• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1052-1059
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• 2016

Red light (RL) marked higher weight gain (WG) and preference of broilers compared to other light colors. This study aimed to investigate how different intensities of RL affect the performance, behavior and welfare of broilers. RL treatments were T1 = high intensity (320 lux), T2 = medium intensity (20 lux); T3 = dim intensity (5 lux), T4 = control/white light at (20 lux) provided on 20L:4D schedule and T5 = negative control; 12 hours dark: 12 hours day light. Cobb strain broilers were used in a Complete Randomize Design with 6 replicates. WG, water/feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, behavior and welfare were assessed. At 35 d, significantly (p<0.05) highest body weight ($2,147.06g{\pm}99$) was recorded by T3. Lowest body weight ($1,640.55g{\pm}56$) and FCR (1.34) were recorded by T5. Skin weight was the only carcass parameter showed a significant (p<0.05) influence giving the highest (56.2 g) and the lowest (12.6 g) values for T5 and T1 respectively. Reduced welfare status indicated by significantly (p<0.05) higher foot pad lesions, hock burns and breast blisters was found under T3, due to reduced expression of behavior. Highest walking ($2.08%{\pm}1%$) was performed under T1 in the evening during 29 to 35 days. Highest dust bathing ($3.01%{\pm}2%$) was performed in the morning during 22 to 28 days and highest bird interaction (BI) ($4.87%{\pm}4%$) was observed in the evening by T5 during 14 to 21 days. Light $intensity{\times}day$ $session{\times}age$ interaction was significantly (p<0.05) affected walking, dust bathing and BI. Light intensity significantly (p<0.05) affected certain behaviors such as lying, eating, drinking, standing, walking, preening while lying, wing/leg stretching, sleeping, dozing, BI, vocalization, idling. In conclusion, birds essentially required provision of light in the night for better performance. Exposed to 5 lux contributed to higher WG, potentially indicating compromised welfare status. Further researches are suggested to investigate RL intensity based lighting regimen that favors for both production and welfare of Broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1881-1889
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• 2018

Objective: In dryland areas of China, alfalfa hay (AH) is a possible substitute for concentrate feed for beef cattle. To evaluate the potential benefits of this substitution, we studied the effect of the ratio of AH intake to total dry matter (DM) intake on average daily body-weight gain (ADG), dietary energy utilization status, and economic benefit in Gansu province. Methods: In each of two feeding trials in 2016 (trial 1 [T1], July 3 to 17; trial 2 [T2], August 15 to September 23), crossbred male Simmental calves were allocated to low AH (LA), medium AH (MA), and high AH (HA) feeding groups (n = 4 per group). The target ADG was set as 1 kg for both trials. In a one-way-layout design based on conventional feeding practices in the province, calves received diets containing the different AH amounts, with a constant ratio of corn stover:total DM and decreasing rations of concentrate feed proportional to the increase in AH. Calves in T1 received AH at 15% (T1-LA), 23% (T1-MA), or 31% (T1-HA) of their dietary DM allowances; those in T2 received 9% (T2-LA), 24% (T2-MA), or 34% (T2-HA) AH. Results: Among the T1 groups, both ADG and economic benefit were highest in T1-LA; whereas in T2, they were higher in the T2-LA and T2-MA groups than in T2-HA. Energy digestibility did not significantly differ among the groups in either trial. The dietary AH inclusion ratios of 14% in the warm season and 8% to 21% in the cool season appeared to yield optimal ADG, metabolizable energy intake, and economic benefit. Conclusion: Low-level inclusion of AH, ranging from 8% to 21%, is a practical approach for beef cattle feeding. This modified feeding regimen likely will promote increased growth performance during the fattening stage of beef steers in dryland areas of Gansu province, China.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of multiple probiotics on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens and broilers. In Exp.1, a total of 800, 82 wk old Hy-line Brown$^{(R)}$ laying hens were assigned to one of the following five dietary treatment; Control, Antibiotics (avilamycin 6 ppm), Probiotics; PB-M (Micro-ferm$^{(R)}$ 0.2%), PB-L (Lacto-sacc$^{(R)}$ 0.1%), PB-Y (Y University probiotics 0.2%). Each treatment was replicated eight times with 20 birds in each replicate and two birds were housed in each cage. Twenty birds units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wk under 16 h lighting regimen. The Exp. 2, was conducted with a total of 1,000 broilers chicks (Ross$^{(R)}$). They were divided into five treatments, same as those of Exp. 1. Birds were fed starter (0~3 wk) and grower (4~5 wk) diets. Each treatment was replicated four times with 50 birds per pen comprising of deep litter. In Exp. 1, egg production parameters, such as hen-day and hen-house egg production, egg weight, broken and soft shell egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly different among treatments. However, strength and thickness of eggshell were significantly (P<0.05) different. Among the probiotics, PB-Y showed the highest strength and thickness of eggshell. Eggshell color, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly influenced. In Exp. 2, overall weight gain (0~5 wk) and mortality were not significantly different among treatments. However, weight gain of birds from PB-Y treatment during starter (0~3 wk) was significantly lower than the birds from Control and Antibiotic treatment. During the whole period (0~5 wk), birds from Antibiotics treatment had higher feed intake and Production Index (PI) and lower feed conversion than birds from Control treatment. Probiotics treatments were not significantly different from the Control on feed intake and feed conversion. In Exp.1, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in leukocytes parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC), hetrophil (HE), lymphocytes (LY), monocyte (MO), eosinophil (EO) and stress index (SI; HE/LY) in the blood of layers. Birds from Antibiotics and probiotics treatments tended to increase these parameters. In Exp. 2, however, only SI was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Antibiotics treatments. Concentration of serum immunoglobulin (IgG) were higher (P<0.05) in PB-M and PB-Y treatments when compared with Control treatment in Exp. 1. The population of E. coli significantly (P<0.05) decreased in birds from Antibiotics, PB-L and PB-Y treatments when compared with birds from Control treatment in Exp. 1. Metalbolizability of crude fat decreased significantly (P<0.05) in birds from probiotic treatments in Exp. 2. It was concluded that the response of probiotics on the productivity of layers and broilers were different. Probiotics increased strength and thickness of eggshell in layers, and decreased feed conversion and increased PI in broilers. Leukocytes and IgG tended to increase by supplementation of antibiotics and probiotics in layers. Intestinal E. coli tended to decrease in layers. Digestibility of crude fat of diet decreased in probiotics treatments broilers. Parameters of blood and microbial were more sensitive in layers than broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of copper-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) on the performance of laying hens. A total of 1,000 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 32 wks old were assigned to one of the following 5 dietary treatments: Control, Cu-SP 50, 100, 150, 200 (50, 100, 150, 200 ppm Cu supplementation as Cu-soy proteinate). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with fifty birds per replication, housed in 2 birds cages. Fifty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 5 wks under 16L : 8D lighting regimen. There were no significant differences among treatments in hen-day and hen-house egg production, egg weight, broken & soft egg production. Feed intake and feed conversion rate (FCR) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in Cu-SP treated groups than Control. Eggshell thickness was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Control than Cu-SP 100, 150 and 200. Egg yolk color index was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Cu-SP 200 than other treatments. Egg shell color index was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu-SP 150 and Cu-SP 200 than Cu-SP 100. Concentration of copper, iron and zinc of the egg yolk were not significantly influenced by treatment. There were no significant differences in the level of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the chicken blood. The result of this experiment showed that dietary supplementation of Cu-SP at the level of 50ppm of Cu can reduce feed intake and FCR.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of herbs and plant extracts (PE) on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. A total of 1,440 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 67 wks old were assigned to one of the following 9 dietary treatments : T1 : Control (C), T2 : C + Avilamycine 6 ppm, T3 : C + Herb $Mix^{(R)}$ 0.2%, T4 : C + Biostrong $510^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T5 : C + $APEX^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T6 : C + $Digestarom^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T7 : C + $Phellozyme^{(R)}$ 0.1%, T8 : C + $Galicin^{(R)}$ 0.05%, T9 : C + CRINA $Poultry^{(R)}$ 0.05%. Each treatment was replicated 8 times with twenty birds housed in 2 bird cages. Twenty bird units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wks under 16 hours lighting regimen. Hen-day egg production was not significantly different among the treatments, but that of supplemented groups tended to be higher than the control. There were significant differences among treatments in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was higher in the supplemented groups than the control. Feed conversion ratio was higher in T8 than other treatments. Egg shell color index and egg yolk color index were significantly different among treatments. Egg shell color was affected by supplements and egg yolk color index of T9 (PE-CRINA) was significantly higher than the control. Haugh unit was not significantly different among treatments. There were significant differences in leukocytes and erythrocytes parameters. The level of serum WBC and stress index (heterophil/lymphocyte) were higher in supplemented groups than the control. The level of RBC tended to be lower in the herb or PE groups than the control. The concentration of serum IgG was not significantly different among the treatments, but all those of the supplemented groups were higher than the control. The number of Lactobacilli spp. tended to increase and that of Cl. perfrigens decrease in the supplemented groups. The number of E. coli significantly decreased in the supplemented groups. The results of this experiment showed that feeding herbs and plant extracts to laying hens tended to improve the egg production and affect positively on the level of blood parameters and small intestinal microflora.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on the performance, immune response and small intestinal microflora in laying hens. A total of 960 Hy-Line $Brown^{(R)}$ laying hens of 27 wks old, housed in 2 bird cages, were assigned in a completely randomized block design into one of the following 6 dietary treatments: control, antibiotic (6 ppm avilamycine), 0.025% MOS, 0.05% MOS, 0.25% FOS, and 0.5% FOS. Each treatment had 4 replicates of 40 birds and was fed ad libitum for 6 wks under 16 h lighting regimen. There were significant differences among treatments in hen-day and hen-housed egg production. Hen-day egg production in 0.025% MOS was significantly higher than that of control. Hen-housed egg production in antibiotic-treated group was significantly higher compared with control. Egg weight, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly different among treatments. Egg shell thickness was highest in 0.25% FOS, but was not significantly different among the rest of treatments. There were no significant differences among treatments in egg shell strength, egg shell color, egg yolk color and Haugh unit. IgG concentrations in serum were not significantly different among treatments. On the other hand, IgA concentrations of the treated birds tended to be increased compared with control. Dietary treatments tended to decrease Cl. perfringens and E. coli, and to increase Lactobacillus spp. The result of this experiment showed that dietary supplementation of MOS and FOS in laying hens tended to improve egg production comparable to the supplementation of antibiotics. The level of serum IgA and small intestinal microflora were also significantly affected by the treatments.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin C and Sea buckthorn on the performance, blood biochemistry and meat quality in old laying hens. A total 200 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (101 weeks old) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments : (1) Basal : basal diet, (2) Vit. C : basal diet + 0.1% vitamin C, (3) SB 0.1 : basal diet + 0.1% Sea buckthorn, (4) SB 0.5 : basal diet + 0.5% Sea buckthorn, and (5) SB 1.0 : basal diet + 1.0% Sea buckthorn. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 10 birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 4 weeks under 16L:8D lighting regimen. The diets were fed to hens on an ad libitum basis for 4 weeks. Result indicated that during feeding trial of the experiment, hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced by treatments. However, feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Vit. C and SB treated groups than the basal during 1 wks and 3 wks. Egg weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in basal and Vit. C than the SB 1.0 treatment. There were no differences in carcass yield during feeding trials. However, partial ratio (breast and neck) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SB 0.5 than other treatment. There were no differences in the level of leukocytes and erythrocytes. There were no significant differences on proximate analysis (DM, crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash), meat color, water holding capacity, cooking loss, and fatty acids concentrations. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of vitamin C and Sea buckthorn to the diet of old laying hens might be a potential ingredient for increasing partial weight (breast) in old laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.323-329
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• 2014

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of copper-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) and herbal mixture (HBM) on growth performance, blood parameter, and immune response in laying hens. A total 800 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (60 weeks old) were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments : (1) Control : control diet, (2) Cu-SP : control diet + 100 mg/kg Cu-soy proteinate, (3) HBM : control diet + 0.15% herbal mixture, and (4) Cu-SP + HBM : control diet + 100 mg/kg Cu-soy proteinate + 0.15% herbal mixture. Each treatment was replicated 5 times with forty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 5 weeks under 16L : 8D lighting regimen. The diet and water were available ad libitum. Result indicated that during feeding trial of the experiment, hen-day egg production was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu-SP and HBM treated groups than control. However, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, broken and shell less egg production were not significantly influenced by treatments. Eggshell strength was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu-SP than control. Eggshell thickness, eggshell color, egg yolk color, Haugh unit were not significantly influenced by treatments. The level of WBC and stress index (heterophil : lymphocyte) were higher in supplemented groups than the control. The concentration of plasma IgG was higher in supplemented groups than the control. The result of this experiment showed that dietary copper-soy proteinate or herbal mixture tended to improve egg production and affect positively on immune response of laying hens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.547-554
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to investigate the dietary effects of a transgenic Aspergillus oryzae(AO) culture on the performance, egg quality and intestinal microflora of layers. A total of 840 Hy-line Brown layers of 39wks old were assigned to one of the following 7 dietary treatments: control(C), C+0.2% AO culture, C+0.5% AO culture, C+0.2% transgenic AO culture, C+0.5% transgenic AO culture, C+0.2% transgenic mutant AO culture, and C+0.5% transgenic mutant AO culture. The transgenic AO was made by inserting Salmonella gallinarum gene to AO. And the transgenic mutant AO was made by inserting Salmonella gallinarum gene to mutant AO which was mutated by UV irradiation. Each treatment was replicated six times with 20 birds housed in 2 bird cage. Twenty birds units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted for 8wks under 16 hour lighting regimen. Laying performance and egg quality were significantly(P<0.05) affected by the treatments. Transgenic AO culture supplementation at the level of 0.2% significantly increased egg production, while its egg weight was significantly decreased compared to that of the control. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio(FCR) were not significantly different among the AO treatments and the control. The eggshell strength of the AO treatments was significantly higher than that of the control. Transgenic mutant AO culture supplemented at the level of 0.5% significantly increased egg yolk color. Intestinal microflora were significantly(P<0.05) affected by the treatments. The cfu of Lactobacilli spp. significantly increased and those of Salmonella species and E. coli decreased in the AO treatments. The transgenic AO and transgenic mutant AO culture were more effective than the AO culture in reducing the cfu of Salmonella species and E. coli. It is concluded that supplementation of the transgenic AO culture at the level of 0.2% could be recommended for the improvement of egg production. Supplementation of transgenic AO or transgenic mutant AO culture at 0.2% level effectively controlled intestinal Salmonella species population.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2013

This study was conducted to estimate organic Hanwoo carrying capacity when whole crop wheat and triticale as winter forage crops were grown on different applying sources (no fertilizer, organic fertilizer or cattle slurry), and mixed sowing in combination with hairy vetch and forage pea at the level of 50% cattle slurry application during the period of 2009~2011. The experimental plots were consisted of 5 treatments. Each treatment was triplicates and allocated in the randomized complete block design. For whole crop wheat, annual mean dry matter (DM) yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher for fertilizer application treatments than for no fertilizer treatment, and crude protein (CP) yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher for forage pea and hairy vetch-mixed sowing treatments than for no fertilizer and organic ferilizer treatments. Mean CP, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and relative feed value (RFV) contents of legumes-mixed sowing treatments was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other treatments. As diets replaced with 70% whole crop wheat were provided for 450kg of Hanwoo heifers, legumes-mixed sowing treatments could raise more heifers than organic fertilizer and no fertilizer treatments. For triticale, annual mean DM, CP and TDN yields were significantly (P<0.05) higher for fertilizer application treatments than for no fertilizer treatment, and CP content of legumes-mixed sowing and cattle slurry application treatments was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of other treatments. When 450kg of Hanwoo heifers were fed on diets replaced with 70% triticale, it was estimated that legumes-mixed sowing treatments at the level of 50% cattle slurry application could rear average 3.3~3.4 heads/ha/year, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than no fertilizer treatment (2.5 heads/ha/year). It was indicated that DM yields of whole crop wheat and triticale were much more effective in cattle slurry application than organic fertilizer, and Legumes-mixed sowing at the level of 50% cattle slurry application rather than whole crop wheat or triticale alone increased yields per unit area and nutritional value such as CP content. In conclusion, it is conceived that whole crop wheat or triticale produced in the manner above can be used instead of grains imported as dietary protein sources in the organic Hanwoo feeding regimen.