Reduced Carcass Yield Research Articles

Productive, internal organ and intestinal histomorphological characteristics of broiler chickens in response to dietary rapeseed meal: A meta-analysis.

The use of rapeseed as a source of protein in broiler chicken diets has been highlighted. However, there are inconsistent findings on the performance data of broiler chickens fed rapeseed meal (RSM). Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to resolve the inconsistent findings on the effect of RSM on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chickens, identify knowledge gaps and create new insights using published data. Fourteen studies on the topic were identified via a systematic search performed on bibliographic databases, and the data generated was analysed using OpenMEE software. A random-effects model was used, and effect sizes were presented as standardised mean difference (SMD) at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sources of heterogeneity were evaluated using broiler strains, inclusion levels, processing methods, rearing phases and sex as moderators. In comparison with the controls, the results showed that RSM decreased feed intake (SMD = -0.29; 95% Cl: -0.41, -0.18; p < 0.001), average daily gain (SMD = -0.48; 95% Cl: -0.63, -0.32; p < 0.001), and liver weight (SMD = 1.24; 95% Cl: 0.78, 1.71; p < 0.001), but had no effect on feed conversion ratio (SMD = 0.10; 95% Cl: -0.05, 0.23; p = 0.19). Likewise, broiler chickens fed RSM had significantly reduced carcass yield, weights of thigh, abdominal fat and heart when compared with the control. Results indicate that duodenum villus height (DVH) and jejunum villus height (JVH)/crypt depth (CD) ratios were improved in broiler chickens fed RSM. Meta-regression revealed that the analysed moderators are significant predictors of feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. In conclusion, dietary RSM negatively influenced growth performance, liver weight and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens, but improved aspects of intestinal histomorphology traits. Therefore, innovative research on processing methods that will improve the feeding value of rapeseed meal in broiler chickens is recommended.

The effect of dietary hemp and camelina cakes on liver fatty acid profile of ducks

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to determine the effects of dietary hempseed or camelina cakes rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the fatty acid profile of liver lipids and carcass characteristics of ducks. A total of 108 one-day-old male ducks were allocated to 3 dietary treatments. The Control (C) group diet was supplemented with 15 and 20% rapeseed cake from days 1 to 23 and 24 to 49, respectively, whereas the rapeseed in Experimental 1 (HE) and Experimental 2 (CA) was replaced by hempseed cake and camelina cake in the same proportion, respectively. Inclusion of dietary hempseed cake resulted in higher carcass yield (P < 0.05) and growth performance (P < 0.05) but did not increase the proportion of liver n-3 PUFA (P > 0.05). Dietary enrichment with camelina cake reduced carcass yield (P < 0.05), feed intake (P < 0.01) but had no significant effect on the body weight and feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05) of ducks. The amount of n-3 PUFA and long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA in the CA group was 2.47 and 2.35 times (P < 0.01) higher compared with that of the C group, respectively. The inclusion of dietary camelina has helped to produce a healthier human nutrition liver with an n-6/n-3n PUFA ratio of 3.38 .

218 Replacement of Soybean Meal with Corn DDGS and Crystalline Amino Acids Impacts Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Pigs

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with DDGS and crystalline amino acids on growth, carcass lean, and carcass yield of finishing pigs. Pigs (n = 480; 83.1±0.35 kg) were blocked by BW and sex and assigned to 80 pens (3 gilts and 3 barrows/pen). Treatments were arranged as a 2×4 factorial with DDGS included at 0 or 20% and L-lysine·HCl (LYS) added at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6%. Diets were balanced for ideal protein and NE and contained 0.75% and 0.67% SID lysine for Phase 1 (21 days) and Phase 2 (to market, 13 or 20 days), respectively. Only 0.49% LYS was necessary to meet the SID lysine requirement for the highest LYS (0.6%) diet for Phase 2. As LYS increased, dietary SBM inclusion decreased from 21.75% to 2.85% (Phase 1) and 18.75% to 3.35% (Phase 2) for control diets. It decreased from 18.40% to 0% (Phase 1) and 15.40 to 0% (Phase 2) for DDGS diets. During Phase 1, DDGS decreased ADG (992 vs. 1039 g/d; P = 0.031) and ADFI (3424 vs. 3503 g/d; P = 0.061). Increasing LYS linearly decreased ADG (1031, 1037, 1035, 959 g/d; P=0.026) and G:F (299, 295, 298, 281 g/kg; P = 0.026). Treatments did not impact Phase 2 performance. Overall, DDGS reduced ADG (1098 vs. 1131 g/d; P = 0.048) and ADFI (3638 vs 3712 g/d; P = 0.070). Supplemental LYS linearly decreased ADG (1133, 1141, 1120, and 1064 g/d; P = 0.005) and G:F (310, 305, 304, and 295 g/kg; P = 0.006). ADFI increased quadratically (P = 0.002) with LYS within SBM control, but not DDGS (interaction; P = 0.009). Ultrasound loin-eye-area corrected for BW tended to decrease quadratically (48.3, 48.8, 49.1, 47.4 cm2; P = 0.060) with increasing LYS. DDGS reduced carcass yield (72.62 vs. 73.04%; P = 0.034). Replacement of SBM with DDGS and high amino acid inclusion negatively impacted growth performance and carcass yield of finisher pigs.

On the Potential Role of Dietary Lysine as a Contributing Factor in Development of Liver Abscesses in Cattle.

Liver abscessation is an important metabolic disorder that commonly afflicts cattle consuming cereal-based, high-concentrate diets. Economic ramifications of liver abscessation are substantial, and include liver condemnation, decreased body weight gain, poorer efficiency of feed utilization, reduced carcass yield, and impairments in operational efficiency of commercial abattoirs. The etiological agent most commonly associated with liver abscesses is Fusobacterium necrophorum, which is an anaerobic, Gram-negative, nonmotile, nonsporulating, and rod-shaped (pleomorphic) bacterium. Fusobacterium necrophorum is one of the major proteolytic species of bacteria in the rumen, and it is believed to have a major role in degradation of dietary lysine. Herein we describe interactions between lysine and F. necrophorum, and the potential role of dietary lysine as an enabling factor in the development of liver abscesses in cattle.

Water amino acid-chelated trace mineral supplementation decreases circulating and intestinal HSP70 and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in heat-stressed broiler chickens

Heat stress (HS) is a financial and physiological burden on the poultry industry and the mitigation of the adverse effects of HS is vital to poultry production sustainability. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine the effects of an amino acid-chelated trace mineral supplement on growth performance, stress and inflammatory markers, and meat quality in heat-stressed broilers. One day-old Cobb 500 male broilers (n = 480) were allocated into 12 environmental chambers (24 floor pens) and divided into two groups: one group supplemented with amino acid-chelated trace mineral in drinking water and one control group. On day 28, birds were subjected to chronic heat stress (HS, 2 wk, 35 °C and 20% to 30% RH) or maintained at thermoneutral condition (TN, 24 °C) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Feed intake (FI), water consumption, and body weight were recorded. At day 42, serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-D) levels, blood gas, electrolyte, and stress markers were measured. Jejunum samples were collected to measure gene expression of stress, inflammation, and tight junction proteins. The rest of the birds were processed to evaluate carcass traits. HS resulted in an increase in core body temperature, which increased water intake and decreased FI, body weight, and feed efficiency (P < 0.05). HS reduced carcass yield and the weight of all parts (P < 0.05). HS significantly increased levels of circulating corticosterone (CORT), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 expression. HS significantly increased serum FITC-D levels and the expression of HSP70 and IL-18 in the jejunum. Although it did not affect the growth performance, amino acid-chelated trace mineral supplementation reversed the effect of HS by reducing CORT and FITC-D levels and the expression of stress and proinflammatory cytokines in the circulation and the jejunum. However, it upregulated these parameters in birds maintained under TN conditions. Together, these data indicate that the amino acid-chelated trace mineral might alleviate stress and inflammation and improve gut integrity in heat-stressed but not thermoneutral broilers.

PSIV-6 Effect of dietary fiber source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs

Abstract A total of 288 pigs (DNA 600 × 241; initially 50.7 kg) were used in an 86-d experiment to determine the effect of dietary fiber source on finishing pig performance. Thirty-six pens of 4 barrows and 4 gilts/pen (total 8 pigs/pen) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control (8.7% neutral detergent fiber, NDF), 20% dried distillers grains (DDGS; 13.6% NDF) or 14.5% sugar beet pulp (SBP; 13.6% NDF). Experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 86 in 3 phases. Diets were balanced to constant NE and SID lysine within phase. Net energy values for ingredients were 2,672 kcal/kg, 2,343 kcal/kg, and 1,734 kcal/kg for corn, DDGS, and SBP, respectively. Overall, there was no evidence for treatment difference in ADG or ADFI. Pigs fed DDGS had a tendency for poorer G:F compared to pigs fed the control or 14.5% SBP diets (P &lt; 0.10). Caloric efficiency of net energy (NE) was poorer (P &lt; 0.10) in pigs fed DDGS compared to those fed control and SBP. There was a tendency for decreased (P &lt; 0.07) hot carcass weight and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) carcass yield in pigs fed DDGS and SBP compared to those fed the control diet. Loin depth tended to decrease (P &lt; 0.10) in pigs fed SBP compared to the control with pigs fed DDGS being intermediate. Therefore, pigs fed DDGS tended to have poorer feed efficiency compared to those fed the control diet or SBP. This can be explained by the overestimation of NE demonstrated by an increase in caloric efficiency. Increasing dietary NDF reduced carcass yield. http://www.conferenceharvester.com/

Combining alternative processing methods for European soybeans to be used in broiler diets

Locally produced, expeller soybean meal (SBM) may be an important constituent of European broiler diets in the future. In the present trial 4 SBMs were produced from European grown soybeans, using different processing methods; this is the first time that the combination of these methods has been applied. Starter (d0–14) and grower (d15–28) diets were offered to 288 Ross 308 male broilers in a 2 × 2 design: 2 processing methods ((Extrusion-pressing (E) vs Flaking-pressing-cooking (F)) × 2 hulling methods ((with hulls (H) vs no hulls (NH)). Variables measured consisted of average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio, apparent ileal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, jejunal histomorphometry at d14 and d28 and ileal digesta viscosity at d28 of age. In addition, carcass and carcass part yield, organ weight, and empty gastrointestinal tract weight and length per small intestinal segment were assessed at d28. Processing method did not affect any of the variables tested. On the other hand, hull presence increased (P < 0.05) ADFI over the starter period, but not over the grower period. Presence of hulls increased proventriculus, gizzard and jejunum weight, and reduced carcass yield at d28 of age, likely due to the higher fibre content. Method of processing and hulling significantly interacted (P < 0.05) for ADFI and ADG at the end of the starter period, being highest for the E/H treatment, but overall broiler performance was similar between dietary treatments. Similarly, small intestinal architecture and DM and CP digestibility were not affected by dietary treatments at either d14 or d28 post hatch. Although there was some variation in soybean protein solubility and trypsin inhibitors amongst SBM products these factors did not appear to affect any of the measured variables. In conclusion, all 4 methods of production resulted in comparable results in relation to performance variables. Hull removal did not confer a significant advantage, aside from increased carcass yield, possibly due to the adaptive growth of the gizzard and proventriculus.

Quantitative and qualitative traits of carcass and meat of goats fed diets with cactus meal replacing corn.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the carcass and meat of goats fed diets containing cactus meal (pectin source) replacing corn (starch source). Twenty-eight goats with an average initial weight of 16 ± 2.02kg were confined in a completely randomized design with four treatments (the replacement levels of 0, 330, 660, and 1000gkg-1 of dry matter) and seven replicates. The productive performance of the animals was not affected by the replacement of corn by cactus meal. The carcass commercial yield and the dressing percentage decreased with the addition of cactus meal levels in the diets. The commercial cuts, however, especially prime cuts like hind limbs and loin, were not changed by the use of cactus meal. Muscle:bone and fat:bone ratios and muscularity index of hind limbs were influenced by the substitution. The protein and ash contents of the longissimus lumborum muscle decreased while cholesterol levels increased with the presence of cactus meal. Sensory traits of goats' meat fed cactus meal in the diets were not affected. The substitution of corn for cactus meal reduced carcass yield but did not change the yield of commercial cuts or the qualitative characteristics of the meat.

Performance, carcass parameters, meat quality and lipid profile from feedlot young bulls fed cottonseed

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, carcass, meat quality, fatty acid profile and liver alterations of cattle supplemented with cottonseed feedlot. It used 100 Nelore cattle, being divided into two groups of 50 animals, which received a cottonseed (CS) in grain form by the diet in the proportion of 15% and the other group was provided with control diet without CS in the feedlot for 88 days. The diets were isoprotein and isoenergetic and concentrate:roughage ratio of 60:40. The animals were slaughter in the end of experimental time and the collection of liver samples for histological analysis. After cooling 24 hours at ± 1°C were conducted evaluation of carcass and major cuts, final pH and collected muscle samples longissimus to carry out the physicochemical analyzes (Color, Cooking Loss, Pigments and Shear Force), chemical composition, fatty acid profile and oxidation. The inclusion of CS in the diet provided animals with higher slaughter weight, daily weight gain, Hindquarter, however, the animals showed reduced carcass yield, forequarter weight and Thin flank, without changing the parameters as rib-eye area and backfat thickness. There was an increase of the yellow values (b*) and moisture with the final pH reduction. There was no influence of the use of cottonseed in relation to histological parameters evaluated in the liver. The cottonseed in the feeding feedlot cattle promoted improvement in animal performance, despite the reduction of the forequarter weight, with appropriate aspects of meat quality, fatty acid profile and conservation.

Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs

An experiment was performed to evaluate effects of dietary ractopamine, CLA, and corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth and carcass and fat quality of finishing pigs. This study was conducted as a split-split plot arrangement in a generalized randomized block design. In total 1,102 crossbred barrows and gilts (initial BW = 100.4 kg, SD = 3.7 kg; pic 337 × c22) were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 dietary treatments that consisted of 2 diet sources [corn-soybean meal (corn-soy) and corn-soy + 20% DDGS], 2 levels of ractopamine (0 and 7.4 mg/kg), and 2 levels of CLA (0% and 0.6%). The pen was the experimental unit, with 6 replications per treatment for a total of 48 pens with 23 pigs per pen. Pigs had ad libitum access to water and feed during the 27-d experimental period. Ractopamine addition improved (p < 0.05) ADG and G:F over the control group. Furthermore, carcass weight, carcass yield, loin depth, and lean percentage were increased and back fat depth was decreased (p < 0.05) by feeding ractopamine. Feeding CLA resulted in improved (p < 0.05) ADG and G:F and increased lean percentage but reduced carcass yield (p < 0.05). The inclusion of DDGS did not affect ADG, adfi, or g:f but reduced (p < 0.05) carcass dressing percent. An increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of pufa was observed with inclusion of DDGS, ractopamine, and CLA. Iodine value (iv) increased (p < 0.001) in both belly and jowl samples by feeding DDGS and ractopamine, whereas a decrease (p < 0.01) was observed when CLA was included in the diets. The fatty acid profiles of belly and jowl fat samples were affected (p < 0.05) by diet source × ractopamine, indicating that effects of dietary ractopamine depend on the fatty acid profile of the diet. These results indicate that feeding ractopamine and CLA could improve growth and carcass measures and that CLA was effective in diminishing some of the negative effects, especially on IV, caused by DDGS.

Influence of in ovo prebiotic and synbiotic administration on meat quality of broiler chickens

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection of prebiotic and synbiotics on growth performance, meat quality traits (cholesterol content, intramuscular collagen properties, fiber measurements), and the presence of histopathological changes in the pectoral muscle (PS) of broiler chickens. On d 12 of incubation, 480 eggs were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups treated with different bioactives, in ovo injected: C, control with physiological saline; T1 with 1.9 mg of raffinose family oligosaccharides; T2 and T3 with 1.9 mg of raffinose family oligosaccharides enriched with different probiotic bacteria, specifically 1,000 cfu of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis SL1 and Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris IBB SC1, respectively; T4 with commercially available synbiotic Duolac, containing 500 cfu of both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus faecium with the addition of lactose (0.001 mg/embryo). Among the hatched chickens, 60 males were randomly chosen (12 birds for each group) and were grown to 42 d in collective cages (n = 3 birds in each 4 cages: replications for experimental groups). Broilers were fed ad libitum commercial diets according to age. In ovo prebiotic and synbiotic administration had a low effect on investigated traits, but depend on the kind of bioactives administered. Commercial synbiotic treatment (T4) reduced carcass yield percentage, and the feed conversion ratio was higher in T3 and T4 groups compared with other groups. The abdominal fat, the ultimate pH, and cholesterol of the PS were not affected by treatment. Broiler chickens of the treated groups with both slightly greater PS and fiber diameter had a significantly lower amount of collagen. The greater thickness of muscle fibers (not significant) and the lower fiber density (statistically significant), observed in treated birds in comparison with those of the C group, are not associated with histopathological changes in the PS of broilers. The incidence of histopathological changes in broiler chickens from examined groups was low, which did not affect the deterioration of meat quality obtained from these birds.

Evaluation of Corn Gluten Feed and Cottonseed Meal as Partial Replacements for Soybean Meal and Corn in Diets for Pond‐raised Hybrid Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus×I. furcatus

This study examined the use of corn gluten feed (CGF) and cottonseed meal (CSM) to partially replace soybean meal and corn in diets for pond‐raised hybrid catfish, Ictalurus punctatus×I. furcatus. Five 28% protein diets containing various combinations of CGF and CSM were evaluated. Fingerling hybrid catfish (mean initial weight: 45 g/fish) were stocked into 25, 0.04‐ha ponds at a rate of 14,826 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation for a 179‐d growing season. CGF at 30% of the diet (10% CSM) and a combination of CGF and CSM up to 25% each did not affect physical quality (percentages floatability and feed dust) of the diet. No significant differences were observed in total amount of diet fed, net yield, diet consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival, and fillet proximate nutrient composition among fish fed various diets. Results show that hybrid catfish can utilize CGF at levels up to 30% of the diet (10% CSM), and a combination of CGF and CSM up to 25% each without significantly affecting growth, diet consumption, FCR, and fillet proximate nutrient composition. However, a combination of CGF and CSM at 20% each and above reduced carcass yield.

Effects of increasing NDF from either dried distillers grains with solubles or wheat middlings, individually or in combination, on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality in growing-finishing pigs (2011)

A total of 288 pigs (PIC TR4 × 1050, initially 83.6 lb) were used in an 87-d study to determine the effects of increasing dietary NDF from wheat middlings (midds) and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality of growing-finishing pigs. Pens of pigs were randomly allot- ted by initial weight and gender (4 barrows and 4 gilts per pen) to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 6 replications per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial plus 2 additional treatments with the main effects of added wheat middlings (0 or 19%) or DDGS (0 or 30%) to corn-soybean meal-based diets. The additional treatments were a diet containing 9.5% midds and 30% DDGS and a diet containing 19% midds and 15% DDGS. These combinations of midds and DDGS provided diets with different NDF concentrations ranging from 9.3 to 18.9%. Diets were fed in 4 phases. Choice white grease (CWG) was added to the diets to maintain similar ME in all diets within each phase. The only DDGS × midds interaction was a trend for carcass yield (P = 0.09). Adding either midds or DDGS to the diet reduced carcass yield by a similar magnitude, but the effect was not additive. Overall, (d 0 to 87), adding midds to the diet decreased (linear, P < 0.01) ADG, final BW, and HCW, and worsened (linear, P < 0.001) F/G and jowl iodine value (IV). Increasing DDGS did not influence growth performance or carcass traits except for an increase (linear, P < 0.001) in jowl fat IV. Pigs fed increasing NDF had decreased (linear, P < 0.05) ADG and HCW and poorer (linear, P < 0.02) F/G; however, these effects were driven by the pigs fed diets contain- ing midds and do not appear to be attributed solely to increased NDF levels. Increasing NDF also increased jowl fat iodine value, but increasing NDF with DDGS had a greater negative effect than increasing NDF through midds (due to the oil content of DDGS). Thus, increasing NDF has negative impacts on pig performance, carcass yield, and fat IV, but the effects appear to be more closely related to the individual ingredients used to increase NDF rather than NDF itself.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 17, 2011

Effect of Dietary Dehydrated Pasture and Citrus Pulp on the Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Some feedstuffs containing significant levels of fiber may be a good source of bioactive compounds that may contribute to improving broiler meat quality. However, high fiber level can have a negative impact on broiler performance. A study was undertaken to investigate the impact of incorporating citrus pulp (5 or 10%) or dehydrated pasture (5 or 10%) on the performance, carcass yield, and characteristics of broiler chickens. A diet containing neither citrus pulp nor dehydrated pasture was used as control. The results on growth performances showed that daily weight gain was reduced by 26% in birds of the 10% citrus pulp treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control treatment, increases in feed intake occurred in birds consuming diets with 5 or 10% citrus pulp, which resulted in significantly higher feed conversion rates with the 10% level. Under the same incorporation rate, dehydrated pasture had effects less evident on the performances of broiler chicken. In addition, diets containing citrus pulp, displaying higher percentages of soluble nonstarch polysaccharides, increased small intestine relative length, and reduced carcass yield. Inclusion of 10% dehydrated pasture in diets resulted in improved breast skin yellowness (P<0.05). Finally, the results revealed that incorporation of the nonstarch polysaccharide-rich feedstuffs had a major impact on the fatty acid profile (affected 16 of 21 fatty acids) of broiler meat. Polyunsaturated fatty acids content in meat was higher in birds consuming the highest levels of both citrus pulp and dehydrated pasture, leading to increased ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Together, the results suggest that incorporation of moderate levels of dehydrated pastures in poultry diets has a minor impact on broiler performance and can contribute significantly to improve breast skin yellowness and fatty acid composition of meat.

In Vitro and in Vivo Variability in the Nutritional Compositions of Wheat Varieties

The present study involved in the determination of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) of 15 wheat varieties and their in vitro and in vivo nutritional characteristics. The determination of in vitro viscosity, NSP, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein and bushel weight were done for the samples of wheat varieties. There were significant differences between the samples of varieties in respect of these parameters. Especially, high correlations were estimated between the in vitro viscosity, NSP, ADF, NDF and bushel weight with regard to wheat varieties: For instance, the increased in vitro viscosity of 15 wheat varieties was associated with the increased ADF and NSP and the decreased bushel weight of wheat varieties. All the varieties were classified into 4 different groups according to their contents of NSP, bushel weight and in vitro viscosity. An animal digestibility trial was conducted with only one wheat variety from each of the four groups with broiler chickens from 14 d old to 42 d old. These varieties were Gun , Cakmak , Gerek 95 79 79 and Kundura . Animals fed with all diets based on wheat varieties consumed significantly higher feed than the 1149 animals fed with a control diet based on corn grain. Especially, Gun and Cakmak varieties caused to 95 79 increased feed intake compared with the other two varieties. All wheat based diets lead to significantly low weight gain, worsened feed conversion ratio, longer digestive tract and heavier digestive tract of animals in comparison with their counterpart of control diet. In addition, all wheat-based diets caused increased amount of abdominal fat and reduced carcass yield. On the other hand, there were some significant differences between the diets of wheat varieties in some of the above measured parameters. For instance, the lowest carcass yield was obtained from the Kundura , Gerek , Cakmak and Gun , respectively. Unlikely, the lowest abdominal 1149 79 79 95 fat was obtained from Gun , Cakmak , Gerek and Kundura , respectively. There were no significan t 95 79 79 1149 differences in the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein between the wheat varieties. The NSP digestibility at both 21d old age and 42 d old age were numerically found to be higher for Gun and Cakmak 95 79 varieties only. Some wheat varieties have a greater nutritional potential in both animal and human nutrition.

Amino Acid Supplementation of Low-Protein Broiler Diets: 1. Glutamic Acid and Indispensable Amino Acid Supplementation

To maintain optimal growth and carcass development, nutritionists commonly fortify diets low in crude protein (CP) with crystalline amino acids. This experiment sought to apply the ideal amino acid concept and the need of dispensable amino acid nitrogen in poultry by evaluating the effects of lower levels of CP along with amino acid supplementation on broiler performance and carcass development. Lowering dietary CP without amino acid supplementation reduced body weight (BW) gain and increased feed:gain ratio. Supplementation of glutamic acid (Glu) had no effect on feed conversion, but appeared to decrease feed intake and BW gain. Supplementation of indispensable amino acids (IDAA) in addition to Glu to the reduced CP diets improved BW gain and feed:gain ratio, but failed to improve performance to a level achieved by birds fed the positive control diet. Lowering dietary CP, without or with Glu, resulted in reduced carcass yield, increased percentage abdominal fat, and reduced breast meat yield. Birds fed diets supplemented with IDAA + Glu had carcass yields, percentage abdominal fat, and breast meat yields similar to those of birds fed the positive control.This research demonstrates the importance of IDAA in low-CP broilers diets, but failed to show an advantage to Glu supplementation as a dispensable amino acid nitrogen source.

Starter vs. Corn and Supplemental Calcium Propionate in Initial Broiler Feeding

The effect of increasing glucose to broilers has been demonstrated with the use of gluconeogenic compounds, such as propionate, as well as with high carbohydrate diets. These are thought to facilitate the utilization of the high fat reserves present in the yolk sac, thereby enhancing the chick's ability to progress from yolk sac nutrition to independent feeding. Ground corn and a standard starter feed either with or without 2.4% calcium propionate supplementation were given to broilers for the first 3 days. Feeds thereafter were common to all treatments. The effects of corn and propionate were independent. Early feeding of corn reduced body weight gain until 42 days, whereas alterations attributable to propionate were not apparent. Early mortality was relieved when corn was fed but no advantage occurred with supplemental propionate. Early feeding of corn led to increased abdominal fat and reduced carcass yield; however, defects capable of downgrading were minor and proportions of deboned parts were similar. Propionate did not alter the whole carcass nor deboned parts. Integrity of femurs after cone deboning of thighs was similar among the treatments.

Effect of lairage time on levels of stress and meat quality in pigs

AbstractA total of 1580 pigs killed in three slaughter -plants were held in lairage for ≥ 1 h, 3 h or overnight before slaughter. Blood samples were collected at exsanguination and subsequent carcass and meat quality monitored. Longer lairage reduced stress levels based on the concentration of cortisol, lactate and creatine phosphokinase in the blood. It also reduced the prevalence of pale, soft, exudative (PSE) but increased the prevalence of dark, firm, dry (DFD) meat. Additionally, it produced progressively greater amounts of skin damage caused by fighting between unfamiliar pigs and an overnight lairage reduced carcass yield and backfat thickness. The overall conclusion ivas that a period of between 1 and 3 h rest in lairage was optimal. There was no evidence that leaner, potentially more stress-susceptible pigs reacted differently from fatter, potentially more stress-resistant animals with regard to the effects of lairage time.

The influence of pre-slaughter transport and lairage on meat quality in pigs of two genotypes

ABSTRACTTwo hundred and thirty-nine pigs reared at the Meat and Livestock Commission's Stotfold Pig Development Unit and derived from the four major breeding companies in the UK were slaughtered at 63 kg live weight in an experiment which examined the effect of genotype (Meat-line or White-line), pre-slaughter transport time (1 or 4 h) and lairage time (2 or 21 h) on carcass and meat quality. The pre-slaughter handling was chosen to simulate good commercial procedures and cover the range of transport and lairage times probably experienced by a large proportion of British slaughter pigs. Meatline pigs had higher killing-out proportions and heavier carcasses, with increased cross-sectional area of them. longissimus dorsi. Backfat thickness was similar in the two genotypes. White-line pigs had heavier livers and produced meat which potentially had a lower incidence of PSE. Longer transport time increased live-weight loss. It reduced carcass yield in the White-line but not in the Meat-line pigs. Transport had no major effects on meat quality. Longer lairage, during which the pigs were fed in compliance with the law, resulted in reduced carcass yield but increased liver weight and allowed some repletion of liver glycogen. It also reduced ultimate pH values in them. semimembranosusandm. adductor. There were no important or consistent differences in the way pigs of the two genotypes responded to pre-slaughter handling.