Finisher Period Research Articles

KUALITAS FISIK PELET AYAM BROILER PERIODE AKHIR DENGAN PENAMBAHAN FESES TERNAK DAN BAHAN PEREKAT YANG BERBEDA

The study aimed to know the physical quality of pellets for finisher period added different feces and adhesive matter. The experiment design was randomized complety block design factorial (RCBD) with two factors and three replications. The first factor was feces (goat feces, cattle feces, buffalo feces) and the second factor was adhesive matter (tapioca flour, eeg white, sago flour). Physical observation were water content, specific gravity, bulk density, compressed bulk density, angle of repose, and the durability of pellet. The result showed that addition type feces influenced water content, specific gravity, bulk density, compressed bulk density, angle of repose and the durability of pellet form. The result showed that addition adhesive matter influenced bulk density, compressed bulk density, the durability of pellet form.Interaction the addition of cattle feces and different adhesive matter in water content, specific gravity, compressed bulk density, angle of repose and the durability of pellet. Interaction buffalo feces and tapioca flour best quality.

Effect of extrusion processing of soybean meal on ileal amino acid digestibility and growth performance of broiler chicks

The present experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of extrusion of inadequately processed soybean meal (SBM) on amino acid (AA) digestibility and performance of broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 180 day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly distributed between 6 pen replicates (15 chicks each) of 2 dietary treatments; diets based on SBM or extruded SBM (ESBM) as the main protein sources. Based on the results of Exp. 1 and AA digestibility assay, Exp. 2 was designed using 216 day-old Ross broiler chicks (6 replicates of 18 chicks each), in which dietary SBM content was replaced by 86% using ESBM. This replacement caused about a 9% decrease in dietary crude protein (CP) level. Results showed that coefficients of CP and AA digestibility were greater (P < 0.05) for ESBM than those of SBM. Extrusion processing of SBM increased digestibility coefficients of Lys, Thr, Cys, Leu, Phe, Tyr, Pro, Ser, and Gly. Except during the starter period, dietary inclusion of ESBM increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) in Exp. 1 and caused increases (P < 0.01) in average daily weight gains (ADWG) throughout the trial period. Also, using ESBM improved the (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) during starter and finisher periods. In Exp. 2, reducing dietary CP level using ESBM decreased both ADFI (P < 0.05) and ADWG (P < 0.01) in the starter period. During grower, finisher, and entire trial periods, however, ADFI and ADWG were not influenced by dietary treatments. Dietary inclusion of ESBM improved (P < 0.05) FCR value in the finisher period. Although carcass yield was not affected by dietary treatments, reducing dietary CP level resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in abdominal fat percentage. Moreover, a decrease in dietary CP level reduced (P = 0.08) breast yield. The present findings indicate that extrusion of SBM could improve its nutritive value for broiler chicks. Using ESBM, one can reduce dietary CP level by about 9% without any detrimental effect on performance parameters of broiler chicks.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PAKAN LENGKAP BENTUK PELET DIPERKAYA PROBIOTIK Lactobacillus salivarius TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS ITIK LOKAL PERIODE FINISHER

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of complete feed pelet with addition probiotics Lactobacillus salivarius on feed efficiency and duck’s productivity in finisher period. The completely randomized design was been used on this research with 3 treaments and 5 replications. The treatments were R0 (complete feed pelet with 0% addition probiotics Lactobacillus salivarius), R1 (50% complete feed pelet with addition probiotics Lactobacillus salivarius), and R2 (100% complete feed pelet with addition probiotics Lactobacillus salivarius).The parameters were duck’s productivity (feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion). The results showed that given 100% pelet complete feed with addition of Lactobacillus salivarius probiotics (R2) significantly (p<0,05) increasing body weight gain and decreasing feed conversion. The conclusion was given 100% complete feed pelet with addition probiotics Lactobacillus salivarius (R2) can be used to improve duck’s productivity in finisher period.

Carcass Traits and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Dietary L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10 and Ractopamine

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine and ractopamine supplementation, alone and in combinations, on carcass traits and immune response of broiler chickens. Five hundred and twelve one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into eight treatments with four replicates each. A 2×2×2 factorial arrangement was applied, with two levels of coenzyme Q10 (0 and 40 mg/kg), two levels of L-carnitine (0 and 200 mg/kg) and two levels of ractopamine (0 and 10 mg/kg). The birds were reared until day 42 of age under standard conditions. Blood samples were collected at the end of grower and finisher periods from the wing vein. Four birds per group were sacrificed at day 42 of age. Except for carcass yield, other carcass traits were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by different levels of coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, or ractopamine. Immune response parameters were significantly (p<0.05) different between the treatments. The lowest antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus and relative spleen weight were observed in control group. The results of this study suggest that addition of coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine to broiler diets has benefit effect on immune response of broiler chickens.

Technical note: A new surgical technique for ovariohysterectomy during early pregnancy in beef heifers.

We hypothesized that a standing flank ovariohysterectomy procedure could be developed in beef heifers that would provide high quality tissues for addressing critical questions during early pregnancy, while concomitantly keeping livestock stewardship a high priority. To test the hypothesis, we: 1) developed a standing flank ovariohysterectomy procedure for use in beef heifers, and 2) implemented this procedure in a cohort of heifers up to d 50 of pregnancy for tissue collections, documentation of post-surgical recovery, and assessment of feedlot finishing performance. Ovariectomy and cesarean section protocols are well established in research and veterinary medicine and were used as starting points for procedural development. Crossbred Angus heifers ( = 46; ∼ 15 mo of age; BW = 362.3 ± 34.7 kg) were used to develop this new surgical tissue collection technique. Heifers were subjected to the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR estrous synchronization protocol so ovariohysterectomy occurred at d 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, and 50 of gestation. Key aspects of the standing flank ovariohysterectomy technique included 1) use of local anesthetic for a standing flank incision, 2) locate the uterine and ovarian arteries via blind palpation and ligate them through the broad ligament via an improved clinch knot, 3) cut the ovaries and uterus free from the broad ligament, 4) ligate the cervix and uterine branch of the vaginal artery, and 5) cut through the cervix and remove the reproductive tract. Surgical times, from skin incision to placement of the last suture, were influenced ( = 0.04) by stage of gestation. In pregnant heifers, time decreased from d 22 (120.0 ± 12.0 min) of gestation to d 40 (79.5 ± 12.0 min) of gestation; then increased at d 50 (90.5 ± 14.7 min) of gestation. Using this procedure, we obtained uterine, placental, and embryo/fetal tissues that had experienced limited hypoxia, little or no trauma, and thus were excellent quality for scientific study. All heifers recovered from surgery quickly and were moved to a finishing period. During the finishing period, ovariohysterectomized heifers had a DMI of 13.8 kg, gained 1.99 ± 0.35 kg/d, and had a G:F of 0.145 over 132-d. The standing flank ovariohysterectomy technique represents a new and viable model to economically obtain high quality tissues for investigating critical biological mechanisms during early pregnancy in beef heifers.

Increase in dietary arginine level could ameliorate detrimental impacts of coccidial infection in broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Arg on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and morphological indices of jejunal epithelial cells in coccidia-challenged broiler chickens. A total of 288 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly distributed among 3 experimental treatments with 8 replicate pens of 12 broiler chickens each. Experimental treatments consisted of the graded levels of dietary Arg (100, 105, and 110% of the standard recommendations during different growth periods). From 16 to 20 d of age, half of the replicate pens of each dietary Arg level were orally challenged with a mixture of Eimeria species (acervulina, tenella, maxima, and necatrix). Results showed that dietary Arg had no marked effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain (ADG) during the starter (0 to 14 d of age) and grower (14 to 28 d of age) periods. Although ADFI wasn’t affected by coccidial challenge, ADG of Eimeria-challenged broiler chickens were lower (P<0.05) than those of uninfected ones during both grower and finisher periods. Dietary supplementation of 105 and 110% of Arg, however, prevented depressed ADG in coccidia-infected broiler chickens during the finisher period (28 to 42 d of age) compared with 100% of Arg (Arg×coccidiosis, P<0.05). Coccidial challenge increased (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR), while 110% of Arg supplementation improved (P<0.05) FCR values during both grower and finisher periods. Although coccidial challenge increased FCR value in control broiler chickens (100% of Arg), dietary Arg supplementation of 105 and 110% improved FCR values during the grower period, resulted in an Arg×coccidiosis interaction (P<0.01). Subjecting the broiler chickens to coccidiosis reduced liver weight (P<0.001) and carcass yield (P<0.05). Dietary Arg supplementation increased (P<0.001) villi height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) ratio. On the other hand, both VH and VH to CD ratio were decreased (P<0.001) in coccidial-infected broiler chickens. Although subjecting the broiler chickens to coccidiosis increased (P<0.001) muscular layer thickness (MLT) of jejunum, supplemental Arg of 110% resulted in a decrease (P<0.01) in jejunal MLT. In addition, supplemental Arg reduced (P<0.05) fecal oocyst count, with the lowest count assigned to the broiler chickens fed 110% of Arg. Dietary Arg supplementation of 110% improved morphological indices in coccidia-challenged broiler chickens, while it had no obvious impact in untreated ones, resulted in the Arg×coccidiosis interactions (P<0.05). The present findings showed that supplementing the diets with Arg above the recommended values could ameliorate negative effects of Eimeria on growth performance and morphological indices of broiler chickens.

Performance, litter quality and gaseous odour emissions of broilers fed phytase supplemented diets.

The effect of graded levels of phytase on performance, bone characteristics, excreta/litter quality and odorant emissions was examined using 720 Ross 308 male d-old broilers. A 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed with 6 replicates of 15 birds per pen. Factors were: diets-positive and negative control (PC, NC); phytase – 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500 FTU/kg. The PC was formulated to meet the 2014 Ross 308 nutrient specifications, whereas the NC was formulated with lower Ca (−1.4 g/kg), available P (−1.5 g/kg), Na (−0.3 g/kg), dLys (−0.2 g/kg) and MEn (−0.28 MJ/kg) equivalent to nutrient matrix values for 500 FTU/kg phytase in the starter, grower and finisher periods (i.e., downspec diet). On d 24, phytase decreased FCR by 1.6, 4.3 and 4.6 points at inclusion levels of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg, respectively (P < 0.01) across all diets. Phytase by diet interactions on BW gain were observed on d 24 and 35 (P < 0.01). The effect of phytase was much more pronounced in the NC diet as compared with the PC diet. On d 24, phytase increased BW gain by 37, 55 and 68 g in the PC and 127, 233 and 173 g in the NC at 500, 1,000 and 1,500 FTU/kg, respectively. Diet by phytase interactions were also observed for tibia ash, litter quality and water to feed intake ratio (P < 0.01) with higher phytase effect in NC as compared with PC. Neither diet nor phytase impacted excreta moisture content on d 18 or 21 (P > 0.05). Solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis of gaseous emissions on d 39 indicated no difference in the emission of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, volatile fatty acids and phenols between treatments (P > 0.05). The results indicate that phytase has greater benefits when formulated using nutrient matrix values as compared with adding it over the top in an already nutrient sufficient diet. The later method would be expected to increase feed costs without concomitant performance benefits.

Protective Effects of Sporoderm-Broken Spores of Ganderma lucidum on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Function of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Low Level of Aflatoxin B₁.

This study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and evaluate the effects of sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (SSGL) in relieving aflatoxicosis in broilers. A total of 300 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly divided into four dietary treatments; the treatment diets were: Control (a basal diet containing normal peanut meal); AFB1 (the basal diet containing AFB1-contaminated peanut meal); SSGL (basal diet with 200 mg/kg of SSGL); AFB1+SSGL (supplementation of 200 mg/kg of SSGL in AFB1 diet). The contents of AFB1 in AFB1 and AFB1+SSGL diets were 25.0 μg/kg in the starter period and 22.5 μg/kg in the finisher period. The results showed that diet contaminated with a low level of AFB1 significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the average daily feed intake and average daily gain during the entire experiment and reduced (p < 0.05) serum contents of total protein IgA and IgG. Furthermore, a dietary low level of AFB1 not only increased (p < 0.05) levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation, but also decreased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capability, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and hydroxyl radical scavenger activity in the liver and spleen of broilers. Moreover, the addition of SSGL to AFB1-contaminated diet counteracted these negative effects, indicating that SSGL has a protective effect against aflatoxicosis.

تأثیر تراکم مواد مغذی و اسید آمینۀ ال- گلوتامین افزودنی بر عملکرد رشد، مورفولوژی روده کوچک و پاسخ ایمنی جوجههای گوشتی

این مطالعه به منظور بررسی اثر سطوح مختلف تراکم مواد مغذی و گلوتامین افزودنی بر عملکرد رشد، مورفولوژی ژژنوم و پاسخ‌های ایمنی جوجه‌های گوشتی در دورۀ آغازین (10-0 روزگی)، رشد (24-11 روزگی) و پایانی (42-25 روزگی) انجام گرفت. آزمایشی با 320 قطعه جوجه گوشتی نر سویه راس 308 در قالب یک طرح کاملا تصادفی با 8 تیمار، 4 تکرار و 10 قطعه جوجه در هر تکرار انجام شد. در این آزمایش از دو سطح تراکم مواد مغذی (توصیه راس و 5 درصد رقیق شده) و 4 سطح گلوتامین (0، 5/0، 1 و 5/1 درصد) در قالب طرح کاملا تصادفی به صورت فاکتوریل 2×4 استفاده شد. نتایج آزمایش نشان داد که در دورۀ رشد و پایانی، تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده و گلوتامین افزودنی در جیرۀ غذایی موجب بهبود ضریب تبدیل خوراک می‌شود. افزودن گلوتامین موجب افزایش وزن نسبی ژژنوم، کل روده کوچک، تیموس و بورس گردید. سطح تراکم مواد مغذی و گلوتامین بر ارتفاع ویلی و عمق کریپت ژژنوم تأثیر معنی‌داری داشت. در بررسی ایمنی هومورال، بیشترین تیتر آنتی‌بادی بر علیه SRBC اولیه و ثانویه در تیمار حاوی 5/1 درصد گلوتامین و کمترین آن در گروه شاهد (بدون گلوتامین افزودنی) مشاهده شد. با تزریق زیر جلدی فیتوهماگلوتینین- P مشخص شد که گلوتامین افزودنی موجب افزایش ضخامت پردۀ بین انگشتان پای پرندگان گردید. بطور کلی نتایج حاصل از این تحقیق نشان داد که با تنظیم جیره‌های ‌غذایی با تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده برای سویه راس و افزودن 5/0 درصد گلوتامین، عملکرد رشد بهبود می‌یابد و تغذیه جوجه‌ها با جیرۀ حاوی 1 درصد گلوتامین افزودنی و تراکم مواد مغذی توصیه شده پاسخ‌های ایمنی ارتقاء می‌یابد.

KADAR LEMAK DAN PROFIL ASAM LEMAK JENUH, ASAM LEMAK TAK JENUH DAGING AYAM BROILER DENGAN PEMBERIAN PAKAN MENGANDUNG TEPUNG DAUN KAYAMBANG (Salvinia molesta)

&lt;p&gt;This study was aimed to determined fat content and saturated fatty acid profile (SFA), unsaturated fatty&lt;br /&gt;acid profil (PUFA and MUFA) broiler chicken meat feeding with kayambang leaf flour (Salvinia molesta). This&lt;br /&gt;research used 100 broiler chickens at 15 days old unsex with average weight 500 ± 6,99 g. This research used&lt;br /&gt;Completely Randomized Design. Ration treatments arranged for starter and finisher periods. Ration treatments&lt;br /&gt;were T0 (ration without Salvinia molesta leaf meal); T1 (ration with Salvinia molesta leaf meal 6%); T2 (ration&lt;br /&gt;with Salvinia molesta leaf meal 12%); and T3 (ration with Salvinia molesta leaf meal 18%). The fat content&lt;br /&gt;data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance at significance level of 5%. The fatty acid profile data&lt;br /&gt;were analyzed using descriptive quantitative analysis. The results showed that Salvinia molesta leaf meal&lt;br /&gt;treatment in broiler diet didn’t affect significantly (P &amp;lt;0.05) of fat content of the meat. Fatty acid profile showed&lt;br /&gt;amount of saturated fatty acids decreased from T0 to T3 of the amount of saturated fatty acids 53.21% to&lt;br /&gt;24.57% and the amount of unsaturated fatty acids increased from 39.94% to 68.79% from T0 to T3. Based on&lt;br /&gt;the results of the present study it was concluded that Salvinia molesta leaf meal can to reduce the content of&lt;br /&gt;saturated fatty acid and increasing the content of unsaturated fatty acid.&lt;br /&gt;Keywords: broiler chicken, Salvinia molesta, saturated fatty acid, unsaturated fatty acid&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic and dietary energy content on the performance and nutrient digestibility of wean to finish pigs

The study was conducted to determine the effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic (mixture of spray-dried spore-forming Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 5749) and Bacillus subtilis (DSM 5750)) supplementation and different diet energy densities on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in wean-to-finish pigs. A total of 576 weaned piglets with initial body weight (BW) of 7.1±1.1kg were used. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels of energy (standard and reduced (∼3% less in calculated NE)) and 0 or 400mg/kg of the Bacillus-based probiotic according to their sex and BW (6 male and 6 female replicates per treatment, with 12 pigs each). During the prestarter period (28–42d), there were no treatment effects on growth performance. For the starter period (42–70d) pigs on the probiotic treatments grew significantly faster and tended to have a better feed:gain (F:G) than their control counterparts. During the same period pigs offered the standard energy diet exhibited significantly better F:G than those offered the lower energy diet. During the grower period (70–120d), the probiotic significantly improved growth rate by 11.2% and F:G by 8.6% with the proportional change in F:G being much higher for pigs offered the lower energy diet. During the finisher period (120–182d), the probiotic had a negative effect on F:G (P=0.047). Over the whole period (28–182d), probiotic supplementation significantly improved growth and F:G. In addition, pigs receiving the standard energy diet exhibited improved F:G compared to pigs receiving the lower energy diet. Probiotic supplementation increased fat and phosphorus (P) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Pigs fed the lower energy diets exhibited significantly higher ATTD of DM, CF and P, but lower ATTD of fat than pigs fed the standard energy diets. Probiotic increased CP ATTD under lower but not under the standard level of energy and was effective in improving Ca ATTD in the standard but reduced it on the lower energy diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of the Bacillus-based probiotic improved growth and F:G from weaning to slaughter, and exerted beneficial effects on ATTD of fat and P in the growing period. Major effects were observed in the starter and grower periods suggesting that strategy might be best targeted to pigs between 42–120d. Even though probiotic improved pig performance, the response varied with energy density of diets in the case of F:G in the grower period and ATTD of CP and Ca.

The effects of probiotic Yeasture® using at different rearing periods on performance, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits in broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of using probiotic &lt;em&gt;Yeasture&lt;/em&gt;® at different rearing periods on performance, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits in broiler chickens. A total of 378 one day old chickens (male and female) were randomly allotted to one of the 21 floor pens in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and three replicate groups and eighteen chickens in each group (9 male and 9 female). The Experiment treatments consisted of seven groups: A (control, without probiotic), B (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 10 days), C (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 24 days), D (prebiotics feeding between 1 to 42 days), E (prebiotics feeding between 11 to 24 days), F (prebiotics feeding between 11 to 42 days) and G (prebiotics feeding between 24 to 42 days). The chickens received the desired probiotic at different days of rearing period. The basal diets were corn and soybean meal, so 0.3 g/kg of basal diets in starter (1-10 days), 0.25 g/kg of basal diets in grower (11-24 d) and 0.2 g/kg of basal diets in finisher (24-42 d) period of probiotic was added to the basal diets for each other than treatment. The growth performance (evaluated through body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio), intestinal microbial population (the measurement of &lt;em&gt;Lactobacillus&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Coliforms&lt;/em&gt;) and carcass traits (relative weights of carcass, intestine, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat) were determined. Body weight gains and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in broilers with added probiotic compared to the control group (P&amp;lt;0.05) whereas feed intake was not significantly altered. In addition, intestinal microbial population and carcass and gizzard weights markedly increased in the probiotic treated birds compared to control chickens (P&amp;lt;0.05). These results show that diet supplementation with probiotic &lt;em&gt;Yeasture&lt;/em&gt;® at the early days of the rearing periods of broiler chickens especially, 1 to 24 and 1 to 42 days, had a positive effect on intestinal microbial population, leading to more nutrients being assimilated by the chickens and consequently greater performance in broiler chickens.

&lt;b&gt;The effects of protein, amino acid, and dietary electrolyte balance on broiler chicken performance and blood parameters under heat stress

The effect of crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA), and dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) were evaluated on blood parameters, carcass traits, and broiler performance under heat stress (29-34°C). A total of 540 male chickens (Ross 308) were allocated to 12 diets with factorial arrangement 2 × 2 × 3, using a completely randomized design with three replicates of 15 chickens in grower (13 to 26 days) and finisher (27 to 42 days) periods. and 120, 220, and 320 mEq kg-1 DEB. The level of 21% CP increased body weight gain (BWG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) at grower period (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, 20% CP level decreased BWG and increased FCR at finisher period (p &lt; 0.05). Further, 20% CP level reduced blood sodium and blood electrolyte balance (p &lt; 0.05). The highest blood electrolyte balance was achieved by DEB 320 mEq kg-1 diet (p &lt; 0.05). Broiler response to DEB in heat stress depended on the age of bird, length of exposure to high temperature and CP level of the diet. Under heat stress (29-34°C), the 21% CP level at grower period and 17% CP level at finisher period improved broiler BWG and FCR.

Comparison of models for estimating methane emission factor for enteric fermentation of growing-finishing Hanwoo steers.

The methodology provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines is widely used for estimating enteric methane (CH4) production by cattle. No attempt other than the default values in the IPCC Tier 1 has been made for estimating CH4 emission from Hanwoo, a dominant beef species in Korea raised in a unique feeding system. The objective of this study was to compare models for estimating the CH4 emission factor (MEF; kg CH4/head/year) for enteric fermentation in Hanwoo steers. The MEF was estimated based on Korea- and Hanwoo-specific data obtained from the literature using several models. The models include the IPCC Tier 1 (T1), the IPCC Tier 2 method (T2), the IPCC Tier 2 methodology with actual dry matter intake (T2DMI), and the Japanese Tier 3 method (JT3). The JT3 was included due to the similarity in the beef cattle production system between the two countries. Estimated MEF using T2 were 43.4, 33.9, and 36.2 kg CH4/head/year for the growing, finishing, and overall period, respectively. The overall MEF estimated using T2 was 23 % lower than the estimate by T1 (47.0 kg CH4/head/year). There were significant differences in the estimated MEF for enteric fermentation of Hanwoo steers among the methods (P < 0.05). The overall MEF estimated by JT3 was 69.1 kg CH4/head/year, which was significantly higher than the estimates by T2 (36.2 kg) and T2DMI (33.5 kg). The JT3 estimated the highest values in all periods possibly due to overestimation of the conversion ratio of feed energy to CH4. No significant difference was found in the overall MEF of Hanwoo steers between T2 and T2DMI. However, T2DMI estimated 8 % higher and 14 % lower MEF than T2 for the growing and finishing period, respectively, mainly because the T2 significantly over-predicts the gross energy intake of Hanwoo steers at the high level of intake. The IPCC default methods have limitations in their use for a feeding systems in non-western countries, and thus development of a country-specific methodology and parameter estimates for enteric CH4 production is required for Hanwoo and other cattle production systems.

Effects of supplementation of manganese with or without phytase on growth performance, carcass traits, muscle and tibia composition, and immunity in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Mn and phytase supplementation on performance, carcass traits, and immunity in broiler chickens. A total of 350 one-day-old unsexed broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 7 dietary treatments (5 replicate pens of 10 chicks per pen) in a 1+3×2 factorial arrangement with 3 concentrations of supplemental Mn and with or without phytase addition. The control diet represented a basal diet with no supplemental Mn and phytase. The basal diet was supplemented with Mn at 50, 75, and 100mg/kg diet and microbial phytase was added at a dose of 500FTU/kg. Average daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were similar among the treatments. During the starter, grower, and finisher periods, 5, 7.5, and 17.5% of the broiler chickens, respectively, developed leg abnormalities in the control diet, which were not observed in the treatment groups. The serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, Ca, and P were not affected by supplemental Mn and phytase or their interaction. Antibody titer against Newcastle virus disease vaccine on 16d and 32d of the feeding trial (10d after vaccination) were increased (P<0.05) by Mn or phytase supplementation, but the antibody titer was not affected by the Mn and phytase interaction. Carcass traits such as hot carcass weight, eviscerated carcass weight, dressing percentage, breast, leg, frame, and giblet were not altered by Mn or phytase or both supplementation. Abdominal fat content was decreased (P<0.05) by high concentrations of Mn supplementation (75 and 100mg/kg), but not by phytase addition. Chemical composition (moisture, protein, ash, and fat) in thigh and breast muscle, and total ash, Ca, and P concentrations in tibia at 42d were similar among the dietary treatments. Thus, supplementation of Mn at 75–100mg/kg to a basal corn-soybean diet could be beneficial for improving immunity and decreasing fat deposition, and phytase supplementation could also improve immunity measures in broiler chickens.

Effect of feeding sodium butyrate in the late finishing period on Salmonella carriage, seroprevalence, and growth of finishing pigs

Pork is an important source of human salmonellosis and low-cost on-farm control measures may provide a useful element in reducing the prevalence of this pathogen in food. This study investigated the effectiveness of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate administered to finisher pigs for ∼4-weeks prior to slaughter to control Salmonella shedding on highly contaminated farms.Two trials (A and B) were conducted on two commercial pig farms, which had a history of high Salmonella seroprevalence. In both trials, pens (14 pens of 12 pigs/pen in Trial A and 12 pens of 12–17 pigs/pen in Trial B) were randomly assigned to a control (finisher feed without additive) or a treatment group (the same feed with 3kg sodium butyrate/t) for 24–28days, depending on the trial. Faeces were collected from each pig on days 0, 12 and 24/28, and blood, caecal digesta and ileocaecal/mesenteric lymph nodes were collected from the slaughterhouse. Pigs were weighed at the start and end of the trials, feed intake was recorded, and carcass quality parameters were recorded at slaughter.In Trial A, Salmonella shedding was reduced in the treatment compared to the control group at the end of the trial (30% versus 57% probability of detecting Salmonella in faeces, respectively; p<0.001). This reflected the serology results, with detection of a lower seroprevalence in the treatment compared to the control group using the 20% optical density cut-off (69.5% versus 89%; p=0.001). However, no effect on faecal shedding or seroprevalance was observed in Trial B, which may be explained by the detection of a concomitant infection with Lawsonia intracellularis. No significant differences in Salmonella recovery rates were observed in the caecal digesta or lymph nodes in either trial. Furthermore, feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) did not differ between groups (p>0.05) in either trial. Numerical improvements in weight gain and FCE were found with sodium butyrate treatment, which gave a cost benefit of €0.04/kg of live-weight gain.Overall, results suggest that strategic feeding of sodium butyrate, at 3kg/t of feed, to finishing pigs for 24–28days prior to slaughter was effective in reducing Salmonella shedding and seroprevalance but perhaps only in the absence of co-infection with other pathogens. However, sodium butyrate supplementation at this rate did not influence intestinal carriage, nor did it reduce seroprevalence to below the cut-off used for the high Salmonella risk category in Ireland (50%), or significantly improve growth performance.

Effects of purified lignin on in vitro rumen metabolism and growth performance of feedlot cattle.

ObjectiveThe objectives were to assess the effects of purified lignin from wheat straw (sodium hydroxide dehydrated lignin; SHDL) on in vitro ruminal fermentation and on the growth performance of feedlot cattle.MethodsIn vitro experiments were conducted by incubating a timothy-alfalfa (50:50) forage mixture (48 h) and barley grain (24 h) with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/mL of rumen fluid (equivalent to 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 g SHDL/kg diet). Productions of CH4 and total gas, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, dry matter (DM) disappearance (DMD) and digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or starch were measured. Sixty Hereford-Angus cross weaned steer calves were individually fed a typical barley silage-barley grain based total mixed ration and supplemented with SHDL at 0, 4, 8, and 16 g/kg DM for 70 (growing), 28 (transition), and 121 d (finishing) period. Cattle were slaughtered at the end of the experiment and carcass traits were assessed.ResultsWith forage, SHDL linearly (p<0.001) reduced 48-h in vitro DMD from 54.9% to 39.2%, NDF disappearance from 34.1% to 18.6% and the acetate: propionate ratio from 2.56 to 2.41, but linearly (p<0.001) increased CH4 production from 9.5 to 12.4 mL/100 mg DMD. With barley grain, SHDL linearly increased (p<0.001) 24-h DMD from74.6% to 84.5%, but linearly (p<0.001) reduced CH4 production from 5.6 to 4.2 mL/100 mg DMD and NH3 accumulation from 9.15 to 4.49 μmol/mL. Supplementation of SHDL did not affect growth, but tended (p = 0.10) to linearly reduce feed intake, and quadratically increased (p = 0.059) feed efficiency during the finishing period. Addition of SHDL also tended (p = 0.098) to linearly increase the saleable meat yield of the carcass from 52.5% to 55.7%.ConclusionPurified lignin used as feed additive has potential to improve feed efficiency for finishing feedlot cattle and carcass quality.

English

Combinations of probiotic microorganisms are the study of interest due to beneficial impact through synergistic actions. Several researchers including our previous result found positive effects of various combinations of probiotic inclusion in broiler diet. In the current study, the efficacy of combinations of probiotic organisms by adding Rhodopseudomonas spp. was the primary interest on growth performance, mortality, immunity and cecal microflora in broilers. According to the completely randomized design, three hundred day-old Ross broiler chicks (initial BW, 45.08 ± 0.79 g) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments with ten replications of 10 birds per replicate. Broilers were reared for 5 weeks, where experimental diets were provided for starter (0 to 3 weeks) and finisher (4 to 5 weeks) period. The dietary treatments were, CON = control (corn-soybean meal based basal diet); ABT = basal diet + chlortetracycline-HCl; RCMP = basal diet + multi-microbe probiotic, (Bacillus spp. + Lactobacillus spp. + Saccharomyces spp. + Rhodopseudomonas spp.). Present study revealed that, dietary supplementation of RCMP significantly improved overall average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared to CON (P 0.05). Moreover, cecal pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella was significantly suppressed in RCMP and ABT supplemented group compared to CON (P 0.05). Thus, dietary supplementation of Rhodopseudomonas-based multi-microbe probiotic (RCMP) has the potentiality to be used as effective feed additives in broilers. Key words: Broilers, multi-microbe probiotic combinations, immunity, mortality, performance.

Effects on Productive Performance, Tibia Calcium and Phosphorous Retention, and Liver Enzymes Activity of Acidified and Alkalinized Diets in Broiler Chicken

Abstract A 35-day experiment was carried out to study the effects of acidified and alkalinized diets on zootechnical indices, tibial calcium and phosphorous retention, bone mineralization and liver enzymes activity using 250 Ross 308 male broiler chicks. Five treatments consisting of a control diet (CD), CD acidified using 10, 20 and 30 g/kg citric acid (CA) and CD alkalinized with Ca (OH)2 (8.9 g/kg in growth period and 8.6 g/kg in finisher period) were examined in 5 replicates of 10 birds each from day 7 up to day 42 of age. Inclusion of 30 g/kg CA significantly increased body weight, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed efficiency, tibia ash, tibia Ca content, at day 42 of age (P&lt;0.05). Serum alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were elevated in the birds fed with the 30 g/kg CA-treated diet at day 42 of age (P&lt;0.05). Alkalinized diet significantly reduced ADFI, tibia ash, tibial P and Ca contents, bone breaking strength and plasma Ca concentration (P&lt;0.05). It was concluded that the diet acidified with 30 g/kg CA promoted productive performance and tibia mineralization in broiler chicken. Alkalinized diet suppressed growth performance of the birds perhaps through disrupted mineral absorption and altered liver enzymes activity.

Reducing Antimicrobial Usage in Pig Production without Jeopardizing Production Parameters.

Antimicrobial usage (AMU) has been described to be high in pig production. Although farmers are aware of the high usage, little is known about intervention to improve the situation. This study evaluated the extent to which AMU could be reduced in pig production by the optimization of herd management, biosecurity status, vaccination strategy, anthelmintic therapy and advice on prudent AMU. Furthermore, the effects of these interventions on the herd production results were explored. This intervention study was conducted on 61 Flemish pig herds and included three visits per herd. During the initial visit, information was gathered on herd management, biosecurity status (quantified by means of the Biocheck.UGent™ risk-based scoring system), vaccination strategy, anthelmintic therapy and AMU. This info was then translated into a herd-specific action plan which was discussed with the farmer and herd veterinarian/other advisors during the second visit. In the final herd visit (±8months later), comparable data were obtained to evaluate the progress. Overall, a significant improvement of 2.4 points external and 7 points internal biosecurity on the herds was obtained, combined with additional vaccination, anthelmintic therapy and prudent AMU. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in the AMU with a decrease of 52% for the pigs from birth till slaughter and 32% for breeding animals, based on treatment incidences (TIs) and included an important reduction in the use of critically important antimicrobials. More importantly, the increased biosecurity levels and decreased AMU were combined with significantly improved technical results such as the number of weaned piglets per sow per year (+1.1), daily weight gain (+5.9g/day) and mortality in the finisher period (-0.6%). Guided interventions as a team effort of farmer and herd veterinarian/other advisors have shown to be a promising method in the reduction of AMU in pig production.