Powder and agglomerated free-choice minerals for grazing cattle: animal responses and chemical and physical alterations of the mineral mixture

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of biochar and clay as feed additives on the growth performance and organ weight of broilers in a 56-day feeding trial. A total of ninety-six-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were fed diets containing biochar and clay. Treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 were composed of T1(control), T2(5% biochar), T3 (5% clay) and T4 (2.5% biochar + 2.5% clay) in a completely randomized design having three replicates, each consisting of eight birds. The growth parameters were measured during the feeding trial and organ weight parameters were measured at the end of the experiment. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to determine the significant differences among the dietary treatments. The results showed that treatments were significantly (p < 0.05) different in final body weight, total body weight gain, average daily body weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake, feed cost per kg weight gain and kidney weight. Treatment 4 had the highest final weight value of 1.4067kg, highest total body weight gain of 1.3597kg, highest average daily body weight gain of 0.0242kg, highest total feed intake of 5.1097kg, highest average daily feed intake of 0.0910kg and highest feed cost of N3227.21. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in initial body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg body weight gain, heart, liver, pancreas, gizzard, spleen and lung weights. The results imply that inclusion of biochar and clay at 2.5% each in broiler diet can potentially increase growth performance.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary rice brewer waste (RBW) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in growing rabbits. Thirty growing rabbits (758±25.7g initial body weight) were randomly assigned to control and four treatment groups (containing RBW) in a completely randomized design with six rabbits per group. The study lasted 6weeks for measurements of feed intake and growth performance followed by a five-day metabolic trial to determine nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. The five diets contained RBW at 0% RBW (control group), unsterilized RBW at 10% and 20% and sterilized RBW at 10% and 20% in the concentrates. The average daily body weight gain (ADG) in the 20% unsterilized RBW group was higher (p<0.01) than the control group. No statistically significant difference (p=0.089) of ADG was observed for the control vs. the sterilized groups, but the overall ADG was better (p=0.044) in the unsterilized RBW groups than the sterilized RBW groups. The daily dry matter intake in unsterilized and sterilized RBW groups was higher (p<0.01) than the control group. However, no difference (p=0.22) was found between the unsterilized and sterilized RBW. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower for the unsterilized RBW groups vs. the control group (p=0.041), but there was no difference of FCR in the control vs. sterilized RBW groups (p=0.37) and the unsterilized RBW groups vs. unsterilized RBW groups (p=0.14). The digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and crude fibre was greater (p<0.01) in the unsterilized and sterilized RBW groups than the control group. The nitrogen balance and efficiency of nitrogen utilization were also higher in the unsterilized and sterilized RBW groups than the control group (p<0.01). The study showed that the dietary RBW could improve growth performance and nutrient utilization in growing rabbits with superior responses for the unsterilized RBW.

Meta-analysis is an important method for integration of information from multiple studies. In quantitative trait association and mapping experiments, combining results from several studies allows greater statistical power for detection of causal loci and more precise estimation of their effects, and thus can yield stronger conclusions than individual studies. Various meta-analysis methods have been proposed for synthesizing information from multiple candidate gene studies and QTL mapping experiments, but there are several questions and challenges associated with these methods. For example, meta-analytic fixed-effect models assume homogeneity of outcomes from individual studies, which may not always be true. Whereas random-effect models takes into account the heterogeneity among studies they typically assume a normal distribution of study-specific outcomes. However in reality, the observed distribution pattern tends to be multi-modal, suggesting a mixture whose underlying components are not directly observable. In this paper, we examine several existing parametric meta-analysis methods, and propose the use of a non-parametric model with a Dirichlet process prior (DPP), which relaxes the normality assumptions about study- specific outcomes. With a DPP model, the posterior distribution of outcomes is discrete, reflecting a clustering property that may have biological implications. Features of these methods were illustrated and compared using both simulation data and real QTL data extracted from the Animal QTLdb (http://www.animalgenome.org/cgi-bin/QTLdb/index). The meta analysis of reported average daily body weight gain (ADG) QTL suggested that there could be from six to eight distinct ADG QTL on swine chromosome 1

The improvement of production indicators (feed conversion ratio, average daily body weight gain, growth rate, etc.) in animal husbandry implies a high energy requirement. Such a need can only be met by including fats in the diet. Fat is the main and most efficient source of feed energy, but at the same time, one of the most expensive feed component. Using a fat emulsifier is an increase in the quality of the obtained product and a decrease in its cost. The addition of synthetic emulsifiers is a relatively new opportunity to increase fats’ active surface compared to other widely used feed additives. This reduces the cost for oil in the feed and also a chance to reduce feed total cost. By increasing fats’ active surface, emulsifiers expand the action of lipases and promote micelles formation. Higher the fat percentage in the diet, lower the percentage of its absorption. In high-energy diets without the use of complex emulsifiers, from 36% to 70% of the fat introduced into the feed is not absorbed and is excreted from the body. The beneficial effect of emulsifiers is that the digestibility of fat decreases, and it grows with an increase in the fat level in the diet. An assessment of the effect of the «Natufactant» feed additive on the growth rates of young pigs has been carried out. The maintenance and feeding of pigs were carried out in accordance with the technology adopted on the farm. The nutritional value of the main diet that is used on the farm, as well as after the inclusion of the feed additive «Natufactant», were determined. To conduct research according to the principle of analogs were taking into account the breed, live weight, and general physiological state, two groups of animals of a large white pig breed were created, 25 animals in each, with a live weight of 28 kg. The first group served as a control, and in addition to the main diet, the multicomponent emulsifier «Natufactant» was administered to the piglets of the research group at a dose of 250 g/t of feed, which was given together with the feed once per day. It was found that high average daily gains were obtained from animals to which «Natufactant» was added at the rate of 250 g per 1 ton of compound feed from the first day of the experiment and for 60 days in a row. As a result of the production check, it was found that the introduction of a feed additive into the diet of young pigs made it possible to increase the gross increase in animals’ live weight in comparison with the control, by 10.7 centners with the same level of feeding. New influence aspects of the fat emulsifier usage on the pigs’ physiological state and productivity were disclosed. It has been proven that the inclusion of the «Natufactant» feed additive into the animals’ diet stimulates the digestion processes and assimilation of basic nutrients, improves their physiological state, and increases the average daily weight gain of pigs by 15.3%. The solution to the problem of fats’ digestibility is the creation of new emulsifiers by searching for new molecules and developing effective complexes that have a synergistic effect when one component enhances the work of another. In order to significantly increase the pigs’ productivity and thereby increase the production of pork, it is necessary to ensure sufficient and adequate feeding of animals, taking into account the standards of lipid nutrition. It will also help to improve product quality and reduce production costs.

The Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle was developed by crossing local breeds with the Hereford breed in Kazakhstan in the 30s of the last century. This breed is adapted to arid conditions of extreme continental climate. The goal of the investi-gations was the assessment of the genetic structure of the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed based on the genes of calpain (CAPN1) and somatotropic hormone (GH) and analysis of the association of genotypes for these genes with productivity traits. The main argument for this aim is research works illustrated that both genes could affect on meat productivity traits in other breeds of cattle. 352 blood samples from representatives of Kazakh Whiteheaded animals of different sex and age groups were genotyped for the CAPN1 and GH loci. As a result, it was firstly proved that Kazakh Whiteheaded animals, who are CC homozygosis at the CAPN1 locus and VV homozygosis at the GH locus, reliably exceed animals without C and V alleles on the productivity traits such as milk production, average daily body weight gain, and pre-slaughter body weight, slaughter weight, carcass weight, flesh weight, chemical composition and histological characteristics of meat. It was also shown that the frequencies of the desired alleles and genotypes of these loci are rather low the frequency of the C allele was 0.11–0.17, and the frequency of the CC genotype was 0.03–0.06 in different age and sex groups; the frequency of the V allele was 0.19-0.40, and the frequency of the VV genotype was 0.03-0.31. Thus, planning selection for Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle, it would be useful to take into account the assessment of ani-mal genotypes at the CAPN1 and GH loci to increase the proportion of animals with the desired genotypes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes, Acacia saligna, wheat bran and cotton seed cake on growth, digestibility, intake and carcass characteristics of goats. A randomized complete block design was used in the experiment with 24 yearling central highland goats with an initial body weight of 15.6 - 16.1kg. The same amount of grass hay (GH) + 150 gDM/head/day wheat bran (WB) was given to all animals. The experimental diets consisted of 80 cotton seed cake (CSC) as treatment 1 (T1), 45CSC +160 cactus cladodes (CC) as T2, 45CSC+ 80 Acacia saligna (AS) as T3, and 45CSC+80CC+40AS as T4 (gram dry matter: DM, per day per goat), Data were gathered on the goats' growth, digestibility, intake, and carcass of major organs, edible and nonedible organs. The consumption of dry matter and organic matter was higher in goats fed T2 and T4 than in the T1 group. The DM, organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were higher in T4 and T3 goats when compared to T2 goats. Goats fed on T4 had higher hot carcass weight and dressing percentage on slaughter body weight basis than T2, T3, and T1 supplemented goats. Generally, the experimental diets improved goats’ performance in descending order (T4 &gt; T3 &gt;T1 &gt;T2). Supplementation of T4 (replacement of 35 g DM of cotton seed cake per day by 40g of Acacia saligna and 80g of cactus cladodes on dry matter bases) could be recommended to improve goat performance.

The authors proposed the use of the probiotic "Subtilis" to the ducklings of the experimental group, which allowed them to have a greater increase in body weight throughout the experiment compared to the analogues of the control group. The greatest increase in body weight was observed when weighing a poultry at the age of 36,44,50 days and during these periods it was on average higher by 106.5 g in the experimental groupcompared to the control group. Over the entire period of growing, the dynamics of the body weight of the experimental group of ducklings was higher by 3.7 % from the analogues of the control group. The average daily body weight gain of ducks was 6.1 g (9.2%) more in the period from 16 to 22 days of growing in the experimental group than in the control group. The preservation of the experimental poultry population in the period from 1 to 50 days of life increased by 7%, the growing time was reduced by 4 days.

The mucin gene is expressed in the mucous membrane of the inner layer of the internal organs. Intestinalmucin 2 (MUC2), amajor gel-formingmucin, represents a primary barrier component of mucus layers. This is the first report on the role of mucin genes in growth traits in animals. In this study, we randomly studied Bengal ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) reared from day old to 10 weeks of age under an organized farm and studied the growth parameters as well as body weight and average daily body weight gain. We characterized the mucin gene for Bengal ducks and observed glycosylation and EGF1 (EGF-like domain signature) as important domains for growth traits in ducks. We observed a better expression profile for the mucin gene in high-growing ducks in comparison to that of low-growing ducks with real-time PCR. Hence, the mucin gene may be employed as a marker for growth traits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Da qing shu (Ficus hookeri) leaf meal as herbal feed additive on nutrients utilization and growth performance of growing crossbred calves. Ten Jersey male cross-bred calves (~ 4 months of age) were divided equally into two groups (G1 and G2) and were fed ad lib. under stall feeding on a paddy straw based mixed ration consisting of 50% paddy straw and 50% concentrate mixture for a duration of 140 days. Two types (C1 and C2) of iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures were prepared. Four per cent (w/w) wheat bran in concentrate mixture (C2) of test group (G2) was replaced by sun dried ground Ficus hookeri leaf meal. Experimental calves of test group (G2) were fed Ficus hookeri leaf meal @ 2% of the diet. Daily dry matter intake (g/d) was similar among the calves of two experimental groups. Apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF and cellulose improved in the Ficus hookeri leaf meal fed calves (G2). DCP value of the ration was similar while, TDN value of the ration was higher in the calves of Ficus hookeri leaf meal supplemented group (G2). However, plane of nutrition among the calves of both experimental groups was similar. Average finishing body weight, daily body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and blood glucose level were higher in Ficus hookeri leaf fed calves (G2). Therefore, it may be concluded from the results of the study that dietary supplementation of Da qing shu (Ficus hookeri) leaf meal as herbal feed additive @ 2% of total mixed diet significantly improved the fibre digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency in growing Jersey male crossbred calves.

Can black soldier fly Desmodium intortum larvae-based diets enhance the performance of Cobb500 broiler chickens and smallholder farmers' profit in Kenya?

Este estudo foi conduzido para se avaliar os seguintes parâmetros: consumo e digestibilidade total de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF), com e sem correção para cinzas e proteína bruta; ganho de peso, rendimento de carcaça; e conversão alimentar, em bovinos de corte, recebendo dietas contendo quatro níveis de proteína bruta (10, 5; 12; 13, 5 e 15%) na base da matéria seca. Foram utilizados 24 novilhos zebuínos, não-castrados, com peso vivo inicial médio de 398, 4 kg, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O período experimental teve duração de 78 dias, divididos em três períodos de 21 dias após 15 dias de adaptação. A produção fecal foi estimada por meio da fibra em detergente ácido indigestível (FDAi), após um período de incubação in situ de 144 horas. Com exceção do consumo de PB, que aumentou e o EE e CNF, que diminuíram linearmente, o consumo dos demais nutrientes não foi influenciado pelos níveis protéicos das dietas. A digestibilidade aparente total dos nutrientes não foi influenciada pelas dietas, com exceção da PB e do EE, que apresentaram, respectivamente, comportamentos lineares crescente e decrescente com a inclusão de proteína bruta nas dietas. Os ganhos médios diários de peso vivo, o rendimento de carcaça e a conversão alimentar também não foram influenciados pelas dietas, registrando-se, respectivamente, valores médios de 1.074 g/dia, 51, 43% e 10, 01. Recomenda-se, para bovinos de corte na fase de terminação, com peso vivo inicial próximo a 400 kg, a utilização de dietas com 10, 5% de PB.

Kaur cattle, Bengkulu's local livestock genetic resources (SDG-T), must be preserved and utilized to increase livestock production. The purpose of this study was to determine the productivity of Kaur cattle through observing the results of feed consumption, daily body weight gain, and feed conversion. For the purpose of this study, twelve Kaur bulls aged 1.5 to two years, weighing between 160 and 180 kilograms were used. Green feed is given by adding ginger flour 1% of body weight and is regulated in the number of times it is given. Cattle feed consists of dry matter as much as 3% of body weight. For this study, the main feed was concentrate and elephant grass (70%: 30%). There were three treatment groups, each with four repetitions. P1 is given once every day at 08.00 am; P2 is administered twice daily at 08.00 am and 12.00 pm; and P3 is given three times every day at 08.00 am, 12.00 noon, and 16.00 pm. Data is evaluated by ANOVA and unidirectional pattern. The results showed that the average daily feed consumption from highest to lowest was P3=9.44±9.50; P2=9.33±9.39; P1=8.87±8.90 kg/head/day. The average daily body weight gain from highest to lowest was P3=1.45±1.49; P2=1.32±1.36; P1=1.12±1.17 kg/head/day. The results show that there is no significant difference between the two. P3=9.19±9.23; P2=9.05±9.10; and P1=8.71±8.79. There was no significant difference in feed conversion from highest to lowest. Consumption of forage and ginger flour at different times did not affect the productivity of Kaur cattle.

The study was carried out at the farm located at the Animal Production Farm, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit for a period of 70 days excluding 14 days as an adaptation period (from 8ᵗʰ October to 16ᵗʰ of December 2020). The aim of this study find alternative diets for fattening Awassi lambs in the northern region and improved protein of barley. Sixteen Awassi lamb were used, aged 5-6 months, with an average starting body weight of 26.2 ± 0.3 kg. Four formulation diets were randomly allocated to four groups of animals. Group one ( control) 98% barley, Group two (88% barley, 5% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat), Group three (83% barley, 10% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat), Group four ( 78% barley, 15% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat). All the experiment diets were supplemented with 1% salts and 1% vitamins and minerals. The lambs were fed concentrate feed at 3% of live body weight on a dry matter basis with 100 grams of roughage (straw) day/lamb. The results showed that animals in group 2 (T2), group3 (T3) and group 4 (T4) significantly (P≤0.05) higher final body weight, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, then those from (T1) . Moreover , animals from T3 and T4 had significant (P≤0.05) higher production performance compared to those in T2 . The weights of hot , cold carcass, and the three main carcass cuts (leg, shoulder, and rack) were ignorantly (P≤0.05) heavier in T3 and T4 then other groups .The lambs in T3 andT4were also showed (P≤0.05) larger eye muscle area then T1 and T2. There were no significant differences in dressing-out %,or fat thickness between the treatment groups .

Dietary supplementation of baicalein, a flavonoid, has anti-obesity effects in mammals and broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary baicalein supplementation on broiler growth and adipose tissue and breast muscle deposition. Fifty Hubbard × Cobb-500 day-of-hatch broiler chicks were assigned to a control starter diet or control diet supplemented with 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg baicalein and diets were fed for the first 6 days post-hatch. Body weight, average daily body weight gain, and average daily food intake were all reduced by 500 mg/kg baicalein. Breast muscle and subcutaneous and abdominal fat weights were also reduced in chicks that consumed the baicalein-supplemented diets. mRNAs for genes encoding factors involved in adipogenesis and fat storage, 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β, perilipin-1, and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, were more highly expressed in the adipose tissue of broilers supplemented with baicalein than the controls, independent of depot. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma mRNAs, involved in triacylglycerol synthesis and adipogenesis, respectively, were greater in subcutaneous than abdominal fat, which may contribute to differences in expansion rates of these depots. Results demonstrate effects of dietary supplementation of baicalein on growth performance in broilers during the early post-hatch stage and molecular effects in major adipose tissue depots. The mild reduction in food intake coupled to slowed rate of breast muscle and adipose tissue accumulation may serve as a strategy to modulate broiler growth and body composition to prevent metabolic and skeletal disorders later in life.

The study was aimed at evaluating growth performance, carcass, and non-carcass traits of Horro rams fed on commercial feed (CO) supplemented with different proportions of duckweed (DW). For the study, twenty-four yearling Horro rams initially weighing on average 17.73 ± 0.30 kg were used with a 15-day adaptation period (none-study period) and a 90-day study period. Each animal was randomly assigned to three treatments; T1 (100% CO), T2 (25% DW + 75% CO), and T3 (50% DW + 50% CO) with two replications each containing four animals. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and formulated according to the nutrient requirements of sheep. The data were analyzed using SAS. Results indicated that dry matter intake in T3 (914.37 g. d-1) was higher (P < 0.001) than in T1 (849.12 g. d-1) and T2 (870.50 g. d-1). Average daily body weight gain in T3 (77 g. d-1) was higher (P < 0.001) than in T1 (48.60 g. d-1) and T2 (58.50 g. d-1). Feed conversion efficiency was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (0.08) followed by T2 (0.07) and T1 (0.05). Final body weight (24.56 kg), empty body weight (20.40 kg), hot carcass weight (10.27 kg), dressing percentage (42.01) and rib-eye muscle area (9.11 cm2) were higher (P < 0.001) for T3 than for others. Therefore, increasing the inclusion level of supplementary duckweed up to 50% improves growth performance, carcass quality, and yield of Horro ram.