scholarly journals Growth indices, intestinal histomorphology and blood profile of rabbits fed probiotics-, and prebiotics-supplemented diets

Author(s):  
Chinwe Uchechi Nwachukwu ◽  
Karimat Imam Aliyu ◽  
Emmanuel Olubisi Ewuola

Abstract In a 12-week feeding trial, 32 rabbits (Chinchilla X New Zealand White; 56 days old; 691±1g body weight) were used to investigate the effect of pro- and pre-biotics as growth enhancer on the growth performance, intestinal mucosal development, haematological and serum biochemical responses of rabbits. The dietary Biotronic® prebiotics and Biovet®-YC probiotics were added at 400mg/kg and 50mg/kg respectively. The rabbits were housed individually and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n=8/group; 50:50 bucks to does) including a control diet (diet 1), diet 2 (control+Biotronic® prebiotics), diet 3 (control+ Biovet®-YC probiotics) and diet 4 (control+symbiotics [Biotronic® prebiotics and Biovet®-YC probiotics]). Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored. Five rabbits per treatment were used for organ assessment and intestinal histomorphology after feeding trial. Blood samples were collected for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. Results showed that supplementation of Biotronic® prebiotics and symbiotics in rabbit diet significantly (P<0.05) increased final BW and ADG compared to Biovet®-YC probiotic and control diets. Kidney, lung, oesophagus, gastro-intestinal tract, small and large intestines were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. Ileal mucosal assessment revealed that villus height (VH), villus width, villus density, crypt depth (CD), and VH:CD ratio of rabbits fed Biotronic® prebiotic and symbiotic diets were similar and significantly (P<0.05) higher than those rabbits fed control and Biovet®-YC probiotic diets. Packed cell volume of rabbits fed symbiotic and control diets was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed Biotronic® prebiotic and Biovet®-YC probiotic diets. This study suggests that Biotronic® prebiotics and its combination with Biovet®-YC probiotics are good alternative growth promoting feed additives in rabbit nutrition. They improved performance, intestinal development and blood profiles and aid feed digestion, nutrient absorption and utilization in rabbits.

Author(s):  
Vijayalingam Thavasi Alagan ◽  
Rajesh Nakulan Vatsala ◽  
Ilavarasan Sagadevan ◽  
Vairamuthu Subbiah ◽  
Venkataramanan Ragothaman

Abstract Background An effort was made to assess the effectiveness of dietary supplementation of Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca), a seaweed and Azolla individually and in combination on different physiological parameters of Aseel chicken. A total of 40 Aseel chicks of 8 weeks old were allocated into four groups, C1 (control), T1 (Azolla alone), T2 (seaweed alone) and T3 (seaweed plus Azolla). Aseel chicks in C1 were fed with formulated grower feed alone, birds in T1 had control diet with 5% Azolla, birds in T2 had control diet with 3% U. lactuca and birds in T3 had control diet admixtured with 5% of Azolla and 3% of U. lactuca. Parameters were recorded for a continuous period of 2 months in 15 days interval. Results The growth performance was found to be significant (P ≤ 0.05) during 30 days of feed trials and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 45 and 60 days of treatment. Birds in T3 had a higher body weight gain, shank length and feed conversion efficiency followed with T1 and T2 compared to C1. PCV, RBC, WBC and heterophil counts were not influenced (P ≥ 0.05) by dietary treatments. Uric acid, creatinine, AST, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium levels revealed a high significant (P ≤ 0.01) variation, and cholesterol level showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) changes during 30th and 60th day of feed trials between the control and treatment groups. Total protein, globulin, phosphorus and electrolytes like Na, K and Cl levels were not significant (P ≥ 0.05) during 30th day and were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during the 60th day of the trial. Conclusions It could be noted that inclusion of U. lactuca and Azolla as feed supplement in grower chicken had a better body weight gain when given in combination (U. lactuca and Azolla) rather than supplemented with the sole entity. Based on the haematological and serum biochemical analysis, the supplementation of U. lactuca and Azolla at the levels included in this trial did not pose any threat to the physiological well-being of Aseel chicken.


Author(s):  
Amr M.A. Elmasry ◽  
Luis A. Miranda ◽  
Germán Mendoza ◽  
Fernando X. Plata

Background: The effects of the probiotics vary with the doses and strains used for this reason, a study was conducted over 35 days to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of growing rabbits on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility.Methods: A total of 60 New Zealand and California rabbits (5 weeks old, average body weight 0.881±0.015 kg) were housed in 30 cages. They were fed with a control diet based on alfalfa and maize or barley grains and supplemented with Procreatin®7 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I 1077) or Biosaf® SC47 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47) at three doses, namely 0, 6.4, or 12.8 ×109 CFU per kg basal diet.Result: The higher yeast concentration had a positive effect (P less than 0.01) on final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass weight (CW). However, there were no significant differences in dry matter intake. As a result of this, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased (P less than 0.01). Significant increases (P less than 0.05) in nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NDF and ADF) were observed with both grains. The use of yeast in maize and barley-based diets of rabbits has positive effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.


2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 646 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Xhomfulana ◽  
C. Mapiye ◽  
M. Chimonyo ◽  
M. C. Marufu

The objective of this study was to compare nematode worm burdens in Nguni and crossbred cattle supplemented with Acacia karroo leaf meal. Eighteen Nguni (274.4 ± 17.34 kg) and 12 crossbred (230.5 ± 14.62 kg) steers aged 19 months were allocated to three dietary treatments: A. karroo leaf meal, sunflower cake and control with no supplement. Steers in all the treatments grazed on natural pasture whereas those on A. karroo leaf meal and sunflower cake diets were given an additional 1.5 kg and 650 g of feed, respectively, to supply 150 g of protein per day for 60 days. Faecal samples collected from the steers’ recta every fortnight were examined for nematode egg types using the modified McMaster technique. At slaughter, the abomasa and intestines were collected, opened and washed for worm identification. Nguni steers supplemented with the A. karroo leaf meal diet had the lowest mean strongyles egg counts and mean total egg counts (P < 0.05). Steers that received the A. karroo leaf meal and sunflower cake diets had lower Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum colombianum worm burdens than those that received the control diet (P < 0.05). Mean strongyles and Strongyloides egg counts, and H. contortus and Oes. colombianum worm counts were negatively correlated with average daily gain and body condition scores (P < 0.05). Generally, Nguni cattle supplemented with A. karroo leaf meal had the lowest egg loads and worm burdens. It was concluded that supplementing cattle with A. karroo could reduce nematode burdens.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-82
Author(s):  
C. T. Ezeokeke

Experiment was carried out to determine performance of day old local fowls, fed supplemented plantain peels meal (PPM). The birds were arranged in completely randomized design having six birds per replicate and two treatments comprising one test diet and one control diet. At starter phase, all the parameters (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio) measured were not significant (p>0.05). The birds on the test diet had average initial weight, 42.00g while that of the control had average weight, 43.75g and at 5 weeks of age average weights of 133.30g and 134.54g (p>0.05) ,respectively. At the finisher phase, all the parameters measured were not significant (p>0.5). The prices per kg of feed for the test and control diets were N93.05 and N95.05, respectively. Therefore, PPM inclusion fed at early stage of life of the birds enhanced performance at a lower cost.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
B. C. Anyaegbu ◽  
D. N. Onunkwo ◽  
G. Igwe ◽  
J. Nathaniel ◽  
C. M. Nkwo

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broiler chickens fed diet containing cooked cocoyam tubermeal as energy source in place of maize. The proximate composition of cooked cocoyam tubermeal showed that it contained 13.11% moisture, 2.60% ash, 3.90% crude protein, 9.45% crude fiber, 1.85% ether extract and 70.13% NFE. In the finisher feeding trial, the cooked cocoyam tubermeal was used to replace maize at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively in the control diet. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broiler chicken for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into 3 replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. The birds were kept on deep litter and were given feed and water ad-libitum. Parameters measured include ifinal body weight, body weight gain feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and economics of production. In the finisher feeding trial, the feed intake of the finisher broilers on diets 2, 3 and 4 were similar and compared favourably with those on the control diet. The finisher group on 100% CCYM (diet 5) recorded the lowest feed intake possibly because of the dustiness of the feed. The body weight gain of the finisher broilers on diet 2 (25%) cooked cocoyam tubermeal compared favourably with the control group and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on other diets. It appeared that the finisher broilers could not tolerate high levels of cooked cocoyam meal due to dustiness of the feed and its anti-nutritional factors. The cost of production per kg finisher broilers was cheapest for diet 5(100% CCYM) (N356.72) and the costliest was for diet 3(50% CCYM) (N588.28). The internal organs expressed as percent of the live weight were not affected by the treatments. In terms of carcass characteristics, the finisher broilers on diet 2(25% CCYM) recorded the highest breast muscle which was significantly different (P<0.05) from other groups. There were no significant different (P>0.05) on percent back cut, drumstick, head, shank, thigh, neck and wings of the finisher broilers on all the treatments. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in percent dressed weight of the finisher broilers on cooked cocoyam based diets. The results of the trial have shown that cooking cocoyam corms (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) for 30 minutes was effective for reducing the cyanide oxalate, tannin, phytic acid and saponin content and that cooking did not affect the proximate composition of tannia. Cooked cocoyam tubermeal could be used to replace maize up to 25% in the diet of finisher broiler chicken without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in this study.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Miech ◽  
J.E. Lindberg ◽  
Å. Berggren ◽  
T. Chhay ◽  
A. Jansson

This study evaluated diets including whole or peeled (legs removed) crickets (Teleogryllus testaceus) in terms of diet digestibility, growth and nitrogen retention, using pigs as an animal model. The experiment included three iso-nitrogenous diets (18.4% crude protein) including either whole cricket meal (WC), body cricket meal (legs removed, BC) or fish meal (control) as the main protein source. Castrated male piglets (n=21, 30-45 days) with initial body weight 13.0±0.3 kg were allocated to one of the dietary treatments (7 piglets/treatment) in a fixed block design. The piglets were kept in single bamboo/wooden stalls with slatted floors and were adapted to the feeds and the housing for 5 days before starting the 25-day experiment. The diets were offered ad libitum, but close to appetite (approximately 5% of body weight). Feed intake was recorded and piglets were weighed every 5 days. During days 20-25, total collection of faeces and urine was performed. Dry matter and nutrient intake were higher for piglets fed the WC and BC diets than for those fed the control diet. From day 10, piglets fed BC and WC were heavier than piglets fed the control diet, but there were no differences between WC and BC. Dry matter digestibility was highest for diet WC, and ash, crude fibre and crude fat digestibility was higher for BC and WC than for the control diet. Feed conversion ratio was lower for the WC and BC diets than for the control diet, and nitrogen retention (% of digested) was higher. We concluded that field cricket meal is a nutritious feedstuff for mono-gastric animals, and most likely also for humans. Removal of legs did not facilitate or improve the digestibility values and nitrogen retention. Thus, in order to minimise food waste, crickets should not be peeled in this way if they are going to be processed into meal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
B.C Anyaegbu ◽  
D.N. Onunkwo ◽  
A.C. Ogbonna ◽  
O. Uzoigwe

Considering the inherent attributes of cocoyam tuber meal (Xanthosoma Sagitifolium), its appropriate utilization for chicken diets may enhance performance of broiler chicken. This studywas therefore carried out to determine the nutritional evaluation of fermented cocoyam tuber meal as energy source in the diets of starter broilers production. The fermented cocoyam was used to replace maize at various levels to determine the best replacement would give optimal performance in starter broilers diets. One hundred and fifty 150 day old Agrited starter broilers were used for this experiment,. The proximate composition of fermented cocoyam tuber meal (FCYM) showed that it contained 19.5% moisture, 1.30% ash, 3.56% Crude protein, 5.30% crude fibre, 1.9% ether extract and 25.48% NFE. In the starter feeding trial, the fermented cocoyam was used to replace maize at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively in the control diet. Each starter diet was fed to a group of 30 broilers chicks for four weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into three replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. Parameters measured include initial body weight, final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and cost of production. In the starter feeding trial, the starter broilers on 25% FCYM compared favorably with those on the control diet (P>0.05) in terms of feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight gain and hence recorded the higher body weight gain. The cost per kg feed produced was N182.50 for the control diet and the lowest was diet 5 (100% FCYM) which was N82.74. The cost of production (cost/kg feed x feed conversion ratio) of starter broilers per kg body weight gain was lowest for diet 5 (100% FCYM) (N158.86), while the costliest was those on the control diet (N383.25). The results of the trial have shown that fermentation of cocoyam tuber meal for 4 days for formulating starter broiler diets was quite an effective method of processing because fermentation reduced the anti-nutrients content. It was concluded that fermented cocoyam tuber meal could be used in the diets of starter broilers up to 25% without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1093-1103
Author(s):  
S Tarricone ◽  
M.A. Colonna ◽  
F Giannico ◽  
M Ragni ◽  
A Lestingi ◽  
...  

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a diet containing extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) on growth performances, carcass traits and meat quality in Nero Lucano pigs. Sixteen male piglets were weaned at about 50 days of age and divided into two homogeneous groups fed a control diet (C) or a diet containing 3% extruded linseed (EL). The trial lasted 32 weeks and pigs were slaughtered at 9 months of age. Samples from the Longissimus dorsi (Ld) muscle were analysed to assess physical and chemical parameters and intramuscular fatty acid composition. Average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by the diet. Pigs fed the C diet showed a significantly greater slaughter weight in comparison to the EL group (116.50 vs 108.25 kg) Meat pH and chemical composition were not influenced by the diet. No differences were found for shear force (WBS) in raw meat, while cooked meat of the EL group showed a lower WBS value. The EL diet significantly lowered total SFA and increased total PUFA, of both n-6 and n-3 series. Among the n-6, significant differences between dietary treatments were found for linoleic acid. As for the n-3 series, EL feeding significantly enhanced linolenic acid, EPA, DPA and DHA. Feeding EL also significantly lowered the PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios and the AI and TI, with benefits for human health. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 3% EL didn't affect growth performance while it improved the fatty acid profile of meat. Keywords: fatty acid profile, feeding, flaxseed, pork


Author(s):  
I. I. Ibatullin ◽  
M. I. Holubiev ◽  
V. V. Otchenashko ◽  
K. I. Makhno

In the article, results of researches on an establishment of an optimum source of Manganese, Zinc, Iron and Copper are resulted. Different source Manganese, Zinc, Iron and Copper was additionally added mixed fodder for ducklings grown for meat. Experimental studies conducted in terms of problem research laboratory of feed additives National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Independent experiment was conducted with growing meat ducklings. We conducted a randomized block experiment with 5 treatments, each with 4 replicates of 25 growing ducks (1 to 42 d of age). A diet consisting of corn, soybean and sunflower meal, fish meal, premix (22.5% CP, 2.92 kcal of ME/g on 1 to 14 d of age, 18.5% CP, 2.90 kcal of ME/g on 15 to 42 d of age) having severally Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Copper at sulphate, glycinate and citrate. The premix was formulated to contain the requirements of trace elements in combination of either inorganic (sulphate form) or organic form (glycinate and citrate form). Diets were supplemented with the organic form of zinc, copper, manganese or iron at the rate of 100% or 75% of the total requirements of the elements. Diets and water were offered ad libitum. After 6 weeks of dietary treatments the growth performance (feed intake, body weight, daily gain, feed conversion, homogeneity of the poultry) were affected by dietary treatments. Results indicated that chicks fed diets containing 100% organic minerals (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu) had significantly higher body weight, better feed conversion compared with those of inorganic control minerals treatment. Use of fodder for ducklings, which are grown for meat glycinate Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu versus sulfate improves their productive performance. The body weight of ducklings at 42 d of age is more by 1.6% (P < 0.05) and the conversion of feed is 1.0% higher. The conversion of feed from consumption was rather high (R2=0.84), which confirms the change in the productive indicators of duckling from the feed factor.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey B Carpenter ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M Derouchey ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
...  

Abstract A total of 1,089 pigs (PIC 280 × 1050; initially 37.3 ± 2.8 kg) were used to determine the effects of increasing Cu provided from either CuSO4 alone or a 50:50 blend of CuSO4 and a Copper–amino acid complex (Cu-AA) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. Pens of pigs were blocked by body weight; within blocks, pens were randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments. The six dietary treatments consisted of a control diet which contained 17 mg/kg Cu from CuSO4 from the trace mineral premix, or the control diet with either added CuSO4 to provide 70 and 130 mg/kg total Cu or a 50:50 blend of Cu from CuSO4 and Cu-AA (CuSO4/Cu-AA blend) to provide 70, 100, and 130 mg/kg total Cu. Experimental diets were corn–soybean meal-dried distillers grains with solubles-based and fed in meal form in five phases (approximately 37 to 46, 46 to 63, 63 to 77, 77 to 103, and 103 to 129 kg body weight). From d 0 to 43, neither Cu source nor level influenced growth performance. From d 43 to 105, average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (P = 0.037) for pigs fed the CuSO4/Cu-AA blend compared to those fed added Cu from CuSO4 alone. Gain:feed ratio (G:F) tended to be improved (linear, P = 0.056) as Cu concentration increased. Overall, d 0 to 105, neither Cu level nor source influenced average daily gain (ADG). Pigs fed 70 or 130 mg/kg total added Cu from the CuSO4/Cu-AA blend had lower (P = 0.045) ADFI but G:F tended to be improved (P = 0.051) compared with those fed the same amount of total Cu from only CuSO4. Owing to the decreased ADFI and improved G:F of pigs fed the CuSO4/Cu-AA blend, carcass G:F also improved (P = 0.033) compared with those fed added Cu from CuSO4 alone. In conclusion, providing a 50:50 blend of CuSO4 and Cu-AA improved G:F on both a live and carcass weight basis compared to CuSO4 alone with no differences in ADG or carcass ADG observed.


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