Starter Feed Research Articles

Does Pelleted Starter Feed Restriction and Provision of Total Mixed Ration Ad Libitum during Weaning Influence the Behavior of Dairy Calves?

Currently, in dairy farming, there is growing concern for the welfare of calves during the critical period between the separation from their dams and weaning. During weaning, rationed feeding is a practice used to improve feed efficiency and control the calves’ growth, but it could also have negative consequences associated with hunger and feed restriction behavior. One such consequence could be the performance by calves of stereotyped behaviors indicative of poor welfare, such as non-nutritive oral behaviors. We hypothesized that making a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) available to calves, in addition to the standard pelleted starter diet, thanks to its structural and nutritional characteristics, could help to focus the oral behavior of the subjects towards nutritional activities and therefore limit the development of stereotyped behaviors, even when the amount of starter is restricted. To test this hypothesis, 30 female Holstein calves (equipped with an accelerometer based on an ear tag), were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a control diet (CTR) with an ad libitum calf starter but without TMR; Treatment 1 (TRT1) with both ad libitum calf starter and ad libitum TMR; Treatment 2 (TRT2) with ad libitum TMR and a restricted amount of a calf starter (50% of the intake starter of the control group day by day). All animals were kept in individual cages equipped with a slow-flow teat bucket apparatus for milk feeding and with access to separated buckets (one for drinking water, one for the starter, and one for the TMR) placed on the outside of the front gate of each cage. Sucking behavior, as well as resting, ruminating and activity behavior, was recorded individually from 7 days of life to weaning (63 d of age) by an automated monitoring system based on ear-tag accelerometers (SCR eSense, Allflex, Irving, TX, USA). The results showed that in the CTR group, there was a greater sucking activity compared to the TRT1 group (26.25 min/head/day vs. 16.83 min/head/day, p = 0.0181), while the TRT2 group showed intermediate values (20.41 min/head/day). We hypothesized that this increased sucking activity may be explained by the oral activity directed at sucking the Milk Bar tube observed only in CTR calves after complete consumption of available milk and could indicate a higher stress level than in the TRT1 group. The time spent resting was significantly lower for the CTR group compared to the TRT1 group (9.20 h/day vs. 11.15 h/day, p = 0.0049) while the TRT2 group was in an intermediate situation (10.65 h/day). Furthermore, the increase in time dedicated to rest observed in TRT1, in light of the good vitality of the calves shown by the daily patterns of resting behavior and daily activity, also seems to suggest an improvement in welfare conditions compared to calves receiving pelleted starter alone. Based on these results, we can deduce that providing TMR ad libitum in the diet of weaning calves could be an effective strategy to improve calf welfare due to the reduction in stereotyped oral activity. However, further studies are needed to establish threshold values useful for distinguishing physiological from pathological resting times in weaning calves raised in individual cages.

The Effects of Restricted and Ad Libitum Milk Feeding on Growth and Health of Calves

In recent years, there has been a growing concern among consumers regarding animal welfare and their requirements, leading to an increased interest in exploring new approaches to calf rearing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of milk feeding levels on the growth, feed intake, and blood variables of group-raised calves during the suckling period. Ten Holstein calves, 5 in each group, were used in the study when they were five years old. The calves were acclimated to an automated feeder during the initial 19 days of the experiment, and their initial LWs were recorded after weighing them again. The study concluded upon weaning the calves when they were sixty years old, with a total duration of 36 days The calves in the first group (G1) were provided with a total of 4 L/day of milk replacer, divided into 2 L servings in the morning and evening. Conversely, calves in the second group (G2) were allowed a maximum intake of 12 L/day of milk replacer, mimicking the natural sucking behaviour, with feedings in the morning (05:00-08:00), midday (10:00-13:00), and evening (16:00-20:00). Despite no significant differences in the LW, total and daily LW gains, and body measurements averages between of the groups, calves in G1 consumed more starter feed compared to those in G2 (P

Effects of propolis extract administration on immune parameters, faecal consistency scores, and growth performance of Holstein-Friesian calves.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Ethanolic Extract of Propolis (EEP) administration on immune parameters, faecal consistency scores, growth performance, and feed efficiency of Holstein Friesian calves. A total of 24 calves were divided into two different groups, control (n = 12) and EEP (n = 12). Both groups consisted of 6 male and 6 female calves. The calves were fed milk amounting to 10% of their birth weight each day until they reached 60days of age. Additionally, they were given starter feed and dry hay once a day. Calves assigned to the EEP group received 4ml of EEP daily. Use of EEP increased (P < 0.05) the serum IgG and IgM levels at 2months of age compared to the control group. EEP also showed efficacy (P < 0.01) in reducing faecal consistency in calves throughout the study. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NF-κB expression in calves treated with EEP were lower (P < 0.05) throughout the EEP application period. On the other hand, IGF-1 mRNA transcript levels were (P < 0.01) higher in EEP group calves than in the control group. Furthermore, EEP-fed calves consumed less dry matter for 1kg of live weight gain during the weaning-4months (P < 0.01) and birth-4months (P < 0.05) periods. These results indicate that EEP supplementation, through its immunostimulatory effects, plays a crucial role in the control of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Growth and development as well as IGF-1, which stimulates growth in almost all somatic cells, was also significantly increased by EEP supplementation. The combined effect of the rich bioactive compounds found in EEP appears to have a significant impact on health and well-being, resulting in improved early life performance in dairy calves.

PSVI-1 Supplemented milk replacer improves feed transition of dairy bull-calves

Abstract Neonatal calves are affected by pathogenic infections, compounded by stress, leading to enteric and respiratory disorders accounting for about 7.8% mortality rate and annual treatment costs exceeding $250 million. Federal restrictions on antibiotic use due antimicrobial resistance in humans has opened the door for viable alternatives like rumen enhancements which have been reported to aid the establishment of beneficial rumen flora leading to improved health and performance. It is hypothesized that nutritional formulation of milk replacers to help the calf prevent or cope with diarrhea can provide a leeway that will ensure better animal performance and transition to solid feed. The objective of study was to evaluate the performance of dairy bull-calves fed nutritionally supplemented milk replacers. Three milk replacers were tested with or without supplementation of metabolic enhancements (Control: no metabolic enhancer; Added: milk replacer with metabolic enhancer added at the time of mixing milk in shuttle; Composite: produced along with metabolic enhancer. Dairy bull-calves (n = 60; 2 to 5 d-old) were grouped into three treatments of milk replacers. The study lasted for 10 wk; 6 wk of milk-feeding and 4 wk of calf starter feeding. Body weights (BW) were taken on a weekly basis, while calf starter intake was measured daily and data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Calves fed milk replacer with composite metabolic enhancer recorded the greatest intake and final BW over the 10-wk period. Calves fed milk replacer with added metabolic enhancer at the point of milk mixing recorded the poorest data in terms of BW gain and final BW. Calves fed metabolic enhancer, either added or composite recorded a better weaning and transition to solid feed from milk feeding. Calves fed control milk replacer experienced a poor transition from milk feeding to solid feed. It is concluded that composited rumen metabolite enhancers in milk replacer supported greater starter intake, average daily gain and better transition of calves to solid feed, and is recommended for the feeding of neonatal calves.

Technology for the production of extruded starter feed for juvenile fish

The latest advances in science, combined with the growing possibilities of modern technology, contributed to the improvement of fish feeding technology and fish farming in general. It is obvious that the expansion of the species composition of cultivated fish farming objects will continue, and the importance of feed and fish feeding technology will steadily increase. The developed recipes of starter feeds for juvenile fish and the technology of their production would make it possible to establish the production of these feeds for fish farms in Kazakhstan, as a result, the survival rate and growth rate of juvenile fish grown in industrial conditions would increase. The aim of the work was to develop recipes for starter feeds for pikeperch fry and technology for their production by extrusion, the development of these feeds to improve the efficiency of growing pikeperch in industrial conditions. According to the developed recipe, a starter feed for zander juveniles, balanced in terms of basic nutrients, was developed, a study was made of the effect of this feed on the efficiency and speed of growing zander juveniles. The dynamics of rearing juvenile pikeperch was studied when feeding the starter feed developed by the Kazakh Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry, with a feed coefficient of 1.28 and as a control foreign starter feed for trout “Aller Aqua” – 1.2. The materials of the article are of practical importance and the need for further research, they will help replenish the formulas of compound feed for the industrial cultivation of juvenile pike perch in fish farms of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The effect of the production system on the proteomics profiles of the Longissimus thoracis muscle in Arouquesa cattle

Arouquesa cattle breed is an autochthonous Portuguese breed produced under a traditional mountain system that need improvement without affecting beef quality. The aim of this work is to compare the proteomics profiles of the Longissimus thoracis muscle from Arouquesa animals produced under different production systems. Sixty weaners were produced under the following systems: traditional (TF) and traditional with starter feed supplementation (TF + S1) with weaning and slaughtering at 9 months, the S1 + S2 (weaning at 5 months and grower supplement until slaughter) and two rearing periods with finishing supplementation (TF + S3 and S3). Upon slaughter, samples of L. thoracis were taken and analyzed using a shotgun proteomics workflow. Several putative markers of beef quality for the Arouquesa breed were identified: VIM, FSCN1, SERPINH1, ALDH1A1, NDUFB5, ANXA1, PDK4, CEMIP2, NDUFB9, PDLIM1, OXCT1, MYH4. These proteins are involved in actin binding, skeletal muscle development and in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and they can influence mostly meat tenderness and color. We identified specific proteins for each group related to different metabolisms involved in several aspects that affect meat quality parameters. Our results demonstrate the link between production practices and putative meat characteristics, which have the potential to improve the traceability of certified products. SignificanceArouquesa breed is produced in a sustainable system using natural resources and contributing to the economy of low-populated rural regions in Northern Portugal. Besides their economic relevance, producing autochthonous breeds can counter rural depopulation and maintain local heritage. Additionally, consumer awareness about product quality is increasing and PDO products contribute to satisfying this demand. However, it is necessary to increase production so that it is possible to sell these products outside the production region. To ensure robust traceability and that PDO label characteristics are maintained despite increasing production yield, product analysis is of paramount importance. For this reason, proteomic approaches can provide insight into how production changes will affect beef quality and generate putative biomarkers of certified production systems.

The effects of Bacillus subtilis spores and yeast cell wall supplementation on growth and health in Holstein dairy calves

The study aimed to assess the impact of Bacillus subtilis spores and yeast cell wall (YCW) on the performance and health of dairy calves during the milk-feeding period. Thirty female Holstein calves (birth body weight [BW] of 36.7 ± 4.81 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments: Control (CTL, no additives), T1 (Bacillus subtilis spores), and T2 (Bacillus subtilis + YCW). Animals were individually housed with free access to water and commercial pellet starter. Calves received 8 L/d of pasteurized waste milk and were weaned at 63 d of age. The treatments (T1 and T2) were mixed into milk and administered daily from 3 to 63 d of age. Dry matter (DM) intake (from liquid and starter feed), fecal score, and rectal temperature were recorded daily. Additionally, heart girth was measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 d of age, and BW was measured at 0 and 60 d of age. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at 0, 20, and 60 d of age for analysis of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). There was treatment × time interaction (P = 0.04) for fecal consistency scores. Calves supplemented with Bacillus subtilis tended (χ2 test, P = 0.07) to have lower cases of diarrhea than other groups. T1 or T2 supplementations did not affect milk DM intake, starter DM intake, or total DM intake. Growth performance (BW at weaning and average daily gain) was similar between treatments. Dairy calves fed Bacillus subtilis plus YCW tended to have (P = 0.09) higher rectal temperature and had higher frequency (χ2 test, P < 0.01) of rectal temperature >39.1°C compared to the CTL and Bacillus subtilis groups. However, treatments had similar levels of serum IgG (CTL = 18.3, T1 = 16.7, and T2 = 18.6 mg/mL; P = 0.58). Our results suggest that Bacillus subtills and YCW may interact in the digestive tract of young calves as evidenced by the increased rectal temperature in T2. While the cause of this interaction remains uncertain, there was no negative effect on the animal health or growth performance. The use of Bacillus subtilis spores shows promise in improving fecal consistency scoring in dairy calves fed pasteurized waste milk during the pre-weaning phase.

Effects of corn grain processing and phosphorus content in calf starters on intake, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, and urinary purine derivatives

Corn grain with a high phosphorus (P) content (mainly in the form of phytate-P) may need to be processed to improve the digestibility of nutrients for young calves. Processing corn grains can improve the accessibility of phytate-P to the rumen enzymes and increase the bioavailability of P, which benefits the growth and development of calves. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding starter diets with steam-flaked corn (SFC) compared with ground corn (GC) with 2 P contents of 0.4% and 0.7% DM basis on intake, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and urinary purine derivatives in dairy calves. A total of 48 female Holstein dairy calves (3 d old; average initial weight 39.7 ± 3.9 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (12 calves/treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The treatment groups were: 1) a starter diet of GC with 0.4% P (GC-0.4P); 2) a starter diet of GC with 0.7% P (GC-0.7P); 3) a starter diet of SFC with 0.4% P (SFC-0.4P); 4) a starter diet of SFC with 0.7% P (SFC-0.7P). Calves received 6 L/d of transition milk on d 2-3 and 5 L/d of whole milk on d 4-30, which was increased to 7 L/d on d 31-45, then decreased to 5 L/d on d 46-60 and reduced to a single feeding of 2 L on d 61-62. All calves had free access to starter feed and water. All calves were weaned on d 63 and remained in the study until d 83. Rumen fluid samples were collected on d 38 (pre-weaning) and d 76 (post-weaning). Blood samples were collected on d 40 and 80 and urine samples were collected on 4 consecutive days from d 79 to 82 to analyze urinary excretion of PD. The phytate-P content ranged from 0.23 to 0.17 for GC and SFC, respectively. In particular, the interaction between corn processing method and P content showed that the SFC-0.7P diets had a greater intake of starter feed during the pre- and post-weaning periods compared with the other experimental groups. In addition, calves fed the SFC-0.7P diet had greater average daily gain, body weight, withers height at weaning, better organic matter digestibility, higher blood β-hydroxybutyrate levels and higher microbial protein synthesis compared with all other groups. Feeding the SFC diet also resulted in improved feed efficiency, improved P digestibility and a tendency toward a lower rumen pH, albeit with a tendency toward an increase in blood glucose concentration during the pre-weaning period. In addition, the inclusion of 0.7% P to the starter diet resulted in increased fiber digestibility and a slight improvement in growth performance, which was particularly evident in hip height. Overall, the inclusion of SFC in the calf starter diet, especially in combination with a 0.7% DM basis P supplement, improved growth performance and nutrient utilization in dairy calves compared with GC.

Microplastics contamination in commercial fish meal and feed: a major concern in the cultured organisms

The growing scale of plastic pollution causes a devastating impact on the aquatic ecosystem. The people largely depend on animal-based food for their protein requirements. In this study, we analysed 10 different fish meal samples and 20 feed samples used in farming to understand the level of microplastic (MPs) contamination and estimate the amount of MPs ingested by farmed fish, shrimp, and chicken through feed. The abundance of MPs in fish meal samples ranges from 210 ± 98.21 to 1154 ± 235.55 items/kg. The fish meal produced from dried fish is more prone to MPs contamination than that produced from fresh fish. In the case of fish feed, MP abundances range from 50 ± 22.36 to 160 ± 36.57 items/kg in shrimp feeds, 60 ± 26.74 to 230 ± 52.32 items/kg in fish feeds and 90 ± 25.11 to 330 ± 36.12 items/kg in chicken feeds. The exposure rate of MPs is higher in the grower- and finisher-stage feeds than in the starter feed. Fiber-shaped MPs of size 100–500 μm with PE and PP polymers were predominantly found in fish meal and feed samples. EDAX analysis showed the presence of Cr, Cd, Ti, Ni, Cu, As, Al, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ti, Fe, Ca, K, and Si in fish meal samples and Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cl, Al, Si, S, Pb, Cd, Ti, Cr, Mg and Fe in feed samples. The possible level of exposure of microplastic particles was calculated based on MP contamination in feed, feed consumption rate, and body weight. We estimated an MP exposure level of 531-1434 items/kg feed for farmed shrimp, 234–4480 items/kg feed for fishes, and 3519–434,280 items/kg feed for chicken. This study concludes that fish meal and feed are one of the important exposure routes of MPs to the farmed animals.

Short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on performance and milk production into first lactation

We investigated the short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, bacterial community, and milk production during first lactation. A total of 60 healthy 30-d-old female Holstein calves were blocked by birth date and body weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 20): normal milk and pelleted starter feeding (CON), supplemented with chopped oat hay (OAH; 75.0 g/d per calf [DM basis]), or alfalfa hay (ALF; 75.0 g/d per calf [DM basis]). The forage supplementation started when calves were 30 d old (d 1 of the experimental period) and ended when they were 73 d old (d 44 of the experimental period, when calves were weaned). Milk and feed intakes and fecal consistency scores were recorded daily. Growth performance, rumen fluid, and blood samples were collected biweekly. After weaning, all the calves were integrated with the same barn and diets. After calving, the milk production was recorded daily. During the experimental period, the OAH group had greater solid feed and total DM intakes and greater rumen pH than the CON group (P ≤ 0.04), but had lower forage intake and CP digestibility than the ALF group (P ≤ 0.04). The ALF group had higher rumen pH and blood BHB concentration (P ≤ 0.04), lower fecal score (P = 0.02), and greater ether extract digestibility (P = 0.02) than the CON group. The ALF and OAH groups had lower concentrations of ruminal total VFA (P = 0.01). Still, the ALF group had a greater proportion of acetate and a relative abundance of cellulose degradation-related bacteria (Lachnoclostridium_1 and Oribacterium) and a lower relative abundance of inflammation-related bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-009) in the rumen compared with CON. Interestingly, the average milk production from 6 to 200 DIM was greater in the ALF group (P < 0.01), even though no significant effects were found on the rumen fermentation parameters and blood metabolites at 200 DIM. Generally, alfalfa hay supplementation in preweaning dairy calves had positive effects in the short- and long-term for rumen development, health status, and future milk production.

Using lignocellulose fiber in feed to maintain health and improve the growth of post-wean piglets

This study aims to determine how adding fiber lignocellulose in feed affects performance, intestinal health, morbidity, and mortality in post-wean piglets. The animal model used was 54 piglets divided into three groups of treatments: the control group was given starter commercial feed, group T1 was given starter pig feed with added 1% lignocellulose fiber, and the T2 group was assigned starter feed with the additional 2% lignocellulose fiber. Treatment is given for 4 weeks starting at 41-68 days old. Health observations were also carried out during the research. Piglet performance is determined based on feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Examination of the health of the gastrointestinal tract by measuring the length and weight of the intestine, microscopic length of the villi and depth of the crypts, as well as the number of Escherichia coli in the piglet's small intestine. The research showed that adding 1% and 2% lignocellulose fiber in the feed for 28 days may increase feed intake and body weight and reduce FCR significantly. Adding lignocellulose fiber may significantly lower diarrhea incidents, and death was not found in the treatment group. Lignocellulose fiber may increase villi's intestinal length and weight height compared with control. It can be concluded that supplementing lignocellulose fiber through feed may increase the piglet's health growth and efficiency.

The Effects of Different Fattening Methods and Sex on Fattening Performance in Native Turkish Geese

The animal material of the study consisted of native Turkish geese. Regardless of the sex of the chicks, the first 4 wk of age were fed together, and the 5 and 6 week of age were fed ad libitum in groups using the starter feed. From the sixth wk onwards, four fattening method were formed until the 16 week of age as feed, pasture + cracked barley, pasture + feed and pasture. In the feed, pasture + cracked barley, pasture + feed groups, general body weight increase averages are 39.81, 37.46 and 39.90 g, respectively; average feed daily consumption is 426.95, 207.99 and 200.76 g, respectively; feed conversion ratio were 10.72, 5.55 and 5.03, respectively. At the end of the study, body weights were determined as 4209, 4108, 4239 and 3971 g in the feed, pasture + cracked barley, pasture + feed groups and pasture groups, respectively (P&amp;lt;0.01). As a result, the average body weight of geese was found to be similar with some literature data, which is lower than some literature data. This may be due to the fact that the geese used in the study are native Turkish geese and no selection studies have been performed on them. Although the highest body weight increase was determined in the pasture + feed group, it was concluded that it would be more appropriate to make pasture feed since the geese fed economically in the pasture provide body weight increase similar to other groups. It was determined that fattening with only feed is not economical for goose breeding and does not provide much daily weight gain compared to other groups.

Broiler Chicken Cecal Microbiome and Poultry Farming Productivity: A Meta-Analysis.

The cecal microbial community plays an important role in chicken growth and development via effective feed conversion and essential metabolite production. The aim of this study was to define the microbial community's variants in chickens' ceca and to explore the most significant association between the microbiome compositions and poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis included original data from 8 control broiler chicken groups fed with a standard basic diet and 32 experimental groups supplemented with various feed additives. Standard Illumina 16S-RNA gene sequencing technology was used to characterize the chicken cecal microbiome. Zootechnical data sets integrated with the European Production Effectiveness Factor (EPEF) were collected. Analysis of the bacterial taxa abundance and co-occurrence in chicken cecal microbiomes revealed two alternative patterns: Bacteroidota-dominated with decreased alpha biodiversity; and Bacillota-enriched, which included the Actinomycetota, Cyanobacteriota and Thermodesulfobacteriota phyla members, with increased biodiversity indices. Bacillota-enriched microbiome groups showed elevated total feed intake (especially due to the starter feed intake) and final body weight, and high EPEF values, while Bacteroidota-dominated microbiomes were negatively associated with poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis results lay the basis for the development of chicken growth-promoting feed supplementations, aimed at the stimulation of beneficial and inhibition of harmful bacterial patterns, where relevant metagenomic data can be a tool for their control and selection.

Effects of milk replacer powder added to pasteurized whole milk over different durations on dairy calves fed ground starter diet with alfalfa hay

Adding milk replacer powder (MRP) to whole milk during the entire preweaning period can increase growth but raises concern because of low starter feed intake and slumps in ADG at weaning and postweaning. In the current study, effects of adding MRP to pasteurized whole milk (PWM) during d 10 to 41 or d 10 to 59 of age were investigated in comparison with PWM. Calves (24 females and 21 males; 39.8 ± 1.85 kg BW) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) conventional protocol, 5 L/d PWM from d 3 to 56, and 2.5 L/d from d 57 to 59 of age (CONV; TS intake = 31.9 kg), (2) short duration of adding MRP to PWM protocol, 5 L/d PWM from d 3 to 9, 5 L/d PWM + MRP (18% TS) from d 10 to 41, 5 L/d PWM from d 42 to 56, and 2.5 L/d PWM from d 57 to 59 (SHD; TS intake = 42.3 kg), (3) long duration of adding MRP to PWM protocol, 5 L/d PWM from d 3-9, 5 L/d PWM + MRP from d 10-56, 2.5 L/d PWM + MRP from d 57-59 (LD; TS intake = 47.7 kg). The osmolality of PWM and PWM + MRP was 278 and 519 mOsm/L, respectively. Calves were weaned on d 60, and the study terminated on d 75. There was a treatment × time interaction for starter intake, where intake was greater for CONV than other treatments from d 14-41 and was greater in CONV than LD during d 42 to 48 and d 56 to 62 of age. Final BW was lower in CONV calves than LD calves. Weaning BW and overall hip height were lower in CONV calves than other treatments. The CONV calves had lower ADG at d 14 to 27 and d 35 to 41, and SHD calves had lower ADG at d 42 to 48 than other treatments. Calves fed CONV treatment had lower ruminal acetate and greater propionate than SHD calves during preweaning. Calves fed LD treatment had lower total VFA and tended to have greater ruminal pH than other treatments. Calves fed CONV had greater neutrophils and neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio and lower lymphocytes than other treatments. Glucose concentration was greater for LD versus other treatments at d 56, and lower for SHD versus other treatments at d 70 of study. Insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index were greater in LD compared with other treatments during preweaning but were not different postweaning. Serum BHB was greater in CONV than other treatments. Albumin was greater for CONV versus other treatments at d 56, however, it was greater in LD-fed calves at d 70 of study. Results indicate that feeding a PWM + MRP to the calves during the entire preweaning period resulted in lower starter feed intake around weaning, but overall starter intake was similar with a greater final BW and fewer health-related issues throughout the study. Shifting a PWM + MRP to the conventional whole milk at d 40 of age decreased the ADG of calves.

Azolla: Nutritionally Rich Non-Conventional Feed for Backyard Poultry Farming

The major cost of production in poultry farming is towards the feed cost. It shares around 80 per cent of total cost of production incurred during the poultry rearing. In order to reduce the cost of production, low cost feed formulation by using locally available feeds is the need of the hour. In this regard the present study was conducted to analyze the effect of feeding azolla on the performance of backyard poultry farming. For this one week old 30 chicks of Swarnadhara were selected for each group and 3 such groups were made. The first group (T1- control) was fed with the only recommended Desi starter feed (commercial feed), second group(T2) was fed with wet azolla by replacing 30% of desi starter and the third group(T3) was fed with the dry azolla by replacing 30% of the desi starter. After the 21 days feeding trial, it was found that the weight gain of second and third trial was at par with the control group indicating the azolla can be used as a partial substitute to the desi feed which is used by the farmers to feed the chicks at early stage. By this way the feeding cost can be reduced by 30 per cent, which directly will be added to the total profit gain.

Response to Incremental Replacement of Palm Oil with Fish Oil in Starter Diet on Growth Performance, Plasma Metabolites, Ruminal Fermentation, and Behavior of Dairy Calves.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the incremental levels of n-3 fatty acids (FA) in starter feed (SF) on growth and metabolic performance of milk-fed calves. From day 3 of age, 30 female calves (39.4 ± 3.1 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: (1) SF supplemented with 3.3% palm fatty acids (PO), (2) SF supplemented with 1.7% of PO and 1.9% fish oil (PFO), or (3) SF supplemented with 3.9% fish oil (FO). Chopped straw (7.5% of DM) was included in the SF of all treatments as total mixed ration (TMR). Diets had similar energy and protein contents. Total n-3 FA (% of total FA) and n-6/n-3 of PO, PFO, and FO were 1.90, 6.80, and 11.8 and 15.5, 4.50, and 2.70, respectively. The BW was greater for calves receiving FO (60.2 ± 0.3 kg) compared with PFO (58.7 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.007) and tended to be greater for calves receiving FO vs. PO (59.0 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.050). Because there was no interaction effect between diet × week of experiment, the greater BW of FO could not be attributed to the dietary treatment. Accordingly, average daily gain, total dry matter intake (DMI), starter DMI, and gain to intake ratio (G:FI) did not differ among dietary treatments during the entire period of the study (p > 0.05). Dietary treatments did not impact body size parameters such as body length, body girth, withers height, heart girth, hip height, and width (p > 0.05). Neither ruminal fermentation parameters nor blood variables were influenced by supplementing the types of oil at different time points. Calves' behavioral parameters, such as standing, lying, eating, and ruminating, were not influenced by different dietary treatments (p > 0.05). The number of days with abnormal fecal score was not different among dietary groups (p > 0.05). Overall, our findings suggest that changing the n-6/n-3 ratio in starter feed by incremental replacement of palm fatty acid with fish oil at a moderate supplemental level of ~3% of DM may not affect the growth and metabolic performance of young calves under non-challenged conditions.

Histological examination and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken dosed varying levels of onion extract

This experiment was designed to determine the effect of onion extract on histological response and carcass characteristics of finisher broilers. Sixty day old chicks of Cobb 500 strain were used for this study which lasted for four weeks. The day old chicks were purchased from Ibadan, Nigeria. The chicks on arrival were brooded for four weeks using normal starter feed (New hope brand). At the expiration of four weeks brooding period the broilers were randomly assigned to three treatment groups with three replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The onion bulbs were purchased from Ogige market in Nsukka town, Enugu State, Nigeria. The aqueous onion extract were prepared by slicing, soaking and extracting the active ingredients from the onions. The extract was diluted at different concentrations such as; 0.5g/ml, 1.0g/ml and 1.5g/ml of clean water for T2, T3 and T4 respectively. T1 had no onion extract and as such served as control. The onion extracts were administered to the birds every 48 hours using dropper. Water and feed were given ad libitum to the birds. The result obtained showed normal hepatocytes with acinar-like arrangement and central vein with no abnormal changes in all the organs examined. In conclusion, it has been revealed that the dietary onion extract enhanced the histological features and carcass characteristics of finisher broilers without any detrimental effects on the organs. We therefore, recommend the use of T3(1.0g/ml) which had highest dressed carcass yield to farmers for optimum gain.

Effect of Addition of a Mixture of Ethyl Esters of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid of Linseed Oil to Liquid Feed on Performance and Health of Dairy Calves.

This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementing liquid feeds with a mixture of ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acid of linseed oil (EEPUFA; α-linolenic acid-64.5%, linoleic acid-16.1%, and oleic acid-19.4%) on feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and health of dairy calves. Thirty-six healthy female Holstein-Friesian calves (7 d of age, 41.2 ± 4.0 kg) were assigned to one of two treatment groups (18 calves per group), i.e., control or EEPUFA, and fed liquid feed (whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR)) either without or with 10 mL/d of EEPUFA supplementation, respectively, for 56 days (till 63 d of age). Average daily intake of WM and MR was similar between treatments (p = 0.94). Average daily total DM intake and average daily starter feed DM intake were higher for the EEPUFA group (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01, respectively). The average daily body weight gain was also higher for the EEPUFA group (55 g/d; p = 0.03), although final body weight turned out not to be significantly different between groups (75.6 kg vs. 79.0 kg, control vs. EEPUFA, respectively; p = 0.20). Supplementation of liquid feeds with EEPUFA did not affect feed efficiency (p = 0.37) and most of investigated health parameters. However, the percentage of days with diarrhea relative to the number of days receiving treatment was higher in the control group than the EEPUFA group (76 vs. 42, respectively; p = 0.04). Although the results of this preliminary study are promising, further research is needed to establish the dose effect of EEPUFA on the performance and health of calves.

SOURSOP (Annona muricata) LEAF MEAL FED TO Clarias gariepinus PARENT INFLUENCED THE GROWTH AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE F1 GONADS

The study was carried out to determine the impact of Annona muricata on the growth of the F1 generations and the gonad development of C. gariepinus. 750 hatchlings of average initial weight (0.05g) and length (0.4cm) from the parent that consumed A. muricata were stocked in a 1.0x1.0x0.5m3 fiber ponds in a completely randomized design. The hatchlings were fed 0.2mm coppens as starter (endogenous) feed for two weeks and 0.3 to 0.5 for another four weeks. The hatchlings were weighed weekly to evaluate their growth in weight and length. The fingerlings were further restocked in an outdoor nursery pond 2.0x2.0x1.5m3 and reared for another three weeks for growth parameters, while the gonad development was evaluated at the tenth week. The result of the growth revealed that the hatchlings had continuous and exponential growth among the treatments; however, the fry that the parent consumed, A. muricata, recorded the highest growth and survival rate. While the gonad development of the hatchlings whose parents consumed A. muricata started at the eleventh week and the 0% inclusion started at 14th week. These revealed the potential of A. muricata in the diet of C. gariepinus for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry, the production of quality broodstock, improved growth, and gonad development.

Comparative analysis between multi-strain probiotics and antibiotic as starter feed supplement of poultry on growth performance, serum metabolites and meat quality

The unobstructed use of antibiotics in poultry production has emerged as a major driving force of antibiotic resistance and public health hazard, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the functional roles of lyophilized native probiotic based starter feed on performance, selective serum metabolites and meat quality of poultry. A total of 90 day-old birds (30 broilers, 30 layers and 30 ducks) were used as experimental birds which were divided into three treatment groups for each kind of bird. Isolated native probiotic strains from chicken intestine were used to prepare lyophilized probiotic samples. Growth performances were measured manually, serum biochemicals analysis were carried out using diagnostic kits, and meat quality was determined through Kjeldahl method and Soxhlet method. When compared to groups receiving antibiotics, the introduction of lyophilized probiotics in starter feed significantly (P<0.05) increased body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The birds' serum calcium and protein levels likewise exhibited a similar pattern. Comparing the groups receiving antibiotics, the protein content of the meat revealed significant (P<0.05) variations. Significant (P<0.05) reduced level of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and fat content in meat was observed when compared to antibiotic-fed group. It is possible to conclude that lyophilized probiotics have a significant positive impact on growth performance, serum metabolites and meat quality. The findings of the study could open up new avenues for the application and adoption of native probiotic-based poultry feeds as an alternative to antibiotic-based poultry feeds among stakeholders.