Improved Feed Intake Research Articles

Evaluation of native medicinal plants as feed additives in the Sheep ration

The present study evaluated nutritional attributes of local medicinal herbs and analysed their effect as feed additives in sheep ration. Proximate and fiber analysis of all herbs- Allium sativa, Cuminum cyminum, Emblica officinalis, Murraya koenigiii, Pimpinella anisum, Sapindus trifoliatus, Terminalia arjuna, Trigonella-foenum graecum, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Azadirachta indica and their further screening at different inclusion levels of 3%, 3.5% and 4% of ration to ascertain their effect on in vitro rumen fluid pH, dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility of ration was carried out during in vitro phase. Pimpinella anisum @ 3% of ration resulted in significant increase in in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility of ration. In vivo trial was conducted in which fourteen indigenous, non-descript, adult male sheep (body weight, 27.10±0.10 kg and age, 22-24 months) were randomly allotted into two groups and fed ad lib. wheat straw and concentrate mixture @ 25 g/W0.75 along with Pimpinella anisum @ 3% of ration in treatment group. Comparable OM, CP, EE digestibility was seen in both groups, however, treatment group had significantly higher DM, total carbohydrate, CF, NDF, ADF and HC digestibility. Both groups had positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance, however, treatment group had significantly increased nitrogen balance. Rumen fermentation parameters were comparable in both groups. Haemoglobin, PCV, serum protein and albumin in treatment group were significantly higher while no significant variation was seen in serum globulin, Albumin:Globulin ratio, total cholesterol, ALT, AST, BUN, creatinine and blood glucose concentration between both groups. It can be inferred from the above data that Pimpinella anisum @ 3% of ration can effectively be used as a feed additive in sheep ration for improving feed intake, nutrient digestibility and utilisation.

107 Yeast-Based Postbiotic Supplementation in Sow Diets to Enhance Offspring Growth and Health Through the Nursery Period

Abstract Litter size and the resulting nutritional demand on the sow continue to increase while sow mortality and culling rate are also increasing. Non-nutritive feed additives may enhance sow health and thereby improve offspring growth and productivity after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of yeast-based postbiotic supplementation in gestation and lactation diets on offspring performance through the nursery period. Gestating sows (N = 53; Parity 0 to 5; BW = 242.7 ± 7.1 kg) in 2 breeding groups were blocked by parity and assigned to either a control (CON) diet or a diet supplemented with a yeast-based postbiotic (SUP) at 0.5% in gestation from d 80 to 113 of gestation and 0.2% in lactation (d 114 of gestation to weaning at 20 ± 2 d). Sow reproductive performance and offspring growth from birth to 65 d of age were monitored. At weaning, pigs were allotted to pens within maternal dietary treatment (10 pigs/pen; 31 to 32 pens/maternal treatment; 630 total pigs; BW = 6.18 ± 0.86 kg) and all piglets received common nursery diets in a 4-phase program. Pigs were weighed at week 1, 2, 4, and 6 after weaning. Sow body weight and or reproductive performance (Piglets born alive/litter, 14.4 vs 14.1; piglet birth weight, 1.45 vs 1.48 kg; piglets weaned/litter, 13.0 vs 12.9; lactation sow feed intake, 6.4 vs 6.8 kg/d) was similar in CON and SUP sows, respectively. In the first week after weaning, pigs from SUP sows had greater (P = 0.03) feed intake (0.14 vs 0.13 kg/day) and tended to have decreased (P = 0.06) proportion of pigs that lost body weight (5.6 vs 11.0%). The improved feed intake in the first week after weaning may explain the decreased fallback rate in pigs from SUP sows. Across both sow groups, by 65 d of age, body weight (21.53 vs 21.76 kg), average daily gain (0.36 vs 0.37 kg/day), average daily feed intake (0.54 vs 0.53 kg/day), gain efficiency (0.67 vs 0.69 kg), and mortality (1.26 vs 1.60%) was similar in piglets from CON and SUP sows, respectively. The postbiotic in sow diets positively impacted voluntary feed intake of pigs in the first week after weaning, during a period when feed intake is often low and erratic.

Dietary soybean lecithin promoted growth performance and feeding in juvenile Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) could be by optimizing glucolipid metabolism.

To explore the potential benefits of dietary phospholipids (PLs) in fish glucose metabolism and to promote feed culture of Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi), we set up six diets to feed Chinese perch (initial mean body weight 37.01 ± 0.20 g) for 86 days, including: Control diet (CT), 1% (SL1), 2% (SL2), 3% (SL3), 4% (SL4) soybean lecithin (SL) and 2% (KO2) krill oil (KO) supplemental diets (in triplicate, 20 fish each). Our study found that the SL2 significantly improved the weight gain rate and special growth rate, but the KO2 did not. In addition, the SL2 diet significantly improved feed intake, which is consistent with the mRNA levels of appetite-related genes (npy, agrp, leptin A). Additionally, in the CT and SL-added groups, leptin A expression levels were nearly synchronized with serum glucose levels. Besides, the SL2 significantly upregulated expression levels of glut2, gk, cs, fas and downregulated g6pase in the liver, suggesting that it may enhance glucose uptake, aerobic oxidation, and conversion to fatty acids. The SL2 also maintained the hepatic crude lipid content unchanged compared to the CT, possibly by significantly down-regulating the mRNA level of hepatic lipase gene (hl), and by elevating serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level and intraperitoneal fat ratio in significance. Moreover, the serum high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased by PL supplementation, and the SL2 further significantly increased serum total cholesterol and LDL levels, suggesting that dietary PLs promote lipid absorption and transport. Furthermore, dietary SL at 1% level could enhance non-specific immune capacity, with serum total protein level being markedly higher than that in the CT group. In conclusion, it is speculated that the promotion of glucose utilization and appetite by 2% dietary SL could be linked. We suggest a 1.91% supplementation of SL in the diet for the best growth performance in juvenile Chinese perch.

Effect of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails

Citrus citrus peeling has a wide range of vitamins and trace minerals that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is hypothesized that the addition of citrus peeling to broiler quail diets can improve their production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization. A trial was performed to study the impact of a methanolic extract of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails. A healthy day-old 300 quails were randomly assigned with 5 replicates each replicate had 15 birds and used CRD for the trial. Different dietary supplementations were presented to different groups. The control group was not supplemented with any supplementation in their feed. While, the 3 other groups were supplemented by 0.5 mL/kg, 1 mL/kg, and 1.5 mL/kg of methanolic extract of dried Citrus sinensis peel (DCSP) in the basal diet (DCSP0.5, DCSP1, and DCSP1.5 groups, respectively). All the birds were allowed ad libitum feeding and water. The feed intake and FCR were significantly higher in the control group, followed by DCSP0.5, and then DCSP1. The significantly lowest feed intake and FCR were observed in the DCSP1.5 group. The weight gain and dressing % were significantly improved with the increasing level of methanolic extract of Citrus sinensis. The significantly highest weights of thymus, spleen, and bursa were recorded in the DCSP1.5 group, followed by the DCSP1. The antibody titers against infectious bursal disease, New Castle disease, and infectious bronchitis disease were significantly higher in the DCSP1.5, DCSP1, and DCSP0.5 groups than in the control group. It was concluded from the study that supplementation of quails with methanolic extract of citrus at a dose rate of 0.5 to 1.5 mL/kg of feed can improve feed intake, weight gain, FCR, dressing percentage, relative weight of lymphoid organs, and digestibility coefficient. Supplementation of Citrus sinensis has also concluded positive impacts on antibody titers against various viral diseases. The best improvement in the evaluated parameters was observed at a dose of extract of citrus was 1.5 mL/kg of feed.

Comparative evaluation of different moulting methods on productive performance, egg quality, and antibody response of leghorn hens.

The aim of the study was to compare three moulting procedures and their effect on productive performance, egg quality, and antibody response of leghorn hens. For this, a total of 324 laying hens were distributed into three treatment groups having 12 replicates of 9 birds each according to completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of three moulting procedures based on feed and light restriction. The targeted weight at the end of moulting was 1450-1470 g. As soon as the moulting procedure is complete, the comparative analysis of post-moult productive performance (feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed per dozen eggs, feed per kg egg mass, livability), egg quality characteristics (egg weight, egg length and width, shape index, surface area, volume, albumen height, weight, Haugh unit score, yolk width, height, index, egg shell pore number, shell weight, thickness, breaking strength), and antibody response against Newcastle disease and avian influenza (H-9) were evaluated. Birds subjected to moulting procedure 3 (8 days fasting and gradual decrease in light) showed improvement in productive performance, egg geometry and quality traits, and antibody response against Newcastle disease virus. Birds experienced moulting procedure 1 (11 days fasting) had improved feed intake, egg production, and livability. However, birds moulted with procedure 2 (6 days fasting) revealed intermediate result in all the studied parameters. In conclusion, moulting through feed and light restriction with 8 days fasting and gradual reduction in light has potential to improve performance of leghorn hens.

Evaluating the effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on the performance, milk quality and fatty acid of mid-lactating dairy cows.

The objective of the experiment was to investigate the effect of a mixture of direct-fed microbial (DFM) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield and composition, milk fatty acid and blood parameter in crossbred mid-lactating cows. Twenty-four crossbred Holstein cows (body weight = 650±15kg; days in milk = 100±20; daily milk yield = 25±3kg) were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments: (1) CON, without DFM; (2) LS, inoculation with Lactobacillus fermentum (4.5 × 108 CFU/day) plus Saccharomyces cerevisiae (1.4×1010 CFU/day); and (3) LSM, inoculation with LS plus Megasphaera elsdenii (4.5 × 108 CFU/day). All animals received the same ration with 45.7% forage and 54.3% concentrate. Results showed that the highest feed intake was observed in treatments LS and LSM (p = 0.02). Compared with the CON, milk production, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, fat (kg/day), protein (kg/day) and lactose (kg/day), FE and percent of fat were increased (p<0.05) by LSM, but unaffected by LS. Also, compared with the CON, both LS and LSM increased antioxidant activity (p<0.05). The concentration of C18:2c n-6 increased significantly in treatment LSM compared with the CON (p = 0.003). The concentration of C20:0 increased significantly in treatment LS compared with the CON (p = 0.004). The highest concentrations of insulin, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol were observed by LSM (p<0.05). Compared with the CON, both LS and LSM increased blood monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and basophil (p<0.05), and blood lymphocyte was increased (p = 0.02) only by LSM. The results of the research showed that the use of DFMs had no effect on the digestibility, microbial load and the major part of fatty acids in milk. However, it improved feed intake, milk yield and antioxidant activity of milk and also increased the milk concentration of C18:2 n-6.

Feed intake and milk yield and composition of lactating dairy goats in response to partial substitution of soybean meal for formaldehyde-treated sesame meal in the diet

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of substitution of soybean meal (SBM) for formaldehyde-treated sesame meal (FTSM) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters and milk production and composition in lactating Murciano-Granadina goats. Forty lactating goats were randomly assigned to one of the following four treatments: (1) diet with 16.5% CP, containing SBM (CON); (2) diet with 16.5% CP, containing untreated SM (USM); (3) diet with 16.5% CP, containing FTSM (FT); and (4) diet with 14.5% CP containing FTSM (LPFT). The results showed that nutrient intake was highest in the FT group (p < 0.001), while it was similar between the CON and LPFT groups, except for the intake of CP, which was higher in the CON group. The FT and LPFT had lower ruminal pH compared to CON and USM groups (p < 0.001), with goats in group FT having the highest volatile fatty acids (VFA) production (p < 0.001). The highest propionate concentration was observed in the LPFT treatment (p < 0.001), followed by the FT, CON, and USM treatments. Goats offered USM and LPFT treatments presented the highest and lowest acetate: propionate values, respectively, among the experimental groups (p < 0.001). The results also showed that LPFT goats had the lowest blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level (p = 0.004), while FT goats presented a lower non-esterified FA (NEFA) level compared with CON and LPFT goats (p = 0.01). Goats offered the FT diet had the highest milk yield (p = 0.002) and energy-corrected milk yield (p < 0.001) among all dietary groups. The highest milk fat (p < 0.001), protein (p = 0.001), lactose (p = 0.007), total solids (p = 0.003), and solids-not-fat (SNF) (p = 0.003) contents were observed in FT goats, which didn’t differ from USM goats. The inclusion of formaldehyde-treated SM increased the percentage of C18:3 (p < 0.001) and C20:1 (p = 0.04) FAs compared with USM and CON treatments. Milk from USM, FT, and LPFT goats had lower levels of saturated (p < 0.001) and medium-chain FAs (p = 0.014) compared with CON goats, whereas milk from CON goats had lower levels of unsaturated, monounsaturated, and long-chain FAs compared to other groups (p < 0.001). The lowest and the highest concentrations of polyunsaturated FAs were observed in CON and LPFT goats, respectively (p = 0.001). It can be concluded that SBM can be advantageously replaced by formaldehyde-treated SM in the diet as a feasible alternative to improve feed intake and production performance of dairy goats.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Broiler Feed Conversion Efficiency and Immune Response against Infectious Bursal Disease Vaccine

The ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock feeding has encouraged the utilization of phytogenic feed additives. These phytogenics recently attracted much attention and are generally recognized as residue-free ideal feed additives in animal Production. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of the phytogenic herbs on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and immune responses associated with the infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine in broiler chickens. For this study, 360 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six feeding trials, each with three replicates containing 20 chicks. The control group (T1) was only fed a basal diet alone, while the treatment groups were given the basal diet supplemented with 1% of basil (T2), lemongrass (T3), peppermint (T4), rosemary (T5), and thyme (T6) leaves powder, respectively. Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. All chicks were vaccinated against IBD on days 7 and 19. A serology test was conducted to check the antibody titer against the IBD vaccine. The findings of this study showed that chickens in group T2 had significantly consumed more feed, followed by T1 and T6. During the overall study period, chickens in group T4 had significantly better feed conversion efficiency, followed by T3 and T6. Chickens in groups T5 and T6 showed a more pronounced antibody titer against the IBD vaccine at days 21 and 42 of the experiment. Therefore, these findings indicated that supplementation of basil leaf powder improved feed intake. Moreover, peppermint and lemongrass leaf powder improved the feed conversion ratio. In addition, supplementation of rosemary and thyme enhances the immune status of broiler chickens and could be considered a natural growth promoter feed additive. Therefore, further studies should be done to discover their beneficial effects to use as alternative feed additives in broiler chickens. Keywords: Body weight, Broiler chicken, Feed conversion, Feed intake, Immune response, Infectious bursa disease

An investigation into the effects of using protein hydrolysate in low fish meal diets on growth performance, feed utilization and health status of snakehead fish (Channa striata) fingerling

This study aimed to investigate the growth performance, feed utilization and innate immune response of snakehead fish (Channa striata) that had received a low fish meal-based diet and supplementation with protein hydrolysate. A fish meal-based diet was consider as a ‘high fish meal diet’ in feed formular (HF) and a ‘low fish meal diet’ (LF) replaced 40% of fish meal with soybean meal. Two other diets were prepared by supplementing tuna hydrolysate (TH) and poultry hydrolysate (PH) in LF diet. The experimental fish (initial mean weight 4.1 ± 0.15 g) were randomly assigned to quadruplicate group and fish were randomly distributed into 500-L circular plastic tanks at a density of 70 fish per tank. Each experimental diet was handfed three times daily to apparent satiation for eight weeks. At the terminal period, the results showed no significant difference in fish survival rates among all groups (p > 0.05), and significant improvements (p < 0.05) in percentage of weight gain and specific growth rate were obtained in fish fed dietary TH compared to among all group. In terms of feed utilization, the data showed that there was also no significant difference (p > 0.05) in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) among all groups. Values of hematological parameters did not significantly differ among experimental groups (p > 0.05). Serum lysozyme levels increased significantly in fish fed diet TH. Other immune parameters (Catalase, MPO, SOD and RBA) were not altered by diet. However, fish fed diet TH and HF had strong fluorescence intensity, indicating slightly higher respiratory burst activity than other groups. Overall, the present findings suggest that supplementing 2.5% tuna hydrolysate in the low fish meal-based diet can improve feed intake, growth performance and innate immunity in snakehead fish.

IMPACT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION AND FEEDING MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH OF SAHIWAL FEMALE CALVES

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of protein supplementation and feeding management on the growth performance of Sahiwal female calves.A total of 45 Sahiwal female calves were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (control), Group B (protein supplementation), and Group C (ad libitum green fodder + protein supplementation). The study spanned a period of 90 days, during which the calves' feed intake, weight gain, and body measurements were assessed.The results indicated that protein supplementation had a significant impact on various aspects of calf development. Calves in Group B and Group C showed improved feed intake compared to the control group. Furthermore, the weight gain of calves in the supplemented groups was significantly higher than that of the control group. The body measurements, including height at withers, body length, heart girth, and hip width, also varied among the different treatment groups, with the control group generally exhibiting smaller measurements.These findings suggest that protein supplementation positively influenced the growth performance of Sahiwal female calves. The study highlights the importance of considering protein supplementation as a part of feeding management strategies for optimizing the growth of calves.

Feed preference, body condition scoring, and growth performance of Dohne Merino ram fed varying levels of fossil shell flour

Abstract Acceptability of a diet is one factor that determines an animal’s growth performance. Some feed additives in the category of dietary clay, including fossil shell flour (FSF), have been identified to enhance performance of livestock. Therefore, the influence of varying inclusion levels of FSF supplementation on feed acceptability, body condition scores, and growth performance of Dohne Merino sheep was evaluated. Twenty-four Dohne Merino rams were completely randomised and individually housed in pens for 90 days. Four different supplementation levels of FSF (0, 20, 40, and 60g/kg) were considered treatments for the rams. The average daily feed intake, body condition score, average daily weight gain (g), and coefficient of preference were significantly higher in rams supplemented with 60 g FSF/kg than the other treatments (P &lt; 0.05). The experimental diet colour was brown for 0 g FSF/kg, while in 20, 40, and 60 g FSF/kg, it ranged from light brown to slightly deep brown. The texture of diets with 0 g FSF/kg was moderately firm, while diets with 20, 40, and 60 g FSF/kg had a firm texture. The order of preference of diets supplemented with FSF in feed intake by Dohne Merino rams was: 60 g FSF/kg &gt; 40 g FSF/kg &gt; 20 g FSF/kg &gt; 0 g FSF/kg. Therefore, FSF at a minimum inclusion level of 40 g FSF/kg can improve feed intake, body condition score, and feeding behaviour of Dohne Merino rams by increasing the acceptability of the diet.

35 Effects of Supplementing Pre- and Pro-Biotic Feed Ingredients on Performance, Health, and Physiological Responses in Feedlot Cattle

Abstract This experiment examined the effects of a synbiotic supplement (yeast-derived prebiotic + Bacillus subtilis probiotic), which replaced or was fed with feed-grade antimicrobials (monensin and tylosin), on performance and health responses of feedlot cattle. Angus-influenced steers (n = 192) from 4 different sources were weaned and transported 800 km to an experimental feedlot. Steers arrived on d 0 and a shrunk body weight (BW) was recorded. Steers were then ranked by source and shrunk BW and allocated to 1 of 24 drylot pens (8 steers/pen). Steers a received free-choice diet of 3 treatments: 1) monensin and tylosin (RT; 360 mg/steer/day from Rumensin and 90 mg/steer/day from Tylan; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN), 2) yeast-derived ingredient and B. subtilis probiotic (CC;8 g∙steer-1∙day-1 of Celmanax and 28 g∙steer-1∙day-1 of Certillus; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ), or 3) a combination of RT and CC (RTCC). Animals were adapted to diets in a stepwise manner which consisted of a receiving diet (d 0 to 56), two step-up diets (step-up: d 57 to 63; step-up 2: d 64 to 70), and a final diet (d 71 to slaughter). The cattle were slaughtered in four groups according to BW and balanced by treatments. More specifically, 33 steers were slaughtered on d 200, 33 steers on d 230, 63 steers on d 257, and 63 steers on d 285. Upon slaughter, hot carcass weight, backfat thickness, Longissimus muscle area, USDA marbling score, USDA yield/quality grades, and liver abscess score were recorded. Overall, feed intake during the duration of the experimental period (d 0 to slaughter) was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in CC compared with RT and RTCC. However, no differences were observed for ADG (P = 0.61), final BW (P = 0.67), or morbidity (P = 0.15). With increases in intake but no differences in ADG the CC group had lower feed efficiency (P = 0.02) when compared with RT and RTCC. Upon slaughter, CC had higher marbling scores compared with RT (P = 0.04). Both the CC and RTCC cattle had larger Longissimus muscle area (P = 0.07) and more carcasses grading choice or better (P &amp;lt; 0.01) when compared with RT. Whereas, hot carcass weight, backfat thickness, and yield grade did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.20). There was tendency observed for liver abscesses (P ≤ 0.09) to be greater in CC compared with RT and RTCC. Overall, supplementing feedlot steers with RT and CC improved feed intake and some carcass measures despite the decreased feed efficiency experienced by these cattle but combining CC and RT did not yield any additional performance or health benefits.

Microbial Fermented Liquid Supplementation Improves Nutrient Digestibility, Feed Intake, and Milk Production in Lactating Dairy Cows Fed Total Mixed Ration.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of MFL supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition in early lactating dairy cows. Twelve, Thai crossbred Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation, 500 ± 30 kg of body weight (BW), were randomly assigned according to a completely randomized design (CRD). MFL supplementation levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mL/d were used as treatments. Experimental animals were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) with a roughage to concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) of 40:60, which contains 12% crude protein (CP) and 70% total digestible nutrient (TDN). Rice straw was a roughage source. MFL supplementation levels had no effect (p > 0.05) on body weight change and dry matter intake (DMI) expressed as %BW, whereas DMI expressed as metabolic body weight (BW0.75) was linearly (p < 0.05) increased, with the highest at 200 mL/d in the YFL supplementation group (147.5 g/kg BW0.75), whereas feed intake of organic matter (OM), CP, ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) did not significant (p > 0.05) difference among treatments. Related to apparent digestibility, MFL levels did not affect (p > 0.05) on DM, OM, and EE digestibility, while apparent digestibility of CP, NDF, and ADF were linearly increased (p < 0.05) when increasing MFL supplementation levels, and the highest (p < 0.05) were the 200 and 300 mL/d FML supplemented groups. BUN at 0 h post feeding did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) between treatments, while at 4 h after feeding, BUN was linearly (p < 0.05) increased from 0, 100, 200, and 300 (mL/day) MFL supplementation, the values were 12.9, 13.1, 19.7, and 18.4 mg/dL, respectively and the highest was 200 mL/head/day for the MFL supplemented group. MFL supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) milk fat, lactose, solid not fat (SNF), and specific gravity of milk, while MFL supplementation at 200 mL/day caused a linear increase (p < 0.01) in BUN, MUN, milk yield, milk protein, total solids (TS) and 3.5% FCM when supplement levels were increased. In conclusion, MFL supplementation in early lactating dairy cows could improve feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition.

Impact of fermented Broussonetia papyrifera on laying performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens

Hybrid Broussonetia papyrifera (BP) has been widely planted and commonly used as ruminant forage source after fermentation in China. Very less information is available to know the impact of fermented BP on laying hens, thus, we have investigated effects of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum-fermented B. papyrifera (LfBP) on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, and follicular development of laying hens. A total of 288 HY-Line Brown hens (age, 23 wk) were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups: control group (Con, a basal diet), LfBP1 and LfBP5 group (a basal diet supplemented with 1% or 5% LfBP). Each group has 8 replicates of twelve birds each. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of LfBP increased average daily feed intake (linear, P < 0.05), feed conversion ratio (linear, P < 0.05), and average egg weight (linear, P < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. In addition, dietary inclusion of LfBP enhanced the egg yolk color (linear, P < 0.01) but decreased the eggshell weight (quadratic, P < 0.05) and eggshell thickness (linear, P < 0.01). In serum, the LfBP supplementation linearly decreased the content of total triglyceride (linear, P < 0.01) but increased the content of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (linear, P < 0.05). The gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism including acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) was down-regulated whereas liver X receptor was up-regulated in LfBP1 group. Moreover, LfBP1 supplementation remarkably reduced the F1 follicle number and ovarian gene expression of reproductive hormone receptors including estrogen receptor, follicle stimulating hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, progesterone receptor, prolactin receptor, and B cell lymphoma-2. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of LfBP could improve feed intake, egg yolk color, and lipid metabolism, but may cause a decline in eggshell quality with higher inclusion level, herein, 1% is suggested.

Effect of coated cysteamine hydrochloride and probiotics supplemented alone or in combination on feed intake, nutrients digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites of Kamphaeng Saen beef heifers.

This study aimed to determine the effects of coated cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) and probiotics (PB) supplemented alone or in combination on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites of heifer beef cattle. Sixteen heifers (body weight = 210 ± 41 kg; age = 9 ± 2 months) were assigned according to a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. All animals were fed the basal diet, which contained an 82:17 concentrate-to-forage ratio, and the forage source was rice straw. The treatments were as follows: (1) 0% PB + 0 g/d CSH, (2) 0.1% PB + 0 g/d CSH, (3) 0% PB + 20 g/d CSH, and (4) 0.1% PB + 20 g/d CSH. The main effect of CSH supplementation has been found to improve feed intake (P < 0.05). There were no treatment interactions with nutrient digestibility or rumen fermentation parameters. Supplementation of CSH did not affect any of the variables evaluated, while probiotics supplementation increased DM digestibility due to the increases in CP and fiber fraction digestibility. Compared to controls and CSH, at 16 h post-feeding, heifers receiving probiotics tended (P = 0.07) to show 17% greater ruminal NH3-N concentration, but this effect was not evident at 2 h post-feeding. However, the main effects of probiotic supplementation showed a tendency to increase the number of total bacteria and fungal zoospores in the rumen at 2 h post-feeding. The blood triglyceride (BTG) concentration of heifers fed a diet supplemented with 20 g/d CSH and 0.1% probiotics was found to be greater than those fed CSH alone (P < 0.1) at 16 h post-feeding, and then, there were greater BTG concentrations than other treatments (P < 0.05) at 2 h post-feeding. In conclusion, the combination of CSH and PB did not potentiate the effects of probiotics on digestibility and rumen fermentation and had minimal effects on blood parameters.

Effect of Different Processing Techniques of Kenaf Grain Meal in The Diets of Rabbits

Kenaf grain is rich in protein and energy but there is need for further processing for maximum utilization by livestock. Feed processing has been found to improve feed intake, weight gain and nutrient digestibility. A total of forty-eight crosses of Chinchilla and white California weaned rabbits of mixed sexes of mean weight 543.45±3.6g were used for the feeding trial that lasted for 90 days. Kenaf grain was processed by three different methods before incorporation with other feed ingredients. Four diets were formulated in which kenaf grain was not processed which served as Control (P1), Diet 2 (P2), Roasting of KG, Diet 3 (P3), Soaking of KG in water for 24 hours before air-drying, Diet 4 (P4), Cooking of KGM with water for 10 minutes before air-drying. The diets were formulated to contain 16% crude protein and energy of 2600kcal Metabolizable Energy/kg. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and nutrient digestibility among others. The feed intake was significantly higher in P2, P3 and P4 containing roasted soaked and cooked kenaf grain meal as compared to diet containing unprocessed kenaf grain meal (P&lt;0.05). The weight gain of the rabbits improved when KGM was roasted, cooked or soaked before incorporated with other feed ingredients (P&lt;0.05). The efficiency of feed utilization was relatively similar in the diets containing processed kenaf grain meal. The crude protein and crude fibre digestibility were lowered at P1 containing diet with raw KGM (P&gt;0.05). The results of carcass analysis showed that the dressed weight and dressing percentage were better in the diet containing processed KGM. It could be concluded that processing of kenaf grain meal by roasting, soaking and blanching improved feed intake, nutrients digestibility, weight gain and dressing percentage of rabbits.

Influence of dietary Bacillus coagulans and/or Bacillus licheniformis-based probiotics on performance, gut health, gene expression, and litter quality of broiler chickens

Probiotics are non-pathogenic microorganisms that are potentially important non-antibiotic alternatives. This study aimed to compare novel multi-strain and single-strain Bacillus probiotics and their respective influences on broiler chickens’ performance, gut health, litter quality, immune response, and NBN and TLR gene expression. A total of 1200 Arbor-Acres 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into three treatments (T1 was a control, T2 was supplemented with a combined Bacillus coagulans (2 × 109 cfu/g) and Bacillus licheniformis (8 × 109 cfu/g) probiotic strains (0.2 kg/ton of feed), and T3 was supplemented with Bacillus licheniformis (3.2 × 109 cfu/g) probiotic (0.5 kg/ton of feed) with eight replicas of each. Supplementing the broiler diet with either the single-strain (T3) or the multi-strain (T2) Bacillus-based probiotic raised the overall birds’ body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and European production efficiency factor compared to the control (T1), with a significant enhancement achieved by the multi-strain Bacillus product (P = 0.005). T2 and T3 exhibited significantly improved cholesterol, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase levels than the control (P ≤ 0.05). The transcript levels of both NBN and TLR genes were upregulated in the liver in the T2 and T3 groups. The T2 group experienced significant reductions in gut bacterial counts, especially for Clostridia, and recorded the lowest litter moisture and nitrogen. In conclusion, supplementing broiler diets with probiotics of multiple Bacillus strains increased production profitability by promoting bird growth, improving feed intake, enhancing gut mucosa and immune organs, and upregulating genes responsible for immunity. All these inhibit the overgrowth of enteric pathogens and sustain litter quality.

Role of zinc-methionine chelate on bone health and eggshell quality in late–phase laying hens

This experiment aimed to assessing bone status and eggshell properties of laying hens at the end of a production cycle in response to inclusion of zinc-methionine chelate and zinc sulfate to diet. In a completely randomized design, 125 Leghorn laying hens (w36) 80 weeks old were divided into five treatment groups with five replications.Treatments were control (without zinc supplementation), zinc sulfate treatments (30 and 45 mg/kg), and zinc-methionine chelate (30 and 45 mg/kg). There was a significant increase in the feed intake in zinc sulfate and zinc -methionine chelate treatments campare the control treatment (P < 0.05). Tibia ash was significantly higher in treatments containing sulfate and zinc methionine chelate than in the control treatment (P < 0.05). The tibia's cortical thickness was improved in laying hens receiving 30 mg/kg zinc-methionine chelate. The supplementation of zinc could lead to an increase of mineralization in bone tissue. According to the results, zinc supplementation can improve feed intake, egg weight and the optimal zinc absorption in tissues. Zinc-methionine chelate boosts tibial mechanical properties without compromising eggshell quality of laying hens at the end of a production cycle.

Effects of pellet diameter and crumble size on the growth performance and relative gizzard weight of broilers

An experiment was conducted to compare the growth performance, gizzard and relative gizzard weight (RGW) of broilers fed a mash diet, micro-pellets, or coarse and fine crumbles with or without the fines removed. A total of 300 Cobb 500 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 60 battery cages with 5 broilers per cage. Cages were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments to provide 10 replicates per treatment in a CRD. Treatments comprised of 1) mash (M); 2) micro-pellets (MP); 3) coarse-crumbles with fines (CCF); 4) coarse-crumbles with fines removed (CCNF); 5) fine-crumbles with fines (FCF); and 6) fine-crumbles with fines removed (FCNF). Overall BW, ADG, and ADFI were increased (P < 0.001), FCR improved (P < 0.001), and RGW decreased (P < 0.001) for broilers fed MP or crumbles compared to the M diet. Broilers fed MP, CCNF, and FCNF had increased (P < 0.05) BW compared to those fed CCF and FCF. Broilers fed the CCNF had improved (P < 0.05) FCR compared to those fed all other treatments. Gizzard weight (P = 0.0007) and RGW (P < 0.0001) were higher for birds fed M, FCF, and FCNF compared to other diets. The results of this study indicated that feeding MP or crumbles to broiler chicks improved feed intake, BW, and FCR but reduced RGW. Removing the fines resulted in further improvement in BW for broilers fed crumbles. Furthermore, feeding good quality crumbles yielded similar growth performance in chicks fed micro-pellets.

Effects of Supplementing Different Levels of Stinging Nettle Leaf Meal on the Growth Performance of Starter Broilers

There is a growing concern by consumers of broiler chickens in Kenya over the injudicious use of antibiotic growth promoters such as oxytetracyclines which has led high tissue residues and consecutively, resistance to the drugs in both livestock and humans. This problem has elicited increased research towards natural alternatives. The current research was thus conducted to determine the optimal dietary inclusion levels of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) leaf meal (NLM) that result to improvements in feed intake (FI), growth rate (GR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of Cobb 500 starter broiler chickens. Four isonitrogeneous (20% crude protein (CP)) and isocaloric (3200 Kcal/kg) diets were formulated; Diet 1 (Control, NLM 0%), Diet 2 (NLM 1%), Diet 3 (NLM 1.5%) and Diet 4 (NLM 2%). Proximate analysis was undertaken for all experimental diets. A total of 48 unsexed chicks were weighed and randomly allocated the experimental diets with 4 replicates of 3 chicks each for 17 days. The FI and body weight gain (BWG) were weighed and recorded daily and weekly respectively. The GR and FCE were also calculated. Results showed that birds supplemented with NLM at 1% had significant mean (162.03g) for FI. Birds supplemented with NLM at 1.5% in the diet had the highest BWG (1930.50g) and GR (113.56g). However, 2% NLM supplemented birds showed the highest FCE (7.98). From the study, it was concluded that supplementing the diets of starter broiler chickens with NLM at 1.5% resulted to the highest BWG and GR.