• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.575-580
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• 2003

We determined the effect of caponization on the carcass and giblet characteristics, and skin and muscle color in Taiwan country chicken cockerels. Caponized birds were surgically altered at 10 weeks old and were fed growing and finishing diets ad libitum during an eighteen-week experimental period. The results showed that the percentage of dressing, heart, feet, thigh, head and neck were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the intact birds, while the capons had a higher (p<0.05) percentage of abdominal fat, intestine, back, wing and breast. Eviscerated weight, breast width, gizzard, liver and spleen ratios were not affected by the treatments. The breast skin color values for lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values in the capons were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in the intact birds, but the thigh and back skin were not significantly（p>0.05）different. Compared with the intact birds, the capons had a significantly (p<0.05) less redness (a*) values in the back skin, but were not significantly (p>0.05) different in the breast and thigh skin. The L* value of the thigh muscle was significantly (p<0.05) greater in the capons than in the intact birds, but were not significantly (p>0.05) different in breast and back muscles. The b* values in the breast, back and thigh muscles of the capons were significantly (p<0.05) greater whereas the intact birds had a higher (p<0.05) a* values in the breast, back, and thigh muscles. Moreover, our findings also indicate that the castration resulted in a significant alteration in dressing percentage, carcass region and organ percentage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.20.1-20.5
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• 2014

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of form and particle size of feed supplemented with L-threonine on growth performance, carcass characteristic and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. The experimental design was a $2{\times}2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating two feed forms (pellet or mash), two feed particle sizes (fine or course), and two inclusion rates of dietary L-threonine (with or without) which adopted from 7 to 42 days of age. In this experiment, 360 a day old chicks in two sexes were assigned in each treatment and each experimental unit was included 15 chicks. Feed consumption and weight gain were measured weekly. At 35 days of age, blood samples were taken to analysis blood biochemical parameters. At the end of the experimental period, two birds were slaughtered in each treatment and carcass analysis was carried out. The results showed that the effect of feed form on body weight gain and feed intake in whole of experimental period was significant (P < 0.05). Broilers fed pelleted diets had more weight gain than the mash group. Growth performance parameters were not affected by feed particle size and dietary L-threonine supplementation in whole of experimental period (P > 0.05). The results of carcass analysis showed that liver and gizzard relative weights were influenced by feed form (P < 0.05). However, pancreas and liver relative weights were affected by feed particle size and dietary L-threonine supplementation, respectively (P < 0.05). Triglyceride and VLDL levels were affected by feed form and dietary L-threonine supplementation (P < 0.05). The effect of feed particle size on blood biochemical parameters was not significant (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the experimental results indicated that feed form increased feed consumption and weight gain in whole of experimental period (1 to 42 days of age) while feed particle size and dietary L-threonine had no effect on broiler performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1729-1735
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant by-products (MPB) supplementation to a total mixed ration (TMR) on growth, carcass characteristics and economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. Twenty seven steers (body weight [BW], $573{\pm}57kg$) were assigned to 3 treatment groups so that each treatment based on BW contained 9 animals. All groups received ad libitum TMR throughout the feeding trial until slaughter (from 24 to 30 months of age) and treatments were as follows: control, 1,000 g/kg TMR; treatment 1 (T1), 970 g/kg TMR and 30 g/kg MPB; treatment 2 (T2), 950 g/kg TMR and 50 g/kg MPB. Initial and final BW were not different among treatments. Resultant data were analyzed using general linear models of SAS. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were higher (p<0.05) for T1 than control, but there was no difference between control and T2. Plasma albumin showed low-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, whereas non-esterified fatty acid was high-, intermediate- and high-level (p<0.05) for control, T1 and T2, respectively. Carcass weight, carcass rate, backfat thickness and rib eye muscle area were not affected by MPB supplementation, whereas quality and yield grades were highest (p<0.05) for T1 and T2, respectively. Daily feed costs were decreased by 0.5% and 0.8% and carcass prices were increased by 18.1% and 7.6% for T1 and T2 compared to control, resulting from substituting TMR with 30 and 50 g/kg MPB, respectively. In conclusion, the substituting TMR by 30 g/kg MPB may be a potential feed supplement approach to improve economic efficacy in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.453-460
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• 2023

This study was conducted to confirm the growth performance of Hanwoo steers according to the crude protein and calcium levels and their effects on carcass characteristics. The experiment consisted of a total of 4 groups: HPHC (CP 15%, Ca 1.2%), HPLC (CP 15%, Ca 0.6%), LPHC (CP 12.5%, Ca 1.2%), LPLC (CP 12.5%, Ca 0.6%). In the feeding trial, Hanwoo steers (650.8±16.27 kg, n = 32, 24 months of age) were divided into four feeding groups (n = 8 each) with the same initial body weight. Animals were fed with each rice straw and concentrate (1:9) until the late fattening stage. Growth performance was measured by daily weight gain, feed conversion rate, and final weight. Carcass characteristics were measured carcass weight, loin area, back-fat thickness and marbling score. There was no significant difference in growth performance and carcass characteristics among the treatment groups. However, the ratio of meat quality grade 1⁺ or higher was 76% in LPLC, which was higher than other treatments (HPHC, 63%; HPLC, 63% and LPHC, 50%). Therefore, reducing crude protein in the feed did not affect growth and carcass characteristics. In addition, calcium control in the late fattening stage did not affect growth performance. In LPLC, the ratio of meat quality 1⁺ or higher was the highest, so additional research on calcium control in feed is thought to be necessary. However, there was no significant difference in the relationship between protein and calcium levels in feed in all study results, so the influence of the two factors on each other is thought to be low.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.518-523
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• 2014

There are multiple experiments conducted with male Korean native ducks (KND) to evaluate the optimal levels of limiting amino acids (AA). In Exp. 1, a total of 450 one-d-old male KNDs were divided into five groups with six replicates and fed experimental diets with varying levels of lysine, total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) and threonine (T1, 0.90/0.74/0.70%; T2, 1.00/0.82/0.77%; T3, 1.10/0.90/0.85%; T4, 1.20/0.98/0.93%; T5, 1.30/1.07/1.01%) to 21 d of age. In Exp. 2, one-d-old male KND were received and fed commercial starter diet from hatching to 21 d of age, and then divided into five groups with six replicates and fed one of five diets varying levels of lysine, TSAA, and threonine (T1, 0.73/0.62/0.54%; T2, 0.80/0.68/0.60%; T3, 0.87/0.74/0.65%; T4, 0.94/0.80/0.70%; T5, 1.01/0.86/0.75%) during 22 to 56 d of age, respectively. The BW gain was linearly increased as dietary limiting AA levels increased to 1.20% lysine, 0.98% TSAA and 0.93% threonine. There were no significant differences in feed intake, gain:feed and uniformity among groups. In Exp. 2, the BW gain and gain:feed were not affected by dietary limiting AA levels. There were no significant differences in carcass characteristics and meat quality among groups. The growth performance and carcass characteristics did not show the significant response to increasing dietary limiting AA levels in KND during 22 to 56 d of age. In conclusion, the levels of lysine, TSAA and threonine necessary to maximize growth for starter phase were at least 1.20%, 0.98%, and 0.93%, respectively. On the other hands, KND require relatively low levels of limiting AA for late growth and carcass yield. The dietary levels of 0.73% lysine, 0.62% TSAA and 0.54% threonine appear to be adequate during growing phase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1638-1643
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• 2014

This study was conducted to compare carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat quality in two different genotype ducks raised under identical feeding and rearing conditions. A total of ninety 1-d-old Korean native ducks (KND, n = 45) and commercial meat-type ducks (Grimaud, n = 45) were fed same experimental diets during 56 d and 42 d, respectively to obtain similar slaughter weights. The experimental diet for starter period contained 20% crude protein (CP) and 2,900 kcal nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn)/kg of diet and that for grower period contained 17% CP and 3,050 TMEn/kg of diet. Average daily gain and feed efficiency of KND were inferior to those of commercial meat-type ducks (p<0.05). Carcass weight was not different between two genetically different ducks, but carcass yield of KND was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of commercial meat-type ducks. There were no significant differences in cooking loss and pH of breast meat between two genetically different ducks, but water holding capacity of KND was significantly higher than that of commercial meat-type ducks. The linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acid of breast meat from KND were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the corresponding part from commercial meat-type ducks. Significant differences were detected in water holding capacity and the content of linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, which were significantly higher in KND, whereas growth performance tended to be superior in commercial ducks. At the market weight, the meat from KND was judged to have better qualities with regard to higher water holding capacity and greater content of polyunsaturated fatty acid compare with meat from commercial meat-type duck.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.515-524
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• 2001

Two experiments using growing and finishing pigs (Landrace$\times$Duroc$\times$Yorkshire) were conducted to determine the effects of different levels of vitamins and trace minerals (VTM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs, and to evaluate the suitability of vitamin-mineral levels commonly used in the swine industry in Korea. A total of 120 three crossbred (Landrace$\times$Duroc$\times$Yorkshire) growing (Experiment I: 20.90 0.44 kg average initial body weight) and finishing (Experiment II: 53.55 0.97 kg average initial body weight) were used in 6 and 9 weeks feeding trials, respectively. Pigs were allotted on the basis of sex and weight to 5 treatments with 6 replications per treatment with 4 pigs per pen in a completely randomized block design. Treatments were: 1) control, 2) fat soluble vitamin 200% vs. control, 3) water soluble vitamin 200% vs. control, 4) trace mineral 50% vs. control, 5) trace mineral 200% vs. control. In experiment I, during the overall experimental period (0 to 6 weeks, 21 to 54 kg body weight), ADG of the 200% trace mineral supplemented group was significantly higher than that of the 50% trace mineral supplemented group. There were no significant differences among other the treatments. Digestibility of crude protein was lowest in mineral 50% supplemented group (p<0.05). Calcium digestibility was significantly higher in the 200% fat soluble vitamin supplemented group than in the other treatments (p<0.05). In experiment II, during the overall experimental period (0 to 9 weeks, 54 to 106 kg body weight), growth performance was not significantly affected by dietary vitamin and trace mineral levels. However, increasing level of water soluble vitamins at the level of 200% compared to control had a tendency to improve the overall growth performance. Overall carcass characteristics except for carcass length did not differ among pigs fed the dietary treatments. Loin eye area, pH, drip loss and shear force of meat were not affected by dietary vitamin and trace mineral levels. There was a trend for less fat content (%) in pork when the level of vitamin and trace mineral was increased, but the difference was not significant. Flavor score was the lowest in control and highest in the 200% fat soluble vitamin supplemented group (p<0.05). Juiciness of muscle was lower in the 200% fat soluble vitamin supplemented group than other dietary treatments, except for trace mineral 50% supplemented group (p<0.05). Based on these results, it is suggested that "typical" commercial levels of vitamin and trace minerals used by feed companies in Korea are sufficient to meet requirement for the maximum growth of growing-finishing pigs. Our results suggests that a reduction in trace mineral levels in commercial diets could be considered to reduce feed cost and nutrient excretion with economic and environmental benefits.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.555-564
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of zeolite on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fecal ammonia gas release in the finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred finishing pigs (50.2$\pm$1.4kg, Landrace$\time$Yorkshire$\time$Duroc) were assigned to 4 treatments and randomly divided into 12 groups. They were divided between early finishing period (50~80kg) and late finishing period (80-120kg). Finishing pigs were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2 and 4% levels of zeolite. Average daily gain and feed conversion were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite compared with other treatments during overall period. In the finishing periods, ammonia gas emission was reduced (P<0.05) in 4% zeolite treatment more than that of the other treatments. Carcass weight and back fat thicknesses were not affected by zeolite treatments. But, the appearance of A grade pork was increased by the dietary supplementation of 4% zeolite. Feed cost was linearly decreased by increasing the supplementation of zeolite. According to this study, 4% supplement of zeolite is suitable for the improvement of carcass quality and feed conversion, the reduction of fecal ammonia gas emission and feed cost per body weight gain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1562-1568
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of indigenous herbal supplements on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. In a 6 month feeding trial, thirty Hanwoo steers ($647{\pm}32$ kg) were allotted to one of 5 treatment groups, control (basal diet contained lasalocid), licorice, clove, turmeric and silymarin, with six steers per pen. All groups received ad libitum concentrate and 1 kg rice straw/animal/d throughout the feeding trial. Blood samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and the end of the experiment and the steers were slaughtered at the end. Blood glucose, triglyceride, total protein, and albumin concentrations were higher in the turmeric treatment compared with other treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were highest (p<0.003 and p = 0.071, respectively) in steers treated with silymarin. Alanine aminotransferase activity was lower (p<0.06) for licorice and silymarin compared with the control group. There were no alterations in serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase activities as a consequence of herb treatments (p = 0.203 and 0.135, respectively). Final body weight, body weight gain, average dairy gain and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments. Yield grade, marbling score and quality grade were higher for silymarin group than those of the control group (p<0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that silymarin can be used an effective dietary supplement as an alternative to antibiotic feed additive and a productivity enhancer, providing safe and more consumer acceptable alternative to synthetic compounds during the late fattening period of steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.229-235
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• 2017

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary onion (Allium cepa) extract (OE) supplementation on growth performance, apparent total tract retention (ATTR), blood profile, carcass characteristics and meat quality in broilers. Methods: Four hundred male broiler chicks (Ross 308, 3-d old) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments for 28 d feeding trial. Each treatment has five replications with 20 birds each. Four dietary treatments were designated according to the OE supplementation levels (0 as control, 5, 7.5, and 10 g of OE per kg of basal diet respectively). On d 28, a total of 20 birds from each treatment were subjected for ATTR, serum biochemical assay, carcass characteristic and organ weight measurement. Results: Overall weight gain of OE 7.5 g/kg group was higher (p = 0.04) than control group. The ATTRs of dietary energy (p<0.01) and ether extract (p = 0.04) linearly increased with increasing levels of dietary OE. However, no difference in ATTR of dry matter and crude protein was evident. Furthermore, serum IgG concentration increased linearly (p<0.01) and quadratically (p = 0.03) with increasing OE supplementation. No differences in carcass dressing weight and amount of abdominal fat by treatments were observed. Also, the weight of organ including immune organ was not different among the treatments. The TBARS values of 10 d stored breast meat decreased linearly (p<0.01) and quadratically (p<0.01) with increasing dietary OE levels. The meat color was also affected, with lower (p<0.01) redness score in meats from OE supplemented groups. This study showed that dietary OE improved broiler weight gain presumably by increasing feed intake and ATTR of both energy and ether extract. The dietary OE increased serum IgG level and meat anti-oxidation capacity. Conclusion: This study implies that the recommended level of dietary OE supplementation could be beneficial for improving broiler performance and meat quality.