Reduce Feed Costs Research Articles

Factors Affecting Quality Milk Productivity in Dairy Farming

This study examines the current state of dairy farming in India. It investigates the impact of four factors (cattle feed, cattle health, climatic conditions, and milk handling) on milk productivity from the perspective of dairy farmers. A cross-sectional study using inferential statistics was conducted with dairy farmers, using a questionnaire to gather information on milk productivity. The study employed SmartPLS to analyze the measurement and structural models to support the positive hypothesis. The study employed a combinative PLS method, which aligns with the characteristics of a structural equation model. A focused group analysis was also performed to gather respondents' opinions and provide recommendations. The findings indicate a positive relationship between the four independent variables and milk productivity quality. Furthermore, adopting an organic and natural approach to cattle feed can reduce feed costs. Access to government veterinary hospitals, along with continuous medical support and potential private veterinary hospitals, as well as the use of proper concrete, sheds with effective heat management and measures to address rainy season challenges, and maintaining hygiene during milk transportation, will be beneficial for dairy farmers and lead to increased milk productivity.

The Impacts of Vegetables and Fruits by Products on Growth and Health of Broiler Chickens

Agro-industrial by-products, which are not intended for human consumption, can serve as substitutes for traditional animal feed ingredients in animal nutrition. This can result in the production of animal products without causing competition for land or exacerbating the food versus feed dilemma, ultimately promoting environmental and economic sustainability. Utilizing co-products as animal feed has the potential to reduce feeding costs while enhancing the productive parameters, quality, animal welfare and sustainability of animal products. Numerous studies have indicated that fruits and vegetables are considered as significant sources of bioactive compounds. The extensive process of industrialization leads to the creation of considerable amounts of by-products, giving rise to grave ecological concerns. Hence, such a scenario necessitates the formulation of innovative approaches for effectively utilizing the resultant wastes, ensuring the potential to fabricate novel products with enhanced value. The generated by-products, reveal similar or higher antioxidant activity. It is recognized that these secondary products comprise various bioactive substances and may have the ability to serve as nutraceuticals for poultry, promoting their health and overall wellness. This review aims to summarize the exploitation of fruit wastes, namely, apple, citrus, banana, mango, pineapple and grape as well as vegetable by-products which are derived from tomato and olive cultivation. These byproducts can be in supplementation or substitution format. Some of these byproducts presented the following results: The addition of 2% dried sweet orange pulp to the diet significantly increased feed intake and total weight gain in broilers and the inclusion of dried orange pulp in broiler diets was found to reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol. Also, the including of 10% apple peel in the diet led to an increase in the weight of the gizzard and small intestine in chickens. Additionally, diets containing 5% and 10% apple peel waste resulted in higher levels of lipids and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in the blood serum, while LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and malondialdehyde levels decreased. Moreover, the including of 10% banana peel in poultry feed led to improved feed efficiency, feed conversion and the quality of poultry eggs and meat. However, the inclusion of olive cake with phytase to broiler chickens’ diet presented an increase of growth parameters increased. The incorporation of 10% of OC with phytase also resulted a reduction in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and an increase in plasma inorganic phosphorus.

The Chemical Characteristics and In Vitro Degradability of Pineapple By-Products as Potential Feed for Ruminants.

Pineapple fruit, which is cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, is processed by the food industry, generating a large amount of waste. Using pineapple by-products in animal nutrition could reduce feeding costs and contribute to the containment of pollution. The chemical composition and the in vitro fermentation of five pineapple by-products (crown, bud end, peel, core, and pomace) from two West African pineapple varieties (Smooth Cayenne-SC and Sugarloaf-SL) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed between the varieties and by-products. The dry matter (DM) content was low and superimposable between varieties, averaging 17.7%. On a DM basis, pomace showed the highest protein content (SC 8.10% and SL 8.81%, p < 0.001), whereas the crown showed the highest (p < 0.001) NDF content (47.62% and 39.01% for SC and SL, respectively). Due the high sugar content, the core and pomace showed high in vitro organic matter degradability (SC: 85.09% and SL: 83.98%), estimated metabolizable energy (SC: 7.91 KJ/kg and SL: 7.66 KJ/kg), and volatile fatty acid production (96.86 mmol/g and 90.62 mmol/g). Based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility results, this study suggests that pineapple by-products have the potential to be used in ruminants' diets, considering the crown, bud end, and peel as fiber sources and the core and pomace as substitutes or supplements to concentrate feedstuffs. Further research should be conducted on the storability of these by-products through in vivo trials evaluating animals' performances and the quality of their products.

Отечественный ферментный препарат в комбикормах для молодняка свиней на откорме

Abstract. Rational organization of feeding is always one of the decisive factors for achieving high productivity of animals. An important task of modern pig breeding is to reduce costs by increasing the digestibility of digested feed nutrients by the animal's body. One of the significant ways that are necessary to solve the task can be considered the additional inclusion of biologically active substances in the composition of animal feed for farm animals, namely modern enzyme preparations of a new generation. The animal body needs them to increase the digestibility of nutrients coming from the feed. The purpose is to study the effect of “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation as part of compound feeds on the growth, development and feed costs of fattened young pigs. Methods. In order to achieve this goal, a scientific and economic experiment was conducted on young pigs of large white breed aged from 60 to 210 days. For the experiment, 4 groups of young pigs of 12 heads each were formed according to the principle of analog groups, taking into account breed, gender, age, and live weight. The animals are kept in groups. To determine the effectiveness of “Feedbest P5000 GT” for the growth and development of fattened young pigs, weighings were carried out every thirty days and animal measurements were taken, in addition, the consumption of feed and residues for the next day was taken into account. The composition of compound feeds enriched with “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation during the experiment allowed to increase the growth, development and reduce the cost of compound feed per unit of production of fattened young pigs. Results. The use of “Feedbest P5000 GT” enzyme preparation in compound feeds made it possible to increase the average daily live weight gain of young pigs by 4.8 %, 9.3 % and 6.8 %, to obtain a reduction in feed costs by 4.7 %, 8.6 % and 6.5 % compared with the young pigs of the control group. The best indicators were found in animals of the second experimental group, where the studied enzyme preparation in the amount of 90 g/t was additionally introduced into the compound feed. Scientific novelty. For the first time, studies have been conducted to determine the optimal dose of the enzyme preparation “Feedbest P5000 GT” in compound feeds for young pigs. The effect of the drug on growth, development and feed costs has been studied.

Effect of Diet Supplementation with Oat Hay and Whole Carrot on Rabbit Growth and Productive Efficiency.

Is it possible to reduce feeding costs in rabbit meat production without compromising rabbit health and productive yield? The study tested four feeding strategies: Control group (CC) fed exclusively with concentrate feed; group CT supplemented with whole carrot; group OH supplemented with oat hay; and Group CO supplemented with oat hay and whole carrot. Each feeding strategy was tested in 20 rabbits, randomly allocated in five cages with four rabbits each. The average daily weight gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the amount of concentrated feed consumed daily were estimated in all experimental groups. Group CC displayed the best ADG (37.1 g/rabbit/day), carrot had no significant influence on ADG (34.2 g/rabbit/day), but oat hay had a negative impact (p < 0.05), either used alone or in combination with carrot (33.0 and 32.6 g/rabbit/day, respectively). Supplementation with carrot, oat hay, or both increased the FCR (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in final live weight or carcass weight between the rabbits in the different experimental groups. In conclusion, supplementation with oat hay, carrot, or both can be a valid approach to reducing production costs by decreasing concentrate feed without affecting rabbit's health and meat yield. The combined supplementation with oat hay and carrot proved to be the best option in reducing the amount of concentrate feed ingested by rabbits (less than 1107 g/animal), but at current market values, supplementation exclusively with oat hay was the less expensive feeding strategy (less 14% than fed exclusively with concentrate feeding).

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING LEVELS AND RATION STRUCTURE ON INCREASING SHEEP PRODUCTIVITY

The article considers the process of identifying different amounts of cleavable and non-cleavable basic food in the scars of protein fractions of protein in the south-east of Kazakhstan. The main factors influencing feed intake during fattening are the physical form of the feed, the energy concentration in the dry matter of the diet and the live weight of the sheep. When feeding granulated feed mixtures, feed losses in the form of scraps are reduced by 20-25%, dry matter consumption increases by 10-15% and amounts to 45-50 g per 1 kg of live weight, which allows increasing the total consumption of nutrients by 25-30%, obtaining more meat production by 26.20%, lamb wool by 15.65%, reducing feed costs per 1 kg of gain by 2 feed units or 30%. The proteins most intensively broken down in the rumen of sheep are those of clover and alfalfa grass (83.5-84.6%), grass from foothill and mountain pastures (70.0-71.7%), alfalfa hay and haylage (76.6-81.3%), corn silage (78.6%), and oat and barley grain (84.0-85.3%). Intensive fattening of fat-tailed meat-and-fat sheep using our detailed feeding standards, feed mixtures, and compound feeds ensures an average daily gain of 200-230 g, a carcass weight at slaughter of 23-26 kg, a meat-pulp yield of 76-78% with an expenditure of 6.0-7.0 feed units, 78-80 MJ of exchange energy per 1 kg of live weight gain.

Alternate Day Feeding as a Cost-effective Strategy for Tank Culture of the Pacific Shortfin Eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica

There is a growing interest in the aquaculture of tropical anguillid eels as an export commodity. However, studies on feeding strategies, and the present demand to reduce feed costs need to be addressed to ensure the economic viability of eel farming. In this study, the effects of daily (DF) and alternate day (ADF) feeding on growth, feed utilization, body composition, blood chemistry, liver and intestinal morphology, and economic viability in the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica were examined. Each feeding group of 30 elvers (166.25 ± 16.23 g mean initial wt) were randomly stocked in triplicate 4 m3 outdoor concrete tanks. These were fed for 155 d with formulated eel powder diet (49.77% crude protein; 10.21% crude lipid) made into a paste. Growth and survival were not significantly different between the two feeding groups. However, feed efficiency was improved in the ADF group, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio (0.63) than in the DF group (0.39). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in ADF (3.85) than in the DF group (6.44), resulting in a 40% reduction in total feed consumption. Biometric indices, body proximate composition, and blood chemistry were not significantly affected. Likewise, liver and intestinal morphology showed no apparent alterations between groups. Partial costs-and-returns analysis showed that ADF yielded higher net profit and profit index. These results suggest that feeding on alternate days promote compensatory growth, better feed utilization, and normal physiological condition of A. bicolor pacifica, and reduce feed cost in the rearing process. Therefore, alternate day feeding should be promoted as a sound feed management strategy in the tank culture of tropical anguillid eels.

Opportunities and limits of commercial farm data to study the genetic determinism of feed efficiency throughout lactation in dairy sheep.

The collective economic and environmental interest of the whole dairy sheep sector is to reduce feed costs and the negative impact of milk production on the environment. Thus, this study focused on the characterisation and genetic selection potential of feed efficiency in the Lacaune breed. Estimates for feed efficiency in dairy ewes are limited, mainly due to a lack of individual feed intake measurements in the sheepfold or in the pasture. We estimated the genetic parameters for two approximated (not entirely based on individual data) feed efficiency traits (lactation feed conversion ratio (LFCR) and residual energy intake (REI)) and daily milk yield (DMY) at different stages of lactation and throughout lactation. The accuracy of the efficiency traits was first evaluated on samples from Lacaune dairy ewes that were monitored individually, especially for their feed intake. Then, feed efficiency estimation methods were applied on eight commercial farms corresponding to 4680 Lacaune dairy ewes over two milk lactations (30854 records). Animals were collectively (for a large part of feed intake) or individually (for milk performance and dynamics of body fat reserves) monitored at different lactation stages. The heritabilities of LFCR and REI were estimated over lactations at 0.10±0.01 and 0.11±0.01, respectively. High genetic correlations were observed between the two efficiency traits and milk production traits, with a genetic correlation between LFCR and DMY of 0.74±0.04 and between REI and DMY of -0.79±0.04. A strong influence of environmental factors such as farm, year of milk production and lactation stage affected the genetic link between REI and milk production traits. Efficiency values observed in early lactation when animals were bred in the sheepfold were less genetically correlated with values obtained later in lactation when animals were grass-fed. However, individual characterisation of feed efficiency remains difficult due to the collective feeding context in dairy ewe farms.

The Effect of Fermentation on Increasing the Physico-Chemical Quality of Fish Feed Based on Food Waste

Fish feed is the crucial aspect of aquaculture activities, 70% of production costs are spent on feed availability. However, the high price of commercial feed causes a decrease in farmers' profits, so a solution is needed to reduce feed costs. Food waste has a good potential to be used as a fish feed material. The fermentation of food waste should improve its quality and ensure that food waste is safe to use as feed material. As a result of various tests of Proximate, FTIR, SEM, and Physical Quality test it has been shown that the fermentation process can significantly improve the nutritional quality of food waste without changing the functional groups and the reduction of the particle size after the fermentation process is also capable to improve the physical quality of feed. We conclude that the fermentation process is the best method of improving the physical and chemical quality of food waste and the addition of fermented food waste meal to feed did not negatively affect the physical quality of feed produced.

Effect of mixing at weaning and nutrient density of the weaner diet on growth performance and welfare of pigs to slaughter

BackgroundMixing pigs at weaning can compromise pig welfare and growth. Therefore, grouping littermates together may allow a diet nutrient and energy density reduction during the nursery period to reduce feed cost without affecting slaughter weight. This study investigated the combined effect of mixing and reducing dietary energy and nutrient density on growth performance, body lesions (BL), and behaviour in pigs from weaning to slaughter.ResultsForty-eight litters [554 pigs, 11–12 pigs/litter; Danish Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] were included in the trial. At 28 days of age, pigs were weaned and housed in nursery rooms in litter groups (INTACT, n = 24) or mixed with other litters and grouped by weight to reduce within-pen pig weight variation (MIXED, n = 24). A dietary regimen meeting pigs’ nutritional requirements (CON) and a low-density dietary regimen (LOW; -10% energy and protein) completed a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (Mixing x Diet, n = 12). On day 74 of age, pigs moved to the grower-finisher accommodation without further mixing and all pigs received the CON dietary regimen. Mixing increased FCR by 4.0% during the nursery period (p = 0.003). Nursery pigs fed LOW experienced a growth retardation which was maintained until slaughter (-2.6 kg slaughter weight; p = 0.025). Initial differences in the coefficient of variation (CV) between MIXED (10.4%) and INTACT (17.6%; p < 0.001) pigs were reduced in CON pens but not in LOW pens (interaction p = 0.025) at the end of the nursery period. MIXED pigs had more fights and BL (p < 0.001) at weaning and showed more aggression (p = 0.003) after being moved to the grower-finisher rooms. At the end of the nursery period, MIXED pigs fed LOW showed the highest number of aggressive behaviours around the feeder (interaction; p = 0.003) and pigs fed LOW showed more damaging behaviour (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMixing animals at weaning had limited impact on growth performance but impaired welfare which was aggravated by energy and nutrient reduction in the nursery diet. Decreasing dietary nutrient density in the nursery stage retarded growth, which could not be compensated for during the growing-finishing period.

Can banana peel and sweet potato vines serve as efficient feed ingredients in diets for growing rabbits?

This study aimed to evaluate the use of banana peel (BP) and sweet potato vines (SPV) as a replacement for maize and alfalfa hay in diets for rabbits. Animal performance, economic analyses, meat composition, and color were evaluated for 49 days in a total 50 New Zealand White rabbits weaned at 35 days with an average body mass of ± 614 g. The animals were allotted, in a completely randomized design, having five dietary groups: control diet (0), without banana peels and sweet potato vines, or experimental diets, 25, 50, 75, and 100-with 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of banana peels and sweet potato vines in substitution to maize and alfalfa hay, respectively. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, while the means were compared by Tukey test (p < 0.05). The results indicate that daily feed intake, mass gain, and feed conversion were not statistically different from one another in the test groups compared to the control group treatment. In addition, the study shows no differences were observed in centesimal compositions and muscle color. The replacement of maize and alfalfa hay by the combination of BP and SPV resulted in reduction in feed costs, reaching 50% in the experimental diet with 100% of substitution the ingredients. It can be concluded, based on the results on animal performance, meat/color composition, and economic analyses, that BP and SPV may be used as a substitute for maize and alfalfa hay up to 100% in diets for growing rabbits.

The relationship between feed efficiency and behaviour differs between lactating Holstein and Jersey cows.

In dairy production, high feed efficiency (FE) is important to reduce feed costs and negative impacts of milk production on the climate and environment, yet little is known about the relationship between FE, eating behaviour and activity. This research communication describes how cows differing in FE, expressed as daily energy corrected milk production per unit of feed intake, differed in eating behaviour and activity. We used data from a study of 253 lactations obtained from 97 Holstein and 91 Jersey cows milked in an automatic milking system. Automated feed troughs recorded feed intake behaviour and cows wore a sensor that recorded activity from 5 to 200 d in milk (DIM). We used a mixed linear model to estimate random solutions for individual cows for traits of steps, lying and eating behaviour and calculated their correlation with FE during four periods (5-35, 36-75, 76-120 and 121-200 DIM). Separate analyses were performed for each breed and period. We found that individual level correlations between FE and behaviour traits were stronger in Jersey than in Holstein cows. Eating rate correlated weakly negatively to FE in Holstein cows and more strongly so in Jersey cows, such that efficient Jerseys were slower eaters. The physical activity of Jersey cows was weakly and negatively correlated to FE, but this was not the case in Holstein cows. We conclude that eating rate was consistently negatively associated with FE throughout lactation for Jersey cows, but not for Holstein cows.

Effects of Rotten Vegetable-Based Low-Cost Media on the Growth and Morphology of an Astaxanthin-Producing Green Alga, Monoraphidium Littorale

Growing microalgae on vegetable waste (rotten potatoes) media is not only a plausible technique to replace expensive commercial media but also a way of reducing feed costs for rearing zooplankton and fish larvae in aquaculture. As a way of starting an inevitable step up, Monoraphidium littorale was grown in 25% (T1), 50% (T2), and 75% (T3) of digested rotten potato supernatant (DRPS) and at the same time in Bold Basal Medium (BBM) as a control (T4) for 16 days. The highest cell density of M. littorale was recorded in T1, followed by T4, T2, and T3. A similar increasing trend of chlorophyll-a and optical density was also observed during the experimental period. The study also ascertained T1 as a potential growth medium where M. littorale showed superior biomass production which was significantly higher ( P &lt; 0.05 ) than other treatments. It was also worth mentioning that the highest ( P &lt; 0.05 ) protein content was determined in T1 at the end of the cultivation time. Similarly, a highly significant difference ( P &lt; 0.05 ) was also found in the lipid content of the microalgae grown in T1 and T4. Furthermore, the morphology of the cells of M. littorale was found to be strongly affected by the DRPS concentrations and BBM. Thus, the lower concentration of the DRPS served as the best medium for enhancing the growth and biomass of M. littorale. Consequently, to expedite the sustainable progression of microalgal production, cost-effective culture techniques by using different wastes may be adopted.

Influence of thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and economics of Japanese quails

This experiment aimed to study the effect of dietary thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and economics of Japanese quails. For this purpose, a total of 180 six-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned into five different treatment groups, each with three replicates (12 birds per replicate). The experiment was conducted for 35 days. Different treatment groups of Japanese quails were designated as T0 (Basal diet without essential oils), T1 (Basal diet with 0.2% thyme essential oil), T2 (Basal diet with 0.3% turmeric essential oil, T3 (Basal diet with 0.125% thyme + 0.075% turmeric essential oils), and T4 (Basal diet with 0.075% thyme + 0.125 % turmeric essential oils). At the end of experiment, it was found that dietary supplementation of thyme and turmeric essential oils reduced feed consumption, improved body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, with Japanese quails of T4 group showing best performance during overall experimental period. The feed cost per kg weight gain was minimum in treatment T4 over other treatment groups. Addition of thyme and turmeric essential oils in diet significantly enhanced nutrient utilization in Japanese quails. In conclusion, supplementing thyme and turmeric essential oils in combination at 0.075% and 0.125% of feed improved growth performance, utilization of nutrients and reduced feed cost per kg weight gain in Japanese quails.

Cinnamon as a Potential Feed Additive: Beneficial Effects on Poultry Health and Production Performances – An Update

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, global poultry output increased from approximately 115 million tons in 2016 to around 136 million tons in 2023. Poultry production has increased significantly with the dramatic uptick in meat and egg demand. Feed accounts for between 65 and 70 percent of total production costs, making it the largest chicken industry expense. This is why it's important to maximize the transformation of poultry feed into feed with a high biological value while taking as many steps as possible to protect feed quality and reduce feed costs. The use of feed additives in poultry feed has recently gained popularity and has been essential to increase feed efficiency and growth rate, which typically leads to reduced costs. The meat's texture, consistency, and nutritional content are all improved, and its shelf life is lengthened as a bonus. Feed additives are a fantastic tool for boosting a poultry farm's bottom line. For example, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is often used as a traditional feed supplement. Rather than antibiotics, the poultry industry could benefit from using cinnamon as a natural antibiotic replacement, which would benefit animal welfare, consumer health, and the bottom line. The performance index, feed intake, FCE performance, and weight growth of poultry can all be improved by including cinnamon in the feed at varied concentrations. The digestive health and intestinal microbial population of hens are enhanced by a diet containing bioactive components of cinnamon. Cinnamon essential oils' popularity stems from their many valuable features, such as their ability to increase gastric enzyme synthesis and other biofunctional benefits. This review focuses on the possible advantages of cinnamon as a natural feed supplement for chickens, particularly about their intestinal microbiota, blood chemistry, nutrient absorption, gene expression, and immunology.

Feeding whole-plant ensiled corn stover affects growth performance, blood parameters, and Cecal microbiota of Holdobagy goose.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding whole-plant ensiled corn stalks (WECS) to the diet of Holdorbagy geese on their growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. Geese farming is an important agricultural practice, and optimizing their diet can contribute to better growth and health outcomes. However, there is limited research on the utilization of WECS as a feed source for geese. Understanding the potential effects of WECS on growth, blood parameters, and cecal microbiota can provide valuable insights into its feasibility and impact on geese farming practices. A total of 144 six-week-old Holdorbagy geese were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (0% WECS), a group fed 15% WECS and 85% concentrated feed (15% WECS), and a group fed 30% WECS and 70% concentrated feed (30% WECS). The trial period lasted for three weeks, during which the growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota were assessed. The results revealed significant findings in different aspects. Firstly, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G ratio) of the 15% WECS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), indicating potential challenges in feed efficiency. Additionally, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of both the 15% and 30% WECS groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), suggesting increased appetite or palatability of the diet containing WECS. In terms of serum parameters, the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the 30% WECS group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a tendency for increasing Fe levels and decreasing Zn levels with higher levels of WECS supplementation, although the differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, the principal coordinate analysis showed significant differences in the composition of cecal microbiota among the three groups (p < 0.01). The observed_species, Shannon, and Pielou_e indices of the 30% WECS group were significantly higher than those of the 0% and 15% WECS groups (p<0.05), while the Simpson index of the 15% WECS group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). The results indicate that the addition of WECS to the geese diet has both positive and negative effects. The study suggests that WECS can be a long-term stable feed source for geese, which can contribute to reducing feeding costs. However, it is important to monitor the amount of WECS added as it can affect the absorption of Zn by geese. Supplementation of Zn in the diet might be necessary to meet the needs of geese. Notably, adding 30% WECS to the diet can increase the richness, evenness, and diversity of the cecal microbiota, indicating potential benefits to gut health. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of WECS as a feed source for geese. It provides valuable insights into the effects of WECS on growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. These findings contribute to optimizing geese farming practices, improving feed utilization, and enhancing overall productivity and well-being of geese. Further research is needed to determine the optimal inclusion level of WECS and to explore strategies for mitigating any negative effects.

The Economic Value of Bioherbs Application in Commercial Feed in Broilers

The research was conducted to determine the application of bioherbs or other designations, namely vegetable ingredients that can be added to commercial feed in broiler chicken. As many as 60 day old chick of broilers were devided into 4 treatments, that is were given commercial feed without bioherbs (T-PK), were givenecommercial feed with papaya leaves flour as much as 2 % (T-DP), were givenecommercial feed with of noni leaves flour as much as 2 % (T-DM) and were givenecommercial feed with moringa leaves flour as much as 2 % (T-DK). The variables observed feed conversion, feed cost per gain and income over feed cost. Feed conversion is 2.6 (T-PK), 2.3 (T-DP), 2.4 (T-DM) and 2.4 g/head/day (T-DK), feed cost perggain is Rp. 20.696,0,- (T-PK), Rp. 19.837,5,- (T-DP), Rp. 21.912,0,- (T-DM) and Rp. 21.588,0,- (T-DK), and income over feed cost is Rp. 2.304,0,- (T-PK), Rp. 3.162,5,- (T-DP), Rp.1.088,0,- (T-DM) and Rp. 1.412,0,- (T-DK). The result showed that given commercial feed with papaya leaves flour can decrease of feed conversion,afeed cost per gain and increase of income over feed cost but given commercial feed with of Morinda citrifolia L. and Moringa oleifera leaves flour only able to decrease feed conversion, and have not been able to reduce feed cost perggain and increase incomemover feedmcost. Research conclusion is given commercial feed with papaya leaves flour can increase of income over feed cost but given commercial feed with Morinda citrifolia L. and Moringa oleifera leaves flour have not been able to increase ofoincomeaover feedicost in broilers.

PERFORMANCE AND COST BENEFIT OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETARY LEVELS OF QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE AS REPLACEMENT FOR NORMAL MAIZE

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance and cost benefits of broiler chickens fed dietary levels of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) as replacement for normal maize. Five diets were formulated in which QPM replaced normal maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels. The diets were designated as D1, D2, D3. D4 and D5, respectively. Two hundred and forty (240) day-old Abor Acre broiler chickens were allotted to 5 diets in replicates of 4 containing 12 birds each in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum and the study lasted for 42 days. Results showed a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect of QPM on daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, final weight and total weight gain at the finisher phase. Birds on D3 (59.68g), D4 (61.74g) and D5 (64.35g) which were the same and comparable with D1 (54.96g), had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher daily weight gain than those on D2 (51.44g). Total weight gain of birds on D5 (1800.28g), D4 (1735.55g), D3 (1728.28g), which were the same, was higher (P&lt;0.05) than on D1 (1601.66g) and D2 (1585.44g), which were also the same. Feed cost per kg was higher (N365.76 – 396.60) in QPM-based diets than the control (N355.44). However, feed cost per kg gain was lower (N797.75 – 828.04) in diets containing 50% and above QPM as replacement for normal maize compared to the control (N844.17). The highest cost saving of N46.42 (5.5%) was obtained on D3. It was therefore concluded that QPM can completely replace normal maize in broiler chicken diets with marked reduction in feed cost. However, 50% replacement level appeared to be the most economical.

PERFORMANCE, DIGESTIBILITY AND COST BENEFITS OF WEANER RABBITS FED DIETARY LEVELS OF MAIZE MILLING RESIDUE

A nine-weeks study was conducted to evaluated the growth performance and cost benefits of weaner rabbits fed dietary levels of maize milling residue (MMR). Forty (40) mixed breeds of both sexes, aged between 8 and 10 weeks having an initial weight of 759 - 771g each, were allotted to four experimental diets in replicates of ten containing one rabbit each in a complete randomise design. The diets contained maize milling residue at 0, 30, 35 and 40% levels, coded as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Data was collected on performance, digestibility and cost benefit. Except for feed conversion ratio, no significant (P&lt;0.05) effect of diet was observed on performance indices. Feed conversion ratio was best (P&lt;0.05) on T3 (4.66). followed by T5 (5.15) and T2 (5.85) which were the same, then T1 (6.03). daily feed intake ranged between 60.68g on T4 and 65.00g on T2, daily weight gain was from 10.44g (T1) to 11.83g (T3) while final weight ranged between 1292.50g and 1430.00g on T3 and T4 respectively. Nutrient digestibility revealed higher (P&lt;0.05) mean values for crude protein on T3 (80.46%) and T4 (79.84%) than on T1 (79.25%) and T2 (79.29%). Feed cost/kg reduced linearly from N190.01 (T1) - N135.00 (T4)) with increased dietary MMR. Feed cost per kg gain also decreased with increased level of dietary MMR. Diet T4 (N750.25) had the lowest value. It was therefore concluded that inclusion of up to 40% MMR in weaner rabbit diets reduced feed cost without compromising growth performance.

Current Trends with Enzymes Applications in Industrial Broilers Production

Background: This study was conducted to analyse the effect of different enzymes and selenium on production performance and slaughter parameters of Ross (308) broilers production. Method: There were four groups in this experiment, two of them were control and the two test groups. All groups had the same number of one-day-old chickens (20250), moved in the same day. 100 chickens were selected randomly for future analyses. The chickens in the control group were fed with the standard commercial diet which contained crude protein (22.04%, 18.55%, 17.89%) and metabolic energy including selenium (11.99 MJ/kg, 12.64 MJ/kg, 12.79 MJ/kg) for starter, grower and finisher phases respectively. The basal diet was supplemented with: HiPhos - 6 phytase, WX - endo-1,4- betaxylanase, VP-endo-1,3(4)- beta-glucanase and ProAct - serine protease. The experimental group also used organic selenium. Results: Production performance and carcass parameters were not statistically different among treatment groups. Only mortality was decreased in one of the experimental groups (p less than 0.004). Whereas, the use of enzymes and selenium did no effect on the production performance and carcass parameters. The results indicate reduced feed cost of broilers diet with the use of enzymes as feed components. Result from presented work can be considered as complementary contribution in in broiler production.