Feeding Level Research Articles

The effect of plant protein high levels in feed on biometric and histopathological parameters of rainbow trout

Comparative studies of the effect of replacing animal protein in the structure of the diet with vegetable protein on biometric parameters and histopathological parameters of the liver of rainbow trout have been carried out on biological models of rainbow trout. Changes in trout carcass structure were revealed, indicating a change in live weight in the 1st control and 2nd experimental groups with a result of 3.7%, changes occurred in the 3rd group - 7.4%. Moreover, the changes in muscle mass in group 2 were expressed better than in the control group by 1.5%, similarly in group 3 – 12.8%. The weight gain of edible parts in group 2 was expressed better by 4.1% than in the control group, and in the experimental group 3 – 7.3%. The mass of in-edible parts in the study groups was also higher than in the control group. The yield of edible parts was higher in the 2 experimental group by 0.21%, in the experimental group 3 – 0.2%. When examining the liver tissue of the experimental group 3, some degenerative changes were revealed. Vacuolization of liver cells in the experimental group 3, which were fed a diet with vegetable protein high content in its structure, was significantly lower, and accordingly, in this group there were the smallest hepatocytes. Defects in cellular contacts in the liver, destruction, and proliferation of lymphohistiocyte cells into sinusoids were observed. Thus, a decrease of animal feed in the structure of predatory fish diets to the level of 25% leads to liver degeneration. This reactive adaptation of the liver to a new vegetable protein ingredient is of a short-term nature.

Formation of meat productivity in descendants of Kalmyk breed improver bulls

The article analyzes the results of assessing by scoring and index methods the quality of the offspring of five Kalmyk breed bulls and their sons in terms of their own productivity and the formation of their carcass morphological composition. For this purpose, 10 sons of bulls Prometheus 1127, Grilyazh 916, Gomat DRZh-59223, Yago DRZh-39023 and Raskat 8692 were selected from the Solnechnoe Breeding Plant LLC, Oryol district, Rostov region. The sons of the evaluated stud bulls up to 8 months of age were raised on full suction with mothers, and from 8 to 15 months of age were kept in the same group under equal conditions and over a 7-month period, on average, feed was consumed per bull, containing 1569 feed units, 168 kg of digestible protein, 2032 kg of dry matter with exchange energy 15663 MJ. With this level of feeding, all the controlled sires and almost all of their sons, according to the score, met the requirements of the elite-record grading class. However, according to the results of the index assessment, only the bulls Prometheus 1127 and Grill-yazh 916 met the requirements of the improver category, and the remaining three bulls met the requirements of the neutral category. The descendants of the leading bulls with a preslaughter live weight of 412.1 and 419.9 kg exceeded peers of other groups in carcass weight by 8.5-14.1 kg, in muscle tissue weight by 9.4-15.4 kg, but by 3-5% less yield of fat, bones, cartilage and tendons and the highest meat ratio.

Продуктивность и биохимический профиль крови первотелок при повышении уровня кормления

High productivity and longevity of animals are the key challenges in modern dairy farming. In addition to high milk yields, first-calf heifers also have to increase their body weight. Due to their physiological characteristics, they are unable to consume large amounts of bulky forage to provide energy and nutrients for potential productivity. One of the ways to solve this problem is to increase the feeding level of first-calf heifers at the expense of concentrates. The assessment of the relationship between the level of feeding and the level of productivity and health of the animal was carried out by studying metabolic processes using biochemical markers of blood serum. The studies were carried out in the Moscow region for 150 days on 36 first-calf heifers, which were divided into three groups of 12 cows each according to the group-analogue principle. The control group received a ration balanced according to detailed norms for annual productivity of 8 to 9 thousand kilograms of milk per lactation. The second experimental group received a ration with increased content of metabolizable energy by 7.8% and crude protein by 8.2% of the requirement, the third group – by 15.1% and 16.4%, respectively, due to additional feeding of a targeted protein- vitamin-mineral concentrate. The researchers found that increasing the feeding level allowed to increase the live weight of first-calf heifers by 5.6% and 6.8% and the average daily milk yield by 6.4% and 9.6% in comparison with the control, and did not have a negative effect on the character of metabolism. All indicators of protein, lipid, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism were within reference values. The content of the albumin fraction in the blood serum of cows in the experimental groups was 39.7% and 39.5% of the content of total protein, while in the control group it was 36%. A significant increase in the content of the albumin fraction, by 5.12% (p=0.04) in the 2nd experimental group and by 7.24% (p=0.01) in the 3rd experimental group, with a simultaneous decrease in the content of total protein, characterizes a higher intensity of biosynthetic processes in the body associated with increased milk formation. Indicators of mineral metabolism were also within the physiological norm. The increase in magnesium content in cows of the 3rd experimental group is associated with an increase in its level in the diet of first-calf heifers. The increase in alkaline phosphatase activity indicates an increase in the functional activity of the liver, which is also associated with milk formation.

Behavioral and Hematological in Kacang Goats with Different Levels of Feed

Behavioral and Hematological in Kacang Goats with Different Levels of Feed

Effect of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermented moist diet on the performance and egg quality at the early stage of laying ducks

Objectives: This research aimed to examine how yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermented layer moist diet (YFM-D) influencing egg production, its quality, and duck’s growth performance during the age range of 23–29 weeks. Materials and Methods: A total of 84 laying Jinding ducks were arbitrarily allotted into one of two dietary groups. Each group had 42 birds in 3 replicates and 14 birds per replication. Each duck was daily offered 140 gm dry matter (DM) from a layer diet (Crude Protein −17.83% and ME-2760 Kcal/kg DM) and a yeast-fermented layer moist diet (50% layer diet + 50% water) and reflected as control diet (CON-D) and yeast-fermented layer moist diet (YFM-D), respectively. The layer diet was fermented using yeast premix at a 1.0% level of feed. Results: Considerably elevated DM intake was obtained in ducks that received YFM-D (120 gm) than CON-D (112 gm). Subsequently, ducks fed YFM-D improved almost 5.24% and 4.26% higher egg mass and hen-day egg production than CON-D, respectively (p < 0.05). Though feed conversion ratio (egg basis) was unaffected (p > 0.05), ducks receiving YFM-D almost revealed 21%–22% higher body weight compared to CON-D (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher yolk weight, color, and Haugh unit were measured in ducks offered YFM-D than CON-D (p < 0.05), while YFM-D showed the propensity for better egg and albumen weight. However, shell weight and yield, albumen, and yolk yield were not varied between the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It may be concluded that a YFM-D enhanced hen day egg production at the early stage of laying while boosting live weight gain and enhancing egg quality.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЯ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА КРОЛИЧЬЕГО ПУХА ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ СИСТЕМАХ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ КРОЛИКОВ

The Angora rabbit, in depending on its keeping conditions gives about 1 kg of fluff per year. The fluff yield per 1 kg of body weight is in several times higher than sheep’s one. The Angora breed is fed according to almost the same standards as ordinary meat skinned rabbits: granular compound feeds, hay, juicy feeds. For rabbits, it is necessary proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals in rations taking into account their digestibility normalizing. In order the fluff of rabbits to be clean, they should be fed with granular feed consisting mainly of cereals ground grains with lesser extent legumes, that are replaced with grass meal about 20% in the ration (the most expensive component), other types of feed, including 0,5% table salt and 1% of vitamin and mineral premix. The granulated feed should contain 86-90% of dry matter, 12-18% of crude protein, 12-16% of crude fiber, about 3% of fat. It is important in order to getting avoid wool wet and soiling during feeding and watering. The Angora breed includes rabbits with long fluffy hair. The data on awn and fluff ratio confirming in the other studies are presented. The wool quantity and quality obtaining from Angora rabbits is largely depending on feeding level and the nutrients’ degree that animals needs with the balanced ration’s correct ratio are met. Feed costs per unit of Angora rabbits’ pure wool fiber are in 3 times lower than sheep’s one, and in 38% lower than Angora goats: per 1 kg of Rambouillet sheep’s pure wool spend 2,520 MJ of digestible energy. The hair cover’s qualitative indicators such as shine, splendor, elasticity, balance and hair’s strength are indicated.

Trend Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination and Arsenic Levels in Complete Feed for Fish and Other Complete Animal Feeds

Trend Analysis of Heavy Metal Contamination and Arsenic Levels in Complete Feed for Fish and Other Complete Animal Feeds

Effect of protein levels of supplementary feed on survival and growth performance of Hilsa Shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) larvae under co-feeding condition

Effect of protein levels of supplementary feed on survival and growth performance of Hilsa Shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) larvae under co-feeding condition

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ЭЛЕМЕНТНОГО СОСТАВА МЫШЕЧНОЙ И КОСТНОЙ ТКАНИ БРОЙЛЕРОВ НА ФОНЕ СКАРМЛИВАНИЯ ИМ КОМПЛЕКСНОЙ ОРГАНОМИНЕРАЛЬНОЙ ДОБАВКИ

Due to the prohibition of the use of antibiotics in poultry feeding, its health and optimal level of productivity can be ensured through the use of alternative means, including prebiotics, organic acids and amino acids. Thus, the inclusion of an organo-mineral complex in the diet of broiler chickens can significantly improve their metabolic state, productivity and elemental composition of meat.

Multi-objective Feed Reservoir Control via Optimal Pump Scheduling

Pumping acid mine drainage water from source to the feed reservoir that feeds the eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant, using fixed-speed pumps, in an optimal manner takes the form of a mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. A simulation study is presented where the most optimal pumping schedule is determined using a differential evolution algorithm. The pumping schedule has to adhere to feed reservoir level constraints while minimizing composition fluctuations. The optimized pumping schedule leads to overall stabilization of the feed reservoir composition and level, which has a direct benefit to the operation of the processing plant.

The Relationship between Feeding and Maternal Knowledge Level and the Incidence of Stunting In Children 24-59 Months

The Relationship between Feeding and Maternal Knowledge Level and the Incidence of Stunting In Children 24-59 Months

The meat productivity of Bugai cattle of various created new productive genotypes of the Simmental cattle breed of the combined direction of productivity at an average level of feeding in the conditions of the foothills of the Carpathian region of Bukovyna

The meat productivity of Bugai cattle of various created new productive genotypes of the Simmental cattle breed of the combined direction of productivity at an average level of feeding in the conditions of the foothills of the Carpathian region of Bukovyna

Long chain fatty acid (LCFA) occurrence in primary and secondary sewage sludge fractions

Sewage sludge produced in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is stabilized to produce methane/energy and a final stabilized biosolid suitable for land use using anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) matter present in the sewage sludge and their products, long chain fatty acids (LCFA), are not monitored qualitatively and quantitatively for their contribution or inhibition to methane production during the process. AD is designed and operated based on average volatile solid (VS) removal criteria. LCFA can be both present in the sewage sludge and produced as intermediate products during the hydrolysis of FOG. A 1.5-year monitoring of the primary sludge (PS) and secondary sludge (SS) fractions was conducted and evaluated in a timely base in a municipal WWTP. According to the results, the most common and highest presence belonged to palmitate (C16:0) and total LCFA occurred up to 11963 and 927 mg/L in PS and SS, respectively. Detected LCFA species were mostly saturated as laurate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, oleate and elaidate. The level in the mixed sludge feed complied with the inhibitory threshold values neglecting the accumulation in the anaerobic digesters.

THE DYNAMICS OF FIRST-CALF HEIFERS’ EXTERIOR TRAITS WITHIN DIFFERENT YEARS OF EVALUATION, AGE AND THE SEASON OF BIRTH AND CALVING

In the herd of Ukrainian Red Dairy breed of “Rossiya” breeding farm on 2302 cows, the dynamics of first-calf heifers’ exterior of different years of evaluation, age and season of birth and calving were studied. It was established, that the investigated paratypic factors of the season of birth and calving do not have significant influence (0.02…4.9%) on the formation of the exterior of first-calf heifers. More significant (0.3…11.4%) was the influence of the age of exterior evaluation. And the most significant amongst paratypic factors was the influence of the year of evaluation of the cows (5.7…57.5%), which can be explained by the simultaneous influence of as the improvement of the level of breeding and feeding of animals, so the genetic factors of “blood share” of improving breed and parentage of different breeding (genetic) value. The chronological dynamics of the measurements of first-calf heifers led to the adequate changes in the proportions of the body in the direction of increasing of leg length, stoutness and eirisomia with simultaneous curvilinear decrease of conformation indices of stretching, rump-thoratic, thoratic, boneness, massiveness and over-growth. Determined changes in the proportions of the body structure fit the forming of more expressed milk type. Correlation analysis established, that the age of evaluation has a direct significant connection with the depth and width of the chest, indirect length of body and rumps, width of rump in hooks and pelvic width, heart girth. The age of the first calving is reliably directly proportional to the depth and width of the chest and the width at the withers and inversely – to the height at the withers and rump, pelvic width and the girth of the wrist. Less significant, but sometimes reliable, was the correlation between the investigated features of the exterior of first-calf heifers and the intensity of their growth in different periods of rearing. A higher relative variability of most exterior traits was found with the average daily weight gain of heifers during the period of intensive puberty in 6–12 months, a slightly lower – in the first and third half-year of the postnatal ontogenesis. The increase in “blood share” of cows of the Holstein breed shows the combined effect of improvement (formation of the milk type) of the exterior with an increase in the relative share of non-pigmented areas of the skin.

An Automatic Internet of Things-Based System for Rabbit Cage

Rabbits, low-maintenance mammals in terms of cost and space requirements, require meticulous care, encompassing disease control, feeding, and cage maintenance. To address these concerns, an automated system for feeding, drinking, temperature control, and monitoring rabbit manure gas levels within the cage was developed, all remotely accessible. The system comprises ultrasonic sensors, DHT11 sensors, MQ-135 gas sensors, a real-time clock (RTC), an Arduino Mega 2560 with built-in Wi-Fi, relays, servo motors, mini water pumps, mini fans, and a heat lamp. The feeding and drinking functions are automated, triggered by RTC sensor data or can be manually controlled through the Arduino IoT Cloud dashboard. Temperature regulation is managed based on data from the DHT11 sensor, and gas levels in the rabbit manure are monitored using the MQ-135 gas sensor. Conducting 30 tests for each primary function, including automatic and manual feeding/drinking, temperature control, and disinfectant spraying, these functions performed as designed. An exception occurred three times when the DHT11 microcontroller sensors lost connection, rendering the input from these sensors unusable. To address this issue, the addition of an extra voltage supply to the Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller is proposed, mitigating this vulnerability.

TTOOLS FOR IMPROVING REPRO ON DAIRY FARMS

The studies presented in this article are part of the PTF of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture. Most consultants, when dealing with herd fertility problems, advise first setting specific goals (S), measurable (M), achievable (A), relevant (R), and time-bound (T) – SMART goals. Each farm has different assets, goals, and challenges and therefore a consultant must tailor their recommendations to the farm and avoid generalizations or textbook recommendations based on national averages. To create the standards for feeding, reproduction, and maintenance of dairy, during 2021-23 improved diets, assessed animal welfare, and reproduction data was collected monthly, the basis of the collected data in the article shows the dynamics of the fertility of cows in one of the basic farms participating in Execution of the program. By improving the conditions of feeding and maintenance, the fertility of cows had a positive dynamic. One of the important indicators is the number of calves per 100 cows from 77 calves in 2021 increased to 86 in 2023. The number of cows with an elongated dry period from 14.7% decreased to 6.3%. Pregnancy Rate increased by 2 times from 11.9% to 20.8%. The mortality rate of calves also decreased from 23.2% in 2021 to 6.7% in 2023. Introducing the system for heat detection cuts the heat detection rate coefficient, the indicator has grown to 54% from a low 23% in 2021. In general, we can conclude that by improving the level of feeding and maintenance, the fertility of the cows had positive dynamics.

Influence of prepartum feed levels on colostrum production and farrowing performance in highly prolific sows in a tropical environment

Currently, there is a lack of data on the effects of altering feed levels on sow performance and piglet characteristics during the transition period in tropical environments. The present study determined the effect of sow feed levels during the transition period on colostrum yield, colostrum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, colostrum intake of piglets, farrowing duration, proportion of stillborn piglets per litter (SB) and the incidence of farrowing assistance in highly prolific sows. A total of 114 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows and their offspring (n = 2 072) were included in the experiment. Sows were assigned to different feed supply levels from entry to farrowing at 110 days of gestation until farrowing based on their parity number. Three feed-level groups were the control group who received 3.0 kg/day of lactation feed (n = 40), treatment 1 group who received 3.6 kg/day of gestation feed (n = 39) and treatment 2 group who received 4.0 kg/day of lactation feed (n = 35). Colostrum samples (5 ml) were obtained from the sows within 3 h after the onset of farrowing for IgG assay. Piglets were weighed immediately after birth and then again 17–24 h later to estimate their colostrum intake. Colostrum yield was determined by aggregating the colostrum intake of piglets within the litter. The total number of piglets born, SB and farrowing duration were 18.2 ± 3.8, 7.5% and 259.1 ± 138.1 min, respectively. Among these sows, 28.9% experienced a farrowing duration exceeding 300 min and 50.9% required assistance during farrowing. Interestingly, piglets in the treatment 2 group demonstrated a greater colostrum intake (403.1 ± 14.9 g) compared to the control group (360.6 ± 15.1 g, P = 0.046) and the treatment 1 group (361.0 ± 12.9 g, P = 0.033). On average, colostrum yield of sows in the treatment 2 group tended to be higher than in the control group (+0.5 kg, P = 0.081), but did not differ from the treatment 1 group (+0.3 kg, P = 0.191). No significant differences in farrowing duration, SB, farrowing assistance, or colostrum IgG concentration were found across various feed-level groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study showed that raising lactation feed by 1.0 kg/day prefarrowing increased piglet colostrum intake and tended to boost sow colostrum production, without significantly affecting farrowing duration, stillbirth rates, or need for assistance.

Effects of nondigestible oligosaccharides on inflammation, lung health, and performance of calves

Our objective was to determine the effects of nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) on lung health and performance. Three hundred male Holstein-Friesian calves aged 18.0 ± 3.6 d received 1 of 6 treatments for 8.5 wk (period 1). Treatments included a negative control (CON), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) administered as a spray via the nose once daily (SPR), GOS administered via the milk replacer (MR) at 1% (GOS-L) and 2% (GOS-H), fructo-oligosaccharides administered via the MR at 0.25% (FOS) and a combination of GOS and fructo-oligosaccharides administered via the MR at 1% and 0.25%, respectively (GOS-FOS). Milk replacer was fed twice daily. Feeding levels were equal between calves and increased progressively in time. Body weight was measured every 4 wk and clinical health was scored weekly. Blood and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected bi-weekly from a subset of calves (n = 120). After period 1, all calves received the same control MR for 18 wk until slaughter (period 2), during which general performance and clinical health were measured. Generally, infection pressure was high, with clinical scores and BALF proinflammatory TNFα concentrations increasing with time in period 1, which resulted in a high number of required group antimicrobial treatments (6 group antimicrobial treatments in 13 wk, supplied to all calves). Average daily gain adjusted to equal solid feed intake was increased for GOS-L (+61 g/d) compared with CON calves from experimental wk 1 to 5. Plasma white blood cell concentration tended to be lowered by GOS-L, plasma IL-8 concentration was reduced by all orally supplemented NDO, plasma IL-6 was reduced by all NDO treatments except GOS-FOS and plasma IL-1β was reduced by all NDO treatments compared with CON, although this differed per time point for SPR. The neutrophil percentage in BALF was reduced by GOS-L in wk 6, which was associated with a relative increase in macrophages. The BALF concentration of TNFα and IL-8 was reduced or tended to be reduced by GOS-L and GOS-H, while IL-6 was or tended to be reduced by SPR, GOS-L, GOS-H, and GOS-FOS, and IL-1β was reduced by SPR, GOS-L, GOS-H, and FOS. Generally, feeding the combination of GOS and FOS was not more effective than feeding GOS or FOS alone, because feeding GOS-FOS resulted in higher concentrations of plasma and BALF cytokine and chemokine concentrations compared with feeding GOS-L alone, and resulted in higher plasma cytokine concentrations compared with feeding FOS alone. None of the BALF and plasma cytokine or chemokine concentrations differed between the GOS-L and GOS-H treatment. Performance and clinical scores in period 2 did not differ among treatments. Altogether, all tested NDO reduced systemic and lung inflammation in calves under high natural infection pressure and for GOS-fed calves, this increased performance during the first 4 wk. Combining GOS and FOS did not have a synergistic effect. The intranasal administration of GOS also lowered systemic and lung inflammation, but tended to negatively affect performance. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of NDO to alleviate systemic and respiratory inflammation in calves.

Indirect methods for predicting the body composition of sheep of different sex classes

The aim was to evaluate the correlation and develop regression equations for the body composition of sheep of different sex classes, obtained by the comparative slaughter method, using the composition of the neck region and loin eye area (LEA). Forty-five sheep of three sex classes (15 intact males, 15 castrated males and 15 females) received three feeding levels (ad libitum or restrictions of 70 or 80% of ad libitum intake). Animals were distributed in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, with 5 repetitions. The LEA showed: positive correlation with empty body weight, fasting body weight, meat, protein, ether extract and water (p < 0.01), for all sex classes; with bones for intact males and females (p < 0.01); with ash content for intact males and a moderate correlation for castrated males (p < 0.01). The neck was correlated with empty body weight, fasting body weight, meat, protein, ether extract, water and energy in all sex classes (p < 0.01); and moderate correlation with bone (r=0.58) and ash (r=0.67) for intact males. Intact males showed higher R² values in their prediction equations in relation to the other sex classes.

The potential role of early life feeding patterns in shaping the infant fecal metabolome: implications for neurodevelopmental outcomes

Infant fecal metabolomics can provide valuable insights into the associations of nutrition, dietary patterns, and health outcomes in early life. Breastmilk is typically classified as the best source of nutrition for nearly all infants. However, exclusive breastfeeding may not always be possible for all infants. This study aimed to characterize associations between levels of mixed breastfeeding and formula feeding, along with solid food consumption and the infant fecal metabolome at 1- and 6-months of age. As a secondary aim, we examined how feeding-associated metabolites may be associated with early life neurodevelopmental outcomes. Fecal samples were collected at 1- and 6-months, and metabolic features were assessed via untargeted liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Feeding groups were defined at 1-month as 1) exclusively breastfed, 2) breastfed >50% of feedings, or 3) formula fed ≥50% of feedings. Six-month groups were defined as majority breastmilk (>50%) or majority formula fed (≥50%) complemented by solid foods. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 2 years. Changes in the infant fecal metabolome were associated with feeding patterns at 1- and 6-months. Feeding patterns were associated with the intensities of a total of 57 fecal metabolites at 1-month and 25 metabolites at 6-months, which were either associated with increased breastmilk or increased formula feeding. Most breastmilk-associated metabolites, which are involved in lipid metabolism and cellular processes like cell signaling, were associated with higher neurodevelopmental scores, while formula-associated metabolites were associated with lower neurodevelopmental scores. These findings offer preliminary evidence that feeding patterns are associated with altered infant fecal metabolomes, which may be associated with cognitive development later in life.