Feed Consumption Patterns Research Articles

Feed Consumption Pattern of Laying Hens in Relation to Time of Oviposition

A total of sixty 67 week-old Manina White strain laying hens were individually housed in cages to investigate feed consumption pattern during the day in relation to time of oviposition. Hourly feed intake and time of oviposition were recorded for each bird for seven days. Mean hourly feed intake of all hens showed a smaller peak at 10:00-12:00 and a larger peak at 17:00-19:00. There were no significant differences in amount of daily feed consumption and hourly eating pattern between egg-laying days and non-laying days. However, hens consumed about 10 g more feed (p<0.01) on egg-forming days (the day before oviposition) than on non-egg- forming days. Hourly feed intake decreased prior to oviposition, but increased immediately during the time of oviposition. The peak consumption during the evening hours (17:00-19:00) was consistent regardless of the time of oviposition. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 3 : 371-373)

The effect of air velocity on broiler performance and feed and water consumption

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of air velocity on feed and water consumption at a constant temperature of 27 C and a daily cyclic temperature of 22-32-22 C. Air velocity over the broilers was <15 or 120 m/min. These temperature and air velocity treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design in eight environmental chambers, with two replications of each treatment. The air velocity treatments were applied, and total feed and water consumption and daily patterns of consumption were determined for broilers from 21 to 49 d of age. Broilers exposed to the high air velocity consumed less water and more feed, gained more weight, and had an improved feed:gain ratio. The high air velocity had little effect on daily patterns of feed and water consumption. Both feed and water consumption were depressed during the peak of the daily cyclic temperature.

Automatic analysis of 2-D connectivity in iliac trabecular bone from normal women with regard to menopause

Eighty female Holstein calves (12 ± 4.1 d of age and 42 ± 4.3 kg of BW) were collected from different herds, brought to the study site, and blocked by age and assigned to either a 6 L/d maximum daily milk replacer (MR) allowance (LMR) or a maximum MR allowance of 8 L/d (HMR). Calves were kept in individual hutches until 52 d of age and then moved into pens, forming groups of 10. All calves had ad libitum access to a mash starter feed. Calves in both treatments received the MR distributed in 3 separate allotments between 1 wk after the beginning of the study and 52 d of age. Then, all calves were moved to group pens and preweaned by offering 2 L/calf of the same MR twice daily in a trough until the age of 59 d, when MR offer was further reduced to a single dose of 2 L until the age of 73 d, when all calves were completely weaned. Individual starter feed and MR consumption was recorded on a daily basis until 52 d of age, and on a group basis until weaning time. Body weight was measured at the beginning of the study and at 52 (preweaning), 73 (weaning), and 110, 160, and 228 d of age. Solid feed consumption (mean ± SE) was greater in LMR (821 ± 42.1 g/d) than in HMR calves (462 ± 42.1 g/d) between 42 d of age and 52 d (preweaning). As expected, as age increased, solid feed consumption increased, and LMR showed a more marked increase than HMR calves. Despite the greater solid feed intake of LMR calves, HMR grew faster than LMR calves until preweaning time, but from preweaning to weaning, LMR calves grew more than HMR calves (977 vs. 857 ± 30.7 g/d, respectively; mean ± SE). No differences in feed efficiency were observed. While calves were individually housed, no differences were observed in the incidence of bovine respiratory disease or diarrhea between treatment groups. We concluded that, under the milk regimen, age range of calves, and weaning method used in the current study, before preweaning, HMR calves grow more than LMR calves, but between preweaning and weaning, LMR grow more than HMR calves, overcoming the difference in BW at preweaning. As a result, with the weaning scheme followed herein, providing more milk does not ensure greater performance; no differences are obtained in BW at weaning and at 228 d of life. Also, based on solid feed consumption patterns seen in this study, we determined that the optimum age to reduce MR allowances and foster solid feed intake is around 45 d of age.

Effects of Light and Temperature on Anticipatory Feeding by Broilers

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of daily cycles of light intensity and temperature on anticipatory feeding by broilers. Broilers were maintained on litter in environmental chambers with feed provided for 12 h/d. Feed consumption was recorded by computer every 30 min and summarized for 2- and 24-h periods. In Trial 1, lighting was at 16 lx for 12 h and at 94 1x for 12 h each day. Feed was provided either during the 16- or 94-lx period. Broilers consumed more feed at the onset of feeding and at the end of the feeding period than at other times in both treatments. In Trials 2 and 3, the chamber temperature was cycled such that a 12-h feeding period was provided at either 32 or 16 C. Broilers consumed more feed at the onset of feeding than at other times but did not increase consumption at the end of the feeding period. The results indicate anticipatory feeding is enabled by cyclic lighting intensity but not by cyclic temperature. In Trial 4, the light intensity and temperature were cyclic. Feed was provided during high light intensity and at maximum temperatures. Feed consumption increased when temperature was declining, indicating broilers responded to the reduced temperature. The results show that a period of darkness is not required for anticipatory feeding and that environmental temperatures and lighting typical of curtain-sided broiler houses alter feed consumption patterns.

Consequences of reduction of number of individual feeders on feeding behaviour and stress level of feedlot steers

Thirty-six Hereford steers with an average weight of 230±23 kg, were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 12 animals to determine the consequence of decreasing feeder space on feed consumption, weight gain and stress. The animals were studied over a 28-day trial period. In Group A, each animal had access to an individual electronically controlled Calan Broadbent ® feeder. Groups B and C had access to three and four feeders, respectively. During the trial steers were fed grass legume silage ad libitum with fresh silage added four times daily. Twenty-four hour feed consumption patterns and feed quantity were recorded for each individual steer through time lapse video monitoring of feed disappearance. Blood samples drawn on Days 0, 14 and 28 were analysed for cortisol and differential leucocyte counts. The animals were weighed on these sampling days at 09:00 h. Group A had the longest mean eating time per meal and the lowest number of eating bouts ( P<0.05). Group B had the lowest mean eating time ( P<0.05) but intake of Group B was not different from that of Group A ( P>0.05). Animals in Group B compensated for their shorter times spent at the feeder by increasing their rate of intake compared with those of Groups A and C ( P<0.05). The Spearman rank feeding order correlations for time at the feeder, number of feeding bouts and intake were positive for all groups, indicating that some animals consistently ate the most often and had the greatest intake. Groups A and B both had high Spearman rank feeding order correlations for mean meal length, total time at the feeder and number of feeding bouts ( P<0.05). These high correlations could indicate that subordinate animals were probably not disadvantaged by being fed in a group feeding situation compared with animals fed individually. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios did not differ between groups on any sample day ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in weight gains and cortisol plasma concentrations among experimental groups or time of sampling ( P>0.05). Reduction in number of individual feeders by two-thirds and three-quarters did not influence weight gains and it had no significant effect on stress levels. The results suggest that some degree of competition is desirable in the group feeding situation.

An economic evaluation of traditional twinning and sex-controlled systems of beef production in southern Australia

On a representative farm in southern Australia, the efficiency of beef production might be improved l.8 fold through changes in management practices and adoption of new techniques to induce twinning and to regulate the sex of calves born. Twenty-six modelled production systems were examined. Two of the three most efficient systems (kg meat per unit feed energy) produced crossbred calves, used twinning to produce more calves and sold them at yearling (18 months) rather than weaner (7 months) age. The other most efficient system was a single-sex all-female production system. Profit was calculated for each production system using a gross margins analysis (that is, total income minus variable costs). This, with the pattern of feed supply, feed consumption and labour use for each production system, was used in a linear programming model of a 'representative farm' to determine the optimum (most profitable) beef production system. Two of the three most efficient production systems were also the most profitable, being more than twice as profitable as the simplest traditional systems. The high cost of producing single-sex calves in the all-female system made it, and other systems using sex-control, unprofitable. Cows in systems with high net returns were very productive, had a high efficiency of lean meat production, but also a high feed requirement which forced a reduction in the optimum (most profitable) number of cows for the representative farm. Good management and attention to feed supply will be essential for these more profitable systems to be sustainable.

Feed and Water Consumption Patterns of Broilers at High Environmental Temperatures

Broilers were reared on litter to determine the effect of cyclic environmental temperatures on feed and water consumption patterns. The temperatures were constant at 24 C for several days before cyclic temperatures were started. Control broilers continued at 24 C but the treatment was a daily 24-35-24 C cycle for 3 days. Broilers that were 5, 6, or 7 wk old consumed as much feed or water the 1st day of the cycle as on the succeeding days. Feed and water consumption were determined for 6-h periods each day beginning at minimum temperature with two periods during rising temperature and two periods during declining temperature. Feed consumption was depressed when the temperatures were declining. Water consumption increased during the 12 h when the temperature was maximum. At 7 wk, water consumption was greater for broilers on the cyclic temperature for each 6-h period except for the period of temperature decline immediately preceding the minimum temperature. Broilers exposed to the 3 days of cyclic temperatures consumed more water than controls during a subsequent exposure to temperatures up to 40.8 C. The data show that the increased water consumption and decreased feed consumption observed due to high, cyclic temperatures arise from changes that occur during some times of the day and no changes occur during other times. The increase in water consumption precedes the reduction in feed consumption.

Feed Consumption of Egg Strain Pullets at Onset of Lay

An experiment was conducted to investigate the performance of four strains of commercial egg type pullets (A, B, C, and D) from 19 to 30 wk of age. The feed consumption differences during this period as well as feed consumption patterns 10 days prior to and after the first oviposition were of special interest. Two hundred and sixty-four birds (66 birds per strain) were fed a diet formulated to contain 2,750 kcal/kg ME, 17% CP, and 3.4% calcium.Results show that the average age to the first egg and percentage of hen-day egg production were not significantly different among the four strains of birds. However, egg weights of Strain A and C birds were significantly heavier than those of the Strain B and D birds. The birds from Strains B and D had significantly lower body weight than Strain A birds at the end of 18 wk, but body weights were not significantly different at the end of 30 wk.Feed intake per bird per day of pullets from Strains A and C was generally higher than that of those from Strains B and D in the first and second 4-wk period. Some of the consumption differences were significant. Feed intake in the third period (27 to 30 wk) was similar for the four strains of birds. Although different strains showed different feed consumption patterns around the first oviposition, all strains showed a drop on the day of the first oviposition. When the strains were combined, feed consumption was lower on that day than during the 8 days prior to the first oviposition.

GROWTH EFFICIENCY IN MICE SELECTED FOR INCREASED BODY WEIGHT

To elucidate the effect of selection for increased growth upon growth efficiency (gain:feed), growth and feed consumption patterns were studied in three lines of mice. Two of the mouse lines (H lines) had been selected for high 42-d body weight while the third was an unselected foundation (FP) population. The two H lines differed in population size and were designated as the high-large (HL) and high-small (HS) lines. Logistic growth curve analysis revealed that, in terms of growth rate and mature body size, the three lines could be ranked as HL &gt; HS &gt; FP. When considered relative to age, the feed consumption of the H line mice exceeded that of FP mice. When growth efficiency was considered relative to body weight, HL mice exhibited a significantly higher efficiency than either HS or FP mice. However, when considered relative to degree of maturity (body weight/asymptotic body weight), differences in growth efficiency were greatly reduced. This effect of maturity upon growth efficiency is compatible with the previous suggestion (Taylor and Murray 1987) that many growth-related variables are strongly associated with an animal's "target" mature body weight. A corollary of this suggestion is that much of the well characterized selection responses, of "high-growth" selection lines, may be accounted for by genetic differences in a factor associated with the elevation of their target mature body weight. Key words: Growth-selected mice, growth efficiency, mature body weight

Subchronic oral toxicology of 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline in the rat

4-Chloro-3-nitroaniline was given to groups of 20 male and 20 female rats by gavage at doses of 3.6, 18, or 90 mg/kg in a 10% corn oil suspension. Doses were administered 5 days per week for 90 days. The high dose resulted in reduced body weight gain in males, reduced feed consumption and fluctuating feed consumption in both sexes, slight hemolytic anemia with Heinz bodies in both sexes, enlargement of the spleen due to congestion, hemosiderosis, and increased extramedullary hematopoiesis in both sexes, inflammatory changes in the splenic capsules of two females, hemosiderin pigmentation of the liver in both sexes, bone marrow hyperplasia in both sexes, increased liver weight in females, and testicular atrophy. The middle dose produced a fluctuating feed consumption pattern in males, Heinz bodies in both sexes, very slight anemia in females, splenic hemosiderosis in males, slightly increased splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in females, hemosiderin pigmentation of the liver in males, and possibly increased liver weight in females, and inflammatory changes in the splenic capsule of one male. The low dose produced Heinz bodies in males and possibly females although the Heinz body counts of females were not statistically significant. The primary toxicologic damage produced by 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline is hemolytic or Heinz body anemia and testicular atrophy. Thus the toxicity of 4-chloro-3-nitroniline is similar to that of other aromatic nitro and amino chemicals.

Subchronic Oral Toxicology of 4-Chloro-3-nitroaniline in the Rat

4-Chloro-3-nitroaniline was given to groups of 20 male and 20 female rats by gavage at doses of 3.6, 18, or 90 mg/kg in a 10% corn oil suspension. Doses were administered 5 days per week for 90 days. The high dose resulted in reduced body weight gain in males, reduced feed consumption and fluctuating feed consumption in both sexes, slight hemolytic anemia with Heinz bodies in both sexes, enlargement of the spleen due to congestion, hemosiderosis, and increased extramedullary hematopoiesis in both sexes, inflammatory changes in the splenic capsules of two females, hemosiderin pigmentation of the liver in both sexes, bone marrow hyperplasia in both sexes, increased liver weight in females, and testicular atrophy. The middle dose produced a fluctuating feed consumption pattern in males, Heinz bodies in both sexes, very slight anemia in females, splenic hemosiderosis in males, slightly increased splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis in females, hemosiderin pigmentation of the liver in males, and possibly increased liver weight in females, and inflammatory changes in the splenic capsule of one male. The low dose produced Heinz bodies in males and possibly females although the Heinz body counts of females were not statistically significant. The primary toxicologic damage produced by 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline is hemolytic or Heinz body anemia and testicular atrophy. Thus the toxicity of 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline is similar to that of other aromatic nitro and amino chemicals.

Measurement of solid feed consumption patterns in neonatal rats by 141Ce-radiolabeled microspheres

Dams nursing litters of Fischer 344 rats were allowed access to feed containing nonabsorbable 141Ce-labeled NEN-TRAC microspheres for 24-hr intervals during the later half of a 28-day nursing period. Neonatal solid feed consumption began during the third week of nursing and rose to peak amounts as high as 2.1 times normal adult levels on a gram consumed per kilogram body weight per day basis at 28 days of age, with an average daily feed consumption (g kg −1 day −1) of approximately 1.5 times that normally eaten by adults. Feed consumption in lactating females peaked at concentrations as high as 3.2 times and averaged approximately 2.5 times the amount normally consumed by nonpregnant adult females of comparable age. These results should be considered when interpreting the results observed in reproduction studies when exposure is via feed. Effects which could be attributed to “enhanced neonatal sensitivity” may, in fact, merely reflect the toxicity resulting from increased chemical exposure. It is thus clear that, if reproduction studies are to be conducted at or near the MTD, adjustment of dietary concentration of test agents during lactation is necessary to maintain target dose levels and to prevent overexposure.

The Effect of Environmentally Modified and Conventional Housing Types on Broiler Shrinkage

Three experiments were conducted to determine the influence of environmentally modified versus conventional curtain sided housing on broiler shrinkage. Broilers were reared on the same commercial diet, feeding schedule, and lighting program in either a windowless environmentally modified house or a conventional curtain-sided house. At 50 days of age the birds were caught at 0330 (Experiment 1), 0930 (Experiment 2), or 0300 hr (Experiment 3), weighed, and cooped. The birds were then weighed every 2 hr for 12 hr to determine shrink loss after which they were processed to determine yield in Experiments 1 and 3.The broilers reared in the environmentally modified house had a significantly greater weight loss (shrinkage) over the 12-hr period when caught at night than did the broilers reared in the curtain-sided house. There were no significant differences between the housing types when the birds were caught during the day. It appears that birds in the environmentally modified house exhibited greater shrink due to different water and feed consumption patterns and a more pronounced effect due to the stress of catching.

Effect of Low Temperature, Diet Density, and Pelleting on the Preference of Broilers for High Fat Rations

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether a previously observed preference of broiler chicks for high fat vs. low fat rations would also be noted: 1) under cold conditions, 2) when energy and nutrient density are increased, and 3) when the physical texture of test rations is equalized by pelleting.In the first experiment conducted in unheated houses under winter conditions, diets compared were A) low-fat low density, B) high fat-high density, and C) high fat-low density. These were offered in pairs (A vs. B, A vs. C, B vs. C) to broiler chicks 4 to 7 weeks of age. A highly significant preference was shown for the high fat-high density diet over both low density diets and for the high fat-low density over the low fat-low density diet.In the second experiment high fat and low fat rations were presented in either mash or pelleted form. Regardless of physical texture, the high fat diet was again preferred by a highly significant (P≤ .01) margin.The relative position of feeders had no apparent influence on the pattern of feed consumption.

The Effect of Cropectomy on Selected Reproductive and Physiological Characteristics of Laying Hens

Two-hundred and fifty Babcock B-300 pullets (18 weeks of age) were either cropectomized, sham-operated or used as unoperated controls in two experiments. Although feed consumption was slightly less in cropectomized birds than in control birds, the pattern of feed consumption in relation to time of day remained unchanged. Egg production and body weight of cropectomized birds were significantly lower than that of control or sham birds. Egg weight was not affected by cropectomy or the sham operation. Cropectomy had no influence on the pattern of serum calcium or on egg specific gravity in relation to time of day; however, serum calcium and egg specific gravity was consistently lower at each time interval measured throughout the day or night when compared to that of controls. The adverse effect of cropectomy on specific gravity of eggs and serum calcium indicated that the crop is an important organ in the laying hen. The crop appeared to serve as a storage depot for feed providing the bird with nutrients necessary for optimal shell quality during periods of non-consumption.

EFFECT OF ALTERNATION BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW ENERGY DIETS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING SWINE

The response of growing pigs receiving a low energy diet (LE ration) to periodic exposures to a high energy diet (HE ration) was studied. Forty-eight Berkshire × Yorkshire barrows of approximately 23 kg body weight were divided into six equal groups receiving one of the following treatments: HE control, LE control, and alternations between the LE and HE rations in cycles of 5 days LE: 1 day HE. 4 days LE: 1 day HE, 3 days LE: 1 day HE, and 2 days LE: 1 day HE. The average daily gain of the HE control was significantly greater (P &lt; 0.01) than that of the LE control. The alternated groups did not grow significantly faster than the LE control; thus, compensatory growth responses did not occur. Feed intake of the LE control was higher than that of the HE control. The alternated groups reduced their intake of the LE ration relative to the LE control, and consumed significantly greater amounts (P &lt; 0.001) of the HE diet than did the HE controls. The pigs may have learned to anticipate their period of exposure to the HE diet, since the consumption of the HE ration as a proportion of the total feed intake tended to increase as the experiment progressed. In spite of the differences in amount and pattern of feed consumption, the calculated total energy intake was similar in all groups. The only carcass measurements significantly affected by treatment were dressing percentage and backfat thickness; the possible implications of these effects are discussed.