Mash Diet Research Articles

Effects of dietary supplementation with a protease on the apparent ileal digestibility of the weaned piglet

The effects of an acid-stable protease (RONOZYME ProAct) supplemented to a corn (Zea mays)-soybean (Glycine max) meal-based diet on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients were evaluated in 120 weaned piglets (28 d old; 8.17 ± 0.90 kg). Pigs were divided into 2 equal groups and had free access to mash diet containing 0.4% Cr(2)O(3) as indigestible marker [basal diet (Std)] or this diet supplemented with RONOZYME ProAct at 15,000 PROT [the amount of enzyme that releases 1 μmol of pnitroaniline from 1 μM of substrate (Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroaniline) per min at pH 9.0 and 37°C)/kg (ProA). The ileal content was collected for the digestibility determination after euthanasia of 35 piglets of each group after 14 d of study and 25 piglets of each group after 29 d. Compared to group Std, AID of CP was increased (P < 0.05) after 29 d of treatment in group ProA. The AID of the indispensable AA, Met + Cys, and branched-chain AA was increased (P < 0.05) at the end of the study. In the protease supplemented pigs, the AID of the individual AA was not improved after 14 d of treatment whereas it was increased (P < 0.05) at the end of the experiment for Arg, Asp + Asn, Glu + Gln, His, Ile, Lys, Phe, Thr, Tyr ,and Val. In conclusion, dietary protease supplementation increased AID of AA in piglets.

Growth performance, diet nutrient digestibility, and bone mineralization in weaned pigs fed pelleted diets containing thermostable phytase1

Traditional supplemental dietary phytase loses activity during steam pelleting. The thermal tolerance and bioefficacy of a phytase product with a thermoprotective coating [coated phytase (C-phytase)] was compared in mash and pelleted diets to a traditional, uncoated phytase (U-phytase) added to a negative control (NC) diet, formulated with reduced dietary Ca and P, and compared with a corn-soybean meal based positive control (POC) diet. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and third metacarpal bone characteristics were response variables. Weaned pigs (n = 56; 8.20 ± 0.5 kg initial BW; 28 d of age) were individually housed and randomly allotted to 1 of 7 diets for 21 d. The diets were 1) POC mash, 2) NC mash, 3) NC pelleted at 90°C, 4) NC mash + 500 U/kg U-phytase, 5) NC mash + 500 U/kg C-phytase, 6) NC + 500 U/kg C-phytase pelleted at 80°C, and 7) NC + 500 U/kg C-phytase pelleted at 90°C. The POC and NC diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isolysinic. The content of Ca and available P was 1.01 and 0.40% and 0.83 and 0.22% in the POC and NC diets, respectively. Pig BW and feed intake were measured on d 7, 14, and 21, and feces were collected for 2 d. On d 21, pigs were killed and ileal digesta and the third metacarpal bone collected. Pigs fed POC had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, P digestibility, and bone mineralization but lower (P < 0.01) energy digestibility than pigs fed NC. Pelleting the NC diet did not improve performance, nutrient digestibility, or P use. Adding the U-phytase to NC mash diet increased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and Ile, Leu, Phe, Thr, Val, and Ser, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P compared with pigs fed NC. Pigs fed C-phytase in NC mash diets had increased (P < 0.05) G:F and an AID of CP and AA and ATTD of P compared with pigs fed NC but not different than pigs fed U-phytase NC mash diets. Pigs fed pelleted NC diet with C-phytase had a greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of P and energy than pigs fed mash NC diet with C-phytase but had similar growth performance, AID of CP and AA, and bone mineralization to pigs fed U-phytase. In conclusion, release and bioefficacy of phytase after pelleting was not affected by the thermal protective coating.

Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Kids Fed Expander-extruded Complete Feed Pellets Containing Red Gram (Cajanus cajan) Straw.

A growth and digestibility study was conducted using Osmanabadi goat male kids by feeding complete diets in the form of mash or expander extruded pellets containing different levels of red gram (Cajanus cajan) straw (RGS). Two iso-nitrogenous complete diets were prepared by incorporating RGS at 35% and 50% levels. Half the quantity of each complete mash feed was then converted into pellets through expander extruder processing. Thirty two kids of 4 to 5 months age were divided into four groups of eight each and were fed for 150 d with four experimental diets (T1: mash with 35% RGS, T2: mash with 50% RGS, T3: pellets with 35% RGS and T4: pellets with 50% RGS). Pelleting of complete diets significantly (p<0.001) increased the voluntary feed intake (671.45 vs 426.28 g/d) at both levels of RGS in the feeds. Average daily gain (ADG, g/d) also increased significantly (p<0.001) from 48.79 in kids fed mash diet to 71.29 in those fed with pelleted diets. Feed conversion efficiency (dry matter (DM) intake: weight gain) was comparable among all the treatment groups. Digestibility of nutrients was not affected by pelleting of the feeds whereas, increasing the level of inclusion of RGS in feeds from 35% to 50% decreased (p<0.05) the digestibility of DM and crude protein (CP) resulting in lower (p<0.001) metabolizable energy (ME) content (MJ/kg DM) in feeds with 50% RGS (7.93 vs 8.75). Daily intake (MJ/kg BW−0.75) of ME decreased (p<0.05) in feeds containing 50% RGS while pelleting of feeds increased (p<0.05) the intake of DM, CP, digestible crude protein (DCP) and ME. It is inferred that expander extruder pelleting can efficiently utilize RGS up to 50% level in complete diets for growing goat kids.

A fluorescence-based demonstration of intestinal villi and epithelial cell in chickens fed dietary silicic acid powder including bamboo vinegar compound liquid.

This study investigates the combined effect of silicic acid and bamboo vinegar compound liquid (SPV) on the growth and intestinal histological alterations in poultry. Forty-eight 7-day-old male Sanuki Cochin chickens were fed a commercial mash diet supplemented with SPV at 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% level ad libitum for 112 days. Body weight gain tended to improve with increased concentrations of dietary SPV, although these results were not statistically significant (P<0.1). Tissue observation by light microscopy revealed that the jejunal villus height (P<0.01) and duodenal and jejunal villus area (P<0.05) increased in the 0.2 and 0.3% SPV groups, respectively, compared with the control. Cell mitosis within the duodenum and jejunum also increased in the 0.2 and 0.3% SPV groups. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a prominent increase in the number of protuberant cells on the villus apical surface of the duodenum and jejunum for the 0.2 and 0.3% SPV groups compared with the control. Poultry in the 0.3% SPV group had the highest body weight gain and hypertrophied histological alterations of intestinal villi. Fluorescent microscopic images of cell mitosis and protuberant cells in the duodenal crypt clearly confirmed positive reactions for the activator protein 2α (AP-2α) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), compared with the control. The present results indicate that dietary SPV stimulates adsorption by the epithelial cells, which activate cell proliferation and self-renewal and regulate the expression of cell cycle regulators AP-2α and PCNA, resulting in higher body weight gain. Thus, we can conclude that a concentration of 0.3% dietary SPV is ideal for promoting growth in poultry.

Effects of feeding fry of Oreochromis niloticus on different agro-industrial by-products

This study was conducted at the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre at Akosombo, to observe the growth and economic performance of fry of Oreochromis niloticusfed on different dietary treatments. In the experiment, four isonitrogenous (36% crude protein) and isoenergetic (physiological fuel value gross energy (GE), 18 MJ/kg) diets were formulated to contain agro-industrial by-products including: wheat bran (diet 1), pito mash (diet 2), rice bran (diet 3) and groundnut bran (diet 4) and fed to fry of O. niloticus (average weight 0.11 ± 0.01 g) stocked at 50 fish/m3 in out-door hapas for 8 weeks. The results showed that the growth performance was similar (P > 0.05) for fry of O. niloticus among all treatments. However, the incidence cost was highest (P < 0.05) for diet 4 and lowest for diet 2. Also, fishes fed on diet 2 had the highest (P < 0.05) profit index, while those fed on diet 4 had the lowest. It was therefore recommended that diet 2 be used in feeding fry of O. niloticus. Key words: Pito mash, rice bran, groundnut bran, wheat bran, incidence cost.

Effects of differently processed diets on growth, immunity and water quality of the sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus(Selenka, 1867)

The type of formulated diet used in aquaculture systems affects the feed efficiency and water quality. In this study, the water quality, growth performance and immunity of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), fed diets produced using four different processing methods (extruded pellet diet, cold-bonded pellet diet, flake diet and mash diet) were quantified for 60 days to identify the optimal feed type for culturing of this species. Sea cucumbers grew faster, the feed conversion ratio was much lower, and immunity indicators were higher when fed the extruded pellet diet compared to the other diets. Sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet had the highest specific growth rate (0.96), whereas A. japonicus fed the cold-bonded pellet diet had the lowest specific growth rate (0.51). The lysozyme activity of sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet was higher (57.52) than that of A. japonicus fed the cold-bonded pellet diet (39.22), flake diet (37.32) and mash diet (32.68). When animals were fed the mash diet, the ammonia–nitrogen, nitrite–nitrogen and phosphate productions were higher than in animals fed the other diets. These results indicate that the extruded pellet diet is the optimum feed type for use in the culture of A. japonicus.

PROCESSAMENTO DA RAÇÃO NO DESEMPENHO DE JUVENIS DE JUNDIÁ (Rhamdia voulezi) CULTIVADOS EM TANQUES-REDE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance and chemical composition of jundia juveniles Rhandia voulezi fed with mash, pelletized and extruded diets and cultivated in cages. One hundred and fifty fish were distributed in fifteen cages (0.20 m³), arranged in cages (5m³), in the hydroelectric plant of Governador Jose Richa, in Iguacu River (Parana-Brazil). The fish were fed five times a day, with mash, pelletized and extruded diets, containing 30% of protein and 3250 Kcal/kg of digestible energy/kg. At the end of 60 days, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on fish performance. The fish that were fed with pelletized diet, presented higher average of final weight (44.08g), final length (16.51cm) and weight gain (36.65g). The different processes did not influence fish survival. The averages of protein and mineral matter of carcass chemical composition did not differ statistically (p<0.05), while the values of humidity and lipideos presented differences among treatments. The highest average of lipideos (8.59%) was observed in peletized diet. The mash diet provided fish with lower lipideo (5.45%) and higher humidity (75.98%) rates. A pelleted diet is most suitable for juvenile catfish R. voulezi cultivation in cages. KEYWORDS: Aquaculture; feeding; native species.

Potash Pretreatment Enhances Carbohydrate Biodegradability and Feed Potential of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) Shell Meal

The rising cost of commercial non-ruminant feeds in Ghana has necessitated a search for local alternatives such as modified crop residues. The present study was carried out to investigate the extent to which maize stalk potash treatment might improve groundnut shell biodegradability and whether or not a low dietary intake of the treated groundnut shell would support the growth of rats. Groundnut Shell (GS) meal was immersed in 1% (w/v) potash, pH 11.2, for 24 h at room temperature (solid to liquid ratio of 1:4). The enzymatic degradation of the cellulose fraction of groundnut shell in vitro increased 18 fold following the potash treatment. Three dietary treatments were evaluated on five randomly selected rats over a period of four weeks: normal broiler mash diet, broiler mash partially substituted with either 10% potash-treated GS or 10% untreated GS. The mean values for daily feed intake (g rat-1) were 14.2±1.4, 15.8±1.3 and 13.2±0.8 while the specific growth rates were 2.03±0.06, 2.34±0.20 and 2.31±0.15 for normal diet, untreated GS and potash-treated GS, respectively. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the growth performance of rats fed on the diet partially substituted with potash-treated GS appeared to be better than the other two groups. The feed conversion ratio of 4.05±0.48 for this dietary treatment was the lowest. Taken together, the results suggest that a low dietary concentration of alkali-treated GS should support the growth of rats and other monogastrics without supplementation with costly feed additives.

Milk production performance of a flock of Sudan Nilotic does fed pelleted molasses- and mash sorghum-based diets

The main objectives of the study are to evaluate the milk production potentials of a flock of Sudan Nilotic goats and the efficiency of the formulated complete pelleted molasses-based diet (PMD) and mash sorghum-based diet (MSD) for milk yield. The experiment commenced by 27 Nilotic does in their first season of lactation. The experimental animals were divided according to live weight into 12 subgroups (2–3 does each) of which six subgroups were allotted randomly to each diet treatment, housed and fed in separate pens. Fourteen heads were fed on MSD whereas the remaining 13 does were offered PMD. The experiment continued to the end of lactation and the data were subjected to analysis of covariance (number of days before delivery was taken as a covariate). Regression of weekly milk yield on week of lactation was calculated according to the formula (yn=anbexp−cn) to estimate lactation curve components. The overall kidding weight, end of lactation weight, total milk yield, lactation period, and milk yield persistency were 19.5±4.49kg, 21.1±3.52kg, 60.8±45.18kg, 143.1±39.68 days and 58.0±19.34%, respectively. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between the two diet groups in most of the examined parameters except daily live weight gain and crude protein intake where PMD group excelled (P<0.05) the MSD group. All experimental does started milk yield at 3.4±1.85kg/week and continued increasing milk yield at a rate of 0.4±0.26kg/week to reach a peak of 4.9±2.69kg/week after 5.2±2.5 weeks and persisted at this peak for 3.5±0.79 weeks before starting gradual decline at a rate of 0.1±0.06kg/week to the end of lactation. It has been concluded that Nilotic does have poor feed utilization efficiency for milk production and poor sustainability of milk yield during lactation. The results also confirmed that the pelleted molasses diet is a good substitute for the sorghum mash diet for lactating does releasing more cereal grains for human consumption.

Use of citric acid in broiler diets

Organic acids and their salts have been approved by European legislation as an alternate source of antibiotic growth promoter in diets, because antibiotics are associated with problems due to potential residual effects via food animals developing resistant strains of pathogens. Citric acid (CA) is a weak organic acid which is a natural preservative and can add an acidic or sour taste to foods and soft drinks. It exists in small amounts in a variety of fruits and vegetables, most notably citrus. Penicillium mould and Aspergillus niger could be efficient CA producers on a commercial basis. Its inclusion in animal diets has been reported to decrease colonisation of pathogens and limit then production of toxic metabolites, improve availability of protein, Ca, P, Mg and Zn as well as serve as a substrate in intermediary metabolism. Its addition in drinking water is not promising for performance, but lower doses would be useful for sanitary aspects and gut health. Its inclusion at 0.5% in the diet improves performance and non-specific immunity of broilers. It also enhanced specific immunity against new castle disease in vaccinated broilers. Current data supports a recommendation in the broiler diet up to 0.75% in pelleted feed and 0.5% in mash diets, with a safety margin of 6.0%. Additional research is needed to determine the feasibility of its use in low nutrient density broiler diets.

PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS FED MASH OR PELLETED DIETS CONTAINING CORN-WITH-COBS MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION.

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of feeding diets containing different levels (0, 15, 30 or 45 %) of corn-with-cobs (CWC) meal in two forms (mash or pellets) with or without adding exogenous enzyme preparation (Sicozyme) on the broiler growth performance, carcass traits, blood constituents, and nutrient digestibility. Five hundred seventy-six Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly divided into 16 equal experimental groups; each contained 3 equal replications. The chicks were kept in brooding and growing batteries during the starter and finisher periods, 0-3 and 3-7 weeks of age. Sixteen starter and finisher experimental diets were formulated and used. Each experimental group was given its respective diet and all birds were managed similarly and had free access to feed and water. The results obtained can be summarized in the following: Apart from the effect of diet form (DF) or enzyme addition (EA), feeding CWC-diets had no adverse effect on live body weight (LBW) or body weight gain (BWG) of broilers during the entire experimental period. When the dietary CWC level reached 45% feed intake (FI) of broilers was significantly increased while feed conversion (FC) was negatively affected compared with their control counterparts. Birds fed pellets exhibited significantly better LBW and BWG than those of birds fed the mash diets, while FI and FC were not affected, regardless of the effect of dietary CWC level or EA. Similarly, LBW and BWG of broilers were positively affected due to dietary EA as compared to those of birds fed the un-supplemented diets, irrespective of the effect of DF or dietary CWC level. Increasing dietary CWC level to 30 or 45% adversely affected digestibilities dry matter, organic matter and crude protein and rate of nitrogen retention. Birds fed the pelleted diets had better digestibilities for crude protein and ether extract and nitrogen retention compared with those fed the mash diets. Dietary EA led to an increase in the rate of nitrogen retention. Carcass traits of broilers were not significantly affected by dietary CWC level with the exception of significant reductions in dressing-out and abdominal fat percentages and an increase in relative weight of gizzard for birds fed the 45% CWC-diets compared with the controls. Dietary EA and DF had no effect on carcass traits, except that gizzard percent slightly reduced due to feeding pellets as compared to feeding the mash diets. There were significant reductions in serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol for broilers fed the CWC-containing diets, particularly having the 45%level. However, blood parameters were not affected by EA or DF, with the exception of a significant decrease in triglycerides level in broilers fed pellets as compared to those fed the mash diets. Economic efficiency of broiler production was not affected by including CWC up to 30% in their diets; pelleting of diets and enzyme addition might have a beneficial effect. It could be concluded that corn-with-cobs meal can be included up to 30% in diets of broilers without adverse effects on broiler performance; pelleting of diets and enzyme addition had positive effects in this respect.

Poultry response to high levels of dietary fiber sources varying in physical and chemical characteristics

SUMMARY The ban on the use of antibiotics in feeds as growth promoters in many countries throughout the world has increased the incidence of enteric disorders in poultry. Natural additives, inclusion of whole cereals, feeding coarse mash diets, and increasing the level of fiber in the diets have been explored as nutritional strategies to reduce the incidence of the problem. Traditionally, dietary fiber has been considered a diluent of the diet and, often, an antinutritional factor. However, moderate amounts of fiber might improve the development of organs, enzyme production, and nutrient digestibility in poultry. Some of these effects are a consequence of better gizzard function, with an increase in gastroduodenal refluxes that facilitate the contact between nutrients and digestive enzymes. These effects often result in improved growth and animal health, but the potential benefits depend to a great extent on the physicochemical characteristics of the fiber source. In conclusion, poultry require a minimal amount of fiber in the diet for proper functioning of the digestive organs. The response to fiber inclusion depends on the source and level of dietary fiber and the characteristics of the diet as well as on the physiological status and health of the bird. In particular, the inclusion in the diet of moderate amounts of coarse, insoluble fiber sources, such as oat hulls, at levels between 2 and 3% usually improves the growth performance of broilers fed low-fiber diets.

Effect of xylanase on performance and apparent metabolisable energy in starter broilers fed diets containing one maize variety harvested in different regions of china.

The objective of this study was to investigate the variability in broiler performance, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal digestible energy (IDE) between five different maize samples fed with and without xylanase at 16,000 U/kg. Various in vitro characterisations were conducted to determine if any could predict performance or AME. Samples of the maize were harvested in five diverse regions and fed individually in a mash diet as follows (g/kg): test maize 608.3; soya bean meal (SBM) 324.1; poultry fat 25.2; salt 4.6; met 2.6; lys 1.6; thr 0.5; limestone 9.7, dical 18.4; vit/min 5.0; CP 210 and ME (kcal/kg) 3,085. The diets were fed to 720 broilers with 6 replicates, each containing 12 birds per treatment, from 0 to 18 d of age. Maize samples were analysed for starch, protein, crude fibre, fat, protein solubility index (PSI) and vitreousness using near infra red reflectance spectroscopy (NIR). They were also assayed using an in vitro starch digestibility method. The results showed that there was no effect of harvest region on the feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the broilers over the 18 d period (p = 0.959, 0.926, 0.819 respectively). There was an improvement in all parameters with the addition of xylanase (FI p = 0.011; BWG and FCR p<0.001). There was a significant positive effect of xylanase on IDE, AME, IDE Intake (IDEI) and AME intake (AMEI) (p<0.0001 in all cases). Although there was no significant effect of maize source, there was a strong trend towards variability in IDE (p = 0.066) and AME (p = 0.058). There were no significant correlations (p<0.05) between any proximate or physiochemical values and any performance or AME values. This may suggest that none of those selected were suitable predictors for performance or AME. The broilers performed well according to the breed guidelines, with slightly increased FI, increased BWG and similar FCR prior to the addition of xylanase. When FCR and BWG were analysed with FI as a covariate, xylanase addition remained significant suggesting that the improvement in BWG and FCR was driven by an increase in digestibility and nutrient availability.

Effect of phytase with or without multienzyme supplementation on performance and nutrient digestibility of young broiler chicks fed mash or crumble diets

A total of 210 unsexed 1-day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were wing banded and randomly distributed among 30 cages of 7 birds per cage keeping equal initial BW during days 1–20 of age. A factorial design (2×3) was used in which there were two feed forms (mash vs crumble diet) and three enzyme treatments (unsupplemented, phytase, phytase plus multienzyme). Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 7 chicks per replicate. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fed chicks were significantly improved when the crumble diet was administered. However, feed intake of chicks fed on the crumble feeds was significantly lower than those fed the mash diet. Digestibility of ether extract and crude fiber was significantly greater in groups fed the crumble diet than those fed the mash diet. Enzyme supplementation significantly and similarly increased growth and production index, and improved FCR. Also greater digestibility of crude protein and crude ash was observed but growth during days 8–14 of age and crude fibre digestibility were significantly greater in chicks receiving the multienzyme plus phytase supplement than those receiving phytase alone. Crumble feed supplemented with multienzyme resulted in the highest performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers during days 1–20 of age.

RAÇÕES COM DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE INCLUSÃO DE ÁGUA PARA SUÍNOS NA FASE DE CRECHE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of diets with different levels of inclusion of water for pigs in the weaning phase by digestibility and performance parameters. We established three treatments, corresponding to (T1) basal dry and mash diet, (T2) basal diet with the inclusion of water in the ratio of 1:1 (1kg water for 1kg feed) and (T3) ratio of 2:1 (2kg water for 1kg feed). In the digestibility experiment, 12 piglets with average weight of 19.09 ± 2.88 kg were used. The experimental design for the metabolism trial was completely randomized with three treatments and four replications. In the performance evaluation, 36 crossbred commercial line pigs, 18 females and 18 castrated males, with initial weight of 12.32 ± 1.4 kg, were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replications, totaling 18 experimental units, with each replicate consisting of a castrated male and one female. Diets with different levels of inclusion of water did not influence (P&gt; 0.05) (P value) animal performance and digestibility; however, the rate of metabolization of crude protein was higher (P &lt;0.05) for a 1:1 water / feed ration in the control group.KEYWORDS: digestibility; feed conversion; feed intake; growth; liquid diet; performance.

Reproductive performance of Sudan Nilotic does fed pelleted molasses and mash sorghum based diets

The study was conducted to compare the reproductive performance of Sudan Nilotic does on a standard mash sorghum based (MSD) or a complete pelleted molasses based diet (PMD). A total of 31 does were used – 15 does were offered MSD (sorghum based concentrates and sorghum straw fed separately), while the other 16 does were fed PMD. Experimental animals were housed in 12 subgroups (2–3 does each) of uniform body weight, in separate pens. Six subgroups were allotted at random to each diet treatment. Does were exposed to an adult fertile buck daily, for a period of 3h. Gestation period, postpartum anestrus period and kidding interval, body weight at conception and kidding and litter size and kid birth weights were recorded. Data on individual doe performance were subjected to an analysis of covariance (number of days before successful service being a covariate). Performance traits on a flock basis were analyzed using the chi-square test. No significant differences were induced by the diet treatments on most of reproductive traits evaluated. Overall gestation, postpartum anestrus periods, kidding interval, litter size and litter weight were 149.5±6.2 days, 121.3±36.0 days, 272.0±35.0 days, 1.2±0.4 kids/doe and 2.2±0.5kg, respectively. The overall means for conception, kidding, twinning and pre-weaning kid mortality rates were 90.2%, 96.7%, 11.3% and 10.0%, respectively. It could be concluded that the Nilotic does are prolific goats. It was also found that molasses pelleted diet satisfied the nutritive requirements, similar to sorghum mash diet, i.e. reducing the feeding cost and securing more cereal grains for human consumption.

English

The objective of the present study was to compare short and long term application of Echinacea purpurea root powder on growth performance and immunity response of broiler chicks. Three replicate trials involving a total of 600 day-old Ross chicks were used in this study. In each trial, a total of 200 chicks were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Each group consisted of 4 pens with 10 chicks in each pen. The birds in group A received control mash diet during the experiment, but those in groups B and C were given control diet supplemented with 0.1% (w/w) and 0.5% (w/w) E. purpurea root powder, respectively. The chicks in groups D and E received control diet supplemented with 0.1% (w/w) and 0.5% (w/w) E. purpurea root powder, respectively, just for one week and fed control diet afterwards. The results showed that E. purpurea consumption for six weeks changed the total counts of white blood cells (WBCs), number of lymphocytes and heterophils, feed conversation ratio, and antibody titers against newcastle and avian influenza diseases (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this result suggests that feeding E. purpurea , particularly for long time, may improve feed conversion, change blood cells number and enhance immunity response in broilers. Key words: Echinacea purpurea, broilers, feed conversion, immunity response.

Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets

Onyango, E. M. and Adeola, O. 2011. Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 399–404. The role of cholecalciferol and phosphorus in the regulation of intestinal mucosa phytase was investigated in White Pekin ducklings. Ninety-six 7-d-old male ducklings were grouped by weight into six blocks of four cages with four ducklings per cage. The average weights of the individual birds in the six subgroups were: 282, 270, 263, 255, 247 and 236 g, respectively. Four corn-soybean meal-based mash diets were randomly assigned to cages within each block. The four diets consisted of cholecalciferol at 0 or 75 µg kg–1 and total phosphorus at 3.6 or 7.0 (or 0.12 or 0.46 available phosphorus, respectively) g kg−1 in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Birds were fed the experimental diets for 9 d under conditions that excluded ultraviolet light. Ducklings fed diets with cholecalciferol concentration at 75 µg kg−1 of diet showed a lower maximal activity and Km value of intestinal mucosa phytase (P&lt;0.05), and higher apparent ileal digestibility of calcium (P&lt;0.0001). Ducklings fed diets with total phosphorus concentration at 7.0 g kg−1 of diet showed no change in intestinal mucosa phytase activity, but had higher weight gain, feed intake, tibia ash, ileal digestibility of phosphorus (P&lt;0.0001), and feed efficiency (P&lt;0.001). In conclusion, dietary cholecalciferol decreased the maximal activity and Km value of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets.

Impacts of dried whole eggs on productive performance, quality of fresh and stored eggs, reproductive organs and lipid metabolism of laying hens

1. Rejected eggs were processed by freezing, freezing and boiling, or autoclaving, dried at 55°C, and the chemical and amino-acid analysis and microbiological properties of the dried whole eggs (DWE) determined. The processed DWE was included in a laying-hen mash diet at 50 or 100 g/kg, mainly to replace soybean meal and maize, in a factorial design of 3 × 2 and fed to hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age. In addition, a control diet without DWE was used to create a total of 7 treatments; each having 5 replicates of 5 hens. 2. Hens fed the diet containing 50-g/kg frozen and boiled DWE and 100-g/kg frozen DWE laid the largest egg size, while hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen and boiled or autoclaved DWE diets yielded the highest egg mass and best feed conversion efficiency. 3. Hens fed the 50-g/kg frozen DWE laid eggs with a higher yolk indices, Haugh unit scores, and eggshell thickness and maintained higher Haugh unit scores during egg storage. 4. Yolk cholesterol significantly decreased in eggs from groups fed either the 50-g/kg frozen or autoclaved DWE diet, with freezing having the stronger effect. 6. In conclusion, 50-g/kg autoclaved DWE diets fed to laying hens between 25 and 41 weeks of age had no adverse effects on production, egg quality or reproductive organs, but decreased yolk cholesterol, and thus could be beneficially included in laying-hen diets.

Feedlot performance of Sudanese desert lambs fed with mash or pelleted diet of varying energy levels

This experiment was conducted using 18 Sudan desert ram lambs (22 ± 5.7 kg) to examine the effects of feeding with diets of different energy levels and physical forms on feedlot performance. These lambs were randomly divided into three feed groups of six animals each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Following an acclimatization period of three weeks, three experimental diets were offered, each for one group. High Energy Pellets (HEP) and High Energy Mash (HEM) diets (10.50 MJME/kg DM) of a pelleted and mash form, respectively and Low Energy Diets (LEP) was a pelleted and low energy diet (8.5 MJME/kg DM). The experiment continued for all diets to an average 40 kg live weight lamb. Results revealed lower Dry Matter Intake (DMI) ( P > 0.001), improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) ( P < 0.01) and higher Average daily gain (ADG) ( P < 0.01) for the high energy groups compared to the low energy diet group. No significant ( P > 0.05) differences were observed due to pelleting between the two higher energy groups. No significant ( P > 0.05) differences were observed among treatment groups in the Metabolizable Energy (ME) required to put a unit of body weight gain.