Journal of Animal Production
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:13

This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding of dried Molasses Distillers Condensed Soluble with bran (MDCS+B) to diets on growth performance, fermentation parameters, protozoa population and some blood biochemical parameters of fattening lambs. Twenty-one Mehraban male lambs (Weight average 35 ± 0. 5) at four month age old were used in 3 treatments for 74 (14 days adaptation and 60 days experiment) days in a randomized completely design. Lambs were offered either MDCS+B (control, CON) or the concentrate supplemented with 25 % MDCS+B; or 50% MDCS+B. Lambs were weighed at weekly intervals and blood samples were collected on days 30 and 60. The rumen fluid samples were collected on days 60 during the fattening period. The results showed that dry matter intake were not different between dietary treatments at second month and total period of experiment as compared to the control group. The addition of MDCS + B at level of 25% increased ruminal ammonia concentration by 10. 35% (P=0. 054) and total rumen volatile fatty acids concentration increased by 46 % as compared to the control group (P= 0. 016). The total protozoa population were not influenced by MDCS+B. The price of each kilogram of ration for 25 and 50% MDCS + B were 74 and 155 Tomans, respectively when compared with the control group. The overall results of this study showed that the use of MDCS + B reducing feed costs and can be used up to 50% of concentrate.

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of multi enzyme and bacterial inoculant on chemical composition and fermentation parameters of barley silage. Robovio multi enzyme was added at three levels, 0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of barley dry matter (DM) and Prosage bacterial inoculant (a mixture of Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium and Propionibacterium acidophilus) was added at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 mg/kg of silage DM. Chemical composition, in vitro gas production, protozoa population and protein fractions of experimental silages were measured. Results showed that multi enzyme addition decreased NDF (P<0. 05), pH, ash, B2 and C fractions (P<0. 01) and increased A and B3 fractions (P<0. 01) compared to the control. Barley silage containing 5 mg bacterial inoculant had greater DM, pH and B2 fraction (P<0. 01) and lower C fraction compared to the control and silage containing 10 mg of bacterial inoculant. Protozoa population, N-ammonia concentration, estimated metabolizable energy, short chain fatty acids and in vitro organic matter digestibility were not affected (P>0. 05). Based on these results use of bacterial and multi enzyme additives for the preparation of wilted barley silage is not recommended due to their costs.

A total of 24 male and female Sanjabi suckling lambs with an average weight of 4. 2 kg at birth day were used in a 90-day trial period using randomized complete block design for evaluation of two dietary antioxidants. The lambs were received forage and concentrate from the second week of birth in addition to maternal milk. The experimental diets included control (milk and starter), control + 10% lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and control + one tablet CoQ10 (30 mg). Every 30 day of experiment blood samples were drawn from jugular vein to measure some hematological and enzymatic parameters. No significant difference was observed among treatments for daily milk, dry matter intake and performance of lambs. Hematocrit was not affected due to lemon balm but it was increased (P<0. 05) by CoQ10. Diets containing antioxidants increased the total white blood cells compared to control (P<0. 05); but monocytes and basophils did not alter these parameters. Lemon balm reduced the lymphocytes and increased neutrophils while CoQ10 did not influence these two parameters. Eosinophil in blood samples of lambs received Lemon balm or CoQ10 were more than that of control (P<0. 05). The concentrations of glutathione peroxidase, immunoglobulin-G and total antioxidant capacity were not affected by treatments, but lemon balm supplementation decreased (P<0. 05) malondialdehyde index. The results of this experiment showed, the use of lemon balm in 10% of diet as well as 30 mg/day of coQ10 in suckling lambs’ diet improved immune system, however no significant changes observed in the performance of the lambs.

In order to measure some of the blood serum biochemical parameters in normal rearing conditions and determination of their relationship with body weight and carcass components and also the examination of sex effect on blood biochemical parameters in Isfahan native chicken, an experiment was conducted using 200 one-day-old native chickens. The chicks were reared in completely identical conditions for 12 weeks. At the end of week 12 and after six hours of fasting, the chicks were slaughtered, and their body weight and various carcass components were measured. The cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, malondialdehyde, high density lipoprotein and glucose concentrations were measured using commercial kits. The amount of globulin was calculated as the difference of total protein and albumin. The results showed that the highest significant positive correlation (P<0. 05) was observed between cholesterol with body weight and thigh weight (0. 21) and the highest significant negative correlation was observed between uric acid concentration and liver weight, and between calcium and breast weight (-0. 24). The multiple regression analysis showed that cholesterol, globulin and phosphorus parameters could be used to predict body and breast weights, as well as cholesterol and globulin levels for predicting of carcass and thigh weights. In addition, there was no significant difference between two sexes in any of the measured biochemical parameters. According to the results of this experiment, blood parameters could be used to predict some carcass characteristics in Isfahan native chicken.

The current research was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary addition of garlic powder, Cornerian cherry fruit powder (CH) and a mixture essential oil of castor and cashew nut shell (EO) on performance, egg quality and some blood parameters in commercial laying hens. One hundred and twenty-eight 58-wk-old LSL laying hens were used in 4 treatments with 4 replicates and 8 birds per each in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets included: 1) Basal diet; 2) Basal diet +1% garlic powder; 3) Basal diet+1% CH and 4) Basal diet+0. 15 percent EO. The experimental diets were fed from 59 to 63 weeks of age. The productive performance was recorded from 61 to 63 weeks of age and blood and egg yolk parameters measured at the end of the experimental period. There were no significant differences in laying hen performance among all treatments. Albumen height and Haugh unit was increased in CH compared to the control group (p<0. 05). The blood cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes did not show any significant difference among treatments. The garlic and CH powders significantly decreased egg yolk cholesterol concentration (p<0. 05), however it was not significantly affected by the EO. Finally, it was concluded that addition of CH and garlic powder in the diet of laying hens could improve the egg quality and reduce yolk cholesterol concentrations.

Effects of stocking density and the type of material used as litter on production performance and economic parameters of broilers were investigated using 2, 016 day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks in a 3×2 factorial arrangement with three levels of birds placement density [PD; 10 (control), 14, and 18 birds per square meter], and two types of bedding material [BM; wood shavings (control), and cardboard roll] based on a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four replications. The results showed that feed intake and weight gain of broilers with 10 birds/m2 density were significantly higher than 18, and 14 birds/m2 density (P < 0. 05). The feed conversion ratio of the birds raising on wood shavings was lower than birds grown on cardboard roll (P < 0. 05). The highest values of economic indicators (benefit to cost ratio, and profit margin) were observed in PD 14 birds/m2 followed by 18 birds/m2, both of which indicated a significant difference with the density of 10 birds/m2 (P < 0. 01). In total, PD 14 birds/m2 in comparison with other PDs, by reducing the fixed costs of production, as well as numerical improvement in feed conversion can provide broiler farmers with more profit. Moreover, cardboard roll with regard to its negative effect on feed efficiency cannot be used as an appropriate alternative for wood shavings.

In order to compare the effect of prebiotic and various types of fibers on performance and some physiological parameters of broiler chickens, an experiment was performed with 320 chicks with eight treatments in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were basal diet (corn-soybean meal), basal diet with prebiotic (Biolex, MB40), and various sources of fiber (wheat bran (WB), soybean hull (SH), and palm kernel meal (PKM)). Different types of fiber and prebiotics were added to the diet at 1. 5, 3% and 2 g/kg, respectively. The birds that consumed 1. 5% of PKM had the best feed conversion ratio compared to the other treatments except 3% of PKM and control diet (P<0. 05). Abdominal fat pad significantly decreased in birds that consumed various types of fiber compared to the control diet (P<0. 05). Apparent ileal digestibility of organic matter and crude protein increased in birds that consumed 3% palm kernel meal (P<0. 05). The apparent ileal digestibility of ether extract decreased in birds that consumed PKM compared to the control diet (P<0. 05). Dietary inclusion of various types of fiber caused a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides compared to the control diet (P<0. 05). The results showed that dietary inclusion of PKM improved performance, decreased abdominal fat pad and E. coli and coliform population of cecum and increased digestability of crude protein and population of Lactobacillus of cecum in broiler chickens.

In order to determine the effects of adding different levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil in two conventional and microcapsulated forms into the diet on performance, immune response, blood biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens, an exprement was conducted using 400 Ross 308 (mixed sex) broiler chickens, in five treatments, four replicates and 20 chickens per each replicate. The expriment was done in a completely randomized design. Treatments included control (no additive), dietary containing levels of 400 and 500 mg/kg Satureja essential oil and dietary containing levels of 0. 5 and 1. 00 percent capsulated Satureja essential oil. Adding different levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil in conventional and microcapsulated forms to diet of broiler chickens had no effect on feed intake, FCR, immune response and the number of white and red blood cells. However, experimental treatments containing conventional and microcapsulated form of Satureja essential oil caused a significant decrease in body weight of the birds relative to than the control treatment. The level of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and blood biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL) were not affected by the experimental treatments. Although small intestin histologhy traits like width of villi, depth of crypt and length of villi to depth of crypt ratio were not affected by the experimental treatments, the level of 0. 5 percent capsulated Satureja essential oil caused a significant decrease in length to width of villi ratio (P<0/05). Acccording to the results of the present experiment, using of two common and microcapsulated Satureja essential oil forms, have not any effect on performance, blood biochemical parameters and immune response.

In order to investigate the effect of surplus jujube meal with or without Rovabio enzyme on growth performance, carcass traits and ileum morphology in broiler chicken; 320 male broiler chicks of Ross 308 were assigned to eight treatments, four replicates and 10 birds per each. The treatments included four levels of surplus jujube meal (0, 4, 7 and 10 percent) and two levels of Rovabio multi-enzyme (0 and 0. 1 percent). The data were analyzed based on completely randomized design in factorial arrangement (2×4). The results showed that the birds fed diet containing 10% jujube with enzyme had a higher feed intake in the grower, finisher and whole periods as compared to control (no jujube and enzyme treatment; P<0. 05). The main effect and interactions of enzymes and jujube had no effect on weight gain and feed conversion ratio. However, in the starter period when the birds fed diet contained 10% jujube along with enzyme, a higher weight gain than control was observed (P<0. 05). Supplementation of 4% Jujube with enzyme increased the percentage of breast and the level of 7% jujube reduced abdominal fat compared to control (P<0. 05). Compared to control, the birds fed diets containing 10% jujube with the enzyme had higher and lower villus height and width respectively (P<0. 05). The ratio of villus height to crypt depth was the highest in birds fed enzyme (P<0. 05). It is concluded that adding 10% of jujube to the diet of broiler chickens and supplementing it with enzyme could improve the performance and meat quality of broiler chicken.

In order to determine effect of various sources of manganese, zinc and copper (Sulfate, foreign and Internal organic) and requirement levels (100, 50% requirement) on performance and immune response of broilers, an expriment was conducted using 480 commercial CAB 500 hybrid broilers in a 2×3 factorial arrangement with completely randomized design. During the experiment, live body weight (LBW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. At the end of the experiment, blood sampling was done and total antibody titer against sheep's red blood cell (SRBC), antibody titer against Newcastle Disease virus (ND) and differential count of white blood cells (WBC) were measured. The results showed that mineral sources did not affect the performance of broilers. The sources of minerals had a significant effect on livability percentage (P<0. 05) and the highest livability was observed for organic (foreign and local) treatments. Usage of local organic manganese, zinc and copper caused a better response to sheep's red blood cell (SRBC) (P<0. 05) relative to foreign form. Moreover, there was significant difference among the treatments in terms of weight (P<0. 05), feed conversion (P<0. 05) and production index (P<0. 05) and treatment with 100% requirement level had maximum impact. The birds fed with 50 % requirement showed a better response to SRBC (P<0. 05). According to the results of this experiment, the organic forms of the three manganese, zinc and copper produced in Iran can simultaneously, meet the needs of broilers and can be replaced with inorganic and the foreign sources. In addition, the 100 % requirement level of manganese, zinc and copper, regardless of source, is recommended to achieve the maximum growth performance and 50 % requirement level is recommended for better immune function.

In order to evaluate the effects of different levels of mineral salts, chelates and nano iron resources supplementation to diet on performance, tissue iron reserves and meat quality of Japanese quails, an experiment was carried out using 400 Japanese quails in a completely randomized design with 10 experimental treatments and 4 replicates. The experimental treatments consisted of one basal diet without iron supplement (control) and basal diets supplemented with levels of 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg of sulfate, chelate and nano iron. Birds fed 120 mg chelate of iron had more weight gain than control, 60 and 120 mg sulfate (P<0. 05). Nutrition of 90 and 120 mg Nano iron improved feed conversion ratio compared to controls, sulfate and 60 mg chelate iron. Birds fed with diet containing 90 and 120 mg chelate and 120 mg nano iron had more iron accumulation in breast meat than sulfate and control groups (P<0. 05). The group of 120 mg chelate iron had higher water holding capacity than control, 60 mg and 90 mg sulfate, 60 mg chelate and 90 mg nano iron treatments, and lower amount of malondialdehyde than control and 60 mg sulfate iron groups. The group of 120 mg nano iron had higher iron in the liver and blood serum, and lower cooking loss compared to the control (P<0. 05). Effect of experimental treatments on feed cost were not significant. In this study, various forms and levels of iron had a variable effect on the studied parameters.

In order to study the effect of different levels of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) and calcium on performance, bone composition and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail, a total of 720 quail chicks were used in a 3×3 factorial arrangement with completely randomized design including three levels of DEB (150, 250 and 350 mEq/kg) and three levels of dietary calcium (0. 4, 0. 8, and 1. 6%) in 9 treatments, 5 replications and 16 birds per each replicate from 14 to 35 days of age. The results showed that the birds fed diet containing 0. 4% calcium and 250 mEq/kg DEB had the highest feed intake (P<0. 05). Experimental treatments had no effect on feed conversion ratio. At both 0. 4 and 0. 8% of dietary calcium level, the highest bone calcium content was observed at 150 mEq/kg DEB (P<0. 05). The minimum kidney weight was observed in treatment containing 1. 6% calcium and 150 mEg/kg DEB and the maximum thigh and breast relative weights were observed in treatment containing 0. 8% calcium and 150 mEq/kg DEB (P<0. 05). In conclusion, the interaction of dietary calcium and DEB could be considered as an important limitation in the feed formulation of growing Japanese quail.

The effect of sweet wormwood essence (SWE) and Lactobacillus acidophilus on performance, ileal microbiology, ileal morphology and ileal nutrient digestibility of laying Japanese quails was investigated in 180 46-d-old female Japanese quail that were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a completely random design with 4 replicates and 9 birds per each. The experimental diets were as follows: basal diet as control group (without additive), basal diet plus Oxytetracycline (200mg/kg), basal diet plus SWE (250mg/kg), and basal diet plus lactobacillus acidophilus (4. 02 × 1011 CFU per kg diet). Results showed that the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus increased the egg mass per hen-housed compared to control and SWE treatments (P<0. 05). The number of lactobacilli in the ileal digest was also significantly increased by Lactobacillus acidophilus and SWE treatments, when compared with control treatment (P<0. 05). In addition, birds fed with diets containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Oxytetracycline showed a significant increase in villous height and villous height: crypt depth, when compared with those on the control diet (P<0. 05). It can be concluded that the use of Lactobacillus acidophilus as an alternative to antibiotics is more appropriate than SWE.