• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.316-320
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• 2001

Sixteen growing crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats, 10-12 months old, pre-experimental average body weights of $18.3{\pm}0.28kg$ were randomly allotted to four diets to investigate the efficiency of utilisation of diets containing increasing levels of desiccated coconut waste meal (DCWM) in the tropical environment of Samoa, South Pacific region. The four diets were designated as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Diet 1 that has no DCWM served as the control, while diets 2, 3 and contained different levels of DCWM. Voluntary concentrate intake, growth rate, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility coefficients were measured. Gross energy (GE) and organic matter (OM) values of the diets increased linearly with increase in the levels of DCWM in the diets. Voluntary concentrate intake decreased with increasing proportion of DCWM in the diets. Forage intake increased with increase in the levels of DCWM diets offered to the growing goats. Total voluntary feed intakes were statistical significant (p<0.05) and the goats on diet 4 had the least intake followed by those on diet 3. Goats an diets 1 and 2 were different in total feed intake but not at a significant level (p>0.05). Feed efficiency (FE) followed the trend of voluntary concentrate intake and daily live weight gains. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly different (p<0.05) among the goats offered the different diets. DMD improved with increasing levels of DCWM. The goats accepted all, the diets that were compounded with the different levels of dried DCWM and this seems to suggest that DCWM have no deleterious effects. However, the best level at which dried DCWM could replace brewers dried grains in the diets of growing goats is at 38.5% (diet II). Based on voluntary feed intake, live-weight gain and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients of the goats it could be concluded that DCWM based diets merits further attention as a locally available feed source in ruminants nutrition in the Pacific Island countries where feed availability is seasonal.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2016

Purpose: Pepper prices have risen continuously because of a decrease in cultivation area; therefore, mechanical harvesting systems for peppers should be developed to reduce cost, time, and labor during harvest. In this study, a screw type picking head for a self-propelled pepper harvester was developed, and the optimal working conditions were evaluated considering helix types, winding directions of helix, and rotational speeds of the helix. Methods: The screw type was selected for the picking head after analyzing previous studies, and the device consisted of helices and a feed chain mechanism for conveying pepper branches. A double helix and a triple helix were manufactured, and rotational speeds of 200, 300, and 400 rpm were tested. The device was controlled by a variable speed (VS) motor and an inverter. Both the forward and reverse directions were tested for the winding and rotating directions of the helix. An experiment crop (cultivar: Longgreenmat) was cultivated in a plastic greenhouse. The test results were analyzed using the SAS program with ANOVA to examine the relationship between each factor and the performance of the picking head. Results: The results of the double and triple helix tests in the reverse direction showed gross harvest efficiency levels of 60-95%, mechanical damage rates of 8-20%, and net marketable portion rates of 50-80%. The dividing ratio was highest at a rotational speed of 400 rpm. Gross harvest efficiency was influenced by the types of helix and rotational speed. Net marketable portion was influenced by rotational speed but not influenced by the type of helix. Mechanical damage was not influenced by the type of helix or rotational speed. Conclusions: Best gross harvest efficiency was obtained at a rotational speed of 400 rpm; however, operating the device at that speed resulted in vibration, which should be reduced.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of vitamin C supplemented in either feed or water on the performance and carcass characteristics of broilers during the hot season. For a 6 week feeding trial, a total of 330 broiler chicks (Ross, 4 d old, average 57 g BW) were alloted to five treatments. The treatments of vitamin C (VC) supplementation were 1) 0 ppm VC, 2) 10 ppm VC in feed, 3) 20 ppm VC in feed, 4) 5 ppm VC in water and 5) 10 ppm VC in water. During the starter phase (0-3 week), chicks on non-supplemented group grew slower (p<0.01) than the supplemented ones, and a similar trend was also noted during finisher stage and the overall stage. Feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented groups and higher when fed in feed as compared with water during all stages. But feed conversion efficiency was significantly improved in non-supplemented groups compared to supplemented ones in finisher and overall stage. The digestibility of gross energy and ether extract was significantly (p<0.05) higher during starter phase in supplemented, given in feed, and at higher levels as compared with non-supplemented, given in water, and at lower levels, respectively. The bone resistance was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented, supplied in feed groups as compared with their counterparts. Except breast meat, the dressing percentage and abdominal fat were also higher in supplemented group and the dressing percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in VC supplemented in feed as to water, but no effect of supplementation was noticed on meat color when compared between the methods of feeding (feed vs. water). The levels of VC in plasma and liver increased linearly, as the level of supplementation both in feed and water increased and it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in feed group as compared with water group. It can be concluded that, retention and availability of vitamin C in feed was higher than those in water, and supplementation of VC during summer was beneficial for poultry.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of single or/and double strains of probiotic supplement on feed efficiency, growth performance, and microbial population in distal gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of weaning rabbits. Methods: Sixty-four weaning (28 days old) New Zealand White rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups with treatments including: basal diet without probiotic supplement (control) or supplemented as follows: $1{\times}10^6cfu/g$ B. subtilis (BS group), $1{\times}10^7cfu/g$ L. acidophilus (LA group), or $0.5{\times}10^6cfu/g$ B. subtilis plus $0.5{\times}10^7cfu/g$ L. acidophilus (BL group). During the research, the male and female rabbits were fed separately. Body weight of the rabbits was recorded at 28, 42, and 70 d of age. Results: There was an increase (p<0.05) in body weight gain for the LA group at 42 d. Rabbits fed BL responsed with a greater growth (p<0.05) and better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) than those fed with no probiotic. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy were higher (p<0.05) in LA and BL groups than those in the control group. Male rabbits had higher (p<0.05) Bacilli spp. and Coliformis spp. in the ileum than female rabbits. Rabbits supplemented with BS had greater (p<0.05) numbers of bacilli in all intestinal segments than those receiving no probiotic, whereas intestinal Lactobacilli populations were greater (p<0.001) in the LA and BL diets compared to control. Average intestinal coliform populations were lowest (p<0.05) in the rabbits supplemented with LA as compared to those fed the control and BS. Conclusion: Supplementation of L. acidophilus alone or in combination with B. subtilis at a half of dose could enhance number of gut beneficial bacteria populations, nutrient digestibility, cecal fermentation, feed efficiency, and growth performance, but rabbits receiving only B. subtilis alone were not different from the controls without probiotic.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1409-1418
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• 2001

Two trials were carried out during two different grazing seasons to evaluate effect of grass silage supplementation, when amount of pasture is limited on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and gross energetic efficiency (GEE) of grazed lactating cows on a high forage-based diet. Fifty-one Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: high pasture group or high silage group. In the spring flush, pasture and silage DMI, milk yield, milk fat percentage, and GEE were not different between the dietary groups. After the spring flush, pasture and silage DMI were higher for the high silage group than for the high pasture group. After the spring flush, although these were the higher total DMI of the high silage group than the high pasture group, milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the high pasture group than the high silage group. Milk fat percentage tended to be higher for the high silage group than the high pasture group. The GEE was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the high pasture group than the high silage group during after the spring flush. This study indicated that supplementation of grass silage, especially after the spring flush, can have a significant effect of increasing of forage intake and maintenance of the milk fat percentage; but not increase milk yield and GEE.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.1282-1289
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• 2001

One feeding trial and two metabolic trials were conducted to investigate the effects of lysine to protein ratio in practical swine diets on growth performance and efficiency of nitrogen retention and utilization in different growing phases. In Trial one (the feeding trial), 90 mixed sex pigs weighing $9.1{\pm}1.4kg$ (Duroc ${\times}$ Landrance ${\times}$ Beijing Black) were used to study the effects of concentrations of 5.2, 5.3, 5.8, 6.4 and 7.2 g lysine/100 g CP in diets containing 1.2% lysine on growth performance and serum urea nitrogen. The results showed that feed conversion efficiency and economic efficiency were best for pigs fed the diet containing the lysine concentration of 5.8 g /100 g crude protein. Serum urea nitrogen concentration decreased linearly (p=0.0009) and serum free lysine content increased linearly (p=0.0017) as the lysine to protein ratio in diets increased from 5.2 to 7.2 g/100 g. In Trials two and three (the metabolic trials), five growing barrows (Duroc ${\times}$ Landrance ${\times}$ Beijing black), with initial body weights of approximately $26{\pm}2.4kg$ and $56.3{\pm}3.5kg$, respectively, were allotted to five dietary treatments according to a $5{\times}5$ Latin square design. Trial two contained 5.2, 5.7, 6.1, 6.7 and 6.8 g lysine/100 g CP treatments. Trial three contained 4.6, 5.0, 5.6, 6.1 and 6.6 g lysine/100 g CP treatments. The results showed that nitrogen retention in growing pigs decreased linearly (p=0.0011 in Trial two; p=0.0099 in Trial three) as the lysine to protein ratio in diets increased. The ratio of lysine to protein in diets resulting in maximum nitrogen retention was 5.2 g/100 g and 5.0 g/100 g in Trial two and Trial three, respectively. In Trial two, apparent biological value and gross nitrogen efficiency increased linearly (p=0.0135 and p=0.0192, respectively) as the lysine to protein ratio increased from 5.2 to 6.8 g lysine/100 g CP. In summary, we concluded that the optimal Lysine to Protein Ratios for 8-20 kg and 20-80 kg pigs were 5.8 g/100 g and 5.0 to 5.2 g/100 g, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-33
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• 1982

The purpose of this experiment is to clarify the additional effect of antibiotics for the chicken breeding feed. This experiment was carried out with 6,560 individuals which were collected from four farms, Dugil, Hyubhoi, Sanggog and Kumsan. The duration of this experiment was 6 months from July to December in 1981. 1. Body weight and body gain. (1) The range of the body gain was 1.91-7.60% The most effective sections was T$_3$, and the effect was T$_2$, T$_4$, T$_1$, T$\sub$5/ in order. (2) The environmental sanitation of the Sanggog farm was not so good. In this farm the body gain was severely occurred in T$_3$ and T$_2$ sections. Mere gain obtained from T$\sub$5/ section. (3) The environmental sanitation was good in Dugil, Hyubhoi and Kumsan. A little body gain was occurred in these farms, but differences were shown according to the place or breeds. 2. Amount of feed intake feed conversion ratio. (1) Amount of feed intake was increased 0.13-3.19%, and feed conversion ratio was improved 1.68-4.62% compared with control. T$_3$ section showed high percent and T$_4$ T$_1$, T$\sub$5/, Is, C in order. (2) The keeping method of the chicken breed in Hyubhoi was floor brooding. From Hyubhoi and Sanggog farms, the efficiency was increased 9.4-9.8%. (3) From Dugil and Kumsan, the rate of improvement was low. 3. Mortality : Mortality was merely decreased in Sanggog and Kumsan farms which the sanitary and fowl caring conditions had been had, by additional antibiotics. But there was no worthy effect. 4. The ratio of carcass and the degree of skin coloration. The additional antibiotics in feed had no effect on the ratio of carcass but had the influence on the yellowish skin coloration. Skin coloring was good in T$\sub$7/ section and T$_1$, T$\sub$6/, T$_4$, C, T$_3$, T$\sub$5/, T$_2$ in order. 5. Economical efficiency (1) The addition of the antibiotics in feed increased 3.76-10.95% of gross earning. The highest earning was occurred in T$_4$ section and T$_3$, T$_1$, T$_2$, T$\sub$5/, C sections in order. (2) The earning rate was influenced by the antibiotic products. (3) In Dugil and Kumsan farms, there was no difference in earning, however, in Hyubhoi and Sanggog farms there was wide difference in earning. Conclusionally, the addition of antibiotics in chicken breeding feed is necessary. Especially in bad condition of environmental sanitation and floor brooding, the effect of additional antibiotics is clear. Selection of antibiotics from various kinds, maker's confidence and quality problems are important.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1794-1801
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• 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, carcass yield, size of digestive organs and nutrient utilization in Mexican Creole chickens, using four diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME, kcal/kg) and crude protein (CP, %). Methods: Two hundred thirty-six chickens, coming from eight incubation batches, were randomly distributed to four experimental diets with the following ME/CP ratios: 3,000/20, 2,850/19, 2,700/18 and 2,550/17. Each diet was evaluated with 59 birds from hatching to 12 weeks of age. The variables feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion (FC), mortality, carcass yield, size of digestive organs, retention of nutrients, retention efficiency of gross energy (GE) and CP, and excretion of N were recorded. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design with repeated measures using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, with covariance AR (1) and adjustment of degrees of freedom (Kendward-Roger), the adjusted means were compared with the least significant difference method at a significance level of 5%. Results: The productive performance variables BWG, mortality, carcass yield, fat and GE retention and excretion of N were not different (p>0.05) due to the diet effect. In the 3,000/20 diet, the chickens had lower values of FI, FC, crop weight, gizzard weight, retention, and retention efficiency of CP (p<0.05) than the chickens of the 2,550/17 diet. Conclusion: The Mexican Creole chickens from hatching to 12 weeks of age can be feed with a diet with 2,550 kcal ME and 17% CP, without compromising productive parameters (BWG, mortality, carcass yield) but improving retention and retention efficiency of CP.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2006

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of choice feeding on growth performance, carcass quality, gastrointestinal development and feed utilization of 22-49 days old broilers. One hundred and forty four 22-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 4 replicates per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. Three feeding regimes are complete diet (control), ground corn and protein concentrate (treatment I), and soybean meal and balancer (treatment II). Protein concentrate is the residue part of complete diet without corn, and balancer is the residue part of complete diet without soybean meal. Treatment I and II are designed for the broilers to freely choose the two parts of diet. The results showed that: (1) broilers under choice feeding (treatment I and II) had lower performances compared with the control; (2) gastrointestinal development and the efficiency ratios that broilers converted dietary crude protein and lysine to body weight gain were improved in treatment I (p<0.05); (3) there were no significant differences in the apparent metabolizabilities of dietary dry matter, crude protein and gross energy, and deposition ratios of dietary nitrogen and energy, and carcass quality among three feeding regimes (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.317-320
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• 1994

An experiment was carried out with village chicken at the laying stage raised on the semi-intensive system on three feeding treatments with each of 30 birds replicated three times. The three feeding treatments were: layer mash only, layer mash and corn as choices and choices of a high protein concentrate and corn. Feed and protein intake was significantly higher for birds on the layer mash and lower for birds on the choices of a high protein and corn diet. There was no differences in egg production for the birds fed the layer mash either alone or a choice with corn but lower for the birds on the choices of a high protein feed and corn. There was no differences in egg weight and gross efficiency for all treatments. The practice of choice feeding layer mash and corn could be adopted by farmers rearing village chicken under the semi-intensive system due to the lower cost.