Levels Of Feed Restriction Research Articles

Carcass and non-carcass component yields of crossbred Boer and Brazilian semiarid indigenous goats subjected to different feeding levels

The effect of different feeding levels (ad libitum, 25 and 50 % restriction) and genotypes (½ Boer × ½ nondescript breed goats, Canindé, and Moxotó) on carcass quantitative characteristics and non-carcass components (NCC) were evaluated. Forty-five intact male goats were distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial design with five replicates. There was no effect of genotype on carcass weights and yields and retail cuts weights and yields (P > 0.05). Compared to Moxotó, ½ Boer presented better carcass conformation and higher weights (P < 0.01) and yields of viscera from gastrointestinal tract (P < 0.05), and compared to the other genotypes (P < 0.01), ½ Boer presented larger carcass compactness. Carcass weights and yields, retail cuts weights and NCC, and soft tissues yields were higher (P < 0.01) in goats fed ad libitum. The two restriction levels did not differ (P > 0.05) for these variables. There were interactions of genotype and feeding level. At ad libitum feeding, ½ Boer had higher weights of breast and shank, leg, soft tissues, and gastrointestinal viscera compared to the Moxotó (P < 0.05). The crossing of nondescript breed goats with Boer may be a strategy for increasing the efficiency of goat meat production in the Brazilian semiarid. Moreover, in times of feed scarcity, farmers may use higher feed restriction levels to keep animals, since for most of the parameters evaluated, there were no differences between the restriction levels.

Energy efficiency of growing ram lambs fed concentrate-based diets with different roughage sources

Poor-quality roughages are widely used as fiber sources in concentrate-based diets for ruminants. Because roughage quality is associated with the efficiency of energy use in forage-based diets, the objective of this study was to determine whether differing the roughage source in concentrate-based diets could change the energy requirements of growing lambs. Eighty-four 1/2 Dorper × 1/2 Santa Inês ram lambs (18.0 ± 3.3 kg BW) were individually penned and divided into 2 groups according to primary source of dietary roughage: low-quality roughage (LQR; sugarcane bagasse) or medium-quality roughage (MQR; coastcross hay). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (2.6% N) and to meet 20% of physically effective NDF. After a 10-d ad libitum adaptation period, 7 lambs from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered (baseline). Twenty-one lambs in each diet group were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 25, 35, or 45 kg BW. The remaining 28 lambs (14 from each diet group) were submitted to 1 of 2 levels of feed restriction: 70% or 50% of the ad libitum intake. Retentions of body fat, N, and energy were determined. Additionally, 6 ram lambs (44.3 ± 5.6 kg BW) were kept in metabolic cages and used in a 6 × 6 Latin square experiment designed to establish the ME content of the 2 diets at the 3 levels of DM intake. There was no effect of intake level on diet ME content, but it was greater in the diet with LQR than in the diet with MQR (3.18 vs. 2.94 Mcal/kg, respectively; P < 0.01). Lambs fed the diet with LQR had greater body fat (g/kg of empty BW) and energy concentrations (kcal/kg of empty BW) because of a larger visceral fat deposition (P < 0.05). Using a low-quality roughage as a primary source of forage in a concentrate-based diet for growing lambs did not change NEm and the efficiency of ME use for maintenance, which averaged 71.6 kcal/kg(0.75) of shrunk BW and 0.63, respectively. On the other hand, the greater nonfibrous carbohydrate content of the diet with LQR resulted in a 17% better efficiency of ME use for gain (P < 0.01), which was associated with a greater partial efficiency of energy retention as fat (P < 0.01). This increased nutritional efficiency, however, should be viewed with caution because it is related to visceral fat deposition, a nonedible tissue.

Effects of feeding level and NDF content of grass-clover silages on chewing activity, fecal particle size and NDF digestibility in dairy heifers

The objective of this study was to assess effects of feed intake and NDF content of highly digestible grass-clover silage on chewing behavior, fecal particle size distribution and apparent digestibility in restrictively fed heifers. Four grass-clover silages (Lolium perenne, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens) were harvested in 2009 at different regrowth stages, resulting in silages with NDF contents of 312, 360, 371 and 446 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. Four rumen-fistulated Jersey heifers (343±32 kg BW) were fed silage at 90% of ad libitum levels in a 4×4 Latin square design, replicated with further restricted feeding levels (50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of ad libitum) in a balanced 4×4×4 Greco-Latin square design. Eating activity was estimated from test meal observations, while rumination activity was estimated from jaw movements logged by a jaw recorder system. Total tract digestibility was estimated from chromic oxide marker and fecal spot sampling, and fecal particle size distribution in washed and freeze-dried particulate DM was determined by dry sieving (2.36, 1.0, 0.5, 0.212 and 0.106 mm, and bottom bowl). Higher NDF content of silage stimulated longer eating time per kg DM intake (P<0.001), while reduced feeding level caused a reduction in eating time per kg DM intake (P<0.001) and NDF (P<0.001). Rumination time per kg DM intake (P<0.01) increased with reduced feeding level, with less effect of feeding level at lower NDF contents (P<0.01) and more rumination with greater NDF content (P<0.01). Relative to NDF intake, rumination time increased with greater NDF content (P<0.01), at a higher rate with reduced feeding level (P<0.05). Digestibility of potentially digestible NDF (DNDF) decreased with greater NDF content (P<0.001) and increased with reduced feeding level (P<0.05). Increasing NDF content resulted in more particulate DM in feces (g/kg DM; P<0.05) and larger mean particle size (P<0.001). In conclusion, feeding heifers with grass-clover silages of decreasing NDF content increased chewing time relative to NDF intake, reduced mean fecal particle size, and increased DNDF digestibility. Restricting feeding level made heifers eat for a shorter time period while rumination and total chewing was increased, causing the ratio between eating and rumination time to decrease with lower intake of forage fiber. Particle size reduction and digestibility depended mostly on changes in NDF content, especially the indigestible NDF content.

Effect of Short-Term Feed Restriction on Production Traits of Brown and Black Plumage Commercial Layer Strains at Late Phase of Egg Production

The effect of strain and different levels of quantitative feed restriction for short time (28d) on egg production, feed consumption and efficiency, mortality and egg quality traits were evaluated during late phase of egg laying. A total number of 90 layers aged 54 weeks old, comprising 45 birds each of Isa Brown (brown plumage) and Bovan Black (black plumage) were randomly distributed into three treatment groups having three replicates each. They were placed under three feeding regimens namely, T1 (ad libitum- control), T2 (90% ad libitum) and T3 (80% ad libitum). Data collected include egg production, mortality, feed variables, external and internal egg quality characteristics. The results revealed that strain has insignificant (P>0.05) effect on egg numbers during the 28 days trial regardless of treatments imposed. This means that feed restriction on short-term has no negative impact on both the brown and black feathered layer birds productivity. However, feed restriction has significant (P<0.01) effect on both egg numbers and hen-day egg production regardless of strain of birds. Regarding the two traits, ad libitum (control) and 90% ad libitum had similar mean values, but higher than 80% ad libitum. As per feed efficiency, brown strain has higher (P<0.01) mean values than the black strain. The two strains subjected to feed restriction recorded similar mean values and performed equally well in egg weight, egg length and other external and internal egg qualities. However, in albumen height and Haugh unit (HU), brown birds had higher (P<0.01) mean values than black hens. Haugh unit is a measure of internal egg quality. The highest net revenue/hen and economic efficiency was recorded in 90% ad libitum ($1.19, 112.26), intermediate ($1.06, 100) in ad libitum and lowest (1.10, 95.28) in 80% ad libitum. Brown strain achieved higher (P<0.01) economic efficiency (100 vs 88.54) and net revenue ($0.96 vs $0.85) per hen than black strain at the end of the experimental period. There was significant strain x treatment interaction effect on egg number, percent egg production and feed variables. Brown feathered birds and adoption of milder feed restriction seem to hold prospect for increased production, profit and sustainability of egg producing industry.

Nutrient deposition partitioning and priorities between body compartments in two size classes of rainbow trout in response to feed restriction

Adaptations in growth dynamics in fish, i.e. how fish prioritise tissue accretion between organs, remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of graded feed restriction levels on nutrient deposition in 1.3 g fingerlings and 70 g juveniles. At the whole-body level, highly restricted juveniles strove to maintain body protein while mobilising lipid reserves and compensating for mass loss by increasing water content. In contrast, fingerlings maintained body water and energy contents. Additionally, we investigated deposition patterns in four body compartments (red and white axial muscles, viscera and rest of the carcass) in juveniles and changes in the cellularity of the white and red muscles in fingerlings. We provide evidence of priorities in growth and nutrient deposition in body compartments in response to low feeding levels. In juveniles, feed intake (FI) primarily affected the white muscle, while the red muscle and the viscera appeared to be preserved. Specific proteins (45 and 173 kDa) were preferentially deposited in the white muscle, while others (22 and 32 kDa) were preferentially mobilised. In fingerlings' muscle anterior to the anus, the cross-sectional surface areas increased with increasing FI in a logarithmic fashion in the white muscle, and in linear fashion in the red muscle. The maximum diameter of white fibres decreased linearly with fish length, while that of red fibres remained stable. This suggests an adaptation mechanism by decreasing white muscle hyperplasia in favour of hypertrophy when feed is restricted. Overall, these results indicate some mechanisms by which fish cope with low food availability. Our findings also suggest different adaptation strategies employed by fish of different body weights.

Quantitative feed restriction from 35 to 42 days of age for broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of feed restriction in broilers aged from 35 to 42 days, on the performance, carcass parameters and intensity of lesions at slaughter. A total of 1,225 one-day old chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery and were grown over a 34-days period (five weeks). At 34 days of age all birds were weighed and redistributed into a completely randomized design to perform the following treatments: control (0% feed restriction), 10, 20, 30 or 40% feed restriction. The amount of feed given to animals was adjusted daily according to the previous day's intake of the control treatment. At 42 days, birds were weighed and two birds per pen were slaughtered, one to evaluate carcass yield and cuts and the other for body composition analysis. Weight gain and feed intake were decreased linearly (p&lt;0.05) according to increasing levels of restriction, while the feed:gain ratio showed a quadratic effect (p&lt;0.05). The hot eviscerated carcass weight decreased linearly (p&lt;0.05) according to increasing levels of restriction, without effects on the carcass, breast and thigh yield. The dry matter and fat of the carcass decreased and the crude protein increased (p&lt;0.05), according to levels of restriction. We conclude that feed restriction of 2.5% in the last week of life can improve the feed efficiency of poultry, when there is a higher accumulation of fat in the carcass.

Effects of feeding level and sexual maturation on fatty acid composition of energy stores in diploid and triploid rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Sexual maturation is an energy demanding, physiological process that alters growth efficiency and compromises muscle quality in many food-fish species. Lipid mobilization supplies energy required for this process. To study the effect of ration level on fatty acid composition, diploid (2N) rainbow trout, approaching ovulation, were fed at 0.25 and 0.50% of tank biomass/day and to apparent satiation (~0.75% of tank biomass/day). In addition, triploid (3N) female trout, which exhibit only minimal ovarian development, were fed at 0.50% of tank biomass/day. The primary objective of this study was to determine effects of ration level on fatty acid composition in different lipid compartments (muscle, visceral adipose tissue, liver, and gonad) during sexual maturation. Lower feeding levels produced smaller fish, but did not affect the onset of sexual maturation. Higher feeding levels resulted in fish muscle with higher relative amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), but monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were not affected by ration level. While ration level affected the fatty acid profile of each of the four tissues analyzed, the number of fatty acids affected was greatest in white muscle. An additional objective was to determine differences in the fatty acid composition of energy stores during maturation in female rainbow trout that were fed at a moderately restricted feeding level (0.50% of tank biomass/day). These differences were determined by comparing mature 2N to sterile 3N females of the same age. Diploid muscle contained higher amounts of PUFAs (44.4±1.0%) than 3N muscle (39.7±0.8%). Saturated fatty acids were in the highest concentrations in muscle and visceral adipose tissue, and 2N liver contained more PUFAs and fewer MUFAs than 3N liver; however these values are relative values. In general, fatty acids affected by ration level were not the same as fatty acids affected by ploidy. Triploid fatty acid profiles did not mimic those of the satiation fed group; which was expected if 3N fish were simply consuming excess energy. Both 2N and 3N muscle fatty acid profiles were similar to that of the diet, except muscle had lower amounts of PUFA precursors (18:3n-3 and 20:5n-3) and higher relative amounts of their product (22:6n-3). Also, 2N muscle had higher 16:1 and 3N muscle had higher 16:0 compared to the diet. It is unclear if these differences are hormonally driven or if there are other physiological dissimilarities between 2N and 3N trout causing these differences. Overall, our data suggest that 2N and 3N fatty acid metabolism is regulated differently.

Feed restriction applied after weaning has different effects on pig performance and health depending on the sanitary conditions1

Feed restriction may be a strategy used by farmers to limit digestive disorders after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction applied 1 wk after weaning on growth performance and health of pigs reared in 2 different sanitary conditions (Good vs. Poor; managed in opposite ways with respect to cleaning, animal density, and preventive antibiotic use) and confronted with stressful common farming practices (i.e., diet transition and building transfer). At weaning at 4 wk of age, 48 pigs were assigned to 1 of the 4 experimental treatments consisting of 2 sanitary conditions and 2 feeding levels (ad libitum vs. restricted). At 2 d after weaning, restricted pigs received 20% of the feed quantity consumed by ad libitum pigs. The feeding level of the restricted pigs was gradually increased to attain ad libitum feeding on d 8. Imposed stressful conditions occurred at d 12 (the weaner diet replaced the starter diet), d 33 (transfer of pigs from the weaner unit to the grower unit), and d 47 (the grower diet replaced the weaner diet). This allowed 4 distinguishing phases: I, from 0 to 11 d; II, from 12 to 32 d; III, from 33 to 46 d; and IV, from 47 to 60 d after weaning. Poor sanitary conditions resulted in decreased growth performance during phase I (P < 0.001) and III (P < 0.01), and the final BW of pigs kept in Poor sanitary conditions was 4 kg less (P = 0.02) than those kept in Good sanitary conditions. Plasma haptoglobin concentration was increased on d 12 after weaning (P = 0.001) as was the occurrence of soft feces during phases II and III (P ≤ 0.05) in Poor sanitary conditions. In both sanitary conditions, the restricted feeding level resulted in decreased ADG (P < 0.001), increased plasma haptoglobin and salivary cortisol concentrations, and feeding-associated behaviors (P < 0.05) during phase I. In Poor sanitary conditions, feed restriction was very detrimental and differences in ADFI and ADG between restricted and ad libitum pigs increased with time (P = 0.05). Conversely, in Good sanitary conditions, restricted pigs attained the BW of ad libitum pigs before the end of the experiment. In conclusion, imposing feed restriction on pigs during the first days after weaning does not seem to be an effective strategy to decrease the negative effects of Poor sanitary conditions; rather, it reinforces these effects.

Effect of twin-bearing ewe body condition score and late pregnancy nutrition on lamb performance

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ewe body condition score and nutrition on twin-bearing ewes and their offspring. At maximum Day 112 of pregnancy (range 96–112 days), 185 twin-bearing ewes were allocated to either a ‘Medium’ or ‘ad libitum’ (Adlib) feeding treatment for the following 25 days (P112–P136). Each feeding treatment included ewes of body condition score: 2.0 (CS2.0, Medium n = 32, Adlib n = 28), CS2.5 (Medium n = 31, Adlib n = 33) or CS3.0 (Medium n = 30, Adlib n = 31). After P136 ewes were offered Adlib feeding conditions. Medium treatment ewes were lighter (P &lt; 0.05) than Adlib ewes at P136 and P142 and displayed lower (P &lt; 0.05) body condition score at P136 and back-fat depths at P142. CS2.0 ewes had lower (P &lt; 0.05) liveweights and body condition score at P112, P136 and P142 than CS2.5 ewes, which in turn had lower (P &lt; 0.05) liveweight and body condition scores than CS3.0 ewes. Ewe feeding treatment had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on lamb liveweight or apparent colostrum intake. Ewe body condition score had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on lamb birthweight or apparent colostrum intake. Lambs born to CS2.0 ewes had greater (P &lt; 0.05) survival than lambs born to CS2.5 ewes. At the end of the study lambs born to CS2.0 ewes were lighter (P &lt; 0.05) than those born to CS2.5 and CS3.0 ewes although, there was (P &gt; 0.05) no effect of condition score on total litter liveweight. In conclusion, these results suggest twin-bearing ewes of body condition 2.0–3.0 can be offered restricted feeding levels to at least Day 136 of pregnancy with few implications for their lambs.

Effect of reduced ferulate-mediated lignin/arabinoxylan cross-linking in corn silage on feed intake, digestibility, and milk production

Cross-linking of lignin to arabinoxylan by ferulates limits in vitro rumen digestibility of grass cell walls. The effect of ferulate cross-linking on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and in vivo digestibility was investigated in ad libitum and restricted-intake digestion trials with lambs, and in a dairy cow performance trial using the low-ferulate sfe corn mutant. Silages of 5 inbred corn lines were fed: W23, 2 W23sfe lines (M04-4 and M04-21), B73, and B73bm3. As expected, the W23sfe silages contained fewer ferulate ether cross-links and B73bm3 silage had a lower lignin concentration than the respective genetic controls. Silages were fed as the sole ingredient to 4 lambs per silage treatment. Lambs were confined to metabolism crates and fed ad libitum for a 12-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d collection period of feed refusals and feces. Immediately following the ad libitum feeding trial, silage offered was limited to 2% of body weight. After a 2-d adaptation to restricted feeding, feed refusals and feces were collected for 5 d. Seventy Holstein cows were blocked by lactation, days in milk, body weight, and milk production and assigned to total mixed ration diets based on the 5 corn silages. Diets were fed for 28 d and data were collected on weekly DMI and milk production and composition. Fecal grab samples were collected during the last week of the lactation trial for estimation of feed digestibility using acid-insoluble ash as a marker. Silage, total mixed ration, feed refusals, and fecal samples were analyzed for crude protein, starch, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), cell wall polysaccharides, and lignin. The W23sfe silages resulted in lower DMI in the ad libitum trial than the W23 silage, but DMI did not differ in the restricted trial. No differences were observed for NDF or cell wall polysaccharide digestibility by lambs with restricted feeding, but the amount of NDF digested daily increased for lambs fed the M04-21 W23sfe silage ad libitum. Lambs were less selective against NDF and lignin when offered W23sfe silages. The B73bm3 silage did not affect DMI or digestibility of cell walls at the restricted feeding level, but total daily NDF digested was greater at ad libitum intake. Intake, milk production, and cell wall digestibility were greater for cows fed diets containing W23sfe silages than for those fed W23 silage. Although milk production was greater for the B73bm3 diet, DMI and cell wall digestibility were not altered. Cows were less selective against cell wall material when fed both W23sfe and B73bm3 silages. Reduced ferulate cross-linking in sfe corn silage is a new genetic mechanism for improving milk production.

Proteolytic response to feeding level in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In fish, a quadratic relationship between feed intake and feed efficiency is observed most-often, with optimal nutrient retention occurring at moderate levels of feed restriction. Determining how mechanisms controlling nutrient utilization are affected by feed intake, with a particular emphasis on those that impact protein turnover, will enable a better understanding of the metabolic processes that contribute to variations in nutrient retention. In the present study, rainbow trout were fed for 10 weeks at different levels of satiation and indices of growth, nutrient retention, and protein degradation were determined. As-fed and dry-weight feed efficiency, specific growth rate, and protein, lipid, and energy retention displayed a positive quadratic response to feeding level (P < 0.05), with optimal feed efficiency calculated to occur at 76% of satiation. Concentrations of plasma free amino acids increased linearly (P < 0.001) and plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) displayed a positive quadratic response across feeding level (P < 0.01). The myofibrillar protein degradation product, 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), displayed a negative quadratic response (P < 0.02) to feed intake. These data suggest that an increase in protein degradation occurs during high levels of feed intake that is partially driven by changes in plasma IGF-I, which displayed a slight decrease in plasma concentration approaching satiation and may contribute to the associated reductions in protein retention and feed efficiency. Proteolytic genes that also displayed quadratic responses included the ubiquitin ligase, fbxo32 (P < 0.01), and a cathepsin, ctsd (P < 0.01), indicating an increase in the capacity to degrade proteins at high levels of feed intake. Therefore, interrupting the up-regulation of the ubiquitin–proteasome and lysosomal systems during high levels of feed intake may impede increases in protein degradation, reduce rates of protein turnover and subsequently improve protein retention and feed efficiency.

Eimeria tenella oocyst shedding and output in cecal or fecal contents following experimental challenge in broilers

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether Eimeria tenella oocyst output in cecal and fecal contents, lesion development, and performance characteristics were affected by ad libitum versus restricted feeding and challenge level. In experiment 1, 144 Cobb 500 males were placed in battery cages with 6 chicks/pen. On d 20, half of the battery pens were placed on feed restriction and all broilers were orally challenged with Eimeria tenella oocysts at one of 3 challenge levels (0, 5,000, or 20,000 sporulated oocysts). Cecal and fecal material were collected separately from d 4 postchallenge through d 10 postchallenge for oocysts output (oocysts shed/g) determination. Six days postchallenge, 3 broilers from each pen were removed and subjected to necropsy for lesion assessment. In experiment 2, 96 Cobb 500 males were placed in identical battery pens with 8 chicks/pen. On d 14, restricted feeding was initiated and broilers were challenged with Eimeria tenella oocysts at one of 3 challenge levels (1,000, 5,000, or 20,000 oocysts). Twenty-four hour collections of cecal and fecal material were obtained separately from d 4 postchallenge through d 10 postchallenge for oocysts per gram and total output determination. Six days postchallenge, 4 broilers from each pen were removed and subjected to necropsy for lesion assessment. In both experiments, BW gain was not affected by challenge dose in either the ad libitum-fed or restrict-fed broilers. Increased lesion development was observed with increasing challenge levels, and oocyst shedding peaked between d 7 and 9 postchallenge in both experiments. Oocyst concentration was higher in cecal droppings compared with fecal material throughout peak shedding; however, total oocyst output for the challenge period was similar between fecal material and cecal droppings.

Métodos alternativos de restrição alimentar na muda forçada de poedeiras comerciais

Foram avaliados métodos alternativos de restrição alimentar qualitativa em comparação à técnica convencional de muda forçada. Utilizaram-se 480 galinhas Babcock de 78 semanas distribuídas em três níveis de restrição alimentar (100, 75 e 50%) e três percentuais de redução de peso corporal (15, 20 e 25%), cada um com cinco repetições de 32 aves. Quando as aves atingiram o percentual de redução de peso corporal, determinaram-se o volume globular, os percentuais de ovário, oviduto, moela, intestino e gordura abdominal e o comprimento de oviduto. A partir do 28º dia e durante cinco períodos de 28 dias, observaram-se as características quantitativas e qualitativas de produção pós-muda. O maior período de restrição foi observado no nível de 50% e proporcionou menores percentuais de gordura abdominal (0,66%), ovário (0,60%), oviduto (0,77%) e comprimento de oviduto (32 cm). O percentual de produção de ovos foi maior no primeiro período para as aves submetidas aos métodos de 75 e 100% de restrição com 15 e 20% de redução de peso, respectivamente. Entretanto, para as aves com 50% de restrição e 25% de redução de peso, as maiores produções (86,80 e 83,20%) ocorreram no quarto e quinto períodos. A restrição alimentar qualitativa, em 50% da dieta com ração e casca de arroz, por ser menos agressiva, proporciona melhores condições de bem-estar e facilita o manejo da granja.

Qualitative feed restriction for heavy swines: effect on digestibility and weight of organs of digestive tract, and environmental impact of feces

A total of 50 barrows were used to evaluate qualitative feed restriction on digestibility of dietary components, weight of organs of digestive tract, and composition and production of feces. Five experimental diets, with increasing levels of qualitative feed restriction of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% were used. There was linear reduction (P&lt;0.001) of all digestibility coefficients on the levels of qualitative feed restriction, except for acid detergent fiber, which presented a quadratic response (P&lt;0.05). Contents of total solids (P&lt;0.01), volatile solids (P&lt;0.05), and total minerals (P&lt;0.001) in the feces augmented with increasing levels of qualitative feed restriction, whereas the levels of K (P&lt;0.05), Cu (P&lt;0.01), N, P, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn (P&lt;0.001) presented a quadratic response. Daily feces excretion; and contents of total solids, volatile solids, total minerals, and levels of N, P, K, Mn, and Cu (P&lt;0.001) and Ca, Na, Mg, and Fe (P&lt;0.05) presented a clear increase in function of the qualitative feed restriction level. Qualitative feed restriction can be an alternative for the disposal of agribusiness waste, providing good crop-fertilizing by the use of swine feces.

Effect of feed restriction on the growth performance of turbot (Scophthalmus maximusL.) juveniles under commercial rearing conditions

Two trials were performed to study the effect of periodic feed deprivation (trial 1) or feed restriction, followed by satiation feeding (trial 2) on the growth performance of turbot juveniles under commercial rearing conditions. In trial 1, duplicate groups of 350 fish with an initial weight of 62 g were fed a commercial diet to apparent visual satiation for 7, 6, 5 or 4 days a week for 83 days. At the end of the trial, fish weight was directly related to the number of feeding days but feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not affected by treatments. At the end of the trial, there were no differences in whole-body composition among groups. In trial 2, duplicate groups of 500 fish with an initial weight of 33 g were fed a commercial diet to satiation (100%) or feed restricted to 90%, 80% and 70% of satiation for 90 days. Thereafter, all groups were fed to satiation for 34 days. During the feed restriction period, growth was directly related to feed intake, while during the satiation feeding period, it was inversely related to the previous feeding level. At the end of the trial, the final weight was not different among groups. At the end of the feed restriction period, whole-body lipid content showed a trend to decrease with an increase in the feed restriction level. The results of this study indicate that under practical conditions, turbot juveniles should be fed daily as even cycles of short periods of feed deprivation negatively affect growth, while not improving feed efficiency. On the contrary, even after a relatively long feed restriction period, fish shows compensatory growth, and this may be used as a feed management strategy for controlling fish production in commercial farms.

Qualitative-feed-restricted heavy swine: meat quality and morpho-histochemical characteristics of muscle fibers

To evaluate the effect of different levels of qualitative feed restriction (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) on pork quality and muscle morpho-histochemical characteristics, 60 castrated male swines were used. Ten animals were slaughtered at 89 kg BW. Other 50 pigs were fed experimental diets and slaughtered at 128 kg BW. Qualitative restriction increased pH45, and water holding capacity, and reduced the redness, yellowness and cholesterol concentrations of Longissimus lumborum. Quadratic tendency for oleic acid contents of loin and fiber cross-section area of Multifidus dorsi (P=0.08) were observed, with maximum point at 11-12% of restriction. No effect (P&gt;0.1) on percentage of M. dorsi fibers SO, FG and FOG was found. The meat from 128-kg-BW pig showed numerically higher values for colorness, water losses, and lipid content and lower shear force than 89-kg-BW pigs. Qualitative feed restriction for finishing swines neither affected negatively pork quality nor modified the muscle fiber profile.

Effect of milking frequency and feeding level before and after dry off on dairy cattle behavior and udder characteristics

The effects of 2 common dry-off management procedures, feed restriction [8 vs. 16kg of dry matter (DM)/d] and reduced milking frequency (once, 1× vs. twice, 2×/d), on the behavior and udder characteristics of dairy cattle were assessed in late lactation and the early dry period. Milking cows 1× instead of 2× in the week before dry off reduced milk yield (7.0 vs. 8.9 ± 0.95 kg/d for 1× and 2×, respectively), but had little effect on behavior before or after cessation of milking. In comparison, feed restriction reduced milk yield (6.9 vs. 9.1 ± 0.95 kg/d for 8 and 16kg of DM/d, respectively), udder firmness after dry off (7.3 vs. 8.0 ± 0.24 g force for 8 and 16kg of DM/d, respectively), milk leakage (2 d after dry off, 14% of cows offered 8kg of DM/d were leaking milk compared with 42% cows offered 16kg of DM/d), and the likelihood of Streptococcus uberis intramammary infection (nonclinical mastitis; 12.5 vs. 62.5% of groups with at least 1 cow with a new intramammary infection for 8 and 16kg of DM/d, respectively). Despite these benefits, cows offered only 8kg of DM/d spent less time eating (7.3 vs. 8.3 ± 0.28 h/d for 8 and 16kg DM/d, respectively), more time lying (8.8 vs. 7.3 ± 0.24 h/d), and vocalized more before dry off than cows offered 16kg of DM/d (0.8 vs. 0.2 ± 0.15 calls/min for 8 and 16kg of DM/d, respectively). These behavioral changes indicate that this level of feed restriction may cause hunger. Information is needed about alternative dry-off procedures that maintain the health benefits and comfort associated with lower milk yield before dry off but prevent hunger, such as feeding low quality diets ad libitum.

Reproductive performance of heifers offered ad libitum or restricted access to feed for a one hundred forty-day period after weaning1

Reproductive performance was evaluated in composite heifers born over a 3-yr period that were randomly assigned to control (fed to appetite; n = 205) or restricted (fed at 80% of that consumed by controls adjusted to a common BW basis; n = 192) feeding for a 140-d period, beginning about 2 mo after weaning at 6 mo of age and ending at about 12.5 mo of age. Heifers were fed a diet of 67% corn silage, 18% alfalfa, and 9% of a protein-mineral supplement (DM basis). Restricted heifers consumed 27% less feed over the 140 d and had less ADG (0.53 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.01 kg/d; P < 0.001) than control heifers. After 140 d, all heifers were placed in common pens and subjected to an estrous synchronization protocol to facilitate AI at about 14 mo of age. Heifers were then exposed to bulls for the remainder of a 51-d breeding season. Average BW of heifers diverged within 28-d after initiation of feed restriction, and differences (P < 0.001) persisted through the prebreeding period (309 +/- 1 vs. 326 +/- 1 kg at approximately 13.5 mo of age) and subsequent grazing season (410 +/- 2 vs. 418 +/- 2 kg at about 19.5 mo of age). From the end of the 140-d restriction at about 12.5 to 19.5 mo of age, ADG was greater (P < 0.001) in restricted heifers than control heifers (0.51 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.01 kg/d). Proportion of heifers attaining puberty by 14 mo of age tended to be less (P = 0.1) in restricted (60 +/- 3%) than control-fed heifers (68 +/- 3%). Mean BW at puberty was less (P < 0.01) in restricted (309 kg) than control (327 kg) heifers. Pregnancy rate from AI tended to be less (P = 0.08) in restricted (48 +/- 4%) than control heifers (57 +/- 3%). Proportion of animals that were pubertal at breeding and pregnant from AI were positively associated (P < 0.1) with heifer age and ADG from birth to beginning of study. Final pregnancy rates were 87 and 91% for restricted and control heifers, respectively (P = 0.27). Day of breeding season that conception occurred was negatively associated with ADG from birth to weaning (P = 0.005), but was not associated with ADG within treatment (P = 0.60). Economic analysis revealed a $33 reduction in cost to produce a pregnant heifer under the restricted protocol when accounting for pregnancy rates and differences in BW and market prices between selection at weaning and marketing as open heifers at l.5 yr of age. A potential economic advantage exists for rearing replacement heifers on a restricted level of feeding during the postweaning period.

Effect of Sex, Level and Period of Feed Restriction During the Starter Stage on Productivity and Carcass Characteristics of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens in South Africa

Effect of Sex, Level and Period of Feed Restriction During the Starter Stage on Productivity and Carcass Characteristics of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens in South Africa

Influência da restrição de água e ração durante a fase pré-inicial no desempenho de frangos de corte até os 42 dias de idade

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar a influência da restrição de água e ração durante a fase pré-inicial no desempenho de frangos de corte e no desenvolvimento dos órgãos (coração, fígado, moela e intestinos). Em cada experimento utilizaram-se 480 pintos machos, Ross, distribuídos em cinco níveis (0, 10, 20, 30 e 40%) de restrição de água ou de ração durante os primeiros sete dias de idade. As aves foram alimentadas com a mesma dieta, em composição nutricional, em todos os tratamentos. Com restrição de água ou de ração, foram observadas reduções lineares no desempenho nos primeiros sete dias de idade e redução absoluta do peso dos órgãos, no entanto, o peso relativo não foi alterado, com exceção da moela, cujo peso relativo aumentou com a restrição. Após os 7 dias de idade, verificou-se crescimento compensatório dos frangos, sobretudo na semana subseqüente à restrição (8 a 14 dias). Aos 42 dias, as aves apresentaram peso corporal semelhante, independentemente do tipo de restrição. Nas aves sob restrição de água, a conversão alimentar no período de 8 a 14 dias de idade foi melhor nas aves submetidas a restrição prévia, enquanto, entre aquelas sob restrição de ração, essa diferença não ocorreu. O percentual de hematócrito sanguíneo aumentou linearmente aos 7 dias de idade com o aumento da restrição hídrica e aos 3 dias idade, com o aumento da restrição de ração. Em ambos os experimentos, não houve influência das restrições na uniformidade do lote e no rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes. O consumo de água foi mais independente que o consumo de ração, pois apresentou menor redução quando as aves estavam sob restrição de ração.