T2 Diets Research Articles

Forage Supplementation Feeding of Lactating Merino Ewes in Dry Season at the Foothills Agro-ecological Zone in Lesotho

A farmer-participatory research, which lasted for seven weeks, was carried out at Machache, in the Foothills Agro-Ecological Zone of Lesotho to examine the effect of forage based diets supplementary feeding on the performance response and milk quality of lactating ewes during dry lambing season. A total of 270 lactating merino ewes were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments: basal diet (T1) which was the range land pasture used as control, cereal forage based diet (T2), leguminous forage based diet (T3) and mixed forage based diet (T4). The feed value of the supplementary diets T2 (4.70% CP and 9.94MJ/kg ME), T3 (12.31% CP and 10.27 MJ/kg ME), T4 (11.90% CP and 10.47 MJ/kg ME)] was superior to that of the range land pasture T1 (2.80% CP and 8.61MJ/kg ME). Ewes on forage supplemented diets performed significantly (P<0.05) better than the control group in feed intake, live body weight and live weight change. The milk quality evaluation showed that solids-non-fat (SNF), protein and lactose were highly significant (P<0.05) for T3 and T4 than T1 and T2 which had high milk fat. The study revealed that diets T1 and T2 lacked the nutritional capacity to meet the nutrient requirements of lactating ewes as evidenced by slight body weight improvement. It is concluded that supplementary diets T3 (leguminous forage based diet) and T4 (mixed forage based diet) contained adequate nutrients that can meet the requirement of lactating ewes during dry lambing season. This was verified by high voluntary feed intake and good nutrients utilization as resulted by improving of body weight and high milk quality response of lactating ewes.

Effects of Brewery Spent Grain (BSG) included poultry diet on growth performance and meat quality of New Hampshire chicken

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the inclusion effects of Dried Brewery Spent Grain (DBSG) to know its effect on growth performance and meat quality on poultry. Completely randomized design was used to compare the treatments in five replications. The treatments used were 15% DBSG (T1), 20% DBSG (T2), 25% DBSG (T3), Commercial feed (T4) and (0% DBSG) scavenging bird was used as a control. Each treatment contained 10 birds including 200 chickens in the whole investigation. The major factors body weight, carcasses and organs weight, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and calcium were evaluated. Results showed that mean body weight of the experimental bird after 60 days was not significantly different (p>0.05) among the dietary treatments, i.e., T1 (781.46 g), T2 (738.36 g), T3 (728.91 g) and T4 (753.38 g). Carcass, breast muscle, thigh, wing, shank, liver and spleen were not significantly different (p>0.05) in weight between DBSG included diet and commercial feed. However, dressing percentage (59.3%) of T4 and gizzard (43.20 gm.) in T3 was significantly higher than other treatments. The significantly higher (p<0.05) amount of cholesterol found in T4 (312.01 mg/dl) followed by control diet (239.46 mg/dl), both of which were above than reference range (129-297 mg/dl). However, in other treatments i.e., T1, T2 and T3, the cholesterol content was in between the reference range. Similarly, same level (p>0.05) of total protein, albumin and calcium content in blood serum observed in BSG included diet and commercial diet. Hence, 15% to 20% inclusion of BSG could be the optimum level in diets of New Hampshire chickens.

Supplementation of thymol powder or green tea extract along with linseed in pig diet increases oxidative stability in blood and pork

This trial investigated the influence of dietary extruded linseed combined with plant extract on pig performance, blood lipid profiles, meat quality, oxidative stability and the fatty acid composition of meat and backfat. Four-hundred and eighty crossbred pigs were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, namely, a control diet (T1), the control diet supplemented with extruded linseed (T2) and identical T2 diet supplemented with thymol powder (T3) or green tea extract (T4). The extruded linseed supplementation decreased blood triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and improved fatty acid composition of meat and backfat by increasing n-3 PUFA content and decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio (p < .05). However, it led to decrease the oxidative stability of blood and meat, while supplementation with thymol powder or green tea extract increased the oxidative stability of blood (27.08 and 27.53% in T3 and T4 compared with T2, respectively) and meat (40.15 and 41.21% in T3 and T4 compared with T2, respectively; p < .01). The findings conclude that dietary extruded linseed combined with thymol powder or green tea extract has the potential to produce functional pork. Highlights Feeding pigs an extruded linseed meal supplement reduced blood triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Extruded linseed supplementation increased the n-3 PUFA content of pigs’ meat and backfat. Supplementing an enriched n-3 PUFA diet with thymol powder or green tea extract increased the oxidative stability of pigs’ blood and meat.

Dietary Inclusion Influence of Aphrostyrax lepidophyllus Bark on Growth, Feed Nutrients Utilization and Body Composition of Clarias gariepinus juvenile (Burchell, 1822)

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of the bark of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus on growth and body composition of Clarias gariepinus.&#x0D; Study Design: This study was carried out from April to May 2022 in the Agro-ecological Farm of Bilone at Obala Lekié Division, Center Region of Cameroon.&#x0D; Methodology: Juvenile weighing 9.29 ± 0.15 g were divided into four triplicate treatments before being fed with diets containing 0 g (T0 or control), 1 g (T1), 1.5 g (T2) and 2 g (T3) A. lepidophyllus diet for 56 days. Fishes were fed at the rate of 5% body weight and every 14 days, intermediate sampling was done during which juveniles per treatment were counted, measurements were taken on a representative sample and the feeding rate was adjusted. The main water parameters were recorded daily before feeding.&#x0D; Results: Adding the bark of A. lepidophyllus in the diet significantly enhanced growth, feed nutrients utilization and body composition of juvenile C. gariepinus independent of the inclusion level. Fish fed T3 diet recorded final weight, weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) significantly high (P &lt; 0.05) to those recorded in fish fed with the control diet. The same trend was observed with macro-nutrient retention as compared to the control.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study clearly showed that dietary inclusion of the bark of A. lepidophyllus powder improves growth performances, feed nutrients utilization and body composition of juveniles C. gariepinus.

Dietary Effects of Two Bifidobacterium Strains on Growth, Length-weight Relationships and Biological Indices on Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis and Bifidobacterium lactis on growth, length-weight relationship and some biological indices of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss fry. An iso-nitrogenous (50% crude protein) diet was supplemented with three different concentrations of a mixture of equal quantities of the two strains of Bifidobacterium, namely T1 (1×107CFU/g), T2 (2×107CFU/g), T3 (3×107CFU/g) and a control (without bacteria). A total of 480 trout fries with an initial mean body weight of 0.53±0.19 g were randomly divided into four groups, each with 4 replicates. The fries were distributed into 16 fiberglass tanks (20 L total capacity) each filled with 15 L of water (water exchange rate of 2 L min-1 and permanent aeration) at a density of 2 fries per liter. During the 8-week feeding trial, the mean water temperature was 17.66±1.33°C and that of pH was 7.63±0.08. All fish groups demonstrated positive allometric growth. Trout fries fed with diet T1 recorded significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) gonadosomatic index, specific growth rate and mean weight gain. The highest final mean length (14.12±4.57 cm) was recorded in fry fed with diet T2. The lowest concentration of Bifidobacterium, T1 induced the best growth and it enhanced the biological indices of O. mykiss.

The Effect of Biodegradation on Sweet Orange Peel and its Feed Value in Starter Broiler Chick's Diet

A twenty-eight-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate maize replacement value of rumen filtrate biodegraded sweet orange peel (SOP) in the starter broiler chick’s diet. Sweet orange fruit peels were collected from retailers of peeled sweet orange fruits. Fresh rumen content was collected from a government abattoir, mixed with water at the ratio of 1 kg: 1 liter, and the mixture sieved to obtain rumen filtrate (RF). Rumen filtrate was mixed with sweet orange peels at the ratio of 1 liter: 2.5 kg, poured into polythene bags, tied at the open end, and allowed a 48-hour for biodegradation. The fermented sweet orange peels were sun-dried to about 10% moisture, milled and incorporated into each of five broiler starter diets as a replacement for maize at levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% to give diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Biodegraded SOP contained 8.80% crude protein, 13.25% crude fibre, 8.65% ether extract, 9.90% ash, and 59.40% NFE, and metabolizable energy of 3720.67 Kcal/kg. The experimental diets had significant effect (P0.05) among other performance indices measured across the dietary treatments. Dietary incorporation of SOP meal as a replacement for maize did not support the growth of starter broiler chicks, and further studies are necessary to investigate other processing methods that can further reduce its fibre content, to enhance its feed value as a replacement for maize in the diets of broiler chicks.

Effect of feeding on different levels of crushed cactus in total mixed rations on fattening performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Awassi sheep

A ten week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding total mixed rations containing different levels of cactus on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Awassi sheep. Twelve lambs with initial body weight of 28.67±2.29 kg and 120 days average age were distributed in complete randomized design into three dietary groups according to crushed cactus level (T1 = 0%, T2 = 10%, and T3 = 15%) in four replicates. At the end of the feeding period three lambs from each dietary group were randomly slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics and meat quality. The means of the tested parameters were tested for significance using analysis of variance followed by least significant differences at 95% confidence level. Lambs fed T3 diet showed numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) total weight gain (15.3 kg) and average daily gain (219.1 g). T2 group had numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) hind quarter perimeter (D), maximum width carcass (Wr), chest depth (Th), and pelvic limb length (F) than T1 and T3. Left half carcass weight (10.5 kg), anterior rib (8.3%), pelvic limb (36.3%), and first quality (66.4%) were numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) in T2. Results of meat quality presented numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) water holding capacity (23.7) and lower cooking loss percent (30.6%) in T3, these results were reflected on sensory evaluation as well where T3 recorded significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) scores in texture and flavor of meat. Therefore, adding crushed cactus up to 15% level in diet of sheep could affect the carcass characteristics and meat quality differently.

Effect of Sundried Cassava Peel Meal-Based Diet Supplemented with Quadraxyme® on Performance and Blood Profile of Grower Boar Pigs

Introduction: Monogastric animals such as pigs and poultry cannot handle cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which form the major components of agro-industrial products. This feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the responses of growing boar-fed sundried cassava peel meal (CPM)-based diet supplemented with the enzyme. Materials and methods: Thirty-two growing boars (Large white x Landrace), eleven weeks old with an average weight of 25.00 ± 0.30 kg, were allocated randomly to dietary treatments. A basal diet was compounded containing 48% sundried CPM. The dietary treatments were T1 (control) supplemented with 0.0g/100g, and other treatments, including T2, T3, and T4, received 0.5g/100kg, 1.5g/100g, and 2.0g/100g levels of Quadraxyme® supplementation, respectively. Quadraxyme® is a product of Quadragen Veterinary Health Private Limited. Quadraxyme® contains amylase, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, lipase, arabinose, α-galactosidase, and β -glucosidase. Results: This study showed significant differences in average feed intakes and daily weight gains across the dietary treatments. Pigs in the T4 group had the highest weight gain, followed by those in T2 and T3 groups, while the minor weight gain was in the diet with no enzyme supplementation. The dietary treatments significantly influenced hematological parameters in almost all the studied indices. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values of pigs fed the T1 diet recorded significantly higher MCHC and a reduction in concentrations of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) counts, and a slight increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) concentration. The dietary treatments did not affect the total blood protein and albumin levels of the growing pigs enrolled in this investigation. The result showed that the levels of enzyme supplementation to the SDCPM-based diet did not significantly influence the electrolytes of the growing boars. The PO42- increased in enzyme-supplemented diets, and group T4 supplemented with 0.20g/100kg of the enzyme recorded the highest PO42- value (6.79mg/100ml) among the other groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that including 0.20g/100kg in a 48% sundried CPM-based diet for growing pigs enhanced growth and feed conversion, improved phosphorus utilization, and had no adverse effects on growth and blood parameters.

Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency of Indigenous Chicken Fed on Diet Supplemented with Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus)

In view of the emerging challenges of climate change and population growth, the need to ensure consumer health safety among other factors is paramount; this practice has not been standardised, and the health risks and impacts on the environment arising from the practice are not known. While the global consumption of chicken products especially chicken meat drastically increased over the years and the trend is expected to continue. Much of the increase in demand is in the developing countries coupled with demand for the four traditional feed ingredients; maise meal, soya bean meal, fish meal, and meat meal. In all three poultry production systems that are extensive, semi-intensive and intensive, a wide range of alternative feedstuffs should be available for use. Expanding populations will create greater demand for chicken products, and the importance of feed industry resources and production systems will increase. This therefore calls for a need to enhance efforts towards increased chicken productivity. This study, therefore, evaluated the growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of feed supplementation termite Macrotermes bellicosus for indigenous chicken diets. Three groups of twenty IC were placed on diets comprising prepared feeds with different termite inclusion levels (0%, 2.5% and 5%) for each group for six weeks. Results reveal that the termite supplementation provides high crude protein content (43.36%), which leads to enhanced weight gain but no significant differences in the FCR of ICs compared to conventional feeds. Supplementation at different levels offers varying outcomes regarding feed intake: IC on a diet T3 had a lower feed intake compared to T2 but registered higher FBW and SGR. The use of termites contributes to smallholder farms’ food security by providing a cheaper alternative to commercial poultry feeds; and also increases the market value of IC, thus, increasing the profitability of IC production

Dietary utilization of mealworm frass in rabbit feeding regimes and its effect on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.

This study aimed to shed light on the use of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) frass (TMF) in rabbit diets and its effects on growth performance, blood profiles, rabbit meat quality, and fatty acid profiles. A total of 48 Gabali rabbits were divided equally and randomly into four groups to be fed one of four dietary treatments: a control (T0) group and three TMF groups, which included TMF meal at 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3) %, respectively. The rabbits were fed on isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets for 11 weeks, and the growth performance data were recorded. Six rabbits per group were slaughtered at the end of the 11th week, then the pharmacochemical parameters and carcass traits were measured, and meat quality and fatty acid profiles were analyzed. The results indicated that the growth performance of different groups was similar (P > 0.05). The levels of globulin, glucose, and alanine transaminase (ALT) were lower in the mealworm frass groups compared with the control group. Carcass traits were not affected by experimental regimes. Fat was higher in the TMF treatment groups, while moisture was lower compared with the control group. The shear force had a lower value in the treatment groups T3 and T2 compared with the control group. The highest values of redness and chroma (color parameter) of rabbit meat were observed in the treatment groups vs. the control group. Moreover, the proportion of total saturated fatty acids in the meat of rabbits that were fed on the T2 and T3 diets was higher compared to those fed on the control (i.e., T0) and T1 diets. Furthermore, the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid was higher in the T2, T3, and T1 groups vs. T0 rabbits, whereas the PUFA proportions were lower. It could be concluded that frass has great potential to be used as a partial substitute for rabbit diets.

Growth performance and hematological responses of silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus bleeker, 1850) fingerlings to dietary blanched moringa (Moringa oleifera lam.) leaf meal as a substitute of soybean meal

The fastest-growing aquaculture industry relies heavily on animal protein, fishmeal and plant protein to maintain production levels. Therefore, present study was conducted to perceive the effectiveness of blanched moringa (Moringa oliefera) leaf meal (MLM) as a replacement of soybean meal in silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) fingerling diet. Four experimental feeds were prepared replacing soybean meal with MLM at 0, 10, 30, and 50%. Fish were reared for 60 days in 12 hapas installed in three similar size and shaped ponds comprising four treatments each having 3 replications. Fish were fed with the experimental diet at 5% body weight twice daily. Fish growth parameters and length-weight relationship were assessed. To determine their resistance to stressful conditions, the fish were submerged in low pH-5 solution at the conclusion of the experiment. According to the results of the fish growth metrics, the majority of the parameters were comparable and statistically insignificant between the treatments. However, when compared to the control, T1 and T2 treatments, the T3 treatment demonstrated increased survival, PER, and fish production. In addition, other parameters such as percent weight gain, SGR, FCR and FCE were higher in control but statistically similar with T3. Besides, the length-weight relationship of silver barb fingerlings fed with all the test diets showed a positive association and isometric growth pattern. With the incremental addition of MLM to the fish diet, the hematological parameters—red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) gradually increased. The fish fed the T3 diet had the highest recorded stress tolerance (6.50 ± 0.50 min), whereas the fish on the control diet had the lowest (T0, 4.77 ± 0.68 min). According to the study, MLM has the potential to replace soybean meal in the diet of silver barb fingerlings to the tune of 50:50 without having an adverse impact on growth. It can enhance fish hematological performance and tolerance for unfavorable environmental conditions as well.

Effects of the Melatonin and Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate) as Antioxidants on Biochemical Blood Parameters, Lipid Profile, and Muscle Vitamin E Concentration in Awassi Lambs Fed a High-Energy Diet and Normal Diet.

Health specialists currently suggest low-cholesterol diets, suggesting that cholesterol in the form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reduces the risk of chronic atherosclerosis. The large volume of literature describes the biological roles of vitamin E and its application to preventing disease and improving the health and productive performances of farm animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol acetate) supplementation and melatonin implants on biochemical blood, lipid profile and muscle vitamin E content of Awassi male lambs fed by a high and normal diet in Iraq. The lambs were divided into teen groups as control normal energy diet T1 (NED) T2 (HED) concentrated lamb fattening feed. Two levels of melatonin (18 and 36 mg implant) were applied to T3, T4, T5, and T6 treatment and 2 levels of Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol acetate) diet 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg to T7. T8. T9 and T10, respectively. Results from the present study indicate that Vitamin E 200, 400 mg/lamb/day and melatonin implantation 18 mg, 36 mg/lamb/day significantly (P<0.05) increased total protein in serum while decreasing globulin level, glucose concentration in serum, melatonin implantation 36 mg/lamb and vitamin E 400 mg/lamb/day recorded significantly (P<0.05). The same effect on decreasing cholesterol concentration in serum 42.6mg\dl, 40.5 mg\dl, respectively, compared to non-treated groups. Vitamin E 200 mg/kg/lamb recorded the lowest AST level in serum, 43.3. Lambs implanted with Melatonin 36 mg/lamb and fed a high-energy diet (T8) resulted in a significant decrease of serum ALT activity (P<0.05) in comparison to other treated groups 12.7 U/L was achieved. Lambs fed a normal energy diet with vitamin E 200 mg/kg/lamb (T4) exceeded other treated groups, decreasing ALT serum levels by 9.35 U/L. Interestingly, muscle vitamin E concentrations for lambs received 200, 400 mg/lamb/day on the 2nd, 7th and 14th days of the storage period, and fed high energy diet (T10) or normal energy diet (T5) were significantly higher compared to control group (T1, T6).

Effect of graded levels of guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal on productive performance and meat organoleptic properties of chicken

A study was carried out to determine the productive performance and meat organoleptic properties of finisher broiler fed diets supplemented with graded levels of dried guava leaf meal (DGLM) as a phytogenic feed additive. The study was conducted at the livestock experimental unit of National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Nigeria. Two hundred and forty unsexed 5-weeks-old broilers of similar mean live weight were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary groups with 3 replicates (0, 150g, 300g and 450g of DGLM per 100kg basal diets) over a four weeks finisher period, in completely randomized design. All the diets of iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric and water were served to the birds ad libitum. The results of the finisher phase of the experiment showed that, though the average daily feed intakes of all the treatments were the same, the final body weights of birds fed T4 diets were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than those fed other diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed cost/weight gain followed similar trend as in body weight gain. The organoleptic properties (colour, appearance, texture, taste and aroma) of all the treatment groups revealed that DGLM had no adverse effect on broiler meat. The study concluded that the supplementation of DGLM at 300g and 450g/ 100kg enhanced utilization of nutrients in the diets resulting in impressive growth performance, reduced feed cost/weight gain, and high survivability without influencing the organoleptic properties of finisher broiler chickens.

Effect of dietary inclusion of rice distillers dried grains with solubles (rDDGS) on growth performance and production efficiency of Kuroiler chicken

Rice Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (rDDGS) is a by-product of ethanol production which is used as alternative protein source in the poultry diet. Present investigation was conducted to assess the growth performance and production efficiency in Kuroiler chickens. Feeding trial was designed into four dietary groups, viz. T0 (Control, without rDDGS), T1 (7.5% rDDGS), T2 (15% rDDGS) and T3 (22.5% rDDGS) in different treatment groups along with basal corn soybean diet. Significant variations from 2nd to 8th weeks of age for body weight were found in all the dietary groups. Body weight gain differed significantly from 1st to 5th weeks among all the groups, however, overall (1-56d) body weight gain was found highest in T2 group (1640.29 g) followed by T1 (1572.52 g), T0 (1534.01 g) and T3 (1466.75 g). Feed intake showed significant variation from 2nd to 6th weeks of age. Maximum feed intake during entire length of trial was observed in the dietary group T2 and lowest in T3. Feed conversion ratio, feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were not influenced significantly by feeding rDDGS. Hence, inclusion of rDDGS may be suggested as an alternate protein source and can replace soybean meal up to 15% without any detrimental effect on health and productivity.

Assessment of nutrient digestibility in four dry dog foods containing different levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate

A study was undertaken in switch over design to find out the effects of four different treatment combinations of protein, fat and carbohydrates in dry dog foods on the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Four medium sized healthy adult nondescript dogs of about one to two years of age and around 10 to 15 kg body weight were selected and allotted to four dietary treatments- T1 (40 per cent CP, 23 per cent fat, 30 per cent carbohydrate and 3626 kcal ME), T2 (35 per cent CP, 20 per cent fat, 38 per cent carbohydrate and 3528 kcal ME), T3 (26 per cent CP, 15 per cent fat, 52 per cent carbohydrate and 3475 kcal ME) and T4 (20 per cent CP, 11 per cent fat 62 per cent carbohydrate and 3370 kcal ME). The feeding trial was conducted in switch over model of design with one week in between the periods to nullify carry over effect. Results revealed that levels of nutrients in diet had a significant influence on nutrient digestibility in the experimental animals. Among the dietary treatments, T1 with higher fat and protein levels had better dry matter digestibility while T3 diet containing 26 per cent protein, 15 per cent fat and 52 per cent carbohydrate had better crude protein and ether extract digestibility, hence can be recommended.

Effects of the fresh and dried housefly (Musca domestica) larvae in the diets of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758): growth, feed utilization efficiency, body composition and biological indices

A 56-day feeding trial was undertaken to assess the ef-fects of housefly maggots (HM) forms (dried and fresh) as protein sources on growth, feed efficiency, and body indices of Oreo-chromis niloticus finger-lings. A control diet (T0) contained 300 g/kg of fish-meal (without HM). Two practical diets with the same formula were prepared with dried HM (T1) and fresh HM (T2) where 66 % of the fishmeal was replaced. Di-ets were fed to triplicate groups of tilapia (mean ini-tial weight: 10.26 ±0.12 g). There was no difference in survival, condition factor, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Fish fed diets T0 and T1 had sig-nificantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) mean final weight (50.25 ±1.39 - 52.24 ±1.03 g), specific growth rate (2.84 ±0.03 - 2.88 ±0.03 %/day) and weight gain (389.70 ±7.63 - 402.78 ±8.16 %) compared to T2 diet ones (46.30 ±2.03 g; 2.67 ±0.07 %/day and 356.70 ±7.76 % respective-ly). Viscerosomatic and hepatosomatic index in fish fed T1 and T2 diets were significantly higher than those fed T0. The present findings indicate that the dried form of housefly maggot has given the best results in terms of growth compared to the live form. However, housefly forms did not affect feed efficien-cy parameters.

Effect of feeding Indukantham kashayam residues on growth performance and economics of production of weaned New Zealand White rabbits

A study was conducted to examine the effect of inclusion of Indukantham kashayam residue on growth performance and economics of production of weaned New Zealand White rabbits. Eighteen weaned New Zealand White rabbits of four to six weeks age were selected from Rabbit Breeding Station, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. The experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each and one of the three dietary treatments T1 (control diet with 18 per cent CP and 2700 kcal DE), T2 (Diet containing 5 per cent Indukantham kashayam residues) and T3 (Diet containing 10 per cent Indukantham kashayam residues) was alloted to each group. Data on weekly weight gain and daily feed intake were collected during course of study, while feed conversion ratio and economics of production were computed. The findings of the current study revealed that growth performance of weaned New Zealand White rabbits remained unaffected (p&gt;0.05) among the dietary treatments. Indukantham kashayam residue can be included in the diet of growing rabbits up to 10 per cent level to reduce cost of production.

Influence of Mannan oligosaccharides and Tulasi (ocimum sanctum) on Carcass and Meat Quality Characteristics of Rabbits

The present experiment was conducted with twenty-four Newzealand white male rabbits weighing around 580 g that were assigned into four homogeneous treatment groups randomly (C, T1, T2 and T3) each with six rabbits. The rabbits fed with basal diet (without any antibiotic, coccidiostat or growth promoting supplements) grouped as control; basal diet mixed with the prebiotic (MOS) @ Mannan oligo saccharide (1.0 g/ kg feed) grouped as T1; basal diet mixed with the antibiotic ie) Oxytetracycline hydrochloride powder @ 250 g/tone of feed are grouped as T2 and basal diet mixed with the herbal powder tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder @ 50g/kg feed are grouped as T3 and the trail was conducted for a period of 42 days. Rabbits fed with tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder (TLP) @ 50g/kg feed had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher pre slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, dressing per centage, meat bone ratio, muscle per cent and bone per cent than rabbits fed with control feed and MOS and antibiotic supplemented feed. Addition of different dietary supplements did not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced the carcass length of rabbits. Addition of tulasi leaf powder in the rabbit diet significantly (P&lt;0.05) recorded better physico-chemical attributes like lower drip loss and higher extract release volume, water holding capacity and cooking yield, higher moisture and protein content than remaining formulations. Meat obtained from rabbits fed with tulasi leaf powder had significantly (P&lt;0.05) superior sensory scores than meat obtained from rabbits fed with remaining formulations. Based on the results, it can be concluded that addition of tulasi leaf powder @50 g/kg feed yielded better carcass characteristics and meat quality attributes to commercial broiler rabbits.

Effect of fermented cottonseed meal on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary inclusion of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chicken up to 42 days of age. A total of 160, day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatment groups, viz. T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with four replicates having eight bird each, in a completely randomised design. The birds in the control group (T1) were fed with standard broiler ration formulated as per BIS (2007). The diets in groups T2 to T5 were formulated by inclusion of five per cent cottonseed meal (CSM), five per cent FCSM (T3), 10 per cent FCSM (T4) and 15 per cent FCSM (T5), respectively. All the experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fermentation of CSM significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased its moisture, crude protein and total ash content and reduced dry matter and crude fibre content. The mean body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio of broilers in different treatment groups at sixth week of age did not differ significantly. The carcass characteristics at sixth week also did not differ significantly among treatments, except ready to cook yield per cent which was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in FCSM groups. The highest net profit per kilogram body weight was obtained in 10 per cent FCSM group (T4 group), followed by T3, T5, T2 and T1.

Effects of feeding maize hydroponic fodder on growth performance, nitrogen balance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, and blood metabolites of water buffalo calves.

A hydroponic feeding system enables more effective utilization of the entire plant than typical grazing, which only consumes the plant's shoot. This study evaluated the effects of feeding maize hydroponic fodder on growth performance, nitrogen balance, nutrient digestibility, hematology, and blood metabolites of buffalo calves. Twelve water buffalo calves, weighing an average of 112 ± 1.18 kg and between 8 and 10 months old, were divided into three treatments, each with four calves. Each group received one of the treatment diets: T1: the basal diet (BD) at 100%; T2: the BD plus hydroponic feed meal (HFM) at 80%: 20%; and T3: the BD plus HFM at 60%: 40%. For 100 days, each animal was fed ad libitum; the first ten days were used for nutritional adaptation, and the final ten days were used for collection. In addition to their BD, each animal received 200 g/day of a normal concentrate mixture to meet their maintenance needs. The BD included Green Hay (Lucerne) 80% and Wheat straw 20%. Each animal's daily feed consumption was noted. Calves were weighed biweekly to track growth. Upon completion of the experiment, blood samples were obtained. The amount of dry matter (DM) consumed by ruminants fed diets, including hydroponic fodder, was considerably higher (p < 0.05). Similar trends were seen in crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber intake. Ingesting of CP was highest in animals fed T3. Animals fed diets comprising BD 60% + HFM 40% had the highest levels of DM and CP digestibility. Animals fed the T3 diet (BD 60% + HFM 40%) showed the best feed conversion values (p ˂ 0.05). Blood metabolites like blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose showed non-significant variations in all experimental animals. In hematology, a similar trend was seen. Therefore, it can be said that supplementing the diet with more HFM helped growing buffalo calves gain weight, have a lower feed consumption ratio, and digest their food more efficiently.