Mean Live Weight Research Articles

Effect of bedding application and air change rates on environmental ammonia concentrations for intensively housed beef cattle

Context Manure deposition during livestock export voyages contributes to air ammonia levels, potentially affecting human and animal health if not managed. Mitigation strategies may include increased air change rates and application of bedding. Aim This study examined the effect of bedding application rate (BAR) and air change rate (ACH) on air ammonia (NH3) concentrations and pad properties, including pad surface condition, pH, moisture, and pad ammonium (NH4+) concentrations, for intensively housed beef cattle. Methods Six 7-day runs were conducted with 72 Bos indicus cross steers (mean liveweight ± s.d. = 338 ± 32 kg) housed in respiration chambers by using a 3 × 3 factorial design. The BARs were set to 0%, 50%, and 100% of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), and ACH were varied at 20, 35, and 52. Air NH3 was measured twice daily at three heights. Pad surface condition was collected with the first air NH3 measurement. Video footage captured standing and lying behaviours for each steer. Pad samples were collected on the final day for pad chemical analysis. Key results The ACH of 20 changes per hour resulted in higher air NH3 concentration than ACH of 35 and 52. Higher BAR led to lower pad pH and moisture, with slightly lower pad NH4+ concentration in 100% and 50% BAR than 0% BAR. Although air NH3 concentration on Day 7 was positively correlated with pad NH4+ concentration, BAR had no marked effect on air NH3 concentration (within the temperature range of this experiment). Drier and firmer pad surfaces were associated with each high BAR and high ACH. Moreover, high BAR increased the frequency of lying behaviour in steers. Conclusions These findings indicated that NH3 can be mitigated by optimising air changes to minimise air NH3 concentration and utilising bedding to minimise pad NH4+. This offers practical solutions for intensively housed beef cattle, such as livestock export voyages to improve human and animal welfare onboard. Implications The study results emphasised the importance of optimising ACH to maintain low air NH3 concentrations in livestock export conditions. Although there was no evidence that BAR affects air NH3 directly, it reduced pad NH4+ and improved pad conditions for overall animal comfort and environmental quality in confined housing with sufficient air changes.

Dietary Energy and Protein Levels Influence the Mutton Quality and Metabolomic Profile of the Yunshang Black Goat.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary energy and protein levels on the meat quality and metabolomic profile of Yunshang black goats. For this, 80 Yunshang black goats (male, 6 months old, with a mean live body weight of 35.82 ± 2.79 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial dietary arrangement. The dietary treatments were (1) high energy (9.74 MJ/kg) with high protein (12.99%) (HEHP), (2) high energy (9.76 MJ/kg) with low protein (10.01%) (HELP), (3) low energy (8.18 MJ/kg) with high protein (13.04%) (LEHP), and (4) low energy (8.14 MJ/kg) with low protein (10.05%) (LELP). The experiment lasted 64 days, including 14 days for dietary adaptation and a 50-day feeding trial. At the end of the experiment, four animals from each treatment were slaughtered to assess their meat quality and metabolomic profiles. The pH value was greater for the goats fed the LELP diet compared with the other treatments. The LEHP-fed group's meat was brighter (L*) than that of the other three groups. The HEHP-fed group had considerably more tender meat (p < 0.05) compared with the LEHP-fed group. Moreover, 72 and 183 differentiated metabolites were detected in the longissimus muscle samples by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The hydropathy and volatilities of raw meat were different (p < 0.05), suggesting changes in the meat flavor because of the dietary treatments. Based on the results, it can be concluded that feeding a high-energy- and high-protein-containing diet improved the tenderness, flavor, and fatty acid contents of mutton.

Digestion, nitrogen excretion and rumen microbial communities in beef cattle, and in vitro methane output, of fresh temperate grass with or without citrus pulp supplementation

The effects of supplementing grass with a high-energy, low-protein concentrate on intake, rumen fermentation, rumen microbial communities, apparent total tract digestibility and N-balance in beef cattle, and rumen fermentation and methane output in vitro, were studied. Sixteen Charolais steers (mean live weight (s.d.) 564 (24.3) kg)), were used in a completely randomised block design experiment, and offered either zero-grazed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) ad libitum (GO), or the same grass with 2.25 kg citrus pulp dry matter (DM) daily (GCP). During the measurement phase, DM intake was restricted at 0.85 of their pre-determined intake. The same diets were incubated in an eight-vessel RUSITEC system. Supplementation decreased grass DM intake (6.59 vs. 7.54 kg/d) but increased total DM intake by 0.95 kg/d (P < 0.01). Rumen pH (P = 0.05) and NH3 concentration (P < 0.05) decreased, and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations (P < 0.01), molar proportions of propionate (P = 0.08) and butyrate (P < 0.05) increased for GCP compared to GO. Supplementation significantly altered the overall rumen microbial community structure compared to GO, driven principally by changes in relative abundance of Prevotella, Methoanobrevibacter and Lachnospiraceae genera. Plasma urea concentration was lower (P < 0.05) for GCP than GO. There was no effect (P > 0.10) of supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility of DM, OM and ADFom, but aNDFom digestibility tended to be lower (P = 0.07) and crude protein (N × 6.25) digestibility was lower (P < 0.01) for GCP compared to GO. Nitrogen intake (200 g/d) did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Faeces N loss was 9 g/d greater (P < 0.01), and urine (P < 0.01) and total (P < 0.05) N losses were 22 and 13 g/d lower, respectively, for GCP compared to GO. In terms of N-balance (g/kg N intake), faecal N excretion was greater and urinary N excretion was lower (P < 0.01) resulting in a greater N use efficiency (P = 0.06) for GCP than GO. In vitro rumen NH3 concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) for GCP compared to GO, whereas in vitro rumen pH, lactic acid, VFA concentrations and molar proportions, and methane and total gas output did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Supplementing grass with a low-protein, high-energy feed may be a strategy to reduce urinary and total N excretion in beef cattle grazing temperate grass pasture.

Inclusion of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Standard or Omega-3 Fatty Acids Enriched Laying Hens Diets: Effects on Performance, Egg Quality Parameters, Fatty Acid Composition and Individual Carotenoids Concentration of Egg Yolk

The effects of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) inclusion to standard or omega-3 fatty acids enriched laying hens’ diets, on performance, egg quality parameters, fatty acids and individual carotenoids of egg yolk was investigated. The dietary treatments were designed as: standard (S) diet, 50 mg/kg L plus 50 mg/kg Z (S+L/Z (50+50)) or 100 mg/kg lutein plus 100 mg/kg zeaxanthin (S+L/Z (100+100)) added to S diet, Omega-3 fatty acids enriched (OM3) diet, 50 mg/kg lutein plus 50 mg/kg zeaxanthin (OM3+L/Z (50+50) or 100 mg/kg lutein plus 100 mg/kg zeaxanthin (OM3+L/Z (100+100)) added to OM3 diet. Hens with a mean live weight of 1525.88 ± 31.19 g were divided into six treatment groups. During the experimental period, there was not any mortality rate recorded. Dietary inclusion of L/Z (50+50 or 100+100) either in S or OM3 diets did not alter performance parameters. Eggs from hens fed enriched diet (OM3) significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) the albumen index and Haugh unit. The type of dietary fat source (F), equal dose of L/Z or F×L/Z on egg yolk lutein, unknown carotenoids and total carotenoid concentration were found to be significant. However, the F on zeaxanthin concentration was not significant (P&gt;0.05). The yolk color a* value was significantly increased by inclusion of L/Z (50+50 or 100+100) to diets (S or OM3) (P&lt;0.05) and this was correlated with increased (P&lt;0.05) concentration of individual carotenoids. The major changes in egg yolk fatty acid MUFA and PUFA composition occurred when laying hen fed with OM3 diet. Key words: Egg yolk, omega-3, carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanth

Overfeeding copper during rearing affects the liver function and fertility of replacement dairy heifers.

Oversupply of dietary copper (Cu) is common among UK dairy herds, but studies on the long-term outcomes of this oversupply are scarce. A longitudinal study was undertaken to determine the long-term implications when 80 Holstein‒Friesian heifers with a mean (±standard error) age of 4.1 ± 0.1 months and a mean liveweight of 137 ± 2.4kg were fed a recommended (R; 16mg/kg dry matter [DM]) or high (H; 32mg/kg DM) dietary Cu concentration until 6 weeks prior to calving. Hepatic Cu concentrations in bothtreatment groups were elevated into the ranges used to diagnose chronic Cu toxicity in cattle at 6.9 months of age (798 ± 46.4 mg/kg DM for H vs. 643 ± 35.4mg/kg DM for R), with associated evidence of liver damage. Hepatic Cu concentrations then returned to normality but remained higher (p < 0.001) for heifers fed H than for those fed R and were associated with a reduced (p = 0.044) conception rate to first and second services (73.7 ±8.05% for H vs. 91.2 ± 7.68% for R). This retrospective analysis identified pre-study liver damage, which may have affected results. Supplying Cu in excess of requirements resulted in liver damage and reduced conception rates.

Dehydrated and live black soldier fly larvae as environmental enrichment in indigenous slow-growing chickens: performance, gut health, and chitinolytic enzyme activity

The demand for sustainable and ethically farmed animal products is on the rise as consumers become more environmentally and animal welfare conscious. The need to diminish the consumption of soybean meal is urgent, and companies are looking for ways to respond to this necessity by looking for alternatives to soybean meal. This study assessed the impact of introducing whole dehydrated and live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) into the diet of an indigenous chicken breed as environmental enrichment. A total of 144 39-day-old male Bianca di Saluzzo chickens were distributed among 18 pens and assigned to three different experimental groups. The control group received a diet where soybean meal was entirely replaced by alternative ingredients. The two experimental groups were given the same diet supplemented with 5% of the expected daily feed intake of whole dehydrated BSFL or whole live BSFL. Throughout the trial period (from the bird age of 39–174 days of age), live weight was recorded every 21 days, and the average daily gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. The time required for the birds to consume the larvae was recorded three times a week. At age 147 and 174 days, 12 birds per treatment were selected based on mean live weight and slaughtered. Measurements included hot and chilled carcass weights, organ weights (spleen, liver, heart, stomach), breast and thigh muscle weights, and the corresponding yields were calculated. Acid protease activity was measured in proventriculus extract, and chitinase and chitosanase activity was calculated based on the release of reducing sugars from chitin or chitosan. The results showed little improvement in final live weights and daily feed intakes of the animals fed the insect larvae compared with control birds. Larva supplementation had no negative impact on the overall well-being of the animals assessed by blood analysis and histopathological assessment of the intestinal tract, spleen, and liver. No differences were found between the dehydrated vs live insect larvae consumption times, with all larvae being eaten up very rapidly (< 3 min). The birds fed BSFL showed an increase in chitinase activity. These findings support the potential use of whole BSFL as a form of environmental enrichment, particularly in their dehydrated form, being more convenient to use and store, which would also encourage the uptake of this practice by farmers.

Management factors associated with the survival and market weight of broiler chickens among small-scale farmers in the Dodoma City of Tanzania

Broiler chickens have the genetic potential for significant weight gain over a very short period of time. As a result, they account for over 92 % of the world's poultry meat production in different parts of the world. Yet, to fully realise their growth potential, effective management practices are crucial, encompassing aspects like nutritious feeds, disease control, optimal temperature, and adequate housing. The purpose of the study was to determine the management practices associated with the survival and market weight of broiler chickens in small-scale production. Small-scale poultry production plays a significant role in poverty reduction and household nutrition in developing countries. One hundred and forty small-scale broiler farmers were visited for interviews in the Dodoma City. Employing a structured questionnaire, data on management practices was gathered, while past production records determined market weight and survival rates. Most chickens weighed 1.8–2.3 kg at the end of the production cycle, with a mean live weight of 2.0 kg. Heat provision to chick housing in the early growth stages increased both survival and market weight. Conversely, chicken vaccination and the farmer's experiences were correlated with an increased survival rate. Furthermore, higher feed quantities offered to growers and finishers were linked to greater market weight. It was concluded that enhancing knowledge among small-scale farmers through training and extension services has the potential to increase broiler productivity.

Effect of Replacing Fishmeal with Algal Meal on Growth Parameters and Meat Composition in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.)

Aquafarms should reduce the use of fishmeal and fish oil in nutritional feed. One such accessible and relatively inexpensive food component that could successfully meet the challenge posed by aquaculture is algae. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the algae meal inclusion of Chlorella and Spirulina sp. in a diet for rainbow trout, evaluating its effects on fish growth, histological parameters and fillet quality. Experiments were carried out to replace 50% and 100% of fishmeal with Spirulina sp. and Chlorella vulgaris in feed for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) cultured in a recirculation system. At the end of the experimental period, the highest mean live weight was measured in rainbow trout fed a feed containing 50% algal meal in the feed. The absorptive vacuolization of cells was increased the most and lamina propria was average thickened when fed 50% algae diets. Fat droplets in the hepatocytes were larger in the 50% algae meal fed group, and their nuclei were replaced in the peripheral zone of the cells. Substitution of fishmeal with 50% algal meal in fish feed resulted in a 36.44% reduction in the lipid content of rainbow trout fillets compared to control fish.

Morphometric Study of the Algerian Dromedary Population Reguibi (Camelus dromedarius L. 1758)

Background: The morphometric study of the Algerian dromedary population, specifically the Reguibi breed (Camelus dromedarius), involves analyzing various physical measurements and characteristics of these camels. Morphometric studies aim to understand the phenotypic diversity within a population, which can provide insights into their adaptation, genetic variability and potential for selective breeding or conservation efforts. Methods: This study used 60 live dromedaries from the Tindouf slaughterhouse in Algeria’s extreme southwest. The animals, 30 males and 30 females, were adults over the age of five years old who grazed in Tindouf’s southwestern regions. After four measurements, the substernal void index and live weight were calculated. Result: The mean live weights for males were 507.9 kg ± 97.3 kg and 445.6 kg ± 63 kg for females. The average withers height was 1.94±0.10 m for males and 1.84±0.10 m for females. The findings were compared to previous studies on Sahraoui, Targui and Steppe Camels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the Reguibi population in this region.

Composition tissue of the rib of goats F1 (Boer x SRD) finished in native pasture with different supplemantation levels

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation in the composition tissue rib of the goats F1 (Boer x SRD), finished in native pasture. Twenty-four goats, non-castrated, with 15 kg of mean live weight (LW) and 120 days of age were used. The experimental diets were constituted by pasture native "ad libitum" and growing levels of concentrated (0, 0,5, 1,0 and 1,5% LW in dry matter). The concentrate went to the base corn milled, bran, soy crumb, cotton pie, limestone, mineral nucleus and soy oil, seeking to assist daily earnings of 200 g for the largest supplementation level. The animals were depressed and the carcass was split up to the middle, being removed the neck, that was dissected in bone, muscle and fat. The weights of the rib, muscle, bone, total fat, fat intermuscular and yield of total fat, intermuscular fat increased lineally with the supplementation. However, the subcutaneous fat weights, of the relationship muscle-bone and the muscle yield, bone and subcutaneous fat, didn't suffer effect of the supplementation levels. Lineal reduction was observed for the relation muscle-fat. If the objective will obtain rib with larger fat yield, it is recommended supplemental the goats ones with 1,0% of the LW. However, considering the muscular income, any one of the studied levels can be indicated.

Slaughter and Carcass Traits of Gray Hungarian and German Mast Geese

This study was carried out to determine the slaughter and carcass traits of Gray Hungarian and German Mast geese raised in private farm conditions in Kars province, and the effect of genotype and sex on these traits. A total of 113 geese, 71 females (51 Gray Hungarian geese and 20 German Mast geese) and 42 males (28 Gray Hungarian geese and 14 German Mast geese) were slaughtered at approximately 6 months of age. The mean live weights of Gray Hungarian and German Mast geese before slaughter were 4291.96 and 3007.59 g, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between Gray Hungarian and German Mast geese in slaughter and carcass traits except gizzard weight (p0.050). There was a statistically significant difference in gizzard weight between the sex groups of Gray Hungarian geese (p

Performance, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality during Frozen Storage in Male Layer-Type Chickens

An experiment was carried out in the Institute of Animal Science—Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, to investigate the growth performance of male layer-type chickens (Lohmann Brown Classic), raised to 6 and 9 weeks of age, to evaluate the economic aspects of this rearing, as well as to present changes in the quality characteristics of the meat during frozen storage. The chickens were reared in a controlled microclimate with an initial stocking density of 9 birds/m2. After 6 weeks of age, fragmentation of the stocking density was applied, and then it diminished to 3 birds/m2. The chickens were slaughtered at 6 and 9 weeks of age. Ten 9-week-old chickens were subjected to carcass analysis. Meat quality parameters (pH, color), degree of proteolysis (free amino groups), and lipid oxidation (content of peroxides and TBARS) were assessed in fresh breast and thigh meat (0 d) and in samples stored for 60 and 120 days at −18 °C in chickens slaughtered at 6 and 9 weeks old. The mean live weight of the male layer-type chickens at 6 weeks was 608.81 g, while the 9-week-old chickens reached 1115.93 g. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the whole period of rearing was 2.75. There were no considerable deviations in the meat traits, indicating quality deterioration over the course of the frozen storage. There was a significant increase in the pH of the breast and thighs, reaching maximum values for 60 days of storage in the 6-week-old chicks, while in the 9-week-old birds, pH peaked in the samples stored for 120 days. The changes in the dynamics of pH corresponded to those of proteolysis. There was an increase in lightness (L*), allowing for higher values in the samples stored for 60 days to be reached regardless of the type of meat and age of the chickens. The content of the peroxides increased considerably for 60 days of frozen storage and decreased afterwards. During storage, there was a constant increase in the secondary products of lipid oxidation. Our results indicated that the application of practices such as the fragmentation of stocking density and finding the suitable age for slaughter have significant importance for the profitability of producing meat product from male layer-type chickens. We found that rearing this type of bird until 9 weeks of age resulted in lower costs and higher economic efficiency.

The effect of climate index on growth values from birth to breeding in Akkaraman sheep.

Under specific agroclimatic conditions, growth is an adaptability parameter resulting in reduced performance with decreasing animal comfort of a sheep breed. In this study, a total of 1011 lambs' live weights (LW) and average daily weight gains (ADG) in 16 different farms between 2018 and 2020 (birth to 18 months) were determined in Akkaraman herds raised in Çankırı Province of Turkey. Comprehensive Climate Index (CCI) was examined to determine the effect of climate. Thermal comfort limits in CCI values were classified as CCI-1.cold (≤ 5 ℃), CCI-2.comfort (5-25 ℃), and CCI-3.warm (≥ 25 ℃). The climatic values that all lambs examined were exposed to according to index value groups in periods from birth to 18 months of age were prepared daily. The lambs were exposed to comfort environment in the majority of the days in the MP0-3 (77.7%) and MP12-18 (50.1%) periods. The lambs mostly in the MP3-6 period (72.2%) were above the warm stress threshold, but in the MP6-12 period, 54.7% were above the cold stress threshold. Overall mean LW of lambs at birth, at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months were 4.29 kg, 35.1 kg, 39.1 kg, 45.4 kg, and 52.6 kg, while the ADG values between birth-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months were 341.8 g, 54.5 g, 42.9 g, and 56.8 g respectively. Periodically, CCI values were realized as 10-15, 25-30, and 18-22 in the growth periods of 0-3, 3-6, and 12-18 months, respectively, and ADG values of the lambs were found to be similar within their own periods. However, when the CCI values of the lambs increase to 5 and above in the 06-12-month period, there is a decrease in their live weight. As a result, climatic index values did not have a negative effect on the growth and development values of lambs in cold conditions in general, but warm conditions affected the animals negatively.

Effects of prenatal fish oil supplementation on the development and performance of female kids after weaning.

This study was performed to determine the influence of fish oil, an omega-3 fatty acids source, supplemented to diets of goats throughout all stages of gestation on the growth and milk production of weaned female kids. Eighty German Fawn (75%) x Hair (25%) crossbred goats were randomly assigned to treatment (fish oil, FiO group) and control (Rumen protected fat, RPF group) groups during the first half of pregnancy. Subsequently, the FiO group was further allocated into FiO-FiO and FiO-RPF subgroups and RPF group was further divided into RPF-FiO and RPF-RPF subgroups containing 20 goats in each during the second half of pregnancy. The growth and feed intake of 41 female kids (aged 75.1 ± 6.73 days, with a mean live weight of 11.6 ± 3.00 kg) were recorded for a 98 day post-weaning, In the continuation of the study, live weight changes, milk yield and composition of young female goats from mating to the second month of lactation and the growth of female kids until weaning were studied for a total of 210 days. Maternal nutrition slightly influenced the live weight gain of female kids over a 98-day investigation period (p = 0.070). When growth performance was considered, a higher feed conversion efficiency of female offspring was determined in RPF-FiO (5.52) treatment group compare to female kids in other treatment groups (p = 0.086). However, the maternal feeding system significantly affected live weight in the RPF-FiO treatment group during the mating period (P = 0.054). Concerning the feed intake, maternal nutrition significantly affected the feed intake of female kids (p < 0.01) with the highest feed consumption in the FiO-RPF group. The findings of this study have shown that fish oil enriched diet given to goats during gestation improved daily live weight changes and total live weight gain of female kids despite the initial disadvantage after weaning. At mating time, the live weight of young female goats in the RPF-FiO treatment group, which exhibited the highest feed conversion ratio during the 98-day study, was higher than the remaining treatment groups. Maternal nutrition had no effect on milk yield or milk components in young goats during lactation. Young female goats born to dams in the FiO-RPF group showed better performance than the other groups regarding live weight performance of their offspring on 56th day postpartum.

Determination of the growth and survival characteristics of the kids of damascus goat x kilis goat F1 under breeding conditions

This study aimed to investigate the survival rate and growth performance of the kids of Damascus x Kilis goat F1 bred under intensive conditions. 37 male and 33 female kids of 54 dams (Damascus x Kilis F1 goats) in an enterprise of intensive dairy goat breeding in the Bismil district of Diyarbakır province were used in the study. The birth weight of kids and their monthly weights up to 7 months of age were determined. In the study analyzing the growth and development characteristics of kids of Damascus x Kilis F1 goats up to 210 days of age, it was determined that their mean live weights on the 0th (birth), 30th, 60th, 90th, 120th, 150th, 180th, and 210th days were 3.96±0.124, 7.47±0.306, 10.99±0.506, 13.71±0.592, 15.54±0.643, 24.08±1.019, 22.22±1.033, and 27.51±1.168 kg for males, respectively; whereas, the mean live weights of females were 3.40±0.128, 6.46±0.312, 9.61±0.490, 12.29±0.584, 15.79±0.772, 22.40±0.856, 22.60±0.809, and 24.11±0.937 kg, respectively. Given the type of birth, the mean live weights were found to be 4.12±0.124, 7.42±0.338, 11.29±0.549, 13.89±0.691, 16.51±0.764, 24.08±1.132, 24. 31±1.146 and 26.92±1.269 kg in singleton kids, and 3.28±0.103, 6.58±0.289, 9.42±0.418, 12.20±0.459, 14.83±0.608, 22.51±0.745, 22.74±0.753, and 24.90±0.915 kg in twins, respectively. Also, in the study the effect of sex and birth type on various period weights was analyzed and it was found that birth type had a significant effect (P&amp;lt;0.005) on birth weight, and live weights on the 60th and 90th days, while the effect of sex was insignificant. When the survival capacity of the kids was analyzed, the kids were observed to die at the time of birth, but there was no death in the later periods and the survival capacity was found to be 100% from birth until the 210th day.

Effect of Maggot Meal-Based Multi-Nutrient Blocks on Slaughter Weight and Internal Organ Characteristics of Rabbit Weaners

House fly maggot is a potential insect that has a relatively high crude protein and mostly used in feeding monogastric animals. Twenty-four Chinchilla giganta rabbit weaners (12 males and 12 females) were used in this experiment in a randomised complete block design. Each rabbit weaner was randomly allotted to four different treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times with two rabbits per replicate. Sex was used as a blocking effect. This was done to evaluate the effects of graded levels of maggot meal-based multi-nutrient block on feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and internal organs weight during feeding for 56 days at Chinhoyi University of Technology farm. Feed formulation was done using I.D.T Try and Error Iteration software. Sun-dried maggot meal was used to produce four iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic treatment multi-nutrient block diets with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% maggot meal. An increase in the inclusion level of maggot meal had a positive effect on feed intake (P&lt;0.05 Results from this study in rabbits revealed that although maggot meal-based diets were iso-nitrogenous (18% CP level), they differed in mean live weight gain (LWG). The study found that diets where 10-15% of housefly maggot meal was included achieved better growth rates and internal organ weights relative to soya bean meal-based diets. These maggot meal levels represent 50-80% partial replacement of soya bean meal in the diet. However, diets did not differ in heart weight. These results suggest that housefly maggot meal is a good source of protein and a suitable replacement for soya bean meal in the diets of growing rabbits post-weaning. Dietary inclusions of up to 150 g/kg (50-80% dietary replacement of soya bean meal) were recommended to ensure optimum growth performance and body composition of growing rabbits. Commercial use of this insect meal as a feed ingredient in rabbit diets would depend on industrial-scale production of the larvae and reduced costs of maggot meal

The effect of varying levels of potassium hydroxide-treated false Yam seed meal on growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of male broiler chickens

This study was carried out to evaluate sequential treatment of false yam seeds as substitute for maize in broiler chicken diets on their growth, carcass, haematology and serum biochemistry. Ripped fruits of false yam plants growing in the wild were harvested by hand picking. The fruits were partially sun-dried to reduce their moisture content and facilitate cracking to obtain the false yam seeds (FYS). The fresh FYS were crushed with a stone to reduce size, increase surface area and facilitate processing. The freshly crushed false yam seeds were subjected to multiple-stage processing where seeds were first soaked in ordinary water (i.e., addition of fresh seeds in ordinary water at a ratio of 1:2, wt/vol) for 12 days with water being changed every 3 days. After the 12 days of soaking, the seed sample was washed with clean ordinary water. In the second stage of processing, soaked FYS was soaked in a solution of 1M concentration of potassium hydroxide at a ratio of 1:2 (wt/vol) for 24 hours, after which the sample was washed thoroughly with clean ordinary water. The last stage of processing involved blanching of potassium hydroxide-treated seeds, firstly by immersing the sample in hot water (900C) for 20 minutes and then transferring it into cold water (40C) for 40 minutes. The treated seed sample was then washed with clean water, sun-dried to approximately 12% moisture on a cement floor and ground into gritty flour using a hammer mill. The treated false yam seed meal was labeled as KOH_T FYSM. At 21 d of age, 128 birds were individually weighed and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments in quadruplicate lots. Each replicate had 8 male broilers. The mean live-weight of birds in each replicate was 883 g (±0.05). The four treatments included the control without KOH_T FYSM; treatments 2, 3 and 4 contained 100, 300 and 500g/kg KOH_T FYSM respectively replacing maize (wt. /wt. basis) in a completely randomized design. The birds were fed various diets for 35 d. The growth response of male broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with varying levels of KOH_T FYSM revealed no significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in all growth parameters measured. Carcass dress weight and carcass dressing showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference at 500g/kg. However, the relative weight of organs revealed a significant (P&lt;0.041) increase in the heart weight and a reduction in the weights of the liver and the spleen. Haematological parameters evaluated revealed a significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease in the haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration as KOH_T FYSM was increased in the diets. The economics of replacing maize with KOH_T FYSM in the diets of male broilers revealed that price per kg of feed reduces as the test material was increased in the diets. Inclusion of KOH_T FYSM up to 500g/kg in the diets of male broilers had no adverse effect on their growth performance. However, its inclusion influenced internal organ weights such as the liver, spleen and heart. Economics of feeding KOH_T to broilers did not increase cost of feeding, suggesting that, There is an economic value for using this product for broiler chickens as an alternative to maize during periods of scarcity and can be recommended for use by farmers where this plant is available.

A critical look at adjusted fetal weights in rats

AbstractBackgroundA new derived (i.e., calculated) endpoint of developmental toxicology has appeared in a very few studies since 1990. This endpoint is adjusted mean live fetal weight per litter or adjusted fetal weight. Given our lack of familiarity with the endpoint, we evaluated the basis, prevalence, methods, and usefulness in embryo‐fetal developmental toxicity (EFDT) studies in rats.MethodsLiterature searches were performed with key terms using PubMed and Google Scholar. Major textbooks were consulted but lack of any mention of the endpoint. Unpublished EFDT data, which are readily available online, were utilized to test adjustment methods.ResultsPertinent information on factors that influence fetal weight goes back a century. Four papers utilizing rats were found in which fetal weights were adjusted using either statistical or formula‐based methods to adjust fetal weights. Only one study showed a clear benefit to the endpoint when there was a marked decrease in live litter size; this pointed to situations in which the new endpoint might be useful. The lone formula‐based adjustment method was found to be lacking adequate testing and justifications. A new experimental alternative formula‐based adjustment is shown to produce results very similar to statistical methods.ConclusionsFrom this assessment, we recommend that adjusted fetal weight should not be a routine endpoint at this time. However, there are likely cases where this derived endpoint could aid interpretation. We encourage other investigators to examine previous EFDT study data to establish guidance on the use of adjusted mean live fetal weights.

Morkaraman Kuzularının Sütten Kesim Öncesi Büyüme Özellikleri Üzerine Çevresel Faktörlerin Etkisi

The aim of this study was to analyze the environmental factors impacting preweaning growth traits in Morkaraman herds and to categorize weaning weight using the Gaussian mixture regression model. The mean live weights of lambs at birth, 60th, and 90th day (weaning) were determined to be 3.97 kg, 17.94 kg, and 24.92 kg, respectively. The effect of lambing years on live weights at all ages was found to be quite significant (p

Effect of dietary supplementation of inulin with low and high concentrate diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Barbari goats

This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of inulin on growth performance, feed conversion and nutrient digestibility in Barbari goats fed high and low concentrate diet for a period of 90 days. Twenty four yearling female Barbari goats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n=6) according to average body weight (18.24±1.16 kg). Treated animals in Group 1 were fed low concentrate diet (LCD; concentrate roughage ratio 40:60) and Group 2 (LCIN) with 2% inulin supplementation (% DM basis). Similarly, Group 3 was fed high concentrate diet (HCD; concentrate roughage ratio 60:40) and Group 4 (HCIN) with 2% inulinsupplementation. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were higher in inulin supplemented groups than the non-supplemented group. There was no increase in mean live body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) with inulin supplementation either in LCD or HCD treatment groups.The mean body condition score (BCS) was also similar in all groups. However, faecal score (FS) was superior in inulin supplemented group observed after 30 days of feeding trial. There was significant improvement in the digestibility coefficient of crude protein and DCP intake. It was concluded that inulin supplementation either in high concentrate and low concentrate diet of growing goats resulted in improvement in growth performance, faecal score and nutrient digestibility.