Increased Feed Consumption Research Articles

The Influence of Increasing Roughage Content in the Diet on the Growth Performance and Intestinal Flora of Jinwu and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire Pigs.

The Jinwu pig (JW) is a hybrid breed originating from the Chinese indigenous Jinhua pig and Duroc pig, boasting excellent meat quality and fast growth rates. This study aimed to verify the tolerance of JW to roughage, similar to most Chinese indigenous pigs. In this research, two types of feed were provided to JW and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire pigs (DLY): a basal diet and a roughage diet (increasing the rice bran and wheat bran content in the basal diet from 23% to 40%) for a 65-day experimental period. The roughage diet showed an increasing trend in the feed conversion ratio (F/G), with a 17.61% increase in feed consumption per unit weight gain for DLY, while the increase for JW was only 4.26%. A 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the roughage diet increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Clostridium, while reducing the relative abundance of some potential pathogens, thus improving the gut microbiota environment. After being fed with the roughage diet, the abundance of bacterial genera, such as Treponema, Terrisporobacter, Coprococcus, and Ruminococcaceae, which aid in the digestion and utilization of dietary fiber, were significantly higher in Jinwu compared to DLY, indicating that these bacterial genera confer Jinwu with a higher tolerance to roughage than DLY.

Mengoptimalkan Formulasi Pakan Ikan: Meningkatkan Kandungan Protein Dengan Media Ikan ‘Sapu-Sapu’ Sebagai Bahan Baku Industri Perikanan

The decrease in production and the rise in the price of protein feed have increased costs and financial pressure on fish farmers. Data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries shows production costs have risen by 2.13%. This research aims to provide an alternative to high-protein feed by using suckermouth catfish as an ingredient. The study uses a Research and Development approach with a 4-D model (define, design, develop, disseminate). The sample includes two catfish per participant. Data was collected through monitoring, questionnaires, and expert reviews, using a four-point Likert scale. Results indicate 60% of volunteers observed increased fish growth, 66.7% stated fish health was very good, and 53.3% reported increased feed consumption. However, 66.7% of volunteers rated water quality as poor. Despite this, 60% rated the physical and nutritional quality of the alternative feed as good, and 53.3% rated the benefits and cost as very good. In conclusion, using suckermouth catfish as an alternative feed ingredient can reduce feed costs and improve catfish growth and health, though water quality management needs improvement. These findings offer hope for fish farmers to tackle rising feed prices with a more affordable and sustainable solution.

Relationships between weight loss during short‐term feed deprivation, feed conversion efficiency, and growth in Delta Select and Delta Control line channel catfish families

AbstractWeight loss during feed deprivation is correlated with feed conversion efficiency (FCR) in several fish species, suggesting weight loss could be used to indirectly select for improved feed conversion. Trials were conducted to determine relationships among weight loss and FCR with Delta Select and Delta Control line channel catfish fingerlings. Weight loss was measured for 79 Delta Select line families and 20 Delta Control line families in replicate feed deprivation trials. Weight loss was higher for Delta Controls than Delta Selects. The 10 Delta Select families with the highest weight loss, 10 Delta Select families with the lowest weight loss, and 10 random Delta Control families were used in a feeding trial. Initial weight, final weight, percent weight gain, and percent feed consumption were similar among Delta Select groups but higher than the Delta Control's. Feed conversion and survival were similar for all groups. Fish from the feeding trial were used in a third feed deprivation trial. Family means for weight loss were positively correlated across three feed deprivation trials but not correlated with feed conversion indicating selection for weight‐loss would not improve feed conversion. The faster growth of Delta Select catfish is as a result of increased feed consumption.

Effects of Dietary Soy Sauce Dregs and Cassava Peel Meal on the Performance of Production and Reproduction of Grower Quails (Cortunix cortunix Japonica)

Background: The cost of feed is a significant factor in the viability of a quail farming business. Purpose: This study aims to determine the effects of dietary soy sauce dregs and cassava peel meal on the performance production and reproduction of grower quails (Cortunix cortunix Japonica). Methods: This study employed four treatment groups, each with five replicates, namely P0 (control), P1 (5%), P2 (10%), and P3 (15%). The parameters observed were feed consumption, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality, body weight at sexual maturity, egg weight, and laying age. Data analysis was conducted using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by the Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) to identify any significant differences. Results: The results showed that the addition of soy sauce dregs and cassava peel meal to the feed up to 15% to the treatment group resulted in significant effects (p < 0.05) on feed consumption, egg weight, and laying age. However, it had no significant effect on body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and body weight at sexual maturity. Conclusion: The supplementation of soy sauce dregs and cassava peel meal up to 15% in grower quail diets resulted in improvements in the performance of both production and reproduction of grower quails, as evidenced by increased feed consumption, egg weight, and laying age.

The influence of sunflower meal in feed on slaughter and meat quality of pigs

Currently, the problem of providing protein nutrition for animals and reducing the cost of pork production is relevant. The choice of effective and, at the same time, cheap protein components for animal rations is one of the foundations of high-performance animal husbandry. The purpose of the work was to determine the effectiveness of using compound feed with the introduction of sunflower meal of increased feed value and a different structure of the grain group on the slaughter and meat quality of pigs. Our research has proven the preservation of the level of productivity of pigs and obtaining a sufficiently high level of profitability of pork production when feeding compound feed based on barley and sunflower meal of increased feed value with or without wheat. In the control group, which received barley-corn-wheat compound feed, the average daily gains during the scientific and economic experiment amounted to 683 g. The maximum deviation in the experimental groups was +2.8 %. The difference was statistically improbable. At the same time, a slight increase in feed consumption per 1 kg of growth was observed in the experimental group, which was fed combined feed based on barley and sunflower meal. A tendency to increase the slaughter yield of piglets of the research groups and a probable increase in the meat yield from the carcass in animals whose combined feed was injected with 15 % by mass of sunflower meal of increased fodder value was noted. Feeding young pigs with two-component combined feed with barley grit + 15 % sunflower meal of increased forage value contributes to a decrease in lard thickness by 2.5 %. The longest back muscle of these animals is characterized by a 1.0% higher content of adipose tissue, an 8.3 % intensity of muscle fiber staining, as well as a 6.1 % lower caloric content, an amount of calcium (P ≤ 0.05), active acidity (P < 0.01). At the same time, a tendency to a slight increase in the moisture content of lard by 0.9 % and a decrease in the melting temperature of lard by 1.5 °C was noted. The research results on the chemical composition of animal meat during the transition to low-component compound feed indicate that the dry matter content was practically at the same level. Protein was found the most in the meat of the second group of guinea pigs (20.64 %), which is 0.76 % higher than the control analogs. At the same time, the fat content in muscle tissue samples decreased in the second and third groups relative to the control by 0.17 % and 0.70 %, respectively. Specific changes in the chemical composition of animal meat in the third experimental group, compared to the control group, resulted in a 6.5 % decrease in its caloric content, coinciding with recent trends regarding the production of leaner pork. When switching to low-component compound feed with sunflower meal of increased fodder value, there is a tendency to an inevitable increase in losses during the culinary processing of pig meat, with a simultaneous decrease in its tenderness. The change in these indicators occurred due to the reduction in the moisture-retaining capacity of muscle tissue in the second and third experimental groups.

Effects of Dietary Fiber Level and Forage Particle Size on Growth, Nutrient Digestion, Ruminal Fermentation, and Behavior of Weaned Holstein Calves under Heat Stress.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of feeding diets with different fiber content and forage particle size on the performance, health, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and behavioral and sorting activity of Holstein dairy calves kept under elevated environmental temperature. Sixty weaned Holstein female calves (age = 96.7 ± 7.62 days old; body weight = 82.4 ± 10.4 kg) were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments arranged in a 2-by-2 factorial design in a 70-day experiment. Dietary forage content (moderate, 22.5%; or high, 40.0% on DM basis) and alfalfa hay particle size (short, 4.39 mm; or long, 7.22 mm as geometric mean) were the experimental factors, resulting in the following combinations: (1) high-fiber (HF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60 and long particle-sized alfalfa hay (LPS; HF-LPS); (2) HF diets with short particle-sized alfalfa hay (SPS; HF-SPS); (3) moderate-fiber (MF) diets with forage-to-concentrate ratio of 22.5:77.5 with LPS (MF-LPS); and (4) MF diets with SPS (MF-SPS). The temperature-humidity index averaged 73.0 ± 1.86, indicating that weaned calves experienced a moderate extent of heat stress. Fiber level and AH particle size interacted and affected dry matter intake, with the greatest intake (4.83 kg/d) observed in MF-SPS-fed calves. Final body weight was greater in calves receiving MF vs. HF diets (164 vs. 152 kg; p < 0.01). Respiration rate decreased when SPS vs. LPS AH was included in HF but not MF diet. Lower rectal temperature was recorded in calves fed MF vs. HF diet. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was greater in calves fed MF than HF diets, resulting in lower ruminal pH (6.12 vs. 6.30; p = 0.03). Fiber digestibility was greater in calves fed SPS compared with those fed LPS alfalfa hay. Feeding HF compared with MF diet increased acetate but lowered propionate molar proportions. The inclusion of SPS vs. LPS alfalfa hay decreased lying time in HF diet (920 vs. 861 min; p < 0.01). Calves fed MF vs. HF diets spent less time eating but more time lying, which is likely indicative of better animal comfort. Dietary fiber level and forage particle size interacted and affected sorting against 19 mm particles, the extent of which was greater in HF-SPS diet. Overall, dietary fiber level had a stronger effect than forage particle size on the performance of weaned calves exposed to a moderate degree of heat stress as feeding MF vs. HF diet resulted in greater feed intake, final body weight, structural growth measures, nutrient digestion, as well as longer lying behavior. The inclusion of SPS alfalfa hay in MF diets increased feed consumption.

Performance of Production Characteristics of Grower Phase KUB Chickens Fed with Feed Containing Fermented Cow Feces

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented cow feces [FCF] in ration on the growth characteristics of KUB native chicken during the grower phase. This study used 100 DOC KUB chickens. The feed given during the grower phase was commercial feed for native chicken 592 mixed with FCF. Feed and drinking water are provided ad libitum. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments and 5 replications each. Each replication consisted of 5 chicks. The treatments tested were: R0 = basal ration + 0% FCF as a control; R1 = 90% basal ration + 10% FCF; R2 = 80% basal ration + 20% FCF; R3 = 70% basal ration + 30% FCF. Variables measured were body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion. The result showed that the use of FCF in rations affects the performance of production traits of KUB chickens in the grower phase, i.e., tends to decrease the performance of production traits such as body weight and weight gain, increase feed consumption, and enlarge the feed conversion rate. The use of FCF up to a level of 10% can produce fairly good performance.

Pelatihan Fermentasi Daun Kering sebagai Alternatif Pakan Ternak di Desa Sumbung Kecamatan Cepogo Kabupaten Boyolali

Boyolali is known as a milk-producing city, which makes animal husbandry one of the biggest options for economic activity. Limited forage resources are one of the problems faced by breeders. This activity aims to provide fermentation training using dry leaves as an alternative animal feed. The method used is to collect dry leaves from local resources in Sumbung Village, followed by training on the fermentation process using probiotic bacteria, which has been proven to be effective in increasing the nutritional value of feed. Fermented dry leaves have an aroma and taste that livestock like, thereby increasing feed consumption. Utilizing fermented dried leaves as animal feed can be a sustainable solution for overcoming limited food sources in Sumbung Village. Apart from providing a higher-quality alternative feed, this research can also support efforts to manage dry leaf waste and encourage environmental sustainability.

Probiotics Addition Potential to Increase Body Weight, Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion on Pre-Layer Laying Hens

Probiotics are all forms of microbial cell preparations or components of microbial cells that have a beneficial effect on the health and life of the host. Some feed additives such as the Antibiotic Growth Promoter (AGP) hormone have been banned. Therefore, nowadays, probiotics are often used as additives to replace antibiotics. The probiotics that are widely used are lactic acid bacteria because they can increase the efficiency of digestion and absorption of nutrients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving probiotics a combination of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis with doses of 2 ml, 4 ml, and 6 ml/head/day orally on weight gain, feed consumption, and decreased feed conversion of laying hens. This study was conducted for 2 weeks using pre layer chickens aged 21 weeks to 23 weeks old as many as 24 chickens, randomized into 4 treatments with 6 replications with P0 as control, P1 = 2 ml, P2 = 4 ml, and P3 = 6 ml. The probiotic used is a combination of probiotics Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis with a concentration of 1x107 CFU/ml in liquid.

The effectiveness of the biologically active additive «Activio» using when feeding young ducks

Agricultural poultry has a number of biological features: intensive metabolism and rapid growth, rapid maturity and significant reproductive potential, high body temperature, resistance to many infectious diseases, etc. The scientific article presents the results of an experimental study of the effect of the biologically active additive Activio, which contains essential oils of cinnamon, rosemary, oregano and chili pepper extract, on the productive qualities of young ducks. To realize the set goal, two experimental groups of ducks were formed: 1st group - Peking ducks, 2nd group - Cherry Valley ducks, which were fed the drug Activio as part of a complete and balanced diet in terms of nutrients and energy, at the rate of 100 g ha 1 t of compound feed . It has been established that the introduction of the drug Activio into the diet of young ducks contributes to the increase in feed consumption, live weight gains and the survival of ducklings, which is primarily due to the fact that the essential oils of cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, chili pepper extract have positive, stimulating biological effects. improve the functioning of the digestive, immune, nervous systems and musculoskeletal system. During the breeding of poultry, an important indicator is the average daily feed consumption, which according to the data of the article in the period from 1 to 7 days was 27.15 g/head/day in the ducks of the first group, and 28.41 g/head/day in the ducks of the second group, and in the period from the 22nd to the 28th day, the value of the average daily feed consumption is 259.36 g/go/day in the first group, and 270.36 g/go/day in the ducks of the second group. The use of the drug Activio did not have a negative effect on the body of young ducklings and made it possible to realize the genetic potential of the productivity of ducks, which was more clearly expressed in the young ducklings of the Cherry Valley breed, which was obtained on the basis of Peking ducks through in depth selection using the paternal line 151 and maternal line 102 and has higher growth energy compared to Peking ducks. Key words: ducks, Peking breed, Cherry Valley, feed supplement, «Activio», gains, live weight, preservation.

Production of organic beef from dairy bull calves in Denmark - Effect of different production strategies on productivity, carbon footprint and biodiversity estimated by modelling

In Denmark, organic male calves from the dairy system are typically raised as steers leading to a high carbon footprint per kg meat produced, compared to other types of rearing. Therefore, there is a need to find mitigation options and develop future production systems with a lower climate impact. The aim of this study was to develop strategies for the rearing of organic bull calves considering the following factors: season of birth, feeding strategy, age at slaughter, and breed-type, where all strategies focus on achieving the lowest possible carbon footprint per kg carcass. A total of 10 strategies were compared for each of three breed types: Holstein, Charolais x Holstein, and Angus x Holstein. The carbon footprint was estimated using Life Cycle Assessment including all emissions until the animals leave the farm for slaughter and expressed per kg carcass taking into account different dressing percentages due to breed and age at slaughter.The carbon footprint per kg carcass including contribution from soil carbon changes was 18–32% lower for raising organic young bulls compared with that of organic steers. The strategy with a high feeding intensity and a slaughter age of 13 months had the lowest carbon footprint per kg carcass due to the lowest feed consumption per kg live weight gain (4.9 kg DM compared to 7.4 kg DM for the steer) and use of a high proportion of concentrated feed in the ration. In the strategy with slaughter age of 17 months, but the same high feeding intensity, carbon footprint per kg carcass increased around 6%. This was due to an increase in feed consumption and reduction in feed conversion due to the increasing age at slaughter. The strategy with a low feeding intensity and a high slaughter age (17 months) gave the highest carbon footprint per kg carcass amongst the rearing strategies compared for organically produced bulls, as a greater proportion of roughage in the ration increases enteric methane production from the digestion of the feed. The crossbred bulls compared to purebred dairy bulls had a lower carbon footprint (4–7%) due to higher dressing percentage, higher carcass weight (both types of crosses), and higher growth rates (Charolais crosses).

The effects of different choice feeding methods on laying hen performance, egg quality, and profitability

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of using whole wheat in choice feeding on performance, egg quality, and income of laying hens. In the study, a total of 160-Hyline W-80 white commercial laying hens aged 28 weeks were divided into four treatment groups and fed for 84 days. The treatment groups were as follows: 1) Control (C, standard commercial laying hen feed), 2) C feed+choice feeding continuously with whole wheat in a separate cup (CW), 3) C feed+weekly intermittent choice feeding with whole wheat in a separate cup (WW), 4) C feed+choice feeding with continuous whole wheat+limestone together in a separate cup (WL). Choice feeding by using whole wheat methods (continuous, weekly intermittent, and with limestone) caused a significant decrease in the live weight change of laying hens (P&amp;lt;0.01), increased feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio compared to the control group (P&amp;lt;0.05). Total egg yield and egg weight were not affected by choice feeding with whole wheat methods (P&amp;gt;0.05). Choice feeding by using whole wheat caused a decrease in total eggshell weight, thickness, shell weight per unit area, and egg yolk color (P&amp;lt;0.01). However, it did not significantly affect the egg shell ratio, surface area, albumen height, and Haugh unit values of eggs (P&amp;gt;0.05). Also, total production costs, egg sales income, and net profit values were similar in all groups (P&amp;gt;0.05). In conclusion, the choice feeding by using whole wheat in laying hens did not affect the performance and economic parameters negatively; however, it caused reductions in some egg quality values.

Nutritional Content Analysis of Crop Residues in Three Agroecologies in East Gojjam Zone.

Livestock is important and plentiful in Ethiopia, but its potential is not being used to its full extent due to limited supply and inconsistent feed supply. This has a negative impact on livestock productivity in the tropics, where crop residues are used as livestock feed. The analysis of the nutritional content of feed and the measurement of feed production are crucial for maintaining the optimal balance of annual livestock feed and improving livestock production. However, no research has been conducted on the nutritional composition of the crop residues in the East Gojjam zone. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the nutritional content of crop residues in the three agroecologies in Ethiopia's East Gojjam zone. Ash, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were analyzed in the feed samples. According to the findings, the overall mean content of DM, ash, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and ADL was 92.3, 5.2, 87.1, 4.1, 71, 56.6, and 9.6%, respectively. The faba bean has the highest CP (6.2%), followed by barley straws (5.5%), vetch haulms (5.5%), Eragrostis tef (3.7%), wheat straws (3.2%), and maize stover (2.9%). In general, all crop residues contain CP content below the critical CP level required even for livestock maintenance. The highest NDF was found in barley straw (75.1%), which was followed by wheat straw (72.0%), Eragrostis tef straw (70.2%), vetch haulms (69.3%), maize stover (67.4%), and faba bean haulms (67.2%). All types of crop residues were classified as low-quality feed because they contained more than 65% NDF, which could affect feed intake and livestock production. Therefore, crop residues must be improved using mechanical, biological, and chemical methods in order to increase livestock production in the study areas by increasing feed consumption.

Effects of hoof trimming on feed consumption, milk yield, oxidant and antioxidant system in dairy cows with hoof deformities

In this study is objectived to reveal the importance of hoof trimming (HT) in cows by determining the changes in feed consumption, milk yield, oxidant, and antioxidant parameters in the days before and after HT in cows with hoof deformities. This research was conducted on 12 female Brown Swiss dairy cows late lactation period that had healthy hooves showing symptoms lameness due to hoof deformities. Daily feed consumption and milk yield findings before and after HT were recorded. Total oxidant capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) tests for determination of oxidative stress index in serum in blood samples, for the evaluation of antioxidant potential; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, Vitamin E, A, and C levels were measured. According to the findings of this study, after HT increased feed consumption and milk yield in dairy cows (P

Pengaruh Pemberian Tepung Indigofera Sebagai Pengganti Bungkil Kedelai Dan Dedak Dalam Ransum Terhadap Performa Produksi Entog (Cairina Moschata)

This research was conducted in March - August 2021, located in Darma District, Kuningan Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia, which is located at the coordinates 7°02°09.4 "South Latitude 108°24'24'20.6' East Longitude. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of indigofera flour on the performance muscovy duck. The research was conducted experimentally using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) 80 muscovy duck were drawn to be placed in a cage which was divided into 20 sections consisting of 4 muscovy duck. The types of treatment used were P0 (basal ration) as control, P1 25% indigofera flour, P2 50% indigofera flour, P3 75% indigofera flour and P4 100% indigofera flour as a substitute for soybean meal and rice bran. The variables observed were ration consumption, weight gain, ration conversion and feed cost per gain. The research data were analyzed using variance (Anova) and if there was a significant difference, then further tested using Duncan's multiple distance test (DMRT). The results showed that the use of indigofera flor cold increase (P&lt;0,05) feed consumption, this is due to the nutrient content in the ratio and the variables of weight gain, ration conversion and feed cost per gain did not show a significant difference (P&gt;0,05). It can be concluted that the effect of the addition of indigofera as a subtitute for soybean meal and bran can increase ration consumption but is not followed by optimal grain performance.

Enzymes and their application in the diets of pigs

Complete and nutritionally balanced feed is an essential factor in increasing the productivity of farm animals at the current stage of animal husbandry development. Feed must satisfy the animals' need for nutrients and biologically active substances (BAS) because the lack of certain nutrients leads to increased feed consumption per production unit and failure to achieve the planned productivity. Adding exogenous enzymes to pig diets is an alternative solution to increase nutritional energy and fiber digestibility to improve pig production at low production costs and reduce environmental impact through reduced nitrogen and phosphorus emission. Feeding enzymes as part of enzyme preparations in the formula of compound feed improves its assimilation. As a result, enzymes positively affect the productive characteristics of farm animals and poultry. Enzyme preparations are used to increase the efficiency of feed nutrients in animal husbandry. They supplement the body's enzymes and significantly accelerate the breakdown of feed nutrients, increasing the completeness of the assimilation of feed components. Moreover, enzyme substances positively affect the health of animals, reducing the risk of disease and strengthening their immunity. Unlike hormones and biostimulants, enzymes do not affect the body of animals and birds. However, they directly affect feed components in the gastrointestinal tract, where they accumulate in poultry and livestock products. Including enzyme preparations in the composition of the compound, feed helps reduce the effect of substances that interfere with the assimilation of nutrients. Today, modern fodder enzyme preparations help realize animals' genetic potential by supplementing the enzyme activity of their enzymes of animals and poultry in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, animals and poultry receive additional nutrients, so the livestock becomes more uniform in terms of live weight and productivity. Thus, when used and added to feed farm animals and poultry, enzymes have no disadvantages. They increase the digestibility and assimilation of feed nutrients, eliminate or reduce the negative impact of anti-nutrients, and contribute to the replenishment of digestive enzymes in young animals and poultry. Future studies should focus on the interaction between production steps, diet composition, enzyme origin, and the number of added enzymes.

Effects of Lactobacillus-Fermented Feed on Production Performance and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens

The quality of broiler chicken carcasses is greatly influenced by feed management and the number of nutrients digested in the digestive tract that will be utilized for optimal meat production. The study aimed to determine the effect of feeding fermented feed at different times on the production performance and quality of broiler chicken carcasses. The number of day-old chicks used in this study was 180 broiler chickens strain Cobb. This study was carried out experimentally using a complete randomized design consisting of four treatments and five replications. Each treatment carried out in this experiment consisted of a different length of time, namely feeding for 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks. Experimental parameters included feed consumption, weight gain, and ration conversion. In addition, the carcass quality was investigated as live weight, carcass percentage, and percentage of broiler chicken abdominal fat. The results showed that the longer the time of fermentation feed significantly increased feed consumption by 40.07% and increased 13.77% weight gain, as well as decreased ration conversion by 25.33%. Furthermore, the same results were also obtained regarding live weight by 17.80% and increased percentage of the carcass by 8.84%, while the percentage of abdominal fat decreased by 12.90%. It can be concluded that the provision of fermented feed for 5 weeks can improve the production performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. Keywords: Broiler chicken, Carcass quality, Fermented feed, Performance

Effects of Dried Tomato, Apple and Grape Pulps on the Performance, and Egg Quality of Laying Hens

The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary effects of fruit pulps (dried tomato, apple and grape) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens. In this trial, 196 Lohmann sandy layers 25 weeks of age were distributed into four groups with seven replicates for 9 weeks. Trial groups fed following diets, control group basal diet (no additive), 4 % dried tomato pulp, 4% apple pulp and 2.5% grape pulp. Feed conversion rate was not affected by any addition of fruit pulps throughout the trial. The dietary inclusion of dried tomato pulp increased feed consumption, egg weight and egg production and decreased egg yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on day of 1 compared to the control. Egg yolk MDA level was decreased with the addition of 4% tomato and apple pulp to the diet, but increased with the addition of 2.5% grape pulp to the diet on the day of 28. Moreover, the addition of dried tomato pulp to the basal diet significantly increased egg weight and egg yolk yellow color (a). As a result, this study provides evidence that adding up to 4% tomato pulp to diets may be used without adverse effects on laying hens’ productivity and may improve egg quality characteristics by decreasing MDA levels in the yolk.

Effects of feeding levels on ileal amino acid digestibility of extruded full fat soybeans in nongestating sows.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of feeding levels on amino acid (AA) digestibility of extruded full fat soybeans (EFSB) fed to nongestating sows and to provide a reference for setting feed intake level when evaluating the quality of nutrients in the feed ingested by sows. Twelve nongestating sows (parity 3 to 5) were fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum. After recovery, sows were assigned to a replicated 6 × 3 incomplete Latin square design using two diets (nitrogen-free and EFSB) and three levels of feed intake (1.3, 2.0, and 3.4 times the maintenance requirement for metabolizable energy (ME)). The design included six dietary treatments and three periods, and each period contained two replicates for a total of six replicate sows per treatment. All diets contained 0.3% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. In each period, ileal digesta samples were collected continuously for 12 h on days 6 and 7 after 5 d of acclimation to the experimental diet. Results of the experiment indicated that different feeding levels (1.3, 2.0, and 3.4 times the maintenance requirement for ME) had no effects on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA, but feeding level did affect the endogenous AA loss estimated using the nitrogen-free diet method. Endogenous phenylalanine excretion was greater with 1.3 times than with 3.4 times the maintenance requirement for ME (P = 0.03), and endogenous tyrosine excretion was greater with 1.3 and 2.0 times than with 3.4 times the maintenance requirement for ME (P = 0.01). Increasing feed consumption resulted in greater loss of total endogenous AAs and crude protein (CP). In conclusion, feeding levels of 1.3 to 3.4 times the maintenance requirement for ME did not affect the AID and SID of AA of EFSB fed to nongestating sows.

Metabolizam i iskorištenje neproteinskih dušićnih spojeva u preživača

Unique stomach physiology allows ruminants to utilise any form of dietary nitrogen (N) as a protein source. Ruminant N requirements can be divided into N requirements for microbial fermentation and host requirements for amino acids. Ruminant diets often contain non-protein nitrogen (NPN) compounds, a group of components that are not proteins but can be converted to proteins by rumen microbes. Therefore, NPN compounds in ruminant diets serve as alternative sources of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), which is necessary for the synthesis of microbial protein (MCP) in the rumen. MCP is an important component of metabolizable protein for ruminants and, under certain production conditions, may be the only amino acid source for synthesis of tissues and products. In this manner, ruminants utilise NPN compounds without having enzymes for their degradation. The use of NPN compounds in ruminant nutrition allows for an increase in feed consumption and utilisation, as well as the substitution of protein supplements, which in turn leads to more cost-effective production. However, abrupt supplementation or excessive consumption of NPN could negatively affect MCP synthesis, feed digestion, and animal production. On the other hand, it may lead to animal poisoning and the release of large amounts of N into the environment. Knowledge of N metabolism in the rumen, as well as optimization of its utilisation, sets the conditions for the presumed beneficial effects of NPN compounds in ruminant diets, without adverse effects on animal health and the environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the recent literature data on the metabolism and utilisation of NPN compounds in ruminants.