• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.1308-1315
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different methods of feeding and processing of diets on performance, morphological changes in the small intestine and nutrient digestibility of young pigs. A total of 120 pigs (Youkshire${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Duroc; initial body weight of $5.83{\pm}0.67kg$) were randomly allotted into six treatments in a $2{\times}3$ factorial design. Treatments were 1) dry feeding with a mash diet (DM), 2) dry feeding with a pelleted diet (DP), 3) dry feeding with an expanded crumble diet (DEC), 4) wet feeding with a mash diet (WM), 5) wet feeding with a pelleted diet (WP), 6) wet feeding with an expanded crumble diet (WEC). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were not significantly (p>0.05) different among treatments. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved when pigs fed a pelleted diet or an expanded crumble diet. Pigs fed an expanded crumble diet showed 9.2% and 17.3% improvement in ADG and FCR compared with those fed a mash diet. The morphological changes in the small intestine were examined at the termination (4 weeks after weaning) of the experiment. Differences in morphological changes of gastrointestinal tract were not significant among treatments. Though villus height was not significantly affected by feeding method or feed processing, the villus height of weaned pigs tended to be preserved by wet feeding. The use of a pelleted diet also helped to prevent the shortening of villus height. Pigs fed a WP diet maintained the highest villus height at all parts of the small intestine. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in nutrient digestibility among treatments. However, nutrient digestibility for pigs fed a pelleted diet had a higher than that of pigs fed mash diets. Especially, pigs fed a WP diet digested 5.3% more P each day than those fed a DM diet. Compared with the mash diet, the expanded crumble diet decreased feed cost per kg weight gain by 15%. The net profit per pig was 79% higher in the expanded crumble diet pigs than in mash diet pigs. In conclusion, this study suggests that feeding processed diets to piglets can be more beneficial in terms of FCR and production cost.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1470-1476
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• 2016

Octacosanol, which has prominent physiological activities and functions, has been recognized as a potential growth promoter in animals. A total of 392 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks with similar body weight were randomly distributed into four dietary groups of seven replicates with 14 birds each supplemented with 0, 12, 24, or 36 mg octacosanol (extracted from rice bran, purity >92%)/kg feed. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks and was divided into the starter (day 1 to 21) and the grower (day 22 to 42) phases. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in broilers fed a diet containing 24 mg/kg octacosanol compared with those fed the control diet in the overall phase (day 1 to 42, p = 0.042). The average daily gain and FCR both showed linear effects in response to dietary supplementation of octacosanol during the overall phase (p = 0.031 and 0.018, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet showed a higher eviscerated yield, which increased by 5.88% and 4.26% respectively, than those fed the control diet (p = 0.030). The breast muscle yield of broilers fed with 24 mg/kg octacosanol diet increased significantly by 12.15% compared with those fed the control diet (p = 0.047). Eviscerated and breast muscle yield increased linearly with the increase in dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.013 and 0.021, respectively). Broilers fed with 24 or 36 mg/kg octacosanol diet had a greater (p = 0.021) $pH_{45min}$ value in the breast muscle, which was maintained linearly in response to dietary octacosanol supplementation (p = 0.003). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.007) in drip loss value between the octacosanol-added and the control groups. The drip loss showed linear (p = 0.004) and quadratic (p = 0.041) responses with dietary supplementation of octacosanol. These studies indicate that octacosanol is a potentially effective and safe feed additive which may improve feed efficiency and meat quality, and increase eviscerated and breast muscle yield, in broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of octacosanol at 24 mg/kg diet is regarded as the recommended dosage in the broilers' diet.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2015

A $3{\times}3$ factorial study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth, feed utilization and innate immunity of red seabream Pagrus major. Nine diets consisting of three protein levels (42%, 46% and 50% crude protein) and three lipid levels (10%, 14% and 18% crude lipid) were formulated. Triplicate groups of red seabream were fed the experimental diets to apparent satiation (5-6 times a day, from 08:00 to 18:00 h at 2-h intervals) for 10 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed P46L14 (46% protein and 14% lipid), P50L10 (50% protein and 10% lipid) and P50L14 (50% protein and 14% lipid) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of fish fed P42L18 (42% protein and 18% lipid). The feed conversion ratios (FCR) of the fish were affected by dietary lipid levels (P<0.039), but not dietary protein levels. The FCR tended to increase with increasing dietary lipid levels from 10% to 18% with the 46% and 50% protein levels. The weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, feed intake and survival of fish were not affected by either dietary protein or lipid levels. Myeloperoxidase activity in the group fed P50L14 (50% protein and 14% lipid) was significantly higher than that in the group fed P42L10 (42% protein and 10% lipid) or P50L18 (50% protein and 18% lipid). However, the myeloperoxidase activity of fish was not affected by either dietary protein or lipid level. The fish fed P46L14 (46% protein and 14% lipid) and P46L18 (46% protein and 18% lipid) showed significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity than did the fish fed P46L10 (46% protein and 10% lipid), P50L10 (50% protein and 10% lipid) of P50L18 (50% protein and 18% lipid). In conclusion, the optimum protein and lipid levels for the growth and feed utilization of juvenile red seabream were 46% and 14%, respectively, and the optimum dietary protein to energy ratio was 27.4 g/MJ.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.353-358
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• 2013

A study investigated the effects of Galla Rhois (GR) on growth performance and diarrhea incidence of postweaning piglets. One hundred 28-day-old piglets were randomly assigned into five experimental groups, which were a basal diet alone (NC), chlortetracycline 0.3 g/kg feed (PC) and supplemented with GR 1.0 g/kg feed (GR 1), GR 2.0 g/kg feed (GR 2), and GR 4.0 g/kg feed (GR 3). After 28 days of administration, final body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio of PC, GR 2 and GR 3 was significantly different compared to those of NC (p < 0.05). Additionally, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of PC and all groups treated with GR was significantly different compared to those of NC (p < 0.05). Especially, final BW, ADG, ADFI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of GR 2 and GR 3 were not significant different compared to those of PC. In fecal scores and duration of diarrhea, PC and all groups treated with GR were significantly different compared to NC (p < 0.05). In hematogolical and serum biochemical analysis, there were no significant differences in any of the hematogolical and serum biochemical parameters examined in either NC or all groups treated with GR. The results of this study indicated that GR could be a potential candidate as feed additives for the improvement of growth performance and incidence of diarrhea in piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.732-741
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• 2020

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Broussonetia papyrifera L. (B. papyrifera) silage on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, meat quality, and meat amino acids and fatty acids compositions in beef cattle. Methods: Sixty-four male Angus beef cattle were assigned to 4 groups with 4 pens in each group and 4 beef cattle in each pen, and fed with the total mixed ration supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% B. papyrifera silage for 100 days (control group, 5% group, 10% group and 15% group) separately. Results: Beef cattle had significantly higher final body weight (BW) in 15% group, higher average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) in 5% group, 10% group and 15% group, and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) in 10% group and 15% group. Significantly higher blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration was noted in 15% group, higher blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 10% group and 15% group, lower 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in 15% group. Meat had lower pH in 15% group, higher Commission International DeI'Eclairage (CIE) L^⋆ in 5% group, 10% group, and 15% group, and lower drip loss in 15% group. Greater concentration of meat polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was observed in 10% group and 15% group, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in 15% group. Conclusion: Diet with 15% B. papyrifera silage could improve performance and increase final BW, ADG, DMI, and FCR, enhance the antioxidant functions by decreasing blood 8-OHdG and MDA and increasing blood SOD and TAC, improve the meat quality by lowing pH and drip loss and increasing CIE L^⋆, increase the meat PUFA and DHA concentration. Polyphenols and flavonoids might be the main components responsible for the antioxidant activity and anti-biohydrogenation in the B. papyrifera silage. And B. papyrifera silage could be used as a new feedstuff in beef cattle nutrition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1354-1360
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• 2006

Maize-soybean meal diets with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg double zero rapeseed meal ('00' RSM) with and without an enzyme mixture (xylanase, pectinase, cellulase) at a level of 1.6 g/kg were evaluated with 624 day-old broiler chicks for 5 weeks. The birds were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with three replicates of 26 birds each. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly and ileal viscosity, organ weights, serum enzyme activity, hormonal profile and hematological parameters were measured at the end of week 5. Average daily gain during the weekly periods was significantly influenced by the dietary level of '00'RSM (p<0.01). Inclusion of '00' RSM improved the ADG up to day 28 with the increased level; beyond that time no improvement was recorded when compared to control groups. However, ADG from 1-35 days was significantly different between 300 g/kg inclusion level of '00' RSM and the control diet. Inconsistent decline in feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed up to day 21 and the trend was reversed thereafter. The proportion of '00' RSM in the diet had a significant ($p{\leq}0.05$) influence on thyroid weight but had no effect on the relative weights of liver and heart, serum enzyme activities (${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase), thyroid hormones ($T_3$ and $T_4$), hemoglobin level and hematocrit. Significant improvement in ADG was recorded during the 2nd week of age with the addition of enzyme, whereas for all other periods, including the whole period of the trial, higher but non-significant ADG was observed. FI and FCR were not affected by the addition of enzyme but there was a numerical reduction in FCR during the whole period. The addition of enzyme reduced the ileal viscosity at all levels of '00' RSM inclusion. The results suggest that '00' RSM can be included up to 300 g/kg in broiler diets without any adverse effects on health and performance. The addition of commercial enzyme mixture containing xylanase, pectinase, cellulase to broiler diets containing '00'RSM has some effect on growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.834-842
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• 2017

Objective: An experiment was to evaluate the interplay of dietary lipid sources and feeding regime in the transition from sow milk to solid food of abruptly weaned piglets. Methods: Soon after weaning, 144 piglets were selected and were trained over a 15 day period to experience gradually reducing dietary fat content from 12% to 6% for lard (L), soybean oil (S), and coconut oil (C) and their feeding behavior and diet preference then tested in a behavior observation experiment. Another 324 weaned piglets were used in three consecutive feeding experiments to measure the effect of different dietary fats on performance and feed choice in the four weeks after abrupt weaning. The lipid sources were used as supplements in a 3% crude fat corn/soya basal diet, with 6% of each being included to form diets 9C, 9S, and 9L respectively, and their effects on performance measured. Combinations of these diets were then further compared in fixed blends or free choice selection experiments. Results: Piglets pre-trained to experience reducing lipid inclusion showed different subsequent preferences according to lipid source, with a preference for lard at 9%, soybean oil at 3%, and coconut oil at 6% inclusion rate (p<0.001). Following abrupt weaning, whilst after 4 weeks those fed 9C had the heaviest body weights (18.13 kg, p = 0.006). Piglets fed a fixed 1:1 blend of 9C+9S had a poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.80) than those fed a blend of 9C+9L (FCR = 1.4). The 9C and 9L combination groups showed better performance in both fixed blend and free choice feeding regimes. Conclusion: After abrupt weaning, they still have dependence on high oleic acid lipids as found in sow milk. A feeding regime offering free choice combination of lipids might give the possibility for piglets to cope better with the transition at weaning, but further research is needed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.411-418
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• 2018

A total of 576 seven-day-old male Ross 308 broilers with an average initial BW of $180{\pm}1g$ were used in a 4 week feeding experiment which included a starter phase (7 to 21 d) and a grower phase (22 to 35 d). Birds were randomly allocated into 1 of 3 treatments with 12 replicates per treatment and 16 birds per pen. The treatments consisted of the following: T1, Control; T2, T1 + 0.1% Creamer (Dongsuh Foods Corporation, Incheon, Korea), and T3, T1 + 0.5% Creamer. The broilers were weighed by pen and feed intake (FI) and the number of living broiler chickens were recorded on d 7, 21, and 35. These information were used to calculate the body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). As results of this experiment, there were no significant differences in the BWG, FCR and nutrient digestibility among the treatments. With regards to meat quality, no adverse effects were observed among the treatments. However, a higher score in redness was observed in T3 than in T1. In addition, the relative weight of breast muscle was reduced in T3 compared with T1. Regardless of the nondairy creamer (NDC) inclusion levels, no negative effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility were observed. In conclusion, non-dairy creamer could be a kind of fat sources additive in broiler diets, further studies are needed to test the optimum levels of the NDC to be supplemented in broilers diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.778-787
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of normal and heat stress environments on growth performance and, selected physiological and immunological parameters, caecal microflora and meat quality in Cobb 500 and Ross 308 broilers. Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty male broiler chicks from each strain (one-day-old) were randomly assigned in groups of 10 to 24 battery cages. Ambient temperature on day (d) 1 was set at 32℃ and gradually reduced to 23℃ on d 21. From d 22 to 35, equal numbers of birds from each strain were exposed to a temperature of either 23℃ throughout (normal) or 34℃ for 6 h (heat stress). Results: From d 1 to 21, strain had no effect (p>0.05) on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), or the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Except for creatine kinase, no strain×temperature interactions were observed for all the parameters measured. Regardless of strain, heat exposure significantly (p<0.05) reduced FI and BWG (d 22 to 35 and 1 to 35), immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and IgM, while increased FCR (d 22 to 35 and 1 to 35) and serum levels of glucose and acute phase proteins (APPs). Regardless of temperature, the Ross 308 birds had significantly (p<0.05) lower IgA and higher finisher and overall BWG compared to Cobb 500. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the detrimental effects of heat stress are consistent across commercial broiler strains because there were no significant strain×temperature interactions for growth performance, serum APPs and immunoglobulin responses, meat quality, and ceacal microflora population.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.988-993
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• 2012

Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 700 g/kg cereal with decreasing levels of wheat:barley inclusion. Diet 1 contained 700 g/kg wheat, diet 2 contained 600 g/kg wheat and 100 g/kg barley, diet 3 contained 500 g/kg wheat and 200 g/kg barley and diet 4 contained 400 g/kg wheat and 300 g/kg barley. The diets were offered to pigs on three trials to investigate effects on the performance of individually (n = 72) and group housed (n = 480) pigs and on nutrient digestibility in pigs housed in metabolizm crates (n = 24). Performance was assessed from 10 wks of age until slaughter and carcass characteristics were measured. For the group performance study, one pig from each pen (in total 24) at 10, 15 wks and at finish were slaughtered to ascertain scores for stomach ulceration, stomach weights and intestinal length. Level of wheat inclusion did not significantly (p>0.05) affect liveweight gain (LWG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feed intake was lowest (p<0.05) for individually housed pigs offered diets containing 700 g/kg wheat during the 10-15 wk period, which indicated that individually housed pigs attempted to eat to a constant energy intake. There was little evidence of stomach ulceration across treatments and increasing wheat inclusion had no detrimental effect. Higher levels of wheat inclusion tended to increase backfat depth at the $P_2$ position which could lead to increasing grading penalties in a commercial situation although more research is required in this area. Increasing level of wheat inclusion increased digestible energy (DE) content but the lack of effect on FCR and killing out percentage indicated that utilization of energy from barley and wheat was similar. Digestibility coefficients increased linearly with increasing wheat content, which can be attributed to the lower level of fibre and higher level of starch in wheat compared with barley.