Total Feces Collection Method Research Articles

Chemical composition, energy content and apparent total tract digestibility of extruded full fat soybean from different sources fed to non-gestating, gestating and lactating sows.

This experiment was conducted to determine the chemical composition, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and the apparent total tract (ATTD) of nutrients in six extruded full fat soybean (EFSB) samples from different sources fed to non-gestating, gestating and lactating sows. Forty-two non-gestating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; parity 3 to 5), 42 gestating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; parity 3 to 5; day 90 of gestation) and 42 lactating sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; parity 3 to 5; day 6 of lactation) were assigned to seven dietary treatments including a corn-based diet and six diets containing 30.24% EFSB from different sources in a completely randomized design with six replicate sows per dietary treatment. Total fecal and urine collection method was used during non-gestation and gestation, and the index method was used during lactation (0.3% chromic oxide). Differences in the chemical composition of the six EFSB samples from different sources were mainly reflected in ether extract, ash, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber, and vitamin and micro minerals content, with a coefficient of variation ≥8.37%. The potassium hydroxide solubility of the six EFSB samples varied from 66.60% to 85.55%. There were no differences in ATTD of NDF between different EFSB samples. Additionally, there were no differences in ME values and ME/DE ratios between different physiological stages, but ATTD of NDF were higher for non-gestating and gestating sows than lactating sows (P < 0.01). In conclusion, EFSB can be used as a high-quality energy ingredient with high DE and ME values when fed to sows. DE values of EFSB in non-gestating, gestating, and lactating sows were 20.50, 20.70, and 20.02 MJ/kg, respectively, while ME values of EFSB was 19.76 MJ/kg in both non-gestating and gestating sows.

Effect of replacing soybean meal with shrimp waste meal in the diets of growing turkeys on nutrient digestibility and metabolisable energy

Abstract Soybean meal (SBM), one of the main protein sources in turkey production is becoming expensive. Shrimp waste meal (SWM), a by‑product of the shrimp industry is a good prospect as a cheaper alternative. It was hypothesised that Nigerian indigenous turkeys (NIT) should be able to digest and utilise SWM better than British United Turkeys (BUT) because of their hardy nature. A 56‑day study was carried out to determine metabolisable energy and apparent nutrient digestibility of growing turkeys fed diets containing SWM. Four diets were formulated such that SBM in the control diet (diet 1) was substituted by SWM at 150, 300 and 450 g/kg (protein for protein) in diets 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Eighty (80) four‑weeks‑old male sex BUT and 80 NIT were allotted on weight equalisation into four dietary treatments replicated four times with five turkeys per replicate in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. The total faecal collection method was used for determining apparent and true nutrient digestibility and metabolisable energy values. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design and data collected were analysed using ANOVA with SAS package. At the starter phase, NIT recorded (p &lt; 0.05) higher values for dry matter (DM), Ether extract (EE), nitrogen‑free extract (NFE), Apparent metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) but lower true metabolisable energy corrected for nitrogen (TMEn). Turkeys fed SWM recorded higher (p &lt; 0.05) AMEn. At the grower phase, turkeys fed 300 g/kg SWM recorded higher (p &lt; 0.05) values for CF and ash. Ash and CP digestibility values were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in BUT ditto for TMEn. It was concluded that NIT could handle SWM better than BUT, however, only at the starter phase at 300 g/kg substitution for SBM.

Potential use of natural saline pasture for grazing lambs: Effect on digestibility, growth performances, carcass and meat quality

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a natural saline pasture on digestibility, intake, growth, carcass traits and meat quality of lambs. Forty weaned female Queue Fine de l′Ouest lambs (25.4 ± 4.33 kg) were allotted into two groups. The first group raised indoor (I) with oat straw ad libitum and the second grazed natural saline pasture (SP). Both groups were supplemented the same concentrate with 300 and 500 g for SP and I respectively, to have the same average daily gain (ADG). On the 49th day, digestibility and intake were determined on 8 lambs randomly selected from each group, using total fecal collection and Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) marker method. After 83 days, the 16 lambs were slaughtered at 34 kg. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) were higher (P < 0.001) for SP. Digestible crude protein (DCP)/ME ratio was higher (P < 0.05) for SP group. DM intake (P < 0.05) was lower for SP, while digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) and ME intake (MEI) were similar between the two groups. Water intake was higher for SP (P < 0.001). Final weight and ADG were similar between groups. Carcass dressing and high-priced joints percentages were higher for SP group. Lambs from the SP group had a higher percentage of muscle (P < 0.001) and a lower fat proportion (P < 0.01). No effect of feeding system on carcass linear measurements and on compactness indexes (P >0.05) was noted. Kidney fat decreased in favor of SP group (P < 0.01). There were no differences for fat color, whereas meat of I group had a higher lightness and yellowness than that of SP one. Meat of SP group had a higher DM, protein level (P < 0.05) and lower intramuscular fat (P < 0.01). It has higher content of Fe and Zn (P < 0.01). It could be concluded rearing lambs on saline pasture, with a moderate concentrate supplementation, allowed acceptable growth performances, leaner carcass, and higher nutritional meat quality lambs.

Biomass production and nutritive value of Sida alba leaves fed to desert sheep

The study was established to study the effects of supplementation with Sida alba leaves on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, live body weight changes of Sudanese Desert lambs. Fifteen Lambs of 4-6 months old and weighing 18±500 kg were divided into three similar groups each with five animals. Seven days were allowed for adaptation. The lambs were weighed weekly for 8 weeks. Daily feed intake was obtained by subtracting the remained amounts from quantities offered the day before. Feces were collected at the last ten days for determination of nutrients digestibility coefficients via total feces collection method. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Differences among means were detected using least significant difference test. The results indicated that group II that was on natural grazing supplemented with Sida alba leaves consumed significantly (p&lt;0.01) greater amount of feed compared to group I that was on the natural grazing only and group III supplemented with a concentrate ration feed intake was 1316,730, 1381,500 and 1207.650 g for group I, II and III, respectively. No significant differences (P≥0.05) in digestibility coefficients of all nutrients between group II and III but group I had lowers coefficients than II and III. Total and daily body weight was higher in group II and III when compared with group I. The biomass production was estimated to be 84.910 g/shrub or 1.697 per hectare based on a square meter space for a plant. It was concluded Sida alba leaves could support lambs on low quality grazing.

Effect of dietary fibre and indigestible markers on the apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy and nutrients, and indigestible marker recovery in diets fed to growing pigs

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of dietary fibre and types of indigestible markers (IM) on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrients as well as IM recovery in diets fed to growing pigs were investigated. A total of 30 barrows (initial body weight 40.5 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to five experimental diets, based on a completely randomised block design, with body weight as a blocking factor. The five diets comprised a corn–soya bean meal basal diet, and four diets in which sugar beet pulp (SBP) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) partly replaced 10% or 20% of corn, soya bean meal and soya bean oil in the basal diet. All diets were formulated to contain two types of IM, namely 0.5% chromic oxide (Cr) and 1.0% celite as the source of acid-insoluble ash (AIA). Animals were subjected to a 7-d adaptation period, and their faeces were collected over a 5-d period using the total faecal collection (TC) method. Results showed that the AIA method determined similar ATTD of GE and nutrients as the TC method. Values of dietary nutrients determined via AIA and TC methods were significantly higher than those obtained by Cr (p < 0.05). The ATTD of GE and nutrients linearly decreased with an increased inclusion level of SBP or DFRB (p < 0.01), whereas recoveries of AIA and Cr were not affected by the aforementioned inclusions. Results from the faecal analysis revealed that AIA recovery (90.5%) was significantly higher than that of Cr (84.9%, p < 0.05), while diets with DFRB (91.3%) had significantly greater IM recovery rates than those with SBP (84.4%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the type of dietary fibre, rather than the level, significantly affects IM recovery. Notably, AIA should be preferred to Cr when using the IM method to determine ATTD of GE and nutrients for diets in growing pigs.

Effects of feeding Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb.) leaves on desert lamb’s feed intake, nutrients digestibility and growth performance

This trial was designed to study the effect of intake of ailanto (Ailanthus excelsa) fodder on dry matter intake, nutrients digestibility and performance of Sudanese Desert lambs. Twelve heads of lambs, six months old and weighing (17+ 0.37) kg were divided into three groups with four heads each. They were vaccinated and dosed with broad-spectrum antihelmentics (ivermectin) for treatment against internal and external parasites and ear- tagged to facilitate identification during treatments. The Ailanthus excelsa, fodder, groundnut haulms and the natural grazing was fed to group I, II and III, respectively. Water was provided continuously and feed intake was monitored daily. The feed samples were analyzed and apparent nutrients digestibility was determined by total feces collection method. This complete randomized design data was analyzed via analysis of variance and differences among means were detected using Least Significant Difference test (LSD). Feed intake was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher for group 1 followed by the group on groundnut haulms and finally the group on the natural grazing where the amounts consumed was 865.90, 850 and 800 grams per day. Dry matter digestibility was the highest in the group on Ailanthus excelsa fodder, followed by groundnut haulms ​​and the lowest for those on natural grazing where DMD was 75.67, 67.45, and 56.45%, organic matter digestibility 78.61, 69.65 and 57.55%. Body weight changes indicated that they were higher in the Ailanthus excelsa fodder group and then in the groundnut haulms group and lower in the natural grazing group. The highest daily weight gain (60 grams) was obtained when animals fed on Ailanthus excelsa fodder compared to 45 grams and 40 grams a day for the group fed groundnut haulms and natural grazing, respectively.

Energy values of fiber-rich ingredients with different solubility estimated by different evaluation methods in growing pigs

The objectives of this study were to test whether the time-based total fecal collection (TC) method or the index method (IM) using acid-insoluble ash could obtain similar energy values as the reference (RF) method (TC method with marker-to-marker collection procedure) for growing pigs fed fiber-rich ingredients with different solubility. A total of 24 barrows (initial body weight, 33.3 ± 3.4 kg) were assigned to 4 diets and each diet was fed to 6 pigs. Experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 3 fiber-rich diets which were formulated by replacing corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil in the basal diet with 200 g/kg defatted rice bran (DFRB), soybean hulls (SBH), and sugar beet pulp (SBP), respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 10 g/kg celite as a source of acid-insoluble ash to estimate the energy values by the IM method. Each group of pigs was adapted to diets and crates for 7 d, then followed by 5-d feces and urine collections using the time-based procedure and 5-d feces collection using the marker-to-marker procedure, then the same portion of fecal sample collected by the time-based TC method and the RF method for individual pigs were composited into a sample for the IM method. The results showed that the energy values and nutrients digestibility coefficients of each diet estimated by the time-based TC method agreed with the values estimated by the RF method; the IM method with acid-insoluble ash underestimated the energy values and nutrients digestibility coefficients of the SBH diet and the SBP diet compared with the RF method (P < 0.05); there no differences in energy values of fiber-rich ingredients with different solubility between the RF method and the time-based TC method, however, the IM method with acid-insoluble ash underestimated the energy values of SBH and SBP compared with the RF method or the time-based TC method (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results of this experiment indicated the RF method and the time-based TC method may be used to determine energy values for fiber-rich ingredients with different solubility. However, the IM method with acid-insoluble ash may underestimate the energy values and nutrient digestibility coefficients of some fiber-rich diets and ingredients.

Dry Matter Intake and In Vivo Digestibility of Grass-Only and Grass-White Clover in Individually Housed Sheep in Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Simple SummaryFeed intake and the digestibility of that feed are key drivers of animal production from grazed forage. This study compared the digestibility and voluntary dry matter (DM) intake of grass-only and grass-white clover (grass-clover) forage in individually housed sheep. The study was a Latin square design, repeated in spring, summer and autumn in 2017. Grass-clover and grass-only forage was harvested daily and offered ad libitum to 6 individually housed wether sheep per treatment. Digestibility of the forage DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) was determined using the total faecal collection method. Dry matter intake was similar on both forage types. White clover inclusion increased forage crude protein concentration in autumn and reduced NDF concentration in the offered forage, resulting in increased nitrogen intake in autumn and reduced NDF intake in all seasons. Grass-clover swards had a significantly greater OM and DM digestibility compared to grass-only swards. This could potentially result in increased animal production from grass-clover swards compared to grass-only swards.Intake and digestibility are key drivers of animal production from grazed forage. The objective of this study was to compare the in vivo digestibility and voluntary dry matter (DM) intake of grass-only and grass-white clover (grass-clover) forage in individually housed sheep. This study was a Latin square design, repeated on three occasions in 2017: Spring (27 March–29 April), summer (19 June–22 July) and autumn (4 September–29 September). Grass-clover and grass-only swards were harvested daily and offered ad libitum to 6 individually housed wether sheep per treatment per period. Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were determined using the total faecal collection method. Dry matter intake was not significantly different between treatments. White clover inclusion increased forage crude protein concentration in autumn (p < 0.001) and reduced NDF concentration in the offered forage (p < 0.001), increasing nitrogen intake per sheep in autumn (p < 0.001) and decreasing NDF intake per sheep in autumn (p < 0.001). Grass-clover swards had a significantly greater OM and DM digestibility compared to grass-only swards (p < 0.05). This could potentially result in increased animal production from grass-clover swards compared to grass-only swards.

Use of Undigested NDF for Estimation of Diet Digestibility in Growing Pigs.

Simple SummaryKnowledge of diet digestibility in animals is essential to reduce feed costs and the amount of undigested nutrients excreted in the manure. Diet digestibility can be evaluated via in vivo, in situ (i.e., in the rumen of cannulated animals), and in vitro methods. The in vivo by total faecal collection methods and the in situ methods are expensive and ethically questionable. The in vitro methods are cheaper but also less accurate. This work aimed to verify whether the in vivo method with undigested neutral detergent fibre (uNDF), which is commonly used in ruminants as an internal marker, could be adapted toward growing pigs. Dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities estimated with the uNDF were compared with in vivo values determined by total faecal collection in a previous study. The effects of pre-treating samples with the neutral detergent solution and adding α-amylase were also tested to improve the repeatability and accuracy of the results. It was concluded that the estimation of diet digestibility with pre-treated uNDF as an internal marker in growing pigs could be an alternative to the total faecal collection method.Undigested neutral detergent fibre (uNDF) is commonly used as an internal marker for the estimation of diet digestibility in ruminants. This work aimed to verify (i) whether the in vivo method with uNDF could be used to evaluate diet digestibility in growing pigs, and (ii) whether pre-treating the samples with neutral detergent solution (NDS) and α-amylase improves the accuracy of the estimates. Samples from a previously published work of two diets with known in vivo digestibility values estimated by the total faecal collection method and 16 individual samples of faeces were used. For each sample, four Ankom F57 bags were weighed. Before the incubation, two F57 bags were pre-treated with NDS and α-amylase. All the samples were incubated for 240 h in the Ankom DaisyII incubator and then analysed for their uNDF contents. Dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were estimated using the uNDF contents, and the results were compared with those of the former study. The digestibility values obtained using the uNDF method with pre-treatment were not statistically different from those determined with the total faecal collection. On the contrary, the uNDF method without the pre-treatment could not satisfactorily predict the digestibilities of pig diets.

Comportamiento fisiológico de pollos de engorde usando dietas con Tithonia diversifolia y

Los probióticos permiten establecer y controlar la microflora beneficiosa y gradualmente reducen la microflora patógena. Tithonia diversifolia (TD) es una alternativa para reemplazar la proteína de otras fuentes más caras en las dietas para aves de corral; por lo tanto, los tratamientos usaron reemplazos de TD con 0, 5, 10 y 15% con (WP) y sin adición de probióticos (W/OP): Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (LA) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) y la mezcla de estos (MP) para estimar la digestibilidad in vivo. Se utilizaron 300 aves Cobb avian, con un peso promedio de 453.4 ± 24 g distribuidos aleatoriamente con un arreglo factorial 4x5x3x5. La digestibilidad de la materia seca (DM), proteína cruda (CP) y fibra (CF) se determinó mediante el método de recolección de heces totales; adicionalmente: se analizaron el hemograma (CBC) y la química sanguínea (BC). La digestibilidad de la DM aumentó con la proporción de TD (15%) en la dieta y alcanzó el 68% W/OP; mientras que esta variable aumentó a 70.67% con SC (P

Effect of feeding frequency on the growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 28 to 70 D of age. In experiment 1, a total of 240 geese were distributed in a completely randomized design into 4 treatments and 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The treatments were free access to the feeder (ad libitum) and access to the feeder 3, 4, and 5 times daily. Geese fed 3 times daily had a lower (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI and a higher (P = 0.064) feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 28 to 41 D of age compared with the other groups. Geese fed 4 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and a lower (P < 0.05) FCR from 42 to 55 D of age compared with ad libitum fed geese. Geese fed 3 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG from 56 to 69 D of age than geese fed ad libitum and 4 times daily. No differences (P > 0.05) in BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR were observed between ad libitum and feeding frequency groups from 28 to 69 D of age. Carcass traits and gastrointestinal development were not affected (P > 0.05) by feeding frequency. In experiment 2, the apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 71 to 77 D of age fed using different feeding frequencies was determined using the total fecal collection method. Feeding frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, crude ash, calcium, phosphorous, or ether extract in geese. Our study demonstrates for the first time that compensatory growth can be gained by enhancing feed intake when a lower feeding frequency is imposed on geese. Both ad libitum feeding and fixed feeding frequency for 3 to 5 times daily are suitable for geese from 28 to 70 D of age to achieve optimum production.

Evaluation and mining the applicable methods of roughage digestibility determination for buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Buffalo is an amazing ruminant with high tolerance to low-quality roughage. Due to the special breeding environment, there are few reports on the digestibility of roughage in buffalo because it is difficult to quantify ingestion and egestion. To find more applicable method to determine the digestibility of low-quality roughage in buffalo, this study was conducted to compare total feces collection (TFC) method with the following three indirect techniques: Cr2O3 (chromic oxide), AIA (acid-insoluble ash), and ADL (acid detergent lignin), to determine rice straw digestibility in buffalo. Six non-pregnant, non-lactating female buffaloes were used in this experiment and the nutritional compositions of the rice straw and feces were measured. Using Cr2O3 and AIA methods, the digestibility of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), nitrogen free extract (NFE), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose (CEL), hemicellulose (HC), and ADL did not have statistically significant differences compared with TFC (P > 0.05). However, the digestibility of DM, ash, OM, NFE, EE, CF, NDF, ADF, and ADL determined using ADL method were significantly lower than those using the TFC (P < 0.05). The feces recovery of Cr2O3 and AIA was 95.89% and 97.14%, which were higher than that of ADL (88.90%). In summary, compare with ADL method, TFC, Cr2O3, and AIA methods are more accurate to determine the roughage digestibility of buffalo. Furthermore, Cr2O3 and AIA methods are applicable and convenient to evaluate the roughage digestibility of buffalo under extensive feeding system.

The n-alkane technique does not accurately predict the nutrient digestibility of mixed diets fed to horses

This study was conducted to determine the fecal recovery rate of n-alkanes and compare the precision and accuracy of the n-alkane technique and the conventional total fecal collection method in estimating the apparent nutrient digestibility of mixed hay diets fed to horses. Six castrated male adult horses (361 ± 12 kg body weight) were fed diets composed of different proportions of Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. Treatments were as follows: T100, 100% Tifton hay; T80, 80% Tifton hay and 20% alfalfa hay; T60, 60% Tifton hay and 40% alfalfa hay; T40, 40% Tifton hay and 60% alfalfa hay; T20, 20% Tifton hay and 80% alfalfa hay; and T0, 100% alfalfa hay. The n-alkane detected at the greatest (P < 0.05) mean concentration in feed was n-hexatriacontane (C36H74), followed by n-hexacosane (C26H54), n-heptacosane (C27H56), n-nonacosane (C29H60), n-hentriacontane (C31H64), n-tritriacontane (C33H68), and n-pentatriacontane (C35H72). A strong correlation (r = 0.91, P < 0.001) was found between carbon chain length and fecal recovery. The n-Hentriacontane, n-tritriacontane, n-pentatriacontane, and n-hexatriacontane had the greatest fecal recovery (mean = 0.91, P < 0.05) and were therefore used to estimate nutrient digestibility. None of the n-alkanes provided consistent results. Fecal recovery was incomplete, and fecal recovery rates above 100% were obtained regardless of the proportion of Tifton and alfalfa hay in diets. Dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and mineral matter digestibility estimated using n-alkanes differed (P < 0.05) from digestibility values obtained by the reference method (total fecal collection). The simplest explanation for these results would be that horses preferred one type of hay over the other and had an uneven intake of each diet. Because Tifton and alfalfa hay differ greatly in composition, their uneven intake makes estimation of nutrient digestibility by fecal recovery of n-alkanes unreliable. Even after correction for fecal recovery, n-alkanes were inaccurate markers of nutrient digestibility.

Nutritional value of cottonseed meal for swine in the finishing phase

The aim of this study was to determine the digestibility coefficients of the nutritional components of cottonseed meal for pigs in the finishing phase. Fourteen castrated male commercial pigs with average initial weight of 56.29 ± 2.49 kg were used. The animals were housed individually in cages for metabolic study (experimental unit) in a randomized complete block design (defined by initial weight) with two treatments and seven replications per treatment. The treatments consisted of a reference diet, formulated to meet the minimum nutritional requirements of pigs in the finishing phase, and a test diet, consisting of 75% of the reference diet and 25% of cottonseed meal. The total feces collection method was used. The values of chemical and digestible composition of cottonseed meal were 88.78; 93.82; 6.18; 21.11; 19.26; 4.29 and 44.09%; and 57.78; 48.62; 0.48; 2.82; 5.83; 2.58 and 28.86% for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE) and protein (CP) respectively. The values are close to those found in the literature, exception for the protein that presented higher value, however the digestibility was relatively low. Cottonseed meal has high nutritional value, but with low digestible values.

Effects of Collection Durations on the Determination of Energy Values and Nutrient Digestibility of High-Fiber Diets in Growing Pigs by Total Fecal Collection Method.

Simple SummaryThe total fecal collection method is the gold standard to estimate the energy values and nutrient digestibility of the swine diet. However, there is no standard collection duration for animals that should be sampled in swine research using the total fecal collection method. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different collection durations (3-day, 5-day, or 7-day) on energy values and nutrient digestibility of high-fiber diets in growing pigs by time-based total fecal collection method. The results showed that the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and most nutrients in diets decreased linearly as the collection duration increased from a 3-day to a 7-day collection. However, there were no differences in the ATTD of GE and nutrient between the 5-day and 7-day collection durations. In addition, the energy values and the ATTD of GE and nutrient of high-fiber ingredients (sugar beet pulp (SBP) or defatted rice bran (DFRB)) were also not affected by the collection durations. Therefore, the results of this research suggest that a 5-day collection duration is adequate to determine the energy values and the ATTD of nutrient in diets containing high-fiber ingredients for growing pigs by time-based total fecal collection method.This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of collection durations on the energy values and nutrient digestibility of high-fiber diets in growing pigs with a time-based total fecal collection method. A total of 24 barrows (body weight (BW): 31.1 ± 1.5 kg) were allotted to a completely randomized design with three diets. Diets included a corn–soybean meal (CSM) basal diet and two additional diets containing 20% sugar beet pulp (SBP) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) by replacing corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil in the CSM diet, respectively. Each diet was fed to eight barrows for a 7-day adaptation period followed by a 7-day total feces and urine collection period. The 7-day collection duration was divided into three collection phases, namely, phase 1 (days 8 to 11), phase 2 (days 11 to 13), and phase 3 (days 13 to 15). Then, similar portions of feces and urine from the different collection phases were composited into three additional samples (days 8 to 11, days 8 to 13, and days 8 to 15, respectively). The results showed that the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and nutrient in experimental diets decreased linearly as the collection durations increased from a 3-day to a 7-day collection (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the energy values, GE, and nutrient digestibility of diets and of high-fiber ingredients between the 5-day and 7-day collection durations. In conclusion, this study suggests that a 5-day collection duration is adequate to determine the energy values and nutrient digestibility of high-fiber diets containing SBP or DFRB in growing pigs by the time-based total fecal collection method.

Forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) meal in rabbit diets in the growth phase

ABSTRACT Two experimental tests were carried out to evaluate the inclusion of forage cactus meal in diets for rabbits during the growth phase. In the first test 14 male New Zealand red rabbits were used, housed in metal cages, and distributed in a completely randomly design with two treatments and seven replicates with one animal per experimental unit. The digestibility of the nutrients and the digestible energy of the forage cactus meal were determined by the total feces collection method. The forage cactus meal presented 92.24% of DM, 5.63% of CP and 2,347 kcal of DE/kg. In the second test the inclusion of 0, 10, 20 and 30% forage cactus meal in the rabbit diet was tested for productive performance, carcass characteristics, viscera and economic viability. Thus, 40 male rabbits of the New Zealand red breed were used, distributed in metal cages, completely random designed with four treatments, five replicates and two animals per experimental unit. No influence of inclusion levels (P&gt;0.05) on performance variables, housing characteristics or economic viability was observed. The forage cactus meal can be included in up to 30% in the diets of growing rabbits.

Effect of Dry and Wet Feed on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility in Geese

SUMMARY This study seeks to investigate the effect of dry and wet feed on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 28 to 70 d of age. In Experiment 1, 120 geese were randomly allotted to 2 treatments with 6 replicate pens of 10 birds per pen. Birds in each group were fed either a dry or wet feed. There was no significant difference between the 2 feeding methods in final body weight and average daily gain (P > 0.05), while wet feed significantly increased (P 0.05) by the form of feed. In Experiment 2, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry and wet feed was determined using the total fecal collection method. The apparent dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract digestibility of geese were not affected (P > 0.05) by wet feed compared to dry feed. In conclusion, wet feed had no effect on daily weight gain but significantly increased daily feed intake and feed intake: gain, implying that dry feed is more suitable for geese from 28 to 70 d of age.

Evaluation of titanium dioxide and chromic oxide as digestibility markers in ponies fed alfalfa hay in relation to marker dosing frequency

In equines, Cr2O3 is widely accepted as an indigestible marker, but there are health concerns regarding the carcinogenic properties of Cr2O3. Recently, TiO2 has been suggested to be an alternative digestibility marker in equines. However, a comparison between Cr2O3 and TiO2 has not been made in equines. Six Welsh pony geldings (initial BW: 254±3 kg; 7 years of age) fed chopped alfalfa hay were used to evaluate the use of TiO2 (Ti) and Cr2O3 (Cr) as markers for calculating apparent digestibility and to investigate the effect of frequency of marker administration on the measurement of digestibility values. Diets contained 4.65 kg dry matter (DM) chopped alfalfa hay supplemented with minerals, vitamins, TiO2 (3.3 g Ti/day) and Cr2O3 (3.2 g Cr/day). Ponies were dosed with either 3.3 g Ti and 3.2 g Cr once daily (DF1) or with 1.65 g Ti and 1.60 g Cr twice daily (DF2). After adaptation to the diets and procedures for 14 days, voluntary voided faeces were collected quantitatively over 7 days and analysed for moisture, ash, Ti and Cr. Apparent total tract DM digestibility (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were calculated using the total faecal collection (TFC) and marker method (Ti and Cr). The overall mean cumulative faecal recovery of Cr and Ti (as % of intake) were 102.0% and 96.6%, respectively. Mean daily faecal recoveries of Cr as well as of Ti were not different (P=0.323; P=0.808, respectively) between treatments. Overall daily faecal recovery of Cr differed (P=0.019) from 100% when the marker was dosed once daily, whereas overall daily faecal recovery was similar to 100% for both administration frequencies when Ti was used as a marker. For both markers, the coefficient of variation of the mean faecal marker recovery between horses was lower when the markers were administrated twice per day. Across treatments, cumulative DMD and OMD estimated with Ti were similar (P=0.345; P=0.418, respectively) compared with those values determined by TFC method. When Cr was used, the calculated cumulative DMD tended (P=0.097) to be greater compared with those estimated with TFC, and cumulative OMD values were overestimated (P=0.013). Orally supplemented Ti recovery in the faeces of ponies fed chopped alfalfa hay with Ti administered once or twice daily was close to 100%, making it the preferred marker for digestibility trials in equines.

METABOLIZABLE ENERGY OF RICE BRAN, COTTONSEED MEAL AND WHEAT BRAN FOR SLOW-GROWING BROILERS AT TWO AGES

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate bromatological composition and metabolizable energy values of cottonseed meal, rice meal, and wheat bran when provided to slow growth rate broilers at different ages. Energy values of 15- to 25- and 35- to 45-day-old broilers were determined by the total feces collection method using two digestibility bioassays. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design to evaluate the age effect, with six replicates of 10 chickens each, for each ingredient. Values of apparent metabolizable energy adjusted by nitrogen balance (kcal/kg), for the first and second ages were: 1,255 and 1,564 for cottonseed meal, 3,124 and 3,301 for rice meal, and, 2,211 and 2,383 for wheat bran, respectively. The ingredients showed some variations regarding chemical composition and energy values, which were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in older broiler chickens.

Digestible energy of a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with xylanase for nursery pigs in metabolism crates and floor pens

Two metabolism trials were conducted in the current study to determine the digestible energy (DE) of a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with xylanase. In trial 1, 32 PIC L1050 barrows (initial body weight (BW) 8.6 ± 0.4 kg) were used. All the barrows were housed individually in metabolism crates (2.0 × 0.8 m2). Daily feed allowance was set at about 3.5% of the average BW of pigs. In trial 2, 32 PIC L1050 × L337 barrows (initial BW 8.7 ± 1.0 kg) were used. Sixteen barrows were kept individually in floor pens (3.0 × 1.8 m2), and the other 16 in metabolism crates (2.0 × 0.8 m2). All the pigs in both pens and crates had free access to feed and water. In trial 1, there were 4 dietary treatments in a 2 by 2 factorial arrangement by combining 2 concentrations of xylanase (0 and 0.2 g/kg feed) with 2 particle sizes of corn: 249 ± 1.7 and 427 ± 2.3 µm. In trial 2, there were 2 concentrations of xylanase (0 and 0.2 g/kg feed) in combination with 2 types of housing conditions (crates and floor pens). In both trials, there were 8 replicates for each treatment and 1 pig in each crate/pen. The results of trial 1 showed that there was no interaction between the particle size of corn and the supplementation of xylanase. Based on both total fecal collection and index methods, the supplementation of xylanase increased dietary DE by 27–29 kcal compared with the unsupplemented treatment (P > 0.05). There was no interaction between the fecal collection method and the supplementation of xylanase. The digestibility of dry matter and gross energy, and DE based on index method were less than those based on total fecal collection method (P < 0.001). In trial 2, there was no interaction between the housing conditions and the supplementation of xylanase. The pigs in the floor pens had a greater average daily feed intake (ADFI; P = 0.021) and a greater average final BW (P = 0.022), but tended to have a less digestibility of DM (P = 0.093). The supplementation of xylanase only tended to improve the ADFI irrespective of the housing conditions (P = 0.055). In conclusion, the supplementation of xylanase released 27–29 kcal DE of a corn-soybean meal-based diet with pigs housed in metabolism crates or floor pens. The supplementation of xylanase could improve the fecal digestibility of DM and increase the feed intake of pigs when allowed a free access to feed.