Feed Consumption Research Articles

Effects of sex on fat deposition through gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in weaned pigs

Nitrogen pollution resulting from excessive feed consumption poses a significant challenge for modern swine production. Precision nutrition technology seems to be an effective way to solve this problem; therefore, understanding the law of pig body composition deposition is a prerequisite. This study investigated the sex effects on growth performance, body composition, nutrient deposition, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in weaned piglets. Eighty weaned pigs were randomly allocated to 2 treatments according to the sex of pigs. An individual pig was considered as a treatment replicate. Six body weights (BW 5, 7, 11, 15, 20, and 25 kg) were chosen as experimental points; for each point 10 piglets close to the average BW (5 males and 5 females) were slaughtered, and there was one growth phase between each 2 BW points. Results indicated that the males had higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to the females (P < 0.05) at growth phases 15 to 20 kg BW and 20 to 25 kg BW. Meanwhile, males at 20 kg BW had higher body fat content than females (P < 0.10). Males showed a higher body fat (P < 0.05) deposition rate at phase 15 to 20 kg BW (P < 0.05) than females. For pigs at 20 kg BW, the relative abundance of RuminococcaceaeUCG-005, Clostridium, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Peptostreptococcaceae was significantly increased in males (P < 0.05) but that of Bifidobacterium was decreased (P < 0.05). At 25 kg BW, the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Fibrobacter, RuminococcaceaeUCG-009, Ralstonia, Klebsiel, and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in males was higher when compared with females (P < 0.05). In terms of SCFA, females exhibited higher concentrations of propionate compared to males (P < 0.05). The results of the current study indicated that sex influenced fat deposition through changes in the composition of gut microbiota and the content of SCFA, which has significant implications for the realization of precision nutrition in modern swine production.

Pengaruh Penambahan Tepung Daun Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L) Dan Enkapsulasi Belimbing Wuluh Sebagai Feed Additive Terhadap Performa Broiler.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal and encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L on the broiler performance. The material used in this study included 120 broiler chickens, Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal and encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L. The research method used was a Complete Randomized Design with 6 treatments and 4 repeats. Each repeat of this study used 5 broiler chickens. The treatment in this study consisted of P0 control (ration with antibiotics Zinc bacitracin), P1 (Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal 1%), P2 (Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal 2%), P3 (encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L 1%), P4 (encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L 2%), P5 (Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal 1% encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L 1%). The variables observed were feed intake,body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality. The data obtained were then analyzed using ANOVA and if there was a significant effect continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the addition of Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal and encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L as a feed addtive antibiotic growth promoter had a real effect (P&lt;0.05) on feed consumption but no real effect (P&gt;0.05) on weight gain, ration conversion and mortality. The conclusion of this study was Averrhoa bilimbi L leaf meal and encapsulated Averrhoa bilimbi L can be used as 2% in diets without affecting the broiler performance.&#x0D;

Effectiveness of coconut meat waste in feed intake, digestion and protein retention in goats

The objective of the experiment was to determine the proportion of coconut meat waste on feed consumption, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of goats. The experiment was conducted using a Latin square design on 4 male Bach Thao goat (16.2±2.93 kg). Treatments were 4 levels of coconut meat waste (CMW) at 0, 5, 10 and 15% in basal diet of rice distillers’ by-product, cabbage waste, Operculina turpethum vines, urea and premix. Results indicated that dry matter intake per body weight tended to increase from CMW0 to CMW5 treatment but it was gradually reduced from CMW5 to CMW10 and CMW5 treatments (3.34; 3.50; 3.46 and 3.28, respectively). The ME consumption was higher at supplemented treatments coconut meat waste compared to CMW0 treatment. The nutrient digestibility (%) was gradually increased from CMW0 to CMW15 treatment. Similarly, digestive nutrients tended to increase with increasing coconut meat waste in the diet. The nitrogen retention was numerically lower for the CMW5, CMW10 and CMW15 treatments compared to CMW0, while daily weight gain was not different among treatments. In conclusion, 10% coconut meat waste could be used as an additional source of dietary regimen in goats, without negative effects on animal fattening performance.

Bridging the Gap: Scaling Up the Sustainable Production of the Yellow Mealworm with Agricultural By-Products—Insights into Larval Growth and Body Composition

Amidst the escalating global demand for protein-rich livestock feed, there’s an urgent call to explore innovative alternatives. Insects, renowned for their rich protein, lipid, and nutrient profiles, offer a sustainable solution. Integrating agricultural waste into insect diets emerges as a promising strategy to alleviate rearing costs. However, large-scale investigations into by-product valorization remain limited. Thus, our study aims to evaluate Greek agricultural by-products—brewer’s spent grains, rice bran, oat and maize by-products, and animal feed mill leftovers—as potential feedstock for Tenebrio molitor larvae, an insect species that is authorized by the European Union for both livestock feed and human consumption. In this study, the larval growth and body composition were assessed in commercial trays, unveiling optimal performance with rice bran and brewer’s spent grains. Conversely, larvae fed with animal feed mill leftovers and maize by-products displayed suboptimal outcomes. These findings underscore the potential efficacy of integrating locally produced agricultural by-products into T. molitor commercial production. Such an approach not only addresses the growing demand for protein-rich livestock feed but also offers a sustainable solution to agricultural waste management. In conclusion, our research contributes valuable insights towards developing economically viable insect farming.

Growth Performance in Laying Ducks Fed Protein Diets supplemented by Fresh Black Soldier Fly Larva

Live black soldier fly (BSF) maggots serve as an alternative feed for ducks and other poultry, boasting a protein composition similar to fish meal. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of live BSF maggot supplementation as a protein source on increasing duck daily production, feed conversion ratio, and egg quality. A total of 120 female Alabio ducks aged 7 months were randomly divided into 24 cages with four treatments and six replications. Each cage consisted of five ducks. Performance parameters such as daily egg production, feed conversion ratio, and egg mass production were evaluated, along with the quality of duck eggs, including egg weight, yolk weight, yolk crude protein, and albumen crude protein. The results revealed that protein levels did not significantly affect feed consumption during the laying phase for ducks. However, the comparison of duck day production between treatment groups indicated that ducks receiving lower protein levels (13.43%) exhibited lower production, compared to those with higher protein levels (18.29%). Furthermore, feed protein content had a notable impact on egg weight, yolk weight, and albumen crude protein. The study demonstrated a significant increase in egg yolk weight, while the percentages of egg yolk weight and eggshell weight showed no significant differences. In conclusion, this research suggests that supplementing duck diets with live BSF maggots can enhance egg quality and performance parameters. Keywords: Black soldier fly, Duck, Egg quality, Maggot, Performance, Source of protein

Effects of Natural Guard Liquid (an Essential Oil-Based Product) on Growth Performance, Hematological Profile, and Antibody Response to Newcastle Disease Virus in Broiler Chickens

Natural guard liquid (NGL) is an immunomodulator consisting of an essential oil blend (lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and pine oil) that can improve the immunity (IgG) of animals. The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of a mixture of NGL comprising of essential oil (eucalyptus, lavender, and pine oil) on growth performance, hematological profile, and antibody titer response to the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in Lohman strain broiler chickens. A total of 400-day-old unsexed broiler chickens with an average weight of 42.48 ± 2.08 g were randomly distributed into four groups, each comprising two replications with 50 chicks. The control group, T0, received no essential oil, while other treatment groups, T1, T2, and T3, were administered NGL at 80, 100, and 200 ppm, respectively. The mixture was administered in drinking water for 30 days. The animals had received vaccinations at the Hatchery, including active NDV, inactive NDV, and Gumboro. Regular recordings were made for feed consumption, water intake, mortality, and body weight. Blood samples for routine hematological examination (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, packed cell volume, erythrocyte index, leucocytes, and differential leucocytes) and immune parameter (NDV antibody titer) assessment were collected at the onset as well as after 15 and 30 days of treatment. The hemoglobin levels, erythrocytes, total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and Heterophil-lymphocyte index showed significant differences in groups T1 and T2 compared to T0. While the NDV antibody titer showed a significant difference at T2 compared to T0, it was not significantly different at T1 and T3. The best results and performance was indicated in T2 (100 ppm), characterized by body weight (1,839 g), and feed conversion ratio (1.573). The hematological profile in the T2 group included hemoglobin (11.78 g/dL), total erythrocytes (2.82 ×106 u/L), total leukocytes (52.67 ×103 u/L]), and the NDV antibody titer (48 ± 10.20) in the fifth week. In conclusion, the optimum dose of NGL is 100 ppm, which significantly influences growth performance, hematological profile, and antibody titer against NDV. Keywords: Antibody titer, Broiler chicken, Growth performance, Hematological profile, Natural Guard Liquid

Effect of Vitamin D3 Enrichment by Ultra Violet Blue (UVB) Radiation and Dietary Zinc Supplementation on Egg Production and Feed Consumption in Layer Birds

Nutritionists have recently been involved in enriching or altering the nutritional profile of poultry products, such as meat and eggs, in relation to increased consumer interest in the nutritional value of foods. Newer technologies like development of designer eggs were exploited beyond their traditional food value. Designer eggs are those that have modified contents from standard egg according to the consumers’ preference or according to current market demand. The present study to evaluate the influence of vitamin D3 enrichment by UVB radiation and dietary zinc supplementation on egg production and feed consumption in layer birds was conducted at Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, for a period of 12 weeks from 01 February 2020 to 01 May 2020. A total of sixty-four laying hens, belonging to crossbred (White Leghorn N strain and Desi) housed in animal house attached to the department were used in the experiment. The treatments of this study included a control diet (according to BIS 2007) fed group (group I), a group with zinc supplementation alone (group II), a group with UVB exposure without zinc supplementation (group III) and a group with both UVB exposure and zinc supplementation (group IV). The four treatments were tested in 28-week-old crossbred hens in a completely randomised experimental design. Each of the experimental treatments had four replicates with four birds with all standard managemental conditions. The statistical analysis showed that egg production was not significantly affected by UVB light exposure and dietary zinc supplementation. However, the effect of UVB exposure and zinc supplementation via feed was highly significant (p≤0.01) for feed consumption. The highest overall mean feed intake (113.18±0.14 g/day) was recorded with those birds exposed to UVB and fed with inorganic zinc. While the lowest value (107.17±0.24 g/day) was recorded in group of birds fed with zinc supplementation in diet without UVB exposure. As a future prospective we can study the egg production rate and feed consumption rate in layer chicken that are intended for different types of designer egg production.

Trends in the livestock and pork market in Poland with regard to the environmental impact of this production direction

After joining the European Union, the market economy continued to drive structural changes in meat production and processing. Unfortunately, the functioning of meat markets was impacted by several threats with significant adverse influence. Phenomena such as the spread of ASF disease, the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union or the Covid-19 epidemic added instability to the already cyclical pork market. The study aims to evaluate the functioning of Poland’s pork market and to identify the main trend in this market. Livestock and pork meat production in Poland form a significant economic sector; however, it creates considerable environmental challenges. The study focuses on key aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, feed consumption, and waste management. The study covers the years 2004-2021, i.e., the period of seventeen years after Poland's accession to the European Union. The statistical data analysis methods showed four to three-year cycles in pork live stock with a decreasing amplitude over time and high and relatively stable domestic demand for pork. This provides a favourable foundation for future production direction. However, the systematic changes in the structure of meat consumption and price development led to a steady increase in the share of poultry meat at the expense of pork and bovine during the observed year span.

Driving forces of the agricultural land footprint of China's food supply

Dietary changes are closely intertwined with land use changes, and understanding the relative importance of different food items and their driving forces is crucial. Here, we analyzed the changes in China's global cropland footprint for food and feed consumption from 1987 to 2013 and explored the driving forces behind these changes for each food item. China's per capita protein consumption increased by 57%. The global cropland footprint of China's food and feed consumption expanded by 40% during this period. Decomposition analysis demonstrated that population growth was the primary driver of the increased total cropland footprint until 1993, with the subsequent rise in per capita protein consumption becoming the driving force. Thereafter, the increased efficiency of cropland use offset 49% of the total cropland expansion primarily due to improved management technologies. Among the food items analyzed, pork, eggs, and vegetables were identified as the main contributors to the increased total cropland footprint, primarily driven by changes in dietary patterns and their increased inclusion in the human diet. In conclusion, changing human diet towards less monogastric livestock products and improving productivity of concentrate feed crops are essential for mitigating domestic land pressure and ecological degradation in exporting countries.

Influence of Grazing on the Gestation Phase of Sows and the Birth of the Piglet

The present investigation was carried out in the “Rancho Rubén” pig farm, located in the Panecillo site of the Casacay Parish of the Pasaje Canton, Province of El Oro, Coastal Region of Ecuador. The aim of this work was to determine the possible benefits of grazing in pregnant breeders and newborn piglets. For the field experiment, the regulations of the Guide to Good Swine Practices (Agrocalidad-Ecuador) were taken into account. The variables evaluated were: initial weight of the sow, prepartum sow’s weight, postpartum sow’s weight, weight of the sow at weaning, number of piglets at birth, weight of the piglet at birth, mortality on the first day and feed consumption during gestation. A completely randomized design was used, with 2 treatments, each with a replica of 5 females, for a total of 20 animals; treatment 1 (balanced feeding and management in individual pens); and treatment 2 (feeding with balanced, and grazing). The statistical analysis was based on the book by Blasco [1], applying an ANOVA, prior to assumptions of normality and homogeneity, establishing the differences through the Bonferroni multiple comparison procedure (95% confidence). The statistical program used was Statgraphics Centurión XVI. The results show that there is no difference between the treatments with respect to the variables evaluated, except for the consumption of concentrate feed, which is observed to be reduced in grazing animals, assuming that the grazing system is beneficial by facilitating a more natural behavior and greater animal welfare.

Effects of rosemary enriched diet on physiological parameters in common carp Cyprinus carpio L reared in cages culture

The current study investigated at how rosemary leaf powder supplementation influenced the growth performance, carcass composition, hematological and biochemical parameters, stress hormones, and heat shock proteins of cage-reared common carp. Nine cylindrical cages of 0.2 m³ (radius = 25 cm, height = 100 cm) were randomly allocated to hold 54 juvenile common carp C. carpio (mean weight=18.18±0.08 g). Three groups of fish were fed a control diet (C) as well as diets containing 1.5% and 3% rosemary powder, respectively. The addition of 3% rosemary resulted in a substantial enhancement in growth parameters and feed consumption. The levels of WBC, Hb, MCHC, RBC, and Hct were significantly elevated by the addition of rosemary to experimental fish. A rosemary-supplemented diet resulted in higher levels of TG, urea, total protein, albumin, lipase, amylase, ferrum, and globulin. However, the addition of substantially reduced the levels of ALT cholesterol, creatinine, and glucose. The value of cortisol, T3, and T4 were considerably reduced with the addition of rosemary to diets of experimental fish. HSP70 and HSP90 levels in fish feed diets administered rosemary increased significantly as supplementation amount increased. According to the findings of this investigation, adding rosemary leaf powder, particularly at a concentration of 3%, in the diet improved growth parameters, hematological and biochemical parameters, and be able to reduce stress responses, thyroid hormone levels, and other stressors that fish exposed in cage culture system.&#x0D;

Effect of Mentha arvensis enriched diet to promote the growth and immune response of Clarias batrachus against Aeromonas hydrophila challenge

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of fish fed diet Menthaarvensisextract on growth performance, non-specific immunity and expression of some immune-related genes and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Clarias batrachus. Five diets were formulated with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% of M. arvensisleafextract. The results indicated that, compared to the control groups, 2-4% dietary inclusion increased growth and feed consumption. In the dietary inclusion of 3-4% M.arvensisextract groups were increased relative on weight gain, specific growth rate, RBC, WBC, total hemocyte counts, total protein, globulin than control. Fed diet supplements with 3% mint-extract increased the total protein, WBC and globulin and phagocytic indexes and lysozyme activity increased at the 2, 3 and 4% of mint groups relative to the control. The PCR analysis showed that TNF, IL-1, MyD88, and TLRs were increased in the 2-4% fed diet M. arvensis extract groups than the control. These results suggest that 3% of M. arvensis extract significantly influences the immunomodulatory activity and immune-specific genes of C. batrachus.

Assessment of four different dietary amino acid profiles recommended for ISA Brown layer hens: A validation study

The current feeding study was designed to validate the two dietary essential amino acid profiles (EAAP) established based on linear broken-line (LBL) and quadratic broken-line (QBL) models, in a previous study, against Evonik (AMINOHen) and breeder recommendations for ISA Brown layers for peak production (PP, 20 to 44 weeks of age), and post peak production (post PP, 44 to 75 weeks of age). The EAAP based on LBL models on average had 19.5% and 26.0% lower digestible AA (Lys, Met + Cys, Thr, Trp, Ile and Val), than the EAAP based on QBL models for PP and post PP, respectively. The EAAP based on AMINOHen and breeder recommendation had lower digestible AA than QBL, and higher EAAP than LBL models for both production phases. At 20 weeks of age, 224 ISA Brown layer hens were weighed and randomly allocated to individual battery cages. Each of the four diets was replicated 8 times with 7 birds per replicate. Egg production was recorded daily, and egg weights were measured at the end of each week. Feed consumption was measured at the end of each period. The egg production rate was not significantly affected by the diets and remained at around 98.0% (PP) and 95.0% (post PP) (P > 0.05). Birds fed diets based on LBL recommendation consistently laid smaller eggs, resulting in a lower egg mass (59.8 vs. 62.0 g egg/hen per day during PP, and 60.3 vs. 63.0 g egg/hen per day during post PP; P < 0.05). Diets had no significant effect on feed intake and body weight (P > 0.05). The highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) during PP (P = 0.067) and post PP (P < 0.05) was recorded for the birds offered diets based on LBL recommendation. In conclusion, all four EAAP tested in this study support an above average egg production rate. However, the EAAP based on LBL models may potentially decrease the input feed cost per kilogram of eggs but are not set to optimise FCR and maximise egg mass.

A first characterization of the microbiota-resilience link in swine

BackgroundThe gut microbiome plays a crucial role in understanding complex biological mechanisms, including host resilience to stressors. Investigating the microbiota-resilience link in animals and plants holds relevance in addressing challenges like adaptation of agricultural species to a warming environment. This study aims to characterize the microbiota-resilience connection in swine. As resilience is not directly observable, we estimated it using four distinct indicators based on daily feed consumption variability, assuming animals with greater intake variation may face challenges in maintaining stable physiological status. These indicators were analyzed both as linear and categorical variables. In our first set of analyses, we explored the microbiota-resilience link using PERMANOVA, α-diversity analysis, and discriminant analysis. Additionally, we quantified the ratio of estimated microbiota variance to total phenotypic variance (microbiability). Finally, we conducted a Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) to assess the classification performance of the microbiota with indicators expressed in classes.ResultsThis study offers four key insights. Firstly, among all indicators, two effectively captured resilience. Secondly, our analyses revealed robust relationship between microbial composition and resilience in terms of both composition and richness. We found decreased α-diversity in less-resilient animals, while specific amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and KEGG pathways associated with inflammatory responses were negatively linked to resilience. Thirdly, considering resilience indicators in classes, we observed significant differences in microbial composition primarily in animals with lower resilience. Lastly, our study indicates that gut microbial composition can serve as a reliable biomarker for distinguishing individuals with lower resilience.ConclusionOur comprehensive analyses have highlighted the host-microbiota and resilience connection, contributing valuable insights to the existing scientific knowledge. The practical implications of PLS-DA and microbiability results are noteworthy. PLS-DA suggests that host-microbiota interactions could be utilized as biomarkers for monitoring resilience. Furthermore, the microbiability findings show that leveraging host-microbiota insights may improve the identification of resilient animals, supporting their adaptive capacity in response to changing environmental conditions. These practical implications offer promising avenues for enhancing animal well-being and adaptation strategies in the context of environmental challenges faced by livestock populations.7uyXcYriZkKxPgmfB9NKtxVideo

Growth Response of Chickens on Performance and Liver Percentage Supplemented by Miana Leaf Based Eco Enzyme in Drinking Water

The aim of the research was to determine the influence of Miana leaf (ML)-based eco-enzyme onthe performance and liver percentage inbroilers. This research used a completely randomized design. 200-day-old broilers (DOC) were randomly divided into 4 treatments and 5 replications, with each replicate consisting of 10 chickens. The four treatments were: A (0% eco-enzyme based on ML), B (2% eco-enzyme based on ML), C (4% eco-enzyme based on ML), D (6% eco-enzyme based on ML) which is supplemented by drinking water. The parameters measured were feed consumption, average daily gain (ADG), feedconversion ratio (FCR) and liverpercentage. The results obtained showed that supplemented ML significantly (P&lt;0,05) affected ADG. The supplementation of ML based eco enzyme did not have a significant effect (P&gt;0,05) on feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and liver percentage. The supplementation of ML based eco enzyme could be tolerated up to 6% in drinking water of broilers.

Effect of Monosodium Glutamate in Artificial Food on Feed Utilization Efficiency, Growth, and Survival of Fingerling Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the leading freshwater fish commodities in Indonesia. The problem often faced by tilapia farmers is the low level of feed utilization, especially protein, which is still low, resulting in suboptimal growth. The glutamate content in monosodium glutamate (MSG) can act as a precursor for the formation of arginine and glutamine, which can increase the production of protease and lipase enzymes that are excreted into the intestines during the feed hydrolysis process, which is useful in increasing the absorption of nutrients in the form of protein and fat. This research was conducted using fingerling tilapia as a test fish with an average individual length of 6.59 ± 0.21 cm/fish and an average individual weight of 5.33 ± 0.27 g/fish. This research was carried out in an aquarium container measuring 40x30x30 cm with a water volume of 27 l and a density of 15 fish/aquarium. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of MSG in fish feed on total feed consumption (TKP), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention, relative growth rate (RGR), and survival (SR) in fingerling tilapia. This research used an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) of 4 treatments with 3 replications. Treatments A, B, C, and D are fed with the addition of 0 MSG in commercial feed; 0.75; 1.5; and 2.25 g/kg. Variables observed included TKP, FUE, PER, protein retention, RGR, and SR. The research results showed that MSG in feed had a significant effect (P &lt; 0.05) on the FUE, PER, protein retention, and RGR values but had no effect (P &lt; 0.05) on the TKP and SR values. FUE value; PER, protein retention; The highest RGR was obtained in treatment D (2.25 g/kg); FUE (87.21±2.28); PER(1.83±0.05); protein retention (50.47±0.76); The RGR (3.06 ± 0.03) and survival value for all treatments were found to be 100%. The water quality during the research was in optimal condition.

Evaluating the Effects of Feeding a Concentrated Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product on the Performance and Stress Susceptibility of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effect of a concentrated yeast fermentation product on the performance and stress response of broiler chickens. Day-old Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: Control (CON) or concentrated yeast fermentation product (CSCFP, 0.625 kg/MT). On d18, simultaneous feed withdrawal and heat stress challenges were performed for 12 h. Blood was analyzed for plasma corticosterone (CORT) and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HL) on d19 and d42. Performance parameters were collected throughout the trial: body weight (BW), feed consumption (FC), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). On d19, the CSCFP birds had lower (p ≤ 0.05) CORT (5320.3 ng/mL) and HL (0.14) than the CON birds (9049.6 ng/mL and 0.21). On d42, the CSCFP birds had lower (p ≤ 0.05) CORT (1623.8 ng/mL) and HL (0.74) than the CON birds (2920.2 ng/mL and 1.05). No differences were observed in mortality (p &gt; 0.05). The CON birds had a higher (p ≤ 0.05) FCR than CSCFP throughout all phases. The CON birds consumed more feed than the CSCFP birds throughout all phases (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, CYFP reduced stress and improved feed conversion when compared to CON, making it a viable feed additive to improve welfare and production.

Effects of AM/PM Diets on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Utilisation in Free-Range Laying Hens

Laying hen nutrient requirements change throughout the day, due to the cyclic nature of egg formation. Generally, more energy and protein are required in the morning when the albumen is deposited around the yolk, and more calcium is required in the evening when the eggshell is formed. The aim of this study was to determine if feeding laying hens diets tailored to their specific nutritional and physiological requirements throughout the day, by feeding higher levels of protein and energy in the morning and higher levels of calcium in the evening, is more beneficial than feeding one diet all day. Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n = 360) were housed in free-range floor pens (18 pens with 20 hens/pen) from 34 to 53 weeks of age (WOA). Half of the birds (n = 180, nine replicate pens) were fed a conventional layer hen diet all day (control) and the remaining birds (n = 180, nine replicate pens) were fed an AM diet from 08:00 h to 16:00 h and PM diet from 16:00 h to 08:00 h (AM/PM). From 39 WOA, hens were given access to an outdoor range from 09:00 h to 18:00 h via pop holes. Egg weight and hen-day egg production were measured daily, and feed consumption and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly. Hen weight and egg size uniformity were determined at 43 and 53 WOA, and egg quality was measured at 53 WOA. A total of 72 hens (4 hens/pen, 36 hens/treatment) were euthanised at 53 WOA to determine ileal apparent energy and nitrogen digestibility. A cost–benefit analysis for the study period, based on feed costs and egg mass, was calculated. Overall, the results showed that the AM/PM treatment increased egg mass by 2.15% (60.4 vs. 59.1 g/hen/day, p = 0.086) and improved feed efficiency by 8.34% (2.231 vs. 2.436 kg feed/kg egg, p = 0.030) compared with the control. A higher yolk colour score was observed in eggs from hens on the AM/PM treatment (p = 0.002), but no other significant effects of the treatments on egg quality were observed. Ileal digestible energy and digestible nitrogen coefficient were lower in hens on the AM/PM treatment compared with the control treatment (both p &lt; 0.001). However, the AM/PM treatment was attributed to a lower feed cost to egg mass compared with the control treatment (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, using an AM/PM feeding strategy was found to be economically beneficial.

55 Evaluation of feed efficiency and feeding behavior in Katahdin lambs housed in a Vytelle Sense system

Abstract Genetic selection focused on feed efficiency may prove to be valuable in reducing feed consumption costs and animal maintenance requirements without compromising growth. The Vytelle Sense system allows measurement of individual lamb DMI and varying feeding behaviors to identify feed efficient lambs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sire selection based on fecal egg count estimated breeding value (FEC EBV) on residual feed intake (RFI), gain:feed (G:F), and daily DMI. Katahdin ewes at the Virginia Tech Southwest Virginia Agricultural and Research Center (SWAREC) were mated to Katahdin rams (LowFEC: n = 4; HighFEC: n = 4) to divergently select for FEC EBV in their offspring (LowFEC: n = 36; HighFEC: n = 32). Post-weaning, lambs were fed a complete pellet (14% CP, 76% TDN) ad libitum in the Vytelle Sense system for 58 days. RFI was calculated as the difference between actual and expected DMI. DMI was predicted based on ADG and metabolic body size. Feeding duration per meal and DMI per meal were analyzed to determine feeding behavior. Statistical analyses were performed using PROC Mixed SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Sire FEC EBV type tended to have an effect on RFI (P = 0.06). Individual sire had a significant effect on RFI, G:F, and daily DMI (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Sex did not impact RFI (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Ram lambs had greater G:F values compared with ewes (0.32 vs. 0.26 kg; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Rams had greater daily DMI compared with ewes (2.37 vs. 1.89 kg/d; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Significance was detected between sires for meal duration (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Ewe lambs exhibited greater meal duration compared with rams (237.3 vs. 203.4 s/meal; P &amp;lt; 0.05). However, ewes had reduced DMI per meal compared with rams (0.29 vs. 0.34 kg/meal; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Individual sire did not have an effect on meal DMI (P &amp;gt; 0.10). To evaluate sire impact on RFI across multiple locations, LowFEC Katahdin rams (n = 2), mentioned previously, were bred to Katahdin ewes at the NC State University Upper Piedmont Research Station (UPRS) and the SWAREC. Genetic connectedness between locations allowed for comparisons of progeny performance. Post-weaning, UPRS lambs were fed a complete pellet (16% CP, 75% TDN) ad libitum in the Vytelle sense system for 45 d. Location did not impact RFI prediction for either sire (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Variation between sires indicates potential sire impact on progeny feed efficiency and feeding behavior. Further studies are needed to evaluate sire RFI trends across multiple locations.

Comparative analysis of early growth phase performance in F3 crossbred Indonesian chickens

Body mass and ratio of feed conversion (FCR) are crucial factors for assessing production potential in local chickens. This study utilized a total of 116 F3 crossbred chickens resulting from the mating of Indonesian local chicken breeds, including Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan, Murung Panggang, Merawang Bangka, and Merawang Sembawa. The chickens were divided into six crossbred groups: BS1 (n = 19), BS2 (n = 19), BS3 (n = 20), BS4 (n = 19), BS5 (n = 20), and BS6 (n = 19), all managed under uniform conditions. Measurements of body mass and feed consumption during the pre-starter phase were taken at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 using a digital scale. Data from this study were subjected to ANOVA analysis, followed by a Duncan multiple range test The findings showed notable variations in body mass and FCR among all BS chicken groups (P < 0.05). Notably, BS5 exhibited the highest performance in both body mass and FCR analyses, achieving 392.50 ± 42.76g at week 4, and an overall FCR of 2.01 ± 0.80.