Improved Feed Intake Research Articles

Differences in bedding material could alter the growth performance of White Pekin ducks raised for 42 days.

The effect of different commercially available bedding materials on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of ducks for 42 days was investigated. 336 one-day-old White-Pekin ducklings (60.48 ± 0.16 g) were randomly allocated into 24-floor pens with one of the three beddings namely i) coco peat, ii) rice husks, or iii) sawdust. 14 ducklings per pen and 8 replicate pens per bedding material were used. Birds were fed a starter diet from days 1-21 and a grower diet from days 22-42. Weekly growth performance evaluation was conducted for the average body weight, weight gains, daily feed intake, and feed conversion efficiency. One bird per pen was sacrificed on day 42 for the evaluation of carcass characteristics including the carcass, breast, and leg muscle percentages. Breast and leg muscle samples were then collected and analyzed for their proximate and pH values. Higher body weights (p < 0.05) were noticed with rice husks on day 42 only. Improved daily gains (p < 0.05) were also noticed for birds raised with rice husks over the entire period (days 1-42). Concerning feed intake, higher values (p < 0.05) were similarly noted with rice husks for the grower phase (days 22-42), and the entire experimental period (days 1-42). Marginally improved feed intake values were also noted with the use of rice husks as the bedding materials on day 42 (p = 0.092). Improved feed efficiency (p < 0.05) was noticed with rice husks on day 35, the grower period, and the entire 42-day period. However, no significant differences were noticed for most of the carcass characteristics that were evaluated. Nevertheless, higher (p < 0.05) pH values for the breast muscle were noticed with the use of coco peat and sawdust as the bedding. Conclusively, the bedding type could have a significant impact on the growth performance of ducks without adverse effects on carcass characteristics. The use of rice husks as bedding might be advantageous and is therefore recommended.

Efficacy Of Trichilia Monadelpha Stem Bark Extracts on The Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits

The use of medicinal plants has been gaining increasing attention due to antibiotic resistance and the need to promote a healthy environment as well as food safety. Secondary metabolites in Trichilia monadelpha stem bark extract (TMSBE) was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system while proximate analysis of experimental diet was carried out using Near Infra-red Spectrophotometer kit (NIR). 40 growing New Zealand white × Chinchilla crossbred rabbits of 6-7 weeks age (472.6 ± 6.2 g) were used for the experiment. Rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups; each treatment was further divided into 5 replicates consisting of 2 rabbits each. Group 1 (G1): Basal diet with no TMSBE, G2: Basal diet plus 3 mL TMSBE per rabbit/day, G3: Basal diet plus 6 mL TMSBE per rabbit/day and G4: Basal diet plus 9 mL TMSBE per rabbit/day. Experimental diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement standards for growing rabbits according to Nutritional Research Council standards (1977). GC/MS analysis of TMSBE revealed that it is abundant in coapene (25.40 %) followed by azulene (18.29 %), δ-cadinene (15.39 %), α-cubebene (10.61 %) and α-longipinene (10.11 %) respectively other compounds were less than 5 %. Average weekly weight gain (AWWG), average weekly feed intake (AWFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (P˂0.05) different among the treatments. AWWG and AWFI follow similar trend and were highest in G3 and G4, intermediate in G2, lowest in G1 (P˂0.05). Better FCR were recorded among rabbits in G4 compared to the other groups (P˂0.05). It was concluded that feeding TMSBE at 9 mL/day improved feed intake and enhance performance in rabbits.

Dephytinization of wheat and rice bran by cross-linked enzyme aggregates of Mucor indicus phytase: a viable prospect for food and feed industries.

Novel feeds for improved feed intake and for enhanced nutrient bioavailability have recently attracted attention. Insoluble dietary fibers, especially rice and wheat bran, have generated much interest due to their nutritional value. Incorporating insoluble dietary fiber into diets could be a viable way to maximize the feed conversion ratio. Cross-linked phytase aggregates (CLPA) were synthesized by precipitating enzymes followed by cross-linking with 5 mmol L-1 glutaraldehyde, yielding 88.24 (U g-1 ) of enzyme load without the assistance of a proteic feeder. The epitome of the study is the dephosphorylation of wheat bran and rice bran by varying pH, enzyme concentration, and temperature. The highest inorganic phosphorus liberation by 150 U L--1 of free phytase was 23.72 (wheat bran) and 48.08 mg g-1 (rice bran) after 12 h of incubation. Furthermore, 150 U L-1 of CLPA liberated 28.72 (wheat bran) and 52.08 mg g-1 (rice bran) of inorganic phosphorus with an incubation time of 12 h. Thermostable free phytase was insolubilized to dephosphorylate the agro-residue, namely, wheat bran and rice bran, to reduce the anti-nutritional factor (the phytate content) of these insoluble dietary fibers. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and physiological and meat quality parameters in Boschveld cockerels

Despite being touted as a rich source of nutrients and functional bioactive compounds, the amount of brown seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) that can be included in diets of Boschveld indigenous chickens is unknown. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of feeding graded levels of brown seaweed meal (BSM) on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and physiological and meat quality parameters in Boschveld cockerels. A total of 225, five-wk-old Boschveld cockerels (316.4 ± 23.01 g live weight) were raised on 5 isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets formulated by incorporating BSM in a standard grower diet at a concentration of 0 (BSM0), 20 (BSM2), 40 (BSM4), 60 (BSM6), and 80 g/kg (BSM8). Feeding graded levels of dietary BSM induced neither quadratic nor linear effects (P > 0.05) on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance, hematological parameters, and meat quality characteristics in Boschveld cockerels. However, it resulted in linear increases for overall feed intake (R2=0.397; P=0.021), ceca weight (R2=0.417; P=0.013), duodenum length (R2=0.537; P=0.04), and small intestine length (R2=0.305; P=0.041). Negative quadratic responses were recorded for alanine aminotransferase (R2=0.530; P=0.0009) and ileum length (R2=0.457; P=0.045) as BSM levels increased. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of BSM improved feed intake and some internal organ sizes, altered alanine transaminase levels, but had no significant effect on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and carcass and meat quality attributes of Boschveld indigenous cockerels.

Lactating buffalos’ productive performance, ruminal kinetics, nutrients digestibility and oxidative status as response to supplementing diets with alpinia galanga

The current study investigated the effect of adding different doses of galangal rhizome powder (Alpinia galanga) to the diets of lactating buffaloes on milk production, composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics. Twenty buffaloes were divided into four groups: (T1) a control diet comprising of concentrates, corn silage and rice straw at 50: 35: 15 on a DM basis, (T2) a control diet plus 15 g of galangal/animal/day and (T3) a control diet plus 30 g of galangal/animal/day and (T4) a control diet plus 45 g of galangal/animal/day. Results showed that inclusion of galangal in diets decreased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of butyrate, ammonia-nitrogen, CO2, and total protozoa count as compared with T1. Acetate concentration was lower in T4 as compared with other groups (p < 0.05). While propionate concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in T2 as compared with T1. T3 and T4 lowered (p < 0.05) methane, CO2 productions, and protozoa count. T3 increased (p < 0.05) milk yield, energy corrected milk (ECM), yield of total solids, total protein, and solids not fat (SNF) than recorded for T1. While T4 recorded the lowest values (p < 0.05) of milk yield, ECM, total solids, fat, and total protein. The current results support the hypothesis that the inclusion of galangal in lactating buffaloes’ diets at 30 g per animal daily improved feed intake and milk yield.

Microflora for improving the Auricularia auricula spent mushroom substrate for Protaetia brevitarsis production

SummaryMushroom cultivation is a sustainable agricultural waste utilization method, but the lack of high-value utilization of the produced spent mushroom substrate (SMS) has hindered the development of mushroom cultivation-based circular agricultural systems. Conversion and utilization of SMS via Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (PBL) have proven to be a high-value AASMS utilization strategy. However, Auricularia auricula SMS (AASMS), which contains woodchips, is less palatable and digestible for PBL. To solve this problem, in this investigation, we screened out microflora (MF) for AASMS fermentation by comparing the fermentation performance as well as the effect on PBL feed intake, weight gain, and AASMS phytotoxic compound removal efficiency. In addition, by bacterial community analysis, the genera Luteimonas, Moheibacter, and Pseudoxanthomonas were predicted to be functional bacteria for AASMS fermentation and contribute to palatability and digestibility improvement.

Olfaction and gustatory senses promote feeding through different pathways in yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata

For sustainable aquaculture, the replacement of dietary fishmeal with plant protein is becoming more common because fishmeal resources are limited. However, in the case of carnivorous fish such as yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata), reducing the dietary fishmeal level often causes low feed intake. Improving feed intake is important in the use of a non- and low-fishmeal diet. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate feeding in yellowtail. The relationship between appetite, feeding behaviour, and food intake needs to be examined to elucidate the mechanisms of feeding regulation. The senses of smell (olfaction) and taste (gustation) are important for feeding in fish. However, it is unclear how each of these senses stimulates feeding behaviour, appetite, and feed intake. In this study, the effects of olfactory and gustatory stimuli on feeding behaviour, brain expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), and feed intake in yellowtail were investigated using a strong olfactory stimulant (alanine, Ala) and a strong gustatory stimulant (proline, Pro). By using observation tanks, feeding behaviour was divided into ‘search’ and ‘bite’. Ala promoted ‘search’ feeding behaviour and significantly decreased npy mRNA expression in the olfactory bulb and telencephalon as the olfactory centre and hypothalamus as the appetite centre. No increment in feed intake was found in the Ala-supplemented diets compared to the control diet. Meanwhile, Pro increased npy mRNA expression in the gustatory centre (cerebellum), promoted ‘bite’ feeding behaviour, and increased feed intake. Odour stimulation promoted ‘search’ through npy mRNA expression but was not reflected in feed intake. Taste stimulation promoted ‘bite’ through npy mRNA expression, which increased feed intake. Thus, olfactory and gustatory senses may promote feeding through different pathways in the yellowtail. These results will contribute to increasing the feeding amount of non- and low-fishmeal diet in the feed of yellowtail towards sustainable aquaculture.

Promising prospective effects of Withania somnifera on broiler performance and carcass characteristics: A comprehensive review.

Poultry production contributes markedly to bridging the global food gap. Many nations have limited the use of antibiotics as growth promoters due to increasing bacterial antibiotic tolerance/resistance, as well as the presence of antibiotic residues in edible tissues of the birds. Consequently, the world is turning to use natural alternatives to improve birds' productivity and immunity. Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha or winter cherry, is abundant in many countries of the world and is considered a potent medicinal herb because of its distinct chemical, medicinal, biological, and physiological properties. This plant exhibits antioxidant, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antistress, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and growth-promoting activities. In poultry, dietary inclusion of W. somnifera revealed promising results in improving feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed conversion ratio, as well as reducing mortality, increasing livability, increasing disease resistance, reducing stress impacts, and maintaining health of the birds. This review sheds light on the distribution, chemical structure, and biological effects of W. somnifera and its impacts on poultry productivity, livability, carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters, immune response, and economic efficiency.

The effect of different dietary flavourants and salt levels on feed intake of juvenile ostriches.

Yearly the ostrich industry loses up to 40% of newly-hatched chicks, partly due to insufficient feed intake. This study was conducted to determine whether the inclusion of various feed flavourants would improve feed intake in ostrich chicks (Trial 1). Ninety-six dayold ostrich chicks were raised in groups of 12 at a Western Cape research farm until 28 days of age. These chicks were provided with free-choice access to a variety of flavoured diets, namely sweet, sour, bitter, salt or an unflavoured control diet. Chicks were found to prefer salty feed, as the salt-flavoured diet had the highest daily feed intake (34% of total) throughout the trial. Subsequently Trial 2 was conducted to determine the preferred level of dietary salt (Experiment 1) as well as the influence dietary salt had on various production parameters (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, three groups of seven chicks each were offered ad libitum access to diets containing 4 g/kg, 14 g/kg, 24 g/kg, and 34 g/kg of salt respectively. Experiment 1 found that chicks preferred the diet containing 14 g salt/kg (36.4% of total daily feed consumed). For Experiment 2, 56 birds were divided into eight groups of seven. Conversely to the current conventional inclusion of 4 g salt/kg, Experiment 2 showed that chicks reared on a diet containing 14 g salt/kg had a 41.7% higher average daily gain than the group consuming 4 g salt/kg. It can therefore be concluded that ostriches prefer diets with a higher dietary salt level than current conventional diets provide (14 g/kg vs 4 g/kg).

Review on the use of probiotics in poultry production (Layers and broilers) as feed additives

In this paper, recent developments in the use and mechanism of probiotics (direct-fed microbial) in poultry are reviewed. Probiotics have been shown to enhance growth performance and feed conversion in broilers as well as egg mass, egg weight, and egg size in layers when added to the diet. The mode of action of probiotics in poultry includes maintaining normal intestinal microflora through competitive exclusion and antagonistic interactions; (ii) altering metabolism by increasing digestive enzyme activity and decreasing bacterial enzyme activity and ammonia production; (iii) improving feed intake and digestion; and (iv) neutralising enterotoxins and enhancing the immune system. Nutritional benefits include higher laying and egg quality, greater daily increments, and improved feed conversion ratio in flocks treated with probiotics (FCR). The quality of meat has also increased. This demonstrates how employing probiotics can improve production outcomes for producers. Poultry immunity is enhanced in addition to these advantages for production by giving the organism the ability to better protect itself against illnesses and stress. The versatility of probiotics and the fact that the bacteria used in their production are an essential component of animal digestive tracts make them safe feed additives, but more research is needed to address the lack of accuracy in the formulation of non-European preparations due to unknown interactions between probiotic bacteria strains as well as their metabolites.

The Effect of Feed Frequency on Growth, Survival and Behaviour of Juvenile Spiny Lobster (Panulirus ornatus).

Simple SummarySensory stimuli including olfactory, visual, acoustic and tactile input, are important aspects of feed exposure and optimisation of feeding schedules. These aspects were investigated in our study, with a focus on the effect of feed frequency (one, two, four, eight, sixteen and thirty-two feed supplies per day) on survival, growth and behaviour of juvenile P. ornatus. Increasing daily feed frequency from one to sixteen improved feed intake and growth. Spiny lobsters have a range of complex chemical communication pathways that contribute to feeding behaviour. Feed intake is modulated by feed availability and feed characteristics, such as attractiveness and palatability, with behavioural factors, such as social competition and circadian rhythm, providing an extra layer of complexity. In this study, we investigated the effect of feed frequency on survival and growth of early-stage (instar 2–6) juvenile Palunirus ornatus. In addition, we investigated the interactive effect of feed frequency and circadian rhythm on lobster feed response. Lobsters were fed a set ration at a frequency of either one, two, four, eight, sixteen or thirty-two times per day over 49 days. The effect of feed frequency on growth and survival was determined. Circadian feeding activity under these feeding treatments was assessed by time-lapse photography. Increased feed frequency from one to sixteen feeds daily improved growth by increasing apparent feed intake (AFI) and feed attraction, as confirmed by the increased presence of lobsters in the feeding area. The rapid leaching of feed attractant, particularly free amino acid, suggests a beneficial effect of multiple feeding frequencies on feed intake and growth. However, more than sixteen feeds per day resulted in decreased feed intake and a subsequent reduction in growth. The decrease in feed intake is thought to be associated with saturation of the culture environment with attractants, resulting in a reduced behavioural response to feed supplies. This may indicate the need for depletion of attractants to retrigger a feeding response. As lobsters were grown communally, faster growth at sixteen rations per day was also coupled with increased cannibalism, likely driven by increased vulnerability with the occurrence of more frequent ecdysis events. Whereas circadian rhythm indicated more activity at night, an interaction between daytime activity and feed frequency was not observed.

Replacing the Concentrate Feed Mixture with Moringa oleifera Leaves Silage and Chlorella vulgaris Microalgae Mixture in Diets of Damascus Goats: Lactation Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Ruminal Fermentation.

Simple SummaryMoringa oleifera and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae have a good balance of amino acids with high protein contents; however, complementary and synergic effects between proteins can improve their nutritive value compared to the individual additive. Replacing a concentrate mixture at 20% to 40% levels with a mixture of M. oleifera and microalgae improved nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, milk production, composition and the fatty acid profile of goats. Inclusion of M. oleifera and microalgae mixture to partially replace concentrates may enhance milk production performance and milk quality without affecting animal health.Exploring suitable alternatives for high-cost concentrate feeds is a critical factor for successful livestock production. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera silage and Chlorella vulgaris microalgae (at 1% of total diet, DM basis) in a quintuplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design for milk production performance, nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation in Damascus goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided into three groups to be fed a diet composed of a concentrate mixture and rice straw at 60:40 (DM basis) in the control group and fed for 30 days in each period. The concentrate mixture in the control treatment was replaced with M. oleifera silage and C. vulgaris microalgae at 20% (MA20 treatment) or 40% (MA40 treatment). Treatments did not affect total feed intake but increased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) and fiber intakes while decreasing nonstructural carbohydrates intake. The digestibility of CP and acid detergent fiber increased due to silage supplementation compared to the control treatment. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate; however, they decreased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of ammonia-N. Treatments increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of serum glucose and antioxidant capacity. Both MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the daily milk production, the concentrations of milk fat and lactose, and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment. Additionally, MA20 and MA40 treatments increased the proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and total conjugated linoleic acids. It is concluded that the concentrate feed mixture in the diet of lactating goats can be replaced up to 40% (equals to 24% of total diet) with M. oleifera silage to improve feed intake and nutrient utilization, and milk production performance.

Performance and Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens Fed Diet Containing Atung (Parinarium glaberrimumHassk.) Seed Powder

This study investigated the effect of feeding atung (Parinarium glaberrimum Hassk.) seed meal on growth performance and haematology profile in broiler chickens. A total of 140 one-day-old male New Lohmann broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with four replicates and seven birds in each replicate pen. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding the same corn-soybean meal as the basal diet with atung seed powder inclusions at levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0%, respectively. The data were statistically analyzed using One-way with five treatments and four replications and continued with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test for data with a significant difference. Results showed that feed intake increased (p&lt;0.05) in broiler chickens fed diets with 0.5 and 1% atung seed powder. At the same time, the inclusion of atung seed powder had no effect on final body weight, weight gain, and FCR. Inclusion of 1 and 2% atung seed powder significantly increased leucocyte counts, as well as the PCV value trend increased with the inclusion of atung seed powder. It can be concluded that atung seed powder additives can be supplemented in broiler chickens feed at doses 1% by improving feed intake and some haematological profiles.

Use of protected methionine in diets for finishing pigs

Objective: To evaluate the substitution of regular DL-methionine (RM) by protected DL-methionine (PM) in the productive performance of finishing pigs. Design/Methodology/Approach: 50 pigs (56.85 ± 2.02 kg of live weight) distributed in a completely randomized experimental design were used. The treatments consisted of the substitution of MR by MP (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in diets for finishing I and II pigs. Results: As the MP in the diet increased, the gain of final live weight (LWF) and backfat thickness (BFT) in finishing I increased linearly (p ≤ 0.05), while feed:gain ratio (FGR) decreased linearly (p = 0.07). PM at finishing II phase linearly (p ≤ 0.10) improved feed intake, FGR, and longissimus muscle area. Study Limitations/Implications: Feeding pigs by including protected amino acids improves their productive response. Findings/Conclusions: The use of protected methionine in diets for finishing I pigs improves some productive response variables.

Snaplage with microbial inoculant or organic acids has altered fermentative losses, microorganism counts, starch content and improves feed intake, digestibility and modulates ruminal fermentation in lambs

ABSTRACT Two experiments were performed to evaluate snaplage ensiling additives and determine the effects of feeding snaplage to lambs. In Exp. 1, grains, ears and husk from maize harvested at the R4 phenological stage were ensiled (65.3% DM content) in 30 min-silos in a completely randomised design with the following treatments: control (CON); microbial inoculant (INO), (Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) at 4 g/ton of ensiled material; and organic acids (OA), a blend of organic acids at 2 g/kg of ensiled material. In Exp. 2, nine lambs were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Lambs were randomly assigned to the following diets: control (CON); rehydrated maize silage (RHC), diet containing 380 g/kg RHC; or snaplage (SNAP), diet containing 770 g/kg of SNAP. Snaplage with OA exhibited greater DM recovery, lactic acid bacteria count and DM content than other treatments. Snaplage with INO had the lowest counts of aerobic bacteria and mould. Lambs-fed SNAP had greater nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and N retention compared to other groups. Incorporating OA to snaplage decreased DM losses and improved microbiological quality and chemical composition. Feeding snaplage to lambs may improve DM intake and apparent digestibility.

Neuropeptide Y in Spotted Scat (Scatophagus Argus), Characterization and Functional Analysis towards Feed Intake Regulation

Neuropeptide Y (Npy) is an intricate neuropeptide regulating numerous physiological processes. It is a highly conserved peptide known to improve feed intake in many vertebrates, including fishes. To enlighten the mechanism of Npy in spotted scat feed intake control, we cloned and identified the Npy cDNA sequence. We further examined its expression in some tissues and explored its expression effects at different time frames (hours and days). Here, we discovered that spotted scat Npy comprised a 300 bp open reading frame (ORF) and a 99 amino acid sequence. Npy was identified to be expressed in all tissues examined. Using in situ hybridization examination, we proved that npy has a wide expression in the brain of the spotted scat. Furthermore, the expression of npy in the hypothalamus significantly increased one hour after feeding (p &lt; 0.05). Further, it was revealed that npy expression significantly increased in fish that were fasted for up to 5 days and significantly increased after refeeding from the 8th to the 10th day. This suggests that Npy is an orexigenic peptide, and hence, it increases food intake and growth in the spotted scat. Additionally, results from in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that Npy locally interacts with other appetite-regulating peptides in the spotted scat hypothalamus. This research aimed to set a fundamental study in developing the feed intake regulation, improving growth and reproduction, which is significant to the aquaculture industry of the spotted scat.

Sprinkler flow rate affects physiological, behavioural and production responses of Holstein cows during heat stress

Holstein Friesian cows are known for their high milk yield. They are popular in the commercial dairy sector of Pakistan. Heat stress is a major challenge for these animals owing to the longer summer season with high ambient temperatures (35 - 40 °C) and relative humidity (30 - 50%) in the area (Butt et al., 2020). Mitigating the effects of heat stress requires substantial investments in energy and water. Spraying dairy cows with water in the holding pen or at the feed bunk is common practice as it lowers body temperature and respiration rate (Kendall et al., 2007; Chen et al., 2013; 2016), and improves feed intake and milk yield (Keister et al., 2002). Owing to the recent decrease in global groundwater, studies have focused on strategies to reduce the use of water to cool dairy cows (Chen et al., 2016). Sprinkler flow rates of 1.3 and 4.9 L/min had similar effects on physiological responses of cows to heat load but produced a 73% difference in water use (Chen et al., 2016). Similarly, Tresoldi et al. (2019) concluded that a sprinkler flow rate of 4.9 L/min had poor efficiency compared with 3.3 L/min, as the additional water did not result in increased biologically relevant cooling. These studies were conducted in Mediterranean climates with an average temperature humidity index in the range of 76 to 78. A recent study with Nili Ravi buffaloes revealed a sprinkler flow rate 1.25 L/min was more efficient than one of 2.0 L/min during subtropical summers (Bah et al., 2021). Because water is projected to be scarce in Pakistan by 2030 (Mustafa et al., 2013), holistic strategies for water conservation in the dairy sector are important nationally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various sprinkler flow rates on the performance of lactating Holstein Friesian cows in a typical corporate dairy farm setting during the subtropical summer. Performance of these cows was assumed to be similar, irrespective of the sprinkler flow rates.

Effects of yeast culture supplementation from late gestation to weaning on performance of lactating sows and growth of nursing piglets

Dietary yeast culture supplementation can contribute to the performance and health of sows and piglets, but few studies have focused on the relationships between the effects of yeast culture and gut microbiota. This study investigated the effect of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation from late gestation to weaning on the reproductive performance of lactating sows and their faecal microbiota. One hundred and six purebred Landrace sows, of parities two to six were selected and randomly assigned to a control (CON) and yeast culture supplementation (YC) groups based on parity and back fat thickness. The YC sows were individually fed with yeast culture at a dose of 24 g/d from day 90 of gestation to parturition and 40 g/d during lactational period. Blood samples were collected from sows on d 110 of gestation and at weaning at day 21 of lactation for plasma hormone and immunoglobulin analysis. Colostrum and milk on day 20 of lactation were collected for composition analysis. Faecal samples from sows on day 110 of gestation and day 20 of lactation were collected for short-chain fatty acid and faecal microbial analysis. Results showed that the farrowing performance of YC sows did not differ significantly from the CON group (P > 0.05). The average daily feed intake by the YC group during the lactation period was significantly increased by 9.98% (P = 0.004), the weaning-to-oestrus interval was shortened by 0.96 d (P = 0.046) and average daily weight gain of piglets increased by 7.14% (P = 0.036) compared with the CON group. Yeast culture supplementation also significantly improved the average daily milk yield in the first week of lactation (P = 0.035), lactose content in colostrum (P = 0.046), protein (P = 0.033) and DM (P < 0.001) content of milk. In the YC group, concentrations of plasma ghrelin (P = 0.02) and IgG (P = 0.015) were increased compared with the CON group, while that of glucagon-like peptide-1 was decreased (P = 0.006) on d 110 of gestation. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that faecal microbiota changed at taxonomic levels with yeast culture addition (P < 0.05). Dietary yeast culture supplementation from late gestation to lactation improved feed intake, immunity status, milk yield, milk quality and faecal microbiota of sows, resulting in the improved growth performance of piglets.

Dietary tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil as alternative to antibiotics alleviates experimentally induced Eimeria tenella challenge in Japanese quails.

Coccidiosis is one of the most common infectious diseases seen in Japanese quails. The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of tea tree essential oil (TTEO) on growth performance and intestinal health of quails in response to Eimeria tenella challenge. A total of 250 Japanese quails were divided into five treatments: untreated uninfected (negative control); untreated infected (positive control); infected + Amprolium; infected and 1% TTEO; infected and 2% TTEO. Except negative control, all groups were orally dosed with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella. The results revealed that supplementation of 1% TTEO and treatment of amprolium improved feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio in infected quails compared to the positive control. Similarly, lesion score and mortality was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in quails supplemented with 2% TTEO and amprolium treated birds. Moreover, oocysts counts and histological features of caecum in infected birds were reversed in 1% TTEO and amprolium treatment. The histological findings of amprolium and 1% TTEO supplemented quails showed intact intestinal villi with mild sloughed epithelium. In conclusion, 1% TTEO can be safely used to control coccidiosis in Japanese quails as natural effective compound.

Dietary Supplementation With Yucca Alleviates Heat Stress in Growing Broilers Exposed to High Ambient Temperature.

Yucca contains high a content of saponin that has a glucocorticord-like effect in animals, e.g., anti-inflammation and anti-microbiota. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of yucca powder may alleviate heat stress and improve growth performance of growing broilers subjected to cycling high ambient temperature. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (yellow feathered chicken) aged 28 days, with body weight (BW) of 792 ± 43.7 g, were randomly allocated to one of four treatments (6 replicates per treatment): control (normal temperature, 24 ± 2°C, 24 h), fed diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg yucca under normal temperature (Y), high ambient temperature exposure (HT, 34 ± 2°C, 11 h), fed diets supplemented with 100 mg/kg yucca (HT+Y) under high ambient temperature. After 7 days of adaption, the experiment was conducted for 4 weeks (aged 28–56 days). HT significantly reduced feed intake, BW, and average daily gain (ADG) of broiler, but yucca improved the feed intake under HT condition. Yucca supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) the HT-induced increase in temperature of rectum and leg skin. Supplementation of yucca increased the hypothalamic mRNA expression of TRPV2, TRPV4, and TRPM8 (P < 0.05). Yucca reduced (P < 0.05) the plasma lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), but did not affect the activities of antioxidant enzyme superoxide oxidase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). Yucca did not affect the plasma neuro peptide Y (NPY), which was reduced by HT, yucca reduced circulation cholecystokinin (CCK) and hypothalamic mRNA expression of CCK. Supplementation of yucca increased the mRNA expression of both heat and cool sensing receptors. The results of the present study indicate that yucca could improve antioxidant status and attenuate the heat stress response by regulating hypothalamic temperature-sensing genes in growing chickens. Besides, yucca supplementation improved feed intake probably through modulating CCK in growing broilers under high ambient temperature.