scholarly journals Effects of Elevated Platform and Robotic Vehicle on Broiler Production, Welfare, and Housing Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1981-1990
Author(s):  
Xiao Yang ◽  
Xiaojing Huo ◽  
Guoming Li ◽  
Joseph L. Purswell ◽  
George T. Tabler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
List Type ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Housing Environment ◽  
Broiler Production ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Robotic Vehicle

HighlightsUsing an elevated platform with a manure catcher reduced litter moisture content and ammonia concentration.A robotic vehicle encouraged bird movement and use of the elevated platform.Using the elevated platform and robotic vehicle jointly improved broiler paw quality and plumage cleanliness.Abstract. Elevated platform (EP) and robotic vehicle (RV) are two emerging systems aiming to improve environment enrichment and bird activity in broiler housing systems. However, the impacts of these systems on broiler production, welfare, and housing environment have not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using EP and RV individually or jointly on broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR), litter moisture content (LMC), ammonia (NH3) concentration, gait score (GS), paw quality (PQ), plumage cleanliness (PC), and bird activity index (AI). Broilers were reared for eight-week production cycles. Four experimental rooms (54 birds room-1) were randomly assigned four treatments: EP only, RV only, EP and RV (EP+RV), and neither EP nor RV (Ctrl). Broiler GS, PQ, and PC were assessed following welfare protocols. Bird AI was determined through image processing. The experiment was repeated three times. The results showed that overall FCR values were 1.806 for EP, 1.804 for RV, 1.797 for EP+RV, and 1.791 for Ctrl. The normalized LMC values were 23.2% ±4.1% for EP, 32.8% ±4.1% for RV, 23.4% ±2.5% for EP+RV, and 35.7% ±7.0% for Ctrl over the eight-week production cycles. NH3 concentrations were 40% lower in the rooms with EP than in the rooms without EP at the end of the production cycle. Broilers had better PQ in the rooms with EP than in the rooms without EP. Broiler PC seemed better in the rooms with RV compared to those without RV. Operation of RV increased bird AI; however, the benefits in activity encouragement diminished as the broilers grew. The number of broilers on the EP was higher in the EP+RV rooms than in the EP rooms. It is concluded that using EP and RV together may improve broiler welfare and activity without compromising their production performance. Keywords: Behavior, Broiler, Elevated platform, Robotic vehicle, Welfare.

scholarly journals PENGARUH BERBAGAI BAHAN ALAS KANDANG TERHADAP PENAMPILAN PRODUKSI

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Lia Liswulandari ◽  
Nita opi Ari kustanti
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Variance Analysis ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Base Materials ◽  
Broiler Production ◽  
Randomized Design

This study aims to determine the effect of various cage base materials on broiler production performance. Production performances observed in the study were (feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion). Using 90 broilers from DOC 1 day old from PT. Wonokoyo Jaya Corporindoyang was applied into 3 treatments and 6 replications consisted of 5 broilers. Chicken maintenance is carried out 35 days. The treatments used in the study are as follows: P1 (giving pedestal of candan gsekam padi), P2 (giving treatment for wooden shed cage bed), and P3 (giving sand cage bed). This data is a complete randomized design and then analyzed using variance analysis (ANOVA) and if significantly different then continued with multiple further tests (Duncan). The conclusion of this study showed that giving broiler cage material was not significantly different (P> 0.05) on broiler production performance which included feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion.

scholarly journals Nutrient loading and farm characteristics of giant gourami fish aquaculture systems in Lake Maninjau, Indonesia: basic knowledge of production performance

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Hafrijal Syandri ◽  
Azrita undefined ◽  
Eni Sumiarsih ◽  
Elfiondri undefined
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Juvenile Fish ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Fish Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Fish Yield ◽  
Dead Fish

Background Aquaculture systems for giant gourami, Osphronemus goramy Lacepède (1801), have significantly improved fish production yields and food security in Indonesia. However, these systems also cause serious problems in terms of eutrophication in waterbodies. This study analysed the nutrient loading and farm characteristics of giant gourami in floating cages in Lake Maninjau. Method A total of 20 floating cages were used to record these nutrients in feed supply, female and male juvenile fish, dead fish and harvested fish to estimate nutrient loading. Data on the harvested fish, production cycle, stock number and cage capacity were used to estimate the stocking density, feeding rate, feed efficiency, and net fish yield, and the relationship between feed supply and nutrient loading and farm characteristics was analysed by least squares regression methods. Results A total of 20 floating cages released nutrients into waterbodies at an average rate of 236.27±60.44 kg/cycle for C, 84.52±20.86 kg/cycle for N and 8.70±3.63 kg/cycle for P. On average, fish production for each floating cage (±SD) was 1226±282 kg wet weight/cycle, and the net fish yield was 12.63±2.82 kg/m3/cycle. Survival rates ranged from 86.33 to 95.27%/cycle. The production cycles varied from 160 to 175 days with feed conversion ratios between 1.60 and 1.75, feed conversion efficiencies were between 0.58 and 0.63. The production parameters that had strong relationships with the net fish yield were feed supply (r2=0.960), stocking rates (r2=0.924) and feeding rates (r2=0.961). In contrast, the length of the production cycle was not strongly related to the net fish yield (r2=0.187). Conclusion Nutrient loading from the supplied feed was greater than that from the harvested fish, juvenile fish and dead fish. Increasing the net fish yield in floating cages was better predicted by the stocking densities and feeding levels than by the other factors.

scholarly journals Effect of BioPlus YC Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota, Production Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality of Pigs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1581
Author(s):  
Artur Rybarczyk ◽  
Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs ◽  
Alicja Dłubała
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Bacillus Licheniformis ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Probiotic Bacteria ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Feed Conversion

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis on microbiological properties of feed mixtures and on the digestive tract content as applicable to production traits and carcass characteristics of fatteners. The experiment was performed on 83,838 fatteners from four successive (insertions) productions in two groups. From the seventy eighth day of age till marketing to the slaughter plant, the pigs were supplied with BioPlus YC probiotic (Chr. Hansen) in the amount of 400 g/t. The preparation contained a complex of probiotic bacteria Bacillus licheniformis DSM 5749, and Bacillus subtilis DSM 5750 spores in a 1:1 ratio. From the fourth insertion, after reaching a body weight of approximately 112 kg, 60 fatteners were selected from each group to measure carcass quality and half of them for meat quality evaluation. Moreover, microbiological analyses in feed and colon were performed. The study showed that BioPlus YC probiotics supplementation resulted in a significantly higher count of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis in the feed, a higher count of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and LAB, as well as a lower count of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Clostridium and Bacillus sp. in the mucosa and in the colorectal content of the test pigs. Our work has shown that supplementation with the BioPlus YC probiotic had a positive effect on the production traits of pigs mainly by reducing mortality (2.83%, p = 0.010), lowering feed conversion ratio—FCR (2.59 kg/kg, p = 0.013), better average daily gain—ADG (0.95 kg/day, p = 0.002) and shorter fattening period (77.25 days, p = 0.019) when compared to the control group (4.19%; 2.79 kg/kg; 0.89 kg/day; 92.8 days, respectively). The addition of the specific Bacillus bacteria did not influence carcass and meat characteristics of the test fatteners.

scholarly journals Enterococcus faecium PNC01 isolated from the intestinal mucosa of chicken as an alternative for antibiotics to reduce feed conversion rate in broiler chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang He ◽  
Xuan Liu ◽  
Yuanyang Dong ◽  
Jiaqi Lei ◽  
Koichi Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Broiler Production ◽  
Feed Conversion Rate

Abstract Background The development and utilization of probiotics had many environmental benefits for replacing antibiotics in animal production. Bacteria in the intestinal mucosa have better adhesion to the host intestinal epithelial cells compared to bacteria in the intestinal contents. In this study, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens and investigated as the substitution to antibiotic in broiler production. Results In addition to acid resistance, high temperature resistance, antimicrobial sensitivity tests, and intestinal epithelial cell adhesion, Enterococcus faecium PNC01 (E. faecium PNC01) was showed to be non-cytotoxic to epithelial cells. Draft genome sequence of E. faecium PNC01 predicted that it synthesized bacteriocin to perform probiotic functions and bacteriocin activity assay showed it inhibited Salmonella typhimurium from invading intestinal epithelial cells. Diet supplemented with E. faecium PNC01 increased the ileal villus height and crypt depth in broiler chickens, reduced the relative length of the cecum at day 21, and reduced the relative length of jejunum and ileum at day 42. Diet supplemented with E. faecium PNC01 increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroides in the cecal microbiota. Conclusion E. faecium PNC01 replaced antibiotics to reduce the feed conversion rate. Furthermore, E. faecium PNC01 improved intestinal morphology and altered the composition of microbiota in the cecum to reduce feed conversion rate. Thus, it can be used as an alternative for antibiotics in broiler production to avoid the adverse impact of antibiotics by altering the gut microbiota. Graphic Abstract

PERFORMANCE OF DWARF BROILER BREEDERS IN LAYING CAGES AND FLOOR PENS AND OF NORMAL BREEDERS IN FLOOR PENS

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. STRAIN ◽  
A. P. PILOSKI
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Broiler Breeders ◽  
Feed Costs

Dwarf broiler breeders in single-bird cages (DC), in floor pens (DF) and normal broiler breeders in floor pens (NF) were compared for their own and their offspring’s performance. No differences were observed in rate of egg production at 147–329 days of age between the NF and DF birds (48 vs. 47%) whereas the DC birds laid at the rate of 40%. Hen-housed egg numbers for the same period followed the same general pattern (NF, 81; DF, 82; DC, 70 eggs/bird). DF and DC birds consumed less feed per dozen eggs than the NF birds (3.4 vs. 4.3 kg/doz). Egg weights in the early part of the production cycle were not significantly different among the groups but at 294 days of age the normal birds laid larger eggs than the dwarfs (65 vs. 62 g). Dwarfs in cages reached 50% production earlier than the DF or NF birds. Female offspring from the three groups grew at the same rate and weighed 1.7 kg at 56 days of age but there were significant differences in feed conversion (NF, 2.46; DF, 2.43; DC, 2.53 kg/kg body weight produced). Male offspring had small but not statistically significant differences in body weight at 56 days (NF, 2.16; DF, 2.12; DC, 2.09 kg) or feed conversion (NF, 2.30; DF, 2.29; DC, 2.34 kg/kg body weight). Mortality in the offspring ranged from 2.7 to 9.2% but did not differ significantly. Income over feed costs per broiler started did not differ from the three groups regardless of the meat price – feed price combination considered. However, when profit was computed on a breeder hen basis, the DF females were more profitable than either the NF or DC females.

Insulin secretion, body composition and pig performance are altered by feeding pattern

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Newman ◽  
Jeffery A. Downing ◽  
Peter C. Thomson ◽  
Cherie L. Collins ◽  
David J. Henman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Entire Male

Three studies investigated the effect of feeding strategy on production performance and endocrine status of growing pigs. For Experiment 1, 20 entire male pigs (70.0 ± 4.6 kg) were allocated randomly to individual pens in one of four climate-controlled rooms. Pigs were fed for 23 days either ad libitum or entrained to feed bi-phasically for two 90-min periods. For Experiment 2, 20 entire male pigs (41.2 ± 3.5 kg) were housed as per Experiment 1. Pigs were fed for 49 days either ad libitum or fed bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. For Experiment 3, 100 female pigs (66.1 ± 3.5 kg) were randomly allocated to individual pens within a commercial piggery and fed for 42 days either ad libitum or bi-phasically for two 60-min periods. Ear vein catheters were inserted into 10 pigs from each group and hourly blood samples were collected for 24 h in Experiments 1 and 2 and for 11 h in Experiment 3. Plasma insulin, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose concentrations were determined in Experiments 1 and 2, and glucose and insulin concentrations in Experiment 3. Feed intake and performance were recorded in all experiments and carcass composition was assessed by computed tomography for Experiment 2. There were no differences in final liveweight between the two treatment groups for all experiments. Pigs fed for two 90-min periods (Experiment 1) showed no difference in feed intake when compared with feeding ad libitum. Pigs in Experiment 2 fed for two 60-min intervals consumed 2.49 kg/pig.day compared with those fed ad libitum that consumed 2.68 kg/day (P = 0.057). In Experiment 3, pigs fed twice daily consumed 2.82 kg/pig.day compared with 2.91 kg/pig.day in ad libitum-fed pigs (P = 0.051). Bi-phasic fed pigs in Experiment 2 had improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency compared with pigs fed ad libitum. For all experiments, there was no difference in plasma glucose concentrations between the two treatments. In all three experiments, the circulating insulin concentrations for pigs fed ad libitum remained at a constant level throughout the sampling period. However, plasma insulin concentrations for the bi-phasic fed pigs significantly increased ~1 h after both feeding periods during all three experiments. Insulin secretion of pigs fed for two 90-min periods differed from that of pigs fed for two 60-min periods. Plasma insulin concentration increased five-fold following feeding for 60 min, compared with that in pigs fed for 90 min, which increased two-fold. Bi-phasic-fed pigs from Experiment 2 had reduced (P < 0.05) total carcass fat and significantly increased muscle when compared with pigs fed ad libitum. The data showed that feeding pigs at two succinct periods aligned insulin secretion to the time of feeding. Pigs fed for 60 min, unlike those fed for 90-min intervals, had reduced feed intake in comparison to those fed ad libitum. This may suggest that the duration of the feeding bout is important for this response and this may in turn influence both energy balance and the way energy is partitioned.

The Effect of Adding Thyme vulgaris and Cinnamomun zeylanicum on production performance and some blood traits in broiler chicken

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
GALIB A.M. AL-KASSIE
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Thymus Vulgaris ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Poultry House ◽  
Stress Coefficient ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Mean Time

This experiment was carried out at poultry house, college of Veterinary Medicine, Baghdad university,Which lasted 42 days, to by adding Thymus vulgaris the used part (Leaves, Steams and Flowers) andCinnamomum zeylanicum the used part (bark) to the concentrate diet for the experimental period for 6 weeks.The study was aimed to find out the effect of thyme or cinnamon on productive, physiological blood traits ofbroilers by using 150 unsexing Arbor Acres chicks at the age of one day. These chicks were randomly dividedinto five group equally (30 chicks each). Each group was subdivided into two equal subgroup. And fed on thefollowing ration.1-The first group was fed on ordinary diet kept as a control group.2- The second group was fed on the same ration by adding 0.5% of thyme.3- The third group was fed on the same ration by adding 1% of thyme.4- The fourth group was fed on the same ration by adding 0.5% of cinnamon.5- The fifth group was fed on the same ration by adding 1% of cinnamon.The feeding period for all groups lasted 42 days, the results revealed that There is an improving inperformance traits for all treated groups compared with control group. However, the chicks fed 0.5% thymeshould better in weekly gain period feed conversion efficiency than those fed 1% thyme. In the mean time thechicks fed 1% cinnamon should significantly higher in weekly gain and fed conversion efficiency then those fed0.5% cinnamon.However, by adding thyme or cinnamon to diet cause an improving in blood traits compared with thecontrol group. The best improving in white blood cell, were obtained in the chicks fed 1% cinnamon and theyshould significantly low better stress coefficient.

Evaluation of Design Characteristics for Animal Mortality Composting Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Tiago Costa ◽  
Neslihan Akdeniz
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Compressive Stress ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Volumetric Flow Rate ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
List Type ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Composting Systems

HighlightsDesign characteristics for animal mortality compost cover materials were tested.Compressive stress was applied to simulate the effects of the mortalities on cover materials.The highest permeability was measured for sawdust at 25% moisture content.A linear relationship was found between the volumetric flow rate and the power required to aerate the piles.Abstract. Composting is an aerobic process that relies on natural aeration to maintain proper oxygen levels. Air-filled porosity, mechanical strength, and permeability are among the essential parameters used to optimize the process. This study’s objective was to measure the physical parameters and airflow characteristics of three commonly used cover materials at four moisture levels, which could be used in designing actively aerated swine mortality composting systems. A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted to measure pressure drops across the cover materials as a function of the airflow rate and the material’s moisture content. Compressive stress was applied for 48 h to simulate the impact of swine mortalities on the cover materials. The power required to aerate each material was determined as a function of volumetric flow rate and moisture content. As expected, air-filled porosity and permeability decreased with increasing bulk density and moisture content. The highest average permeability values were measured at 25% moisture content and ranged from 66 × 10-4 to 70 × 10-4 mm2, from 161 × 10-4 to 209 × 10-4 mm2, and from 481 × 10-4 to 586 × 10-4 mm2 for woodchips, ground cornstalks, and sawdust, respectively. For the range of airflow rates tested in this study (0.0025 to 0.0050 m3 s-1 m-2), a linear relationship (R2 = 0.975) was found between the volumetric flow rate (m3 s-1) and the power required to aerate the compost pile (W per 100 kg of swine mortality). Keywords: Airflow, Darcy’s law, Livestock, Modeling, Permeability, Pressure drop.

Microwave Nondestructive Sensing of Moisture Content and Water Activity of Almonds

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1373-1379
Author(s):  
Samir Trabelsi
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Constant ◽  
Dielectric Properties ◽  
Dielectric Loss ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Activity ◽  
Free Space ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
Dielectric Loss Factor ◽  
List Type

HighlightsMoisture and water activity were determined nondestructively and in real time from measurement of dielectric properties.Moisture and water activity calibration equations were established in terms of the dielectric properties.Situations in which bulk density was known or unknown were considered.SEC ranged from 0.41% to 0.68% for moisture and from 0.02 to 0.04 for water activity.Abstract. A method for rapid and nondestructive determination of moisture content and water activity of granular and particulate materials was developed. The method relies on measurement of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor at a single microwave frequency. For the purpose of illustration, the method was applied to predicting the moisture content and water activity of almond kernels. A free-space transmission technique was used for accurate measurement of the dielectric properties. Samples of Bute Padre almond kernels with moisture content ranging from 4.8% to 16.5%, wet basis (w.b.), and water activity ranging from 0.50 to 0.93 were loaded into a Styrofoam sample holder and placed between two horn-lens antennas connected to a vector network analyzer. The dielectric properties were calculated from measurement of the attenuation and phase shift at 8 GHz and 25°C. The dielectric properties increased linearly with moisture content, while they showed an exponential increase with water activity. Situations in which the bulk density was known and unknown were considered. Linear and exponential growth regressions provided equations correlating the dielectric properties with moisture content and water activity with coefficients of determination (r2) higher than 0.96. Analytical expressions of moisture content and water activity in terms of the dielectric properties measured at 8 GHz and 25°C are provided. The standard error of calibration (SEC) was calculated for each calibration equation. Results show that moisture content can be predicted with SECs ranging from 0.41% to 0.68% (w.b.) and water activity with SECs ranging from 0.02 to 0.04 for almond kernel samples with water activity ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 and moisture contents ranging from 4.8% to 16.5% (w.b.). Keywords: Bulk density, Dielectric constant, Dielectric loss factor, Free-space measurements, Loss tangent, Microwave frequencies, Moisture content, Water activity.

​Effect of Hydrilla verticillata in Feed on Production Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Thai Native Chickens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Boonkeaw ◽  
W. Ngampongsai ◽  
N. Preuksa
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Hydrilla Verticillata ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Native Chicken ◽  
Native Chickens

Background: Producing Thai native chickens through feed commercial is costly. To reduce the cost, native chicken could be fed with local plants or agricultural waste. Hyrrilla verticillate, a dominate macrophyte in Songkhla Lagoon, contain high crude protein and nitrogen free extract. Therefore, this research studied the use of Hydrilla verticillate in Thai native chicken diet on production performance, carcass characteristics and production cost. Methods: The experiment was executed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 180 one-day-old commercial Thai native chicks. Four dietary treatments supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% Hydrilla verticillata were formulated for three different phases of the experimental chickens: starter (1-4 weeks), grower (5-8 weeks) and finisher (9-12 weeks). Two chickens from each replicate were chosen for the carcass characteristics study. Result: During the starter phase, there was no notable effect shown among the chickens fed with the diet containing Hydrilla verticillata in terms of feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) (P greater than 0.05). The control chickens had best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P less than 0.05), while the grower and the finisher periods, provided with different levels of Hydrilla verticillata, revealed no apparent differences (P greater than 0.05) concerning FI, BWG and FCR. Considering carcass characteristics, there were significant differences in live weight (LW) (P less than 0.05). But, no significant differences between treatments for hot carcass percentage, pectoralis majors, pectoralis minorstrip, thighs, wings, drumsticks and total edible carcass (P greater than 0.05). There were also statistical divergences regarding gizzard weight (GW) (P less than 0.05).

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