Whole wheat grain feeding of lambs. IV.* Effects of an antibiotic, lactic acid, grain moistening and restricted intake on wheat sickness of young sheep

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Bigham ◽  
WR McManus

Two studies are reported in which young lambs were changed rapidly from roughage diets to whole wheat diets and subjected to various treatments aimed at facilitating adaptation to the wheat diet. In pen feeding studies, groups of three sheep with rumen cannulae were used to investigate the effects of the various treatments on wheat sickness. The treatments included intraruminal administration of sulphadimethoxine before and during wheat feeding; moistening; and restriction of grain intake. The studies indicated that except perhaps for restriction of intake, none of the methods used was successful in reducing the build-up of lactic acid and decline in rumen pH and therefore wheat sickness. Sulphadimethoxine did not have a major effect on volatile fatty acid or lactic acid production when wheat grain was consumed. In an antibiotic dose response trial, 59 lambs were changed from roughage to wheat grain diets, restricted amounts of wheat grain with sulphadimethoxine being offered at four levels (0, 45.4, 136.3 and 272.7 mg/kg liveweight). The drug proved to be toxic and the lamb mortality (5, 23, 39 and 62%) rose as the dose increased. Results are discussed in relation to metabolic and practical aspects of wheat grain feeding of lambs and the need for further work to seek practical means for regulating intake under group feeding conditions. *Part III, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 24: 425 (1973).

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Murray ◽  
JB Rowe ◽  
EJ Speijers

An experiment was conducted to test the effect of the feed additive virginiamycin (VM) on lactic acidosis and wool tensile strength in sheep given wheat. The ground wheat grain was given in a slurry by stomach tube in increasing amounts each day up to a maximum of 1 kg per dose or until rumen pH dropped below 5.20. Sixty mature Merino wethers were all fed wheat chaff ad libitum and given the following treatments: 10 control sheep were only fed the basal diet; 10 were given intra-ruminal doses of VM; 20 sheep were given wheat grain intra-ruminally; and 20 sheep were given wheat grain containing VM. Virginiarnycin was given at a rate equivalent to 80 mg/day. All animals were fed chaff for 83 days prior to and for 120 days following the wheat and VM treatments. Rumen pH and L-lactic acid concentration were measured in all 60 sheep from the day that wheat was first given until 3 days after the last wheat drench. Lactic acidosis, defined by a rumen pH of less than 5.2 and rumen lactic acid concentration of greater than 20 mmol/L, significantly decreased staple strength of wool in sheep given the wheat drenches. Inclusion of VM with the wheat grain significantly increased (P < 0.05) the tensile strength of the wool compared with the effect of wheat on its own. Reduction in wool strength was more closely correlated with a reduction in feed intake in the days following the lactic acidosis than with either rumen pH or the concentration of rumen lactic acid.


1973 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Bigham ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
GB Edwards

An intensive 17-week study was made of nine rumen-cannulated crossbred lambs off pasture when given mineral buffer supplements as they were changed from lucerne chaff diets to diets of whole wheat grain plus 2 % of ground limestone. Diets were given ad libitum. Buffers were supplied during transition (period 11) and after transition (period III). The buffers were a 1/1/1/1 mixture of powdered disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and calciuns hydrogen phosphate given as 2% of the grain offered (group B) and powdered alumirn~~m hydroxide (Al(OH)3) given as 1 % by weight of the grain ofiered (group C). The wheat gram diet was low in sodium (0 008%) and contained 1.50% nitrogen. Production responses to both mineral buffer treatments resulted. Soth buffer treatments increased the voluntary intake (P < 0.01) of wheat above that of the control animals. The rate of eating (g/hr) and pattern of eating did not differ significantly between groups, or between periods I (lucerne chaff) and 111 (post-transition). Groups B and C increased in liveweight to a greater extent than did control animals (P < 0 01) and had heavier carcasses (P <0.01). Results with the mineral mixture given to group B (above) confirm our earlier report. Ingestion of aluminium hydroxide was associated with abomasal ulceration. No significant differences were found between groups in any period for total volatile fatty acids in rumen liquor. Towards the end of period 111, animals given buffer had lower proportions of acetic and higher proportions of propionic acid than did control animals (P < 0.01). Hexanoic acid was detected in all rumen liquor samples obtained in period 111, sometimes in amounts equal to 17 % of total volatile fatty acids. Lactic acid was not detected in rumen liquor in period I, but was present in large amounts in all lambs during period 11, and in lesser but substantial amounts in all lambs during period III. Levels of lactic acid in the rumen liquor in animals receiving mineral buffer supplements fell at a faster rate during period I11 ?hall did levels in control animals. There was a significant decline in rumen pH values for all groups from period I to period III (P < 0.01). Significant rumen pH differences attributable to mineral buffer treatment were apparent (P < 0 05). Buffers were associated with a less acid rumen condition than found in control animals. Relative to control animals, animals given mineral buffers showed increases in rumen buffering capacity and salivary flow rates, and an increased buffering index of the total mixed saliva. Period effects were apparent. The saliva flow rates of control lambs fed on wheat were significantly increased compared with their flow rates on the roughage diet of lucerne chaff. In general, supplementation with aluminium hydroxide and with the mixed buffer respectively yielded similar patterns of response. It is concluded that responses were not primarily due to the sodium level of the diet per se, and that alterations in the animals' electrolyte and acid-base physiology induced by buffer treatment might be contributory factors. Various possible physiological mechanisms are discussed.


1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
ML Bigham ◽  
GB Edwards

Thirty-nine crossbred lambs off pasture and weighing about 27 kg were group-fed on lucerne chaff and whole wheat grain ad libitum in yards over a 3-week adaptation period. All animals were then offered whole wheat grain plus 1½% ground limestone ad libitum for 19 weeks. Addition of mineral buffer supplements of 1/1 Na2HPO4 and NaHCO3 (buffer I), or a 1/1/1/1 mixture of Na2HPO4, NaHCO3, KHCO3, and CaHPO4 (buffer II) as 2% of the grain offered, resulted over the 22-week experimental period in significantly better food intakes and liveweight gains and decreased food conversion ratios as compared with those shown by control sheep fed on wheat grain and limestone (P < 0.01). Buffer supplements significantly raised the rumen pH above values for control animals (P < 0.01), decreased the total rumen volatile fatty acid concentration(P < 0.05), and lowered the proportion of acetic acid and increased that of propionic acid (P < 0.05). Caproic acid was detected in significant quantities in the rumen fluid of all sheep. Wheat sickness caused the removal of 25% of control sheep fed on wheat grain and limestone; 21% of sheep given buffer I died from a urolithiasis-like condition; no deaths occurred in sheep given buffer II. Administration of 2.5 x l06 i.u. injectible vitamin A to half the animals over the first 10 weeks of the experiment seemed to cause neither benefit nor harm.


Author(s):  
V. Khamitova ◽  
A. Osmanyan

An experiment has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of growing broiler chickens when whole wheat grain has been included in the compound feed. The purpose of the research was to develop an appropriate scheme and dose for feeding whole wheat grain depending on the age of broilers, while observing the normative content of metabolic energy and nutrients in the diets, and to determine the economic effectiveness of rearing of broilers. To determine the effectiveness, data on live weight, growth rate, livability, uniformity of broiler population by live weight and variability of live weight of chickens have been studied. In the course of the work, the livability, average daily gain, feed conversion, homogeneity and variability coefficients, and the productivity index have been calculated. An increase in the live weight of broilers, as well as the rate of growth in pre-slaughter age when using whole grains in poultry diets, as well as a decrease in feed consumption per unit of live weight gain has been revealed. In conclusion, the economic effectiveness of broiler meat production has determined when whole grain has been included in diets. The use of whole wheat grain as an additive to the main diet in broiler feeding allowed to increase profits and increase the level of profitability. It has been found as a result of research that it is advisable to add whole wheat grain to the main diet for broilers at the age of 8–14 days in an amount of 5 % of the feed weight, at the age of 15–21 days – 15 %, at the age of 22–28 days – 20 %, at the age of 21–29 days – 30 % of grain without reducing the overall nutritional value of the diet.


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