidative protection and interrupted chicken welfare in the first period of life.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Choline from Different Sources on Performance and Economics of Commercial Broiler Chicken

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of choline from different sources on the performance and economics of commercial broiler chicken. Day old broiler chicks (Vencobb, n=216) were randomly distributed into nine experimental groups with four replicates of six birds each. The experimental groups (T1 to T9) were fed with diet containing choline chloride 60% @ 1000 g/ton, 750 g/ton, and 500 g/ton feed in T1 (Control), T2, and T3 ration. Similarly, herbal choline @ 1000 g/ton, 750 g/ton and 500 g/ton feed was given in T4,5,6 ration, and phosphatidylcholine @ 1000 g/ton 750 g/ton and 500 g/ton feed-in T7,8,9 ration, respectively. The trial was carried out in deep litter pen for 42 days. During the whole experiment, the mortality pattern of the birds was within the permissible limits and revealed no adverse effects of feeding choline from different sources in diet. The study results indicated that the supplementation of choline chloride 60% @1000 g/ton feed (Control group) showed higher body weight and body weight gain compared to other rations. Total feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of birds fed with treatment rations supplemented with different choline sources were at par among the rations. The return over feed cost was highest in broilers fed a diet with choline chloride 60 % @ 1000 g/ton feed.

Effect of dietary black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) and bioconversion product of cocoa pod husk on performance and hematological profile of sheep

Bioconversion of cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a biological processing technique using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to improve the quality of the CPH while being able to produce added value in the form of BSF larvae as a protein source of animal feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo complete feeds containing BSF larvae and bioconversion product of CPH on performance and hematological profile of sheep. This study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications, so that total number of sheep used were 20 heads, conducted for 12 weeks period. The treatments were: R1 (complete feed, control without BSF and bioconverted CPH), R2 (5% BSF), R3 (20% bioconverted CPH), R4 (2.5% BSF + 10% bioconverted CPH), and R5 (5% BSF + 20% bioconverted CPH). The BSF and bioconverted CPH were used to replace soybean meal and coffee husk, respectively. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and continued with a post-hoc Duncan’s test. Results revealed that replacement of soybean meal with BSF larvae and replacement of coffee husk with bioconverted CPH in the complete feed did not significantly affect performance of sheep, i.e., live weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio). Furthermore, different dietary treatments showed similar response on hematological profile of sheep. It can be concluded that BSF larvae and bioconverted CPH may be used to replace soybean meal and coffee husk, respectively, without any adverse effects on performance and hematological profile of sheep.

The effect of garlic (Allium sativum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract addition in commercial feed on feeding rate, feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio of gouramy fish (Osphronemus gouramy)

Gouramy is known to it’s low appetite and slow growth. Attractants are ingredients that are mixed in small amounts of feed to increase feed intake, growth, and fish consumption of feed. Garlic contains at least 33 sulfur components that give a distinctive odor and various medicinal effects. Turmeric contains essential oils composed of monoterpenes and is an effective odor stimulating precursor compound used as an attractant. This study aims to determine the effect of giving turmeric and garlic extracts at different doses on feed consumption, feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio in gouramy. This study used an experimental method with 5 treatments; P0= control, P1=1% garlic extract addition, P2= 1.5% garlic extract addition, P3= 1% turmeric extract addition and P4= 1.5% turmeric extract additions with 4 replications using 10 fish in each.. The results showed that the highest feed consumption value was in the treatment of P1and P2, the lowest conversion ratio and the highest value of feed efficiency was found in the treatment of P2 and P3. So it can be concluded that the addition of 1.5% garlic extract or 1% turmeric extract is effective as an attractant and effective for increasing the growth of gouramy.

The effects of plastic slatted floor and a deep- litter system on the growth performance of hybrid Pekin ducks.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of plastic slatted floors and a deep-litter system using wood shavings on the growth performance of current commercial hybrid Pekin ducks. A total of 96 Pekin ducks (Star 53) were reared for 42 d. Live weight, live-weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, water consumption, and water feed consumption ratio were investigated as the performance criteria. With the use of plastic slatted floors, the feed conversion rate dropped and the water feed consumption ratio showed an incline (). This is a very favourable result for the poultry industry and growers. The remaining parameters did not change by altering the ground system (). Generally, it can be stated that plastic slatted floor use has advantages concerning the performance criteria of the feed consumption ratio and the water feed consumption ratio in comparison to the deep-litter system. Furthermore, improvement in the feed conversion ratio is known to benefit the overall performance of poultry as well as having a positive economic impact. It should also be noted that as the birds grew, they were visually less stained, which is another important factor determining feather quality. However, this should be further investigated in future research.

Dietary Echinacea purpurea administration enhanced egg laying performance, serum lipid profile, antioxidant status and semen quality in duck breeders during summer season.

This work investigated the outcomes of dietary administration of Echinacea purpurea (EP) powder to breeder ducks on productive and reproductive performance during summer season. Sudani ducks (320 birds) of 32-weeks-old (240 females and 80 males) were randomly allocated into four collections (body weight; 1850±15.2g for females and 2960.0±40.5g for males). The primary collection consumed the basal diet without supplementation and was deliberated as control. The other three collections were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5, 5.00 and 7.5g EP/kg diet, correspondingly. Egg number and mass, laying rate, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly changed by dietary EP levels. Drakes fed EP-supplemented diets had higher ejaculate volume, sperms concentration and live sperms (%) as well as lower dead sperms (%) than the control group. Eggs laid by ducks fed diet supplemented with 2.5g/kg had the greatest fertility and hatchability percentages, followed by those fed 5.0g EP/kg. Ducks fed different EP diets had higher values of haemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs and lymphocytes, lower values of heterophils percentage and lower H/L ratio than the control. All serum constituents were significantly changed by dietary EP supplementation, except of total protein and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme. Conclusively, dietary EP supplementation at 2.5g/kg had beneficial effects on productive and reproductive performance as well as lipid profile and antioxidant status and economically valued in breeder ducks under summer conditions.

Calcium requirement of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract A 6-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the optimal calcium level in the diet of quail chicks in Nigeria. Four isonitrogenous (25% crude protein) diets containing 0.5, 1.0,1.5 and 2.0% dietary calcium were employed in the trial which involved 480) day-old, uncensored quail chicks. The diets were also isocaloric (2750 kcal/kg M. E). Each dietary treatment was replicated three times. Responses measured included weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was higher in diet A (P<0.05) in comparison to others. Diet D recorded lower feed intake (P<0.05) than Diets B and C. Weight gain was similar (P>0.05) for Diets A, B and C which were better than diet D (P>0.05). Feed conversion was better with Diets C And D (P<0.05) than with diets A and B. Diet A was poorer (P<0.05) than diet B in terms of feed conversion. Feed cost/gain ratio was lower (P<0.05) on Diet A than others. Percent bone ash was similar on the diets except Diet C. Results of this study indicated that dietary calcium levels of between 0.5 and 1% will support acceptable weight gain and % bone ash in the first 6 weeks of life.

Egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some chicken strains under high ambient temperatures.

This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some local developed Egyptian chicken strains under high ambient temperatures. A total of 108 (26weeks old) laying hens of Matrouh, Silver Montazah, Mandarah and Inshas (9 hens×3 replicates×4 strains) were used to evaluate the impact of thermal stress (24-34ºC) during summer season (June, July and August) on egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses. The obtained results revealed that final body weight (FBW/g) and body weight change (BWC/g) among different chicken strains were not affected. The daily feed consumption (FC/g) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p≤.05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The mean egg production (EP/%) and egg mass (EM) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p≤.05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The highest percentages of hatchability of total eggs (HTE) and fertile eggs (HFE) were recorded in Inshas chickens, while the lowest value was recorded in Mandarah chickens. Also, the highest embryonic mortalities (p≤.05) and lowest chick weight at hatch (CWH/g) were recorded in Mandarah chickens compared with the other strains. The highest values for antibody titres against phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were recorded in Mandarah chickens, while the least values were recorded in Inshas chickens.

Studies on feeding of Azolla meal on feed consumption performance of Kadaknath poultry

The present investigation entitled “Studies on feeding of Azolla meal on feed consumption performance of Kadaknath poultry” was carried out to assess the effect of Azolla meal on Feed consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of Kadaknath poultry bird’s production. 192, Chicks of day old straight run commercial Kadaknath breed were procured from Government hatchery, Nagpur (Maharashtra). They were randomly and equally distributed into four treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 with 48 numbers of chicks in each group. Azolla meal was added in experimental ration at different levels. The dietary treatments consisted of one basal control (T1), supplemented with 2.5% Azolla meal (T2), 5% Azolla meal (T3) and 7.5% Azolla meal (T4). The average weekly feed consumption of treatment mean T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 252.17, 256.95, 267.29 and 282.61 gm respectively. The average cumulative feed consumption at eighth weeks of age was recorded as 2017.41, 2055.64, 2138.33 and 2260.92 gm for T1, T2 T3 and T4 treatment groups respectively. The average weekly feed efficiency at eighth week of age were 3.98, 3.63, 3.28 and 3.11 in T1, T2, T3 and T4 treatment groups, respectively. The result therefore concludes that supplementation of 7.5 per cent dried Azolla meal was beneficial to improve feed efficiency of birds.

Effect of Substitution Millet Energy Instead of Yellow Corn Energy on Growth and Production Diet in Partridge

The research was carried out in the Livestock Research Division / Nineveh Research Department using 720 birds at one-day-old, distributed on four substitution millet energy 0% (control), 20%, 30%, and 40% instead of corn energy, to study its effect on the growth and production periods for partridge. The results showed that the 30% substitution treatment was significantly superior (P <0.05) on control treatment in body weight, Also, in feed consumption, the three treatments were significantly superior (P < 0.05) on control treatment, while there was no significant difference between the four treatments for weight gain and food conversion ratio in the starter period (1-4) weeks of age. As for the growth period (5-24) weeks, a significant decrease (P <0.05) in body weight is observed with an increase in the millet replacement percentage, the control treatment was significantly superior (P <0.05) on the 30% substitution treatment in the weight gain, whereas the control treatment, decreased significantly (P <0.05) from the substitution treatment 40% in the feed consumption and food conversion ratio. As for the egg production stage, the control treatment was significantly superior (P <0.05) on 20% and 40% treatments in the number and percentage of eggs, the feed consumed was not affected by the treatments under study, while there was a significant difference (P <0.05) between the age of 26 weeks and the age of 33 weeks in feed consumption, Control treatment decreased significantly (P <0.05) from substitution treatment 20% in FCR / Dozen egg. the treatment of substitution 30% increased significantly (P <0.05) on control treatment for hatching%, fertility% and hatching from fertilized eggs%.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF α-LIPOIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION TO THE DIET WITH DIFFERENT DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON BROILER PERFORMANCE AND ATIOXIDANTS STATUS

The present study aimed to assess if there is any synergistic or antagonistic effect between α-lipoic acid (ALA) and dietary energy levels in increasing growth performance traits as well as minimizing fat deposition of broiler. Three hundred and sixty one-day-old unsexed Cobb broilers chicks were assigned randomly to 8 equal experimental groups; with three replicates of 15 chicks each. The feeding consists of three stages; the first was (starting period), its basal diet contained 22 % CP and lasted for 3 weeks. The second was (growing period), its basal diet contained 20 % CP and lasted for 2 weeks. The third period was (finishing period), its basal diet contained 18 % CP at the last week of the experiment. Within each protein level used, two levels of energy (3000 and 3200 Kcal / kg diet) were tested with various levels of α-lipoic acid (0, 50, 75 and 100 mg / kg diet). So, the experimental design was a factorial 2 energy levels × 4 α-lipoic acid levels. Results showed that, Significant effects of α-Lipoic acid, diet energy levels and their interaction on chicks weight gain (WG), feed consumption (FC), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Significant declines in dressing, front part, hind part, giblets, and abdominal fat with increasing α-Lipoic acid level in the diet. Muscle (thigh and breast) antioxidants statuses were vary significantly with α-Lipoic acid, diet energy level, and their interaction. Overall, blood total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterols have decreased significantly with increasing α-Lipoic acid levels. Moreover, only total lipids increased with increased dietary energy. Remarkable improvements were noticed in the plasma oxidative statues including TAC, SOD, GSH-px, and MDA. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that ɑ-lipoic acid supplementation at the level of 100 mg/kg diet provides significant natural antioxidant which boosts the oxidative status of meat and blood regardless the energy level in the diet.

Effects of phytase supplementation on production performance, egg and bone quality, plasma biochemistry and mineral excretion of layers fed varying levels of phosphorus

Excessive fecal excretion of phosphorus (P) has increasingly become an environmental issue due to oversupply of P in layer rations, and thus it is imperative to minimize safety margins for P to ensure the sustainability of the egg industry. In this study, a 12-week feeding trial (22 to 34 weeks of age) was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation on production performance, plasma biochemistry, egg and bone quality and P excretion of laying hens fed various levels of non-phytate P (NPP). Forty-eight Lohmann white laying hens were randomly allocated to one of six corn–soybean meal–oat-based diets: diets containing 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 g/kg NPP without phytase, and diets containing 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g/kg NPP with phytase (1 000 U/kg diet) where phytase inclusion was expected to provide 1.0 g/kg NPP to laying hens, thus making the phytase-unsupplemented treatment served as a control for the phytase-supplemented treatment accordingly. Productive performance was recorded during the experimental period. Blood and egg samples were collected, and digestibility studies were conducted at weeks 6 and 12 of the experiment. Bone mineralization was evaluated at the end of the experiment. Egg weight and egg production, feed consumption, BW and feed conversion ratio of laying hens fed lower NPP diets supplemented with phytase were comparable to those of hens fed high NPP phytase-unsupplemented controls. Eggshell thickness, specific gravity, Haugh units, tibia bone mineral density, tibia ash percent, plasma P and other biochemical parameters were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Total P intake, excretion and retention were affected by diet (P < 0.001), but its deposition in eggs was not significantly different. Contrast analysis further showed that total P excretion of phytase present vs phytase absent was averagely reduced by 40.4 mg/hen per day (P < 0.01). Moreover, total P excretion was linearly (P < 0.01) reduced with lowering dietary NPP, and this relationship was similar regardless of whether phytase was supplemented or not. The results from this study indicated that NPP levels in laying hen diets could be reduced to 1.0 g/kg (excluding the portion of NPP released by phytase) with the inclusion of phytase, without negative effects on production performance and health of the hens, thereby diminishing P excretion into environment.

The Effects of Feeding Time and Stocking Density on Performance of Laying Hens

This study was carried out with 656 Hysex-Brown layer hen with 58 weeks old. 2 x 4 Multifactorial test setup was used. Egg production, daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, damaged egg ratio, body weight and specific gravity datas were examined in laying hens fed at different times and raised at different stocking density. Hens placed in cages as 412.5 and 495 cm2/hen and formed 8 groups and feeds were given at 06:00, 9:30, 06:00-06:30 and 09:30-13:30h. The trial was continued for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of egg production, daily feed consump-tion and feed conversion ratio (P0.05). It was determined that egg production was the highest and feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was the lowest in groups with a frequency of 495 cm2/chicken and fed at one time at 09:30h. Egg production was the lowest and feed conversion ratio was highest in groups with a frequency of 412.5 cm2/hen and fed at 09:30-13:30h. It was also determined that feeding two times at 06:00h and 06:30h increased the feed consumption, but feeding one time at 09:30h decreased the feed consumption.

Effect of Synertox® on broiler health and performance during aflatoxicosis

Eighty, one-day-old commercial male broiler chicks (Ross 308), were distributed to four dietary treatments with two replicates of 10 chicks each, to study the effect of Synertox® on broiler performance during aflatoxicosis. Birds were reared for 42 days. All birds were fed on diet with or without aflatoxin (AF) in feed, and with or without Synertox (ST) (enzymes, organic acids and yeast extract) in water. The treatments were as follow: T1 (0 ppm AF and no ST); T2 (2.5 ppm AF and no ST); T3 (0 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST); T4 (2.5 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST). Body weights and feed intake were recorded weekly. At 42 of bird’s age, five birds were randomly selected for estimation of antibody titres against Newcastle disease (ND; for calculation of the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen as well as for scoring liver and kidney lesions. The results show that the total body weight gain through 42 days of rearing period that the gain was highest in T3. In the second order was the weight of the control group (T1), while in the third order was T4. The worst body weight gain was reported in T2, in which chicks fed AF. The same picture in body weight gain was obtained with feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. AF had a significant negative effect on the liver parenchyma of broiler chicks in treatment 2, by changing liver colour from mahogany to enlarged muddy or even to yellowish discolouration, with friable consistency with sub capsular haemorrhages. The addition of Synertox® was effective in restoring the normal red brown liver colour. Kidney were also affected by feeding AF (T2). They were enlarged, swollen and pale in colour. All lymphoid organs tested, thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen were negatively affected by feeding AF in broilers at 42 days of age. Synertox® was effective in counteracting the negative effect of AF on relative bursal weight, thymus and spleen relative weights. Aflatoxin had detrimental negative effect on the ND ELISA mean antibody titre. A significant restoring of ND antibody titre to those of control group (T1) was recorded by addition of Synertox® to the drinking water of broilers in (T4) compared with the AF fed T2 group. From the studied parameters it could be concluded that Synertox® could be used in counteracting the negative effects of AF on health and performance of broiler chicks.

Dietary Tridax procumbens leaves extract stimulated growth, antioxidants, immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, to monogenean parasitic infection

Dactylogyrus vastator is a hermaphroditic monogenean ectoparasite that attacks fish gills and can rapidly infect entire fish stocks causing economic losses. Chemotherapy is still the first choice among drugs used for the treatment of monogenean infections. However, these chemo-drugs are expensive and may have severe side effects. Hence, there is a need to find out alternative and eco-friendly therapeutics to control and treat these parasitic diseases in fish. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the use of dietary Tridax procumbens leaves extract (TPLE) as a functional feed additive to control this possible parasitic infection. Four isonitrogenous diets (300 g/kg crude protein) were prepared to contain 0.0 (control), 2, 4, or 6 g TPLE/kg diet. Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles (4.6 ± 0.06 g) were fed one of the experimental diets up to apparent satiation thrice a day for 8 weeks. After that, fish from each treatment were exposed to D. vastator solution (40 individual/L) and closely monitored for any fish mortality for 14 days. It is noted that dietary TPLE levels significantly promoted the fish growth and feed consumption but feed conversion ratio and fish survival were not affected. Additionally, dietary TPLE levels significantly enhanced villi length/width and absorption area of fish intestine. Dietary TPLE significantly elevated the antioxidant and immunity responses. Also, post-challenge mortality in TPLE-fed fish was significantly reduced in a directly proportional manner. The lowest fish mortality (10.0%) was observed in fish fed a diet containing 6 g TPLE/kg diet, while highest mortality (36.7%) was recorded in the control fish group. The current study concluded that dietary TPLE has no harm effect on fish welfare and stimulated fish performance, intestinal morphometry, antioxidant, and immunity responses of Nile tilapia as well as its resistance to D. vastator infection with optimum levels of 4–6 g/kg diet.

Relationship between of Insuline Like growth Factor-2 Gene and Growth Traits in Crosses of Indonesian Local Chicken

Kedu chicken is known as a laying hen, while Sentul and Kampung chicken are known as dual-purpose type chickens. The crossing of Sentul, Kedu and Kampung chicken were produced SKKedu and KeduSK chickens. One of gene that control growth is IGF-2 (Insuline-like Growth Factor 2). This study aims to analyze the diversity of IGF-2 genes and analyze association of genes with growth in SKKedu and KeduSK chickens. The samples used were 23 KeduSK chicken DNA and 17 SKKedu chicken DNA 12 weeks old. Growth measurements consist of body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. DNA extracted from the blood samples were analysed by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). The diversity of IGF-2 genes was analysed with X2 test. The results showed of IGF-2 gene in SKKedu and KeduSK chickens (CC, TC, dan TT). IGF-2 gene was polymorphic and was in a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium state. The growth traits of SKKedu and KeduSK chickens based on differences in genotype on IGF-2 genes are almost the same,there were no differences in the growth traits. There was no correlation between IGF-2 genotype of SKKedu and KeduSK chicken with growth traits.