T2 Diets Research Articles

Male Layer Chicken's Response to Dietary Moringa oleifera Meal in a Tropical Climate.

Simple SummaryIn the egg industry, most slow-growing chicks are usually euthanized at 1-day-old even though it has been demonstrated that they are well-suited to production systems with outdoor access. However, the rearing of these birds, as an option to address the ethical concerns related to their disposal at such an early age, is impaired by high feeding costs. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate non-conventional feeding materials that could be incorporated into their diets. Moringa is a non-traditional feed for poultry; nevertheless, studies investigating slow-growing breeds’ performance when fed Moringa while given access to outdoors in the tropics are limited. Thus, the current study evaluated slow-growing chickens’ response to dietary Moringa in terms of production performance, carcass yield, and blood parameters. The results revealed that all cumulative traits were not negatively affected by the treatments (except for feed conversion). Additionally, both breast weight and yield and gizzard weight and yield significantly increased with dietary Moringa, while blood parameters remained unaltered. It is concluded that Moringa, as a feed ingredient, could be added to the diets of slow-growing male chickens grown with outdoor access in the tropics to improve productive and carcass traits, but feed conversion could be increased.This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary amounts of Moringa oleifera meal (MOM), consisting of leaves and small edible green stems, on growth performance, carcass traits, and blood parameters of finisher male layer-type slow-growing chickens raised with outdoor access. A total of 198 Dominant Blue D 107, 72-day-old male chickens were randomly assigned to tree dietary treatments containing 0, 30, and 60 g/kg MOM that corresponded to T1 or control, T2, and T3, separately. Each treatment was divided into 6 replicates of 11 birds apiece, and all birds had access to the outdoors. After 7 weeks of experimental rearing, live weight was 2218.1, 2164.4, and 2176.6 g for birds raised in T1, T2 and T3, respectively, without statistical differences (p ≥ 0.05). Live weight gain and daily live weight gain increased (p ≤ 0.05) in favor of the control group during the first 4 weeks but decreased (p ≤ 0.05) in the last 3 weeks of the trial. Overall feed intake was not influenced by the treatments (p ≥ 0.05). Birds raised with MOM in their diets had higher feed conversion (p ≤ 0.05). T2 diet considerably increased (p ≤ 0.05) birds’ breast and gizzard weight and yield while decreasing feet weight and yield, in comparison to T1. Dietary MOM inclusion did not impair or improve (p ≥ 0.05) blood parameters. The results of this study suggest that up to 60 g/kg MOM could be included in the diets of slow-growing Dominant Blue D 107 male chickens grown with access to outdoors without compromising their productive performance (except for feed conversion), slaughter characteristics, and health status.

Insights into the Gut Microbial Communities of Broiler Chicken Fed Black Soldier Fly Larvae-Desmodium-Based Meal as a Dietary Protein Source.

The utilization of insect-based diets to improve gastrointestinal function and gut health in poultry is gaining global attention as a promising feed additive. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal inclusion level of the full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and Desmodium intortum (DI) in broiler chicken diets and to evaluate their impact on the microbial community in the gut. The bacterial communities were characterized using Oxford nanopore sequencing of the full-length bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Four dietary treatments, T1 (25% DI + 75% BSFL), T2 (50% DI + 50% BSFL), T3 (75% DI + 25% BSFL) and T4 (100% fishmeal + 0% DI + BSFL), were fed to the broiler chickens for a period of 42 days. Out of the 395,034 classified reads analyzed, the most predominant phyla identified across all the four dietary treatments were Firmicutes (94%), Bacteroidetes (3%), and Proteobacteria (2%). The T1 diet showed the highest alpha diversity and richness according to the Chao1 and Shannon indices. Beta diversity assessment revealed a significant influence of diet on the abundance of the microbiome. There was an increase in beneficial lactic acid bacteria with increasing inclusion of BSFL in the diets. Our findings strongly support the inclusion of BSFL into poultry diet as a promising protein source to reshape the gut microbiota for improved gut health, immune response, and food safety.

Effect of L-Threonine Supplementation to Diet on Some Productive and Physiological of Traits Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Conditions

This experiment was conducted in Erbil, Iraq, from July 7 to August 17, 2021, for determine the effects of L-Threonine supplementation on several productive and physiological traits Under heat stress conditions (36.04 ± 2 °C), A total of 200 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments: T1 control treatment, T2, T3, T4 and T5 standard diet with L-Threonine 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that the addition of L-Threonine to the ration improved broiler production performance under heat stress conditions such as body weight it increased significantly (P≤0.05) in T3 and T5 and reached 2187 and 2235 g, respectively compared to 2145 g in the T1 and reduce H/L ratio in T4 and T5 compared with T1 and did not affect effect (P≥0.05) on physiological traits such as red and white blood cell count, hematocrit, cholesterol, glucose, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities

DietaryAsparagus racemosusethanolic root extract modulates immune‐biochemical response, immune gene expression and provides protection againstAeromonas hydrophilainLabeo rohitafingerlings

The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary effects of the medicinal herb Asparagus racemosus on immune-biochemical response, immune-related gene expression and resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The acute toxicity study showed that the dietary incorporation of the A. racemosus ethanolic root extract (AREE) at the dose up to 2000 mg kg−1 had no toxic effect on L. rohita. Three experimental diets were prepared with the inclusion of different concentrations of AREE (T1-50, T2-100 and T3-150 mg of AREE kg−1 feed). Fingerlings of L. rohita were fed with these diets and various immune-biochemical responses and immune-related gene expression were measured on the 0, 15th, and 30th day of feeding. Dietary inclusion of AREE significantly enhanced the biochemical responses (glucose, total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase activity), innate immune responses (superoxide anion, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity), and mRNA expression of immune-related genes (IL-1β, IFN-γ and C3) in the majority cases. The survivability of rohu against A. hydrophila infection was significantly higher in fish fed with the T2 diet. In conclusion, the dietary A. racemosus ethanolic root extract showed promising immunostimulatory activity, and conferred resistance against A. hydrophila challenge in L. rohita. The dietary supplementation of the extract at the rate of 100 mg kg−1 feed for 15 days is suggested for obtaining optimal immunostimulatory effect.

EFFECT OF INCLUSION LEVELS OF FICUS (Ficus sycomorus) AND AFRICAN LOCUST BEANS (Parkia biglobosa) LEAF MEALS DIET ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF GROWER RABBITS

Sixteen (16) cross bred growing rabbits of both sexes were used for the experiment to investigate, the performance of growing rabbits fed four (4) dietary levels of Ficus sycomorus and Parkia biglobosa leaf meals (FLM & PLM). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). The rabbits were randomly selected and allotted into four (4) treatments of four (4) rabbits per treatment. Each treatment had one rabbit as replicates per clutchs. Treatments 1,2,3 and 4 received 0% forage leaf meal, 5% Ficus leaf meal, 5% Parkia leaf meal, and 2.5% Ficus + 2.5% Parkia leaf meals respectively. The results obtained in this study revealed that feed intake of rabbits on diet 4 (85.39g), 1 (83.38g) and 2 (72.19g) were statistically similar (P>0.05) and significantly (P>0.05) higher than those fed diet 3 (66.73g). Rabbits on T1 diet attained the highest daily weight gain (15.18g) compared to rabbits on T4 (15.04), T2 (12.14g) and T3 (11.77g) respectively. Feed cost (N/Kg), cost/kg gain and daily cost/rabbit (N/d) decreased with inclusion level of forage meal in the diets, while T1 recorded the highest cost in all aspects. Feed conversion ratio was similar (P>0.05) across the treatments.

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The performance of twenty four 6-8 week old apparently healthy male and female weanling rabbits of mixed breed fed diets treated with aflatoxin, which contained 5% sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit peel meal was evaluated in an 8 week feeding trial. Sweet orange peels were collected from orange sellers, sun-dried and milled. Fungal strain of Aspergillus flavus was cultured and inoculated into groundnut cake to produce aflatoxin using solid state fermentation method. Treated groundnut cake was incubated for seven days with incremental incubation temperature from 20-25 ºC The groundnut cake was autoclaved, milled and, aflatoxin extracted from 10 g sample of the milled cake with 50 ml chloroform, and its concentration quantified by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Treated groundnut cake was included at 0, 50, 100 and 150 gram in grower rabbit diets to produce diets T1, T2, T3 and T4, having 0 ppb, 50 ppb, 100 ppb and 150 ppb aflatoxin, respectively. The rabbits were randomly allocated to four diets at the rate of six per diet, housed singly in rabbit hutches, fed and served water free choice. The result showed significant (P<0.05) negative effect  of diets on final live weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, water consumption, protein intake and protein efficiency ratio as the dietary aflatoxin increased from 0 ppb to 150 ppb. Also, diets had significant (P<0.05) negative effect on dressed weight and carcass length and, kidney. Total aflatoxin residue varied significantly (P<0.05) from 0 μg/kg - 2.76μg/kg,  0 μg/kg - 1.94μg/kg and 0 μg/kg - 0.85μg/kg for liver, kidney and meat tissue, respectively as the dietary aflatoxin increased from 0 ppb to 150 ppb. Performance response of rabbits was affected negatively by aflatoxin, thereby showing the inability of 5% dietary inclusion of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel meal to mitigate the adverse consequences of aflatoxin intake by rabbit. Key words: Growth responses, residual level, visceral organs, mitigate.

Responses of growth, blood health, pro-inflammatory cytokines genes, intestine and liver histology in Red Seabream (Pagrus major) to camelina meal

The current work assessed the inclusion impacts of oilseed camelina meal (CM) as a protein source in red sea bream (Pagrus major) diets. A 45 day assessment period with 180 juveniles (6.47 ± 0.17 g) were allocated in triplicates to 4 experimental groups and fed formulated diets in which fish meal (FM) was subrogated at graded series of 0% (T1), 20.5% soybean meal (T2), 20.5% camelina meal (T3), and 33% camelina meal (T4). No noticeable alterations were observed in specific growth rate, feed intake, survival rate, hepatosomatic index, and Fulton's condition factor among the experimental groups. Fish fed the T4 diet showed considerably reduced (P < 0.05) final weight and body protein content when compared to those fed T2, T3, and basal diets. Plasma biochemical parameters show no differences (P > 0.05) in glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvate transaminase. Hematocrit levels decreased noticeably (P < 0.05) in fish groups fed camelina meal in comparison to the control group. Liver and intestinal histology showed a healthy status and an increase in villus length and goblet cell number in camelina groups. Fish fed the T4 diet displayed higher expression levels (P < 0.05) of relative mRNA interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to other groups. The inclusion of camelina meal (up to 20%) in red sea bream diets produced similar outcomes to specimens fed fish meal and soybean meal.

Nutrient Digestibility Coefficient of West African Dwarf Goat Fed Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) Ensiled with Varying Levels of Cassava Peel and Brewers Dried Grain.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the digestibility of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats offered Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ensiled with varying levels of Cassava peel (CP) and Brewers dried grain (BDG).&#x0D; Methodology: Eighteen West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used for the study. The goats were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments namely; T1 (100% Elephant grass); T2 (60% Elephant grass + 0% CP + 40% BDG); T3 (60% Elephant grass + 10% CP + 30% BDG); T4 (60% Elephant grass + 20% CP + 20% BDG); T5 (60% Elephant grass + 30% CP + 10% BDG) and T6 (60% Elephant grass + 40% CP + 0% BDG) in a completely randomized design.&#x0D; Findings: Data collected revealed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in all the chemical composition parameters except for ether extract. The highest DM (51.80%), CP (18.20%), and EE (3.85%) were observed among animals exposed to T2 diet, NDF (64.25%) and ADF (32.33%) were observed among animals in diet T1. There was no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in all the nutrient digestibility parameters except for the crude protein and acid detergent lignin. Animals fed T2 diet had the highest DM (70.76%) and CP digestibility (76.16%), while highest NDF (65.39%) and ADL (59.51%) were recorded in animals fed T1. There were significant difference (p&gt;0.05) among the nitrogen utilization variables observed except feacal and urinary nitrogen output. Goats fed T2 recorded the highest nitrogen retention (95.55%).&#x0D; Recommendation: It can be recommended that Elephant grass ensiled with cassava peel and brewers dried grain can be used as potential sources of supplementing ruminant feeding most especially during the dry season as it enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilization

Taurine supplementation in plant-based diets for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Effects on growth performance, whole body composition, and histomorphological features

Taurine supplementation in plant protein-based diets has been reported to improve growth performance, feed utilization, whole body composition, and gut integrity in carnivorous fish species, but data in rainbow trout are quite scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effects of plant protein-based diets supplemented with different levels of taurine on rainbow trout growth performance, whole body composition, and histomorphological traits of the intestine and main organs. In a 71-day trial, 340 juvenile rainbow trout were randomly distributed to 5 dietary treatments (4 replicate tanks/diet, 17 fish/tank): two control diets (a fishmeal-based diet [positive control; C+] and a soybean meal-soy protein concentrate-based diet [negative control; C-]), and three experimental diets in which the C-diet was supplemented with 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg of taurine (T2.5, T5 and T10, respectively). At the end of the trial, growth parameters were assessed, and whole fish (12 pools of 3 fish/diet) and gut, liver and kidney samples (12 fish/diet) were collected for whole body composition and histomorphological analyses, respectively. Liver (8 fish/diet) was also sampled for taurine quantification. The fish fed the T10 diet showed higher weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, and specific growth rate – as well as decreased feed conversion ratio – when compared to the C+ group only (P < 0.05), thus suggesting a main effect of the taurine source on the response. The T2.5 rainbow trout showed lower moisture content and increased ether extract and ash contents than the other dietary treatments (P < 0.001). Higher crude protein content was also observed in fish fed the C- and T10 diets in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.001). Hepatic taurine levels were increased in the C+ group when compared to the C-, T2.5 and T5 diets (P < 0.05), with higher contents being also identified in the T10 group than the C- diet (P < 0.01). Differently, gut morphometric indices and histopathological features of the gut, liver, and kidneys were unaffected by dietary taurine supplementation (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary taurine supplementation in juvenile rainbow trout fed vegetable protein-based diet is capable of influencing the growth performance and the whole lipid content of the animals, without affecting the histomorphological traits of the intestine, the liver and the kidneys. In particular, the 2.5 and 10 g/kg supplementation levels seem to be capable of exerting the most pronounced effects in terms of composition of the fish body mass and growth parameters, respectively.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Trachyspermum ammi on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

Background: Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) has anti-bacterial activities and immuno modulatory activities which contribute to better growth performance in broilers. Ajwain can be promoted as a natural growth promoter in the broiler industry to produce quality meat without antibiotics in a very cost-effective manner. Keeping in view these facts, the present experiment was conducted to find out the effect of Ajwain seeds at various levels as feed additive on growth performance and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 150, day-old broiler chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design and each treatment with three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed on fairly isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets of varying levels of Ajwain seeds. The inclusion levels of Ajwain seeds in diets T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, respectively. Chicks at different phases were fed as per the recommendations of BIS. During the experimental period, the chicks were reared under standard management practices including feeding, watering and disease control. Result: The addition of Ajwain to the diet did not affect the total dietary intake and protein efficiency ratio in the chicks. However, average daily body weight gain, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index of broiler chicks significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by Ajwain seed supplementation. Birds fed on 1.5% Ajwain diet showed heaviest body weight with the best FCR. Results revealed significantly (P less than 0.01) higher carcass yield, eviscerated yield and giblet weight in Ajwain supplemented groups as compared to control. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of Ajwain seeds @ 1.5% is effective in improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks.

Effect of supplementation of phytogenic feed additives on intake, in vitro fermentation, growth performance and carcass traits in weaned Barbari kids reared under intensive feeding.

Twenty-four weaned male Barbari kids (age 144.67 days; weight 11.99 ± 0.49 kg) were divided equally into three groups (T1, T2, and T3) in order to investigate the effect of supplementation of phytogenic feed additives (herbal mixture) in the complete pelleted feed on growth performance, in vitro rumen fermentation and carcass quality in kids reared under stall-fed condition. Treatment groups were as follows: T1, concentrate mixture (40%) plus arhar (Cajanus cajan) straw (60%) in total mixed ration (TMR) form fed ad libitum; T2, T1 diet in complete feed pellets form fed ad libitum; and T3, T1 diet in complete feed pellets form supplemented with herbal mixture (Tulsi/Haldi/Amla/Arni; ratio 1:1:1:1 on DM basis) at 0.5% in complete feed fed ad libitum. The experimental kids in each group were allowed for feeding for 8 months by following the respective feeding schedule. Rumen fermentation pattern under in vitro system was also studied using the same three diets as substrates. After 240 days of feeding, all goats were slaughtered following standard protocol. Total body weight gain (kg) and average daily gain (ADG, g/day/kid) were 18.57, 22.26, and 23.06 kg, and 79.91, 101.49, and 100.18 g in T1, T2, and T3 treatments, respectively. Pelleting of TMR (T2) and supplementation of herbal mixture in pelleted feed (T3) increased (P < 0.001) average daily weight gain in Barbari kids compared to T1 (TMR). Average dry matter intake (DMI, g/day/kid) during growth trial was greater (P < 0.05) in T3 (1079.17) than T1 (849.76) and T2 (968.76). Feed conversion efficiency was 8.92, 9.48, and 8.68% in T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The difference was statistically non-significant among the treatments. Supplementation of herbal mixture in the complete pelleted substrate had adjunct effect on improvement of TCA-precipitable-N and total VFAs in the incubation medium under in vitro system. Carcass weight (kg) tended to increase in finisher kids under T2 (16.58) and T3 (16.70) than T1 (14.61), but the variation was non-significant. The dressing percentage was similar among three treatments. Similarly, the muscle protein, fat, and cholesterol contents remained unaffected by different dietary treatments. Therefore, it may be concluded that densification of feeds in the form ofcomplete pelleted feed and further supplementation with potential phytogenic feed additives increased total DMI and ADG and tended to enhance meat production potential in finisher Barbari kids without changing the meat chemical composition.

PARTIAL SUBSTITUTION OF CONCENTRATE MIX WITH DRIED Leucaena leucocephala LEAF REDUCED in vitro METHANE PRODUCTION IN RAMS WITHOUT AFFECTING THE NUTRIENT INTAKE AND PERFORMANCE TRAITS

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background.&lt;/strong&gt; Through &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; studies, dried &lt;em&gt;Leucaena leucocephala&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;leaf (DLL) was identified as potential candidate in mitigating enteric methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) emission. Nevertheless, its efficiency as suitable feed for sheep has not been determined in Ethiopia&lt;strong&gt;. Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; To assess the suitability of replacing the concentrate mix (CM) with DLL on voluntary intake, growth performance in rams and &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; production. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology.&lt;/strong&gt; Thirty yearling rams were first stratified according to their initial body weight similarities and then individuals from each stratum were randomly assigned to five treatment diets with six rams each. The control diet contained CM with 346 g/head/d (T1), and treatment diets replacing the CM in the control diet with DLL at a rate of 5% (T2), 10% (T3), 15% (T4) and 20% (T5) with the corresponding CM to DLL mixture ratio of 346:0, 329:17, 311:35, 294:52 and 277:69 g/head/day. Grass hay was provided &lt;em&gt;ad libitum&lt;/em&gt; to all rams. Data were collected on fed intake and body weight. Methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) production was determined along with 24h &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; gas production (GP). Digestible organic matter (DOM) and Metabolizable energy (ME) were estimated from 24h GP. &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;The contents of ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDFom), acid detergent fiber (ADFom) and acid detergent lignin were higher in DLL than in the control diet while it contained the lowest EE value. The DLL had the highest Ca and K values as compared to the control diet. The feed intake, live weight and weight gain did not differ (P&amp;gt;0.05) among rams supplemented with various levels of DLL. The total intake of CP increased across treatment diets and was significantly higher for T3, T4 and T5 than T1 and T2 diets. None of the supplementation levels of &lt;em&gt;L. leucocephala&lt;/em&gt; affected the total intake of DM, NDFom and ADFom. There was a linear reduction (p&amp;lt;0.05) of &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; production as the levels of DLL in the diet were increased. It was lowest in T4 and T5 diets being significantly different from those of T1 and T2. The T5 diet showed the lowest values and differed (p&amp;lt;0.05) from those of T1, T2 and T3. The ME and DOM values were higher (p&amp;lt;0.05) in T1 and T2 diets than that of T4 and T5. No difference in ME and DOM values were observed between T1, T2 and T3 diets as well as among T4 and T5 diets. &lt;strong&gt;Implications.&lt;/strong&gt; The current findings suggest that conventional CM could be replaced with DLL up to 20% as alternative protein source in ruminant nutrition in tropical and sub-tropical regions. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;. The replacement of CM with DLL significantly reduced the &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; production across treatment diets without affecting the voluntary intake and growth performance parameters in rams.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of dietary nano zinc oxide on growth performance and carcass characterstics of broiler chicken

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of nano zinc oxide (nano ZnO) on the performance and slaughter variables of commercial broiler chicken from 0 to 42 days of age. Straight run ‘Cobb 400’ day-old broiler chicks (240) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups which were sub-divided into eight replicates containing five chicks in each and fed with T1 (control), T2 (nano ZnO @ 0.1 ppm/litre) and T3 (nano ZnO @ 0.2 ppm/litre), T4 (nano ZnO @ 0.4 ppm/litre) T5 (nano ZnO @ 0.6 ppm/litre) and T6 (nano ZnO @0.8 ppm/litre) diets. The results revealed that body weight gains were significantly influenced by the graded levels of nano ZnO at 42 days of age and the weight gain increased with decrease in level of nano ZnO 0.1 and 0.2 ppm/litre compared with 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 ppm/litre. However, the feed intake and FCR was not influenced by nano ZnO supplementation. All the dietary supplements did not exert any significant effect on various carcass parameters, except liver and breast yield. The liver weight was increased with increased level of nano ZnO but the breast yield was higher in nano ZnO at 0.6ppm/litre followed by nano ZnO 0.2 and 0.4 ppm/litre at the age of 42 days. The mortality rate was within the limits. It can be concluded that supplementation of nano ZnO @ 0.1 and 0.2 ppm (in drinking water) can be used for improving performance and breast yield of broiler chicken.

Effect of Enzyme Supplementation in Diet on Growth of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) juveniles in RAS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing the diet with Thepax Aqua (Aqualase) on the development and survival of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). Therefore, an eight-week nutrition experiment was carried out using the Thepax Aqura enzyme in the Department of Vertebrates, Marine Science Center, University of Basrah. This enzyme was supplemented at 1, 2, and 3% in the control diet. The maximum weight growth (3.9870 gm 0.1230) and Specific Growth Rate (0.4238 gm 0.0049) were seen in the fish fed with T1 diet, and these results were found to be statistically different (P<0.05) from those observed in the fish fed with T2 (2 %), T3 (3 %), and T0 (control) diets. This study also concluded that there was no significant effect (P≤0.05) for enzyme levels on the survival of juveniles carp fed with different dietary enzymes. Finally, the outcome of the current experiment showed that the 1% supplementation of Thepax Aqua to the food gave good growth and feed utilization of Juveniles of carp C.carpio.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Soybean Cheese residue on performance, economics of production and egg quality of layers

8 weeks feeding trial was undertaken to evaluate soybean cheese residue (SCR) with 29 weeks old layers. SCR was incorporated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % in diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. Ninety (90) twenty-nine week old birds were used for the experiment. The birds were allocated to the five diets in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment had eighteen (18) birds such that each replicate had six (6) birds. There were no observed significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in final weight and weight gain. Hen day production, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/kg, feed cost/egg crate and profit indicated significant differences (p&gt;0.05). HDP ranged from 39.73 % to 49.64 %. Feed intake was 101.25 g to 117.20 g. Feed conversion ratio showed value range of 3.83 to 4.19. Feed cost/kg had a value range of N90.00 to N170.00. Feed cost/egg crate showed value range of N702.89 to N834.28. Value for profit ranged from N74.43 to N447.26. Supplementation of SCR influenced the performance and profitability of the layers. Egg quality characteristics were measured at intervals and average computed for each diet. Egg weight, egg length and egg width were significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) in favour of SCR diets. But shell weight and shell thickness were similar for all the diets. Egg content weight and yolk weight were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected, while albumen height, yolk diameter, yolk height and Haugh unit were similar. The values observed for egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shell weight, shell thickness 53.47-54.88g, 3.65-3.87 cm, 2.68-2.71 cm, 7.43-7.61 g and 0.54-0.59 mm respectively. Egg content weight, albumen Height, yolk diameter, yolk weight and Haugh unit ranged from 45.87 49.09 g, 5.21-5.81cm, 2.49-2.81 cm, 1.27-1.31 cm, 13.78-18.10 g and 73.86-78.10 respectively. The addition of SCR increased profit because it reduced cost of production besides promoting better productivity. Furthermore, SCR inclusion in the diet of layers did not affect egg quality adversely. The inclusion of SCR in layer diet is recommended even up to 20%.

The optimal dietary taurine supplementation in zero fish meal diet of juvenile snakehead fish (Channa striata)

The most common alternative protein sources are plant-based proteins such as soybean meal but one of the limitations is taurine deficiency that can be especially detrimental for carnivorous fish. This study was to determine the important roles of dietary taurine on the growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of juvenile snakehead fish with an initial weight of 4.66–4.71 g/fish. Five test diets were investigated, using various taurine supplementation levels and both isonitrogenous and isoenergetic formulas: 1)control (fish meal inclusion); 2)zero fish meal diet (ZF) without taurine supplementation (T0); 3) ZF with taurine supplementation at 0.5% (T0.5); 4) ZF with taurine supplementation at 1.0% (T1.0); 5) ZF with taurine supplementation at 1.5% (T1.5). Fish were fed with five different dietary taurine levels for 60 days. Weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were higher in the control group of fish, followed by the T0.5 and T1.0 group but the lowest level was observed in fish fed the T0 and T1.5 (p < 0.05). The statistical results of Survival rate (SR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among all experimental groups, whereas fish fed diet T0.5 and T1.0 had good trend in FCR and PER value similar to the control group. Dietary taurine might not affect on whole-body composition in juvenile snakehead fish (p > 0.0). Taurine accumulation in fish whole body and the liver both showed the increasing trends varying supplementation levels in each experimental diet. In the current study, taurine supplementation had no observable effects on the histological structures of liver and distal intestines of snakehead fish. This phenomenon indicated that the taurine supplementation at 0.5% in the plant protein-based diet (ZF) cloud be improved the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile snakehead fish. Leading to, this is a positive sign of a possibility to reduce feed cost by completely taking fish meal out of a future commercial aquafeed for better aquaculture business sustainability.

Growth performance and cost-effectiveness of replacement of fishmeal with plant-based protein source, Leucaena leucocephala in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

Abstract. Agupugo CS, Nsofor CI, Ezewudo BI, Edeh IC. 2022. Growth performance and cost-effectiveness of replacement of fishmeal with plant-based protein source, Leucaena leucocephala in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Asian J Agric 6: 28-34. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of replacement of fishmeal with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit leaf meal (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) on fish growth and to compare the cost-effectiveness of replacement of fishmeal with Leucaena leaf meal in fish diets. The results of the proximate value of the tested leaf meal showed moderate contents of crude protein and low contents of crude ash. The daily and mean weight gains of fish showed that the highest weight gains were recorded in fish fed with diet T3 (20%) while the least values were in fish fed with diet T4 (30%) and the differences were not significant (P&gt;0.05). The highest survival rate was observed in fish fed with diet T1 (0%), while fish fed with diets T2 (10%) and T4 had the least values. The highest specific growth rate was obtained in diet T1. However, the highest food conversion ratio was recorded in fish fed with diet T4. The highest expenditure was recorded in diet T1. Our findings showed that the utilization of Leucaena leaf meal in the fish diet is best at 20% inclusion level for optimum growth. Leucaena-containing diets were more cost-effective than a diet with only fishmeal.

Effect of supplementing limiting amino acids on growth performance and carcass traits of Gramasree male chicks fed with low protein diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of reduced dietary crude protein (CP) diet supplemented with limiting amino acids on growth performance and carcass traits of Gramasree male birds up to eight weeks of age. A total of 280 day-old chicks were allotted randomly under five dietary treatments each with four replicates of 14 chicks under completely randomized design. The different dietary treatments viz., control diet (T1) was formulated as per ICAR (2013) nutrient requirements for Indian improved native birds with 21 per cent CP and 2800 kcal/kg Metabolizable energy (ME) using corn, soya bean meal, wheat bran and de-oiled rice bran. Treatment diets T2, T3, T4 and T5 were formulated by reducing CP content to 20, 19, 18, and 17 per cent, respectively with isocaloric value of 2800 kcal/kg ME and supplemented with methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan to meet the daily requirements. Weekly body weight and feed consumption were recorded. For the carcass study, two birds from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered humanely at eighth week of age. The results showed that the final body weight and cumulative weight gain were comparable among the treatments. The lowest cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in 17 per cent CP containing treatment (T5), which was not significantly different from rest of the groups. The mean per cent breast meat yield, giblet yield, dressing yield and ready-to-cook yield were comparable among the five dietary treatments. The mean abdominal fat content in birds fed with 18 and 17 per cent (T4 and T5) were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than the other treatment groups.The overall results indicated that the dietary CP of Gramasree male chicks can be lowered up to 17 per cent with the supplementation of methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan without affecting the growth performance of birds.

Effect of Low Protein Diets Balanced with Limiting Amino Acids on Production Efficiency and Egg Characteristics in Swarnadhara Layers

The effect of reducing crude protein (CP) with supplementation of limiting amino acids was evaluated in an experimental trial using Swarnadhara layers. Egg production parameters and egg quality were studied in 240 layers in a completely randomized design in 5 treatments with 6 replications of 8 birds in each. ICAR 2013 specifications for improved native chicken breeds were followed for formulating the control diet (T1) which was based on corn soya bean meal with 16% CP and 2700 kcal ME. The diets T2 to T5 were made isocaloric to control and composed with 15.5,15,14.5 and 14% CP respectively, ensuring the levels of limiting amino acids namely methionine lysine, threonine as that of control by adding synthetic preparation. The data on egg production parameters are presented on the basis of hen day egg number, feed efficiency on a dozen egg basis, and period-wise egg weight (EW) during 29- 40 weeks remained statistically non-significant among various dietary groups. The values for eggshell thickness recorded in CP reduced groups (T3, T4, and T5) were comparable with control (T1) except T2 and also comparable among themselves. The mean shape index, albumen index, yolk index, and Haugh Unit score did not show any significant difference among various dietary treatments. In summary, the crude protein content of the Swarnadhara layer diet can be reduced to 14% by limiting AA fortification without any adverse effect on egg production and egg quality during 29-40 weeks of age.

Morphometric characteristics of sheep and goat fed silage comprising of cassava peel, gamba grass and Mexican sunflower

The constant demand for less expensive and more easily available alternative feed sources for animal production is on the increase. This is particularly true in the tropics, where feed availability varies according to the season. Based on this necessity, this study aims to evaluate the impact of feeding silage to sheep and goats on growth and development. A total of 22 animals comprising of 11 Yankassa breed and 11 West African Dwarf breed were used for the study. The animals were confined and allowed to acclimatize to the environment for about 14 to 21 days, followed by 5 weeks of study. The forage used for silage was Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) mixed with equal amounts of cassava peel and molasses in different proportions for three different treatments. Body length, neck circumference, height at withers, heart girth, and body weight were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in animals fed T3 diets compared to all other diets, while animals on the T2 diet had higher ear length than T3. Except for neck circumference, ear length, and bodyweight of animals raised on diet T1 and the control group were statistically similar, all the test groups were significantly better than the control group in terms of performance. The highest body weight of 16.74 kg was recorded in T3, followed by 15.97 kg in T2, 12.12 kg in T1, and the least value of 10.09 kg in the control group. No apparent adverse effects were noted in the feeding of silage to the animals as the animals were healthy throughout the duration of the study. More research on the use of silage in feeding indigenous goat and sheep breeds is needed to further understand the impact of silage on animal performance and morphometric traits.