Estimation of feed intake and apparent digestibility of equines and cattle grazing on heathland vegetation communities using the n-alkane markers

One of the most important factors that determine feed utilization by chickens is the feed form. Although it is generally believed that pellet diets have a positive effect on chicken growth, there are some studies that have indicated no difference between pellet and mash on chickens performance. This study was conducted to assess the effects of feed form on production performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism and intestinal morphology in two breed laying hens. Two hundred and sixteen 25-week-old Hy-Line brown (n = 108) and Hy-Line grey (n = 108) hens were selected. Each breed was randomly allocated into two treatments with 6 replications (9 birds in each replication), which were fed mash and pellet diets, respectively. Production performances were recorded daily and egg quality traits were measured every two weeks. At 42 weeks of age, one bird per replication from each experimental group was selected for metabolism determination and intestine morphology observation. Compared with mash diets, pellet diets improved laying rate (p < 0.05), ADFI (average daily feed intake, p < 0.05), egg weight, shell strength, yolk proportion and Haugh unit (p < 0.05) in both breeds and reduced the FCR (feed conversion ratio, p < 0.05) in Hy-Line grey. The apparent digestibility of DM% (dry matter) and CP% (crude protein) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both breed laying hens fed pellet than those fed mash. The apparent digestibility of P% (phosphorus) and Ca% (calcium) was higher in Hy-Line grey fed pellet and was higher in Hy-Line brown fed mash. Compared to mash diets, pellet diets increased the VH (villus height), CD (crypt depth) and VCR (ratio of villus height to crypt depth) of the small intestine of Hy-Line grey, and increased the VH and CD of duodenum and ileum of Hy-Line brown. Overall, pellet diets improved production performance and nutrition metabolism through positive changes in the laying rate, feed intake, egg albumen quality and apparent digestibility of laying hens. The current findings provided support for the advantages of feeding pellets during the peak egg laying period for the two popular laying hen strains, Hy-Line brown and Hy-Line grey.

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Voluntary feed intake and apparent digestibility in vivo in ponies given ad libitum access to de-hydrated grass or hay harvested from the same grass crop

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600033444 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 1998 ◽

pp. 131-131

Author(s):

J. J. Hyslop ◽

A. Bayley ◽

A. L. Tomlinson ◽

D. Cuddeford

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Voluntary Feed Intake ◽

Grass Hay ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

The Uk

De-hydrated forages are often fed to equids in the UK in place of more traditional grass hay, particularly where individual animals are known to have a sensitivity to dusty, mouldy hay which may play a part inducing respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One such alternative forage is short-chop de-hydrated grass. However, there is very little information available on voluntary feed intake (VFI), apparent digestibility and nutrient intake parameters when de-hydrated grass is offered to equids compared with traditional grass hay. This study examines the VFI and apparent digestibility in vivo of a short-chop de-hydrated grass compared with a traditional grass hay and determines their ability to meet the predicted energy and protein needs of mature ponies.Six mature Welsh-cross pony geldings with a mean liveweight (LW) of 281 kg (s.e.d. 0.89) were individually housed and offered ad libitum access to either short-chop de-hydrated grass (DHG) or traditional grass hay (HAY) plus 60 g/h/d minerals. The DHG and HAY were made from the same 2nd cut perennial ryegrass sward cut on the same day.

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Comparative evaluation of effects of different sources of groundnut meals on digestibility, growth performance and economics of production of growing rabbits

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v41i1.2734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 272-283

Author(s):

K. T. Orayaga ◽

P. M. Goholshak

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Control Diet ◽

Seed Kernel ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Groundnut Cake

Three groundnut meals namely: groundnut cake (GNC), locally processed groundnut cake (kulikuli) and toasted groundnut seed(kernel) meal (TGSM) were incorporated in rabbit diets at two levels to generate six diets: 18% GNC, 22% GNC, 18% Kulikuli, 22% Kulikuli, 18% TGSM and 22% TGSM respectively, and 18% GNC also served as the control diet. Twenty four (24) six weeks-old growing rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with mean initial weight of 568.75±l2.85g were randomly allocated to the six dietary treatment groups, such that each had four rabbits and each rabbit formed a replicate in a completely randomized design laid out in a 2X3 factorial arrangement and fed ad libitum, for 70 days. The main effects showed that while the treatment groups fed TGSM were significantly depressed (p<0.05). rabbits fed GNC and kulikuli were not significantly different (p>0.05) for average daily feed intake, daily body weight gain and final body weight. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not significantly (p >0.05) affected among treatment groups. Rabbits fed TGSM had significantly (p<0.05) better apparent digestibility coefficient (78.04%) than those on kulikuli (75.81%6) and the group on kulikuli were better than animals fed GNC (72.09%) for fat digestibility. Fibre digestibility was also significantly different (p <0.05), with rabbits fed kulikuli having the poorest fibre digestion (15.63 %). Crude protein, dry matter and NFE apparent digestibility coefficients were not significantly (p >0.05) affected. Among all the parameters measured, only fat and fibre digestibility coefficients had significant (p <0.05) interactions and NFE digestibility was significantly affected (p <0.05) by level of inclusion, with groups fed 22% digesting it better. Feed cost kg gain did not differ significantly (p >0.05) among the treatment groups. Growth was still on the rise and there was a significantly (P<0.01) strong relationship (correlation and regression) between feed intake and weight gain for all the treatment groups. was concluded that both kulikuli and TGSM are potential feed resources for rabbits, more available to house hold farmers, equally economical as GNC and better still if groundnut farmers and or processors of kulikuli raise rabbits, though TGSM had less value for growth rate compared to GNC and Kulikuli at these levels of inclusion

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The relations between the apparent digestibility of roughages in the rumen and lower gut of sheep, the volume of fluid in the rumen and voluntary feed intake

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100042021 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 463-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

M. J. Ulyatt ◽

K. L. Blaxter ◽

I. McDonald

Keyword(s):

Polyethylene Glycol ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Volume Of Fluid ◽

Ratio Method ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Voluntary Feed Intake ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Voluntary Intake ◽

Hind Gut ◽

Volumes Of Distribution

Three sheep with permanent fistulas of the rumen were each given dried grass and two hays, each in three different amounts, and the apparent digesti-bility of the roughages in the rumen and distal to the rumen was determined. A lignin ratio method was used to measure digestibility.With increase in the amount of the poorest hay given, the proportion digested in the rumen fell and that distal to the rumen increased. With the second hay this effect was also noted but was not statistically significant. The voluntary intakes ofdry matter varied from 1·94 kg/day for the dried grass to 1·28 for the poorest hay. The volumes of distribution of polyethylene glycol in the rumen when feed was offered ad libitum, however, were the same, irrespective of the type of feed, at between 14·1 and 15·2 litres. These observations were confirmed at slaughter. The results support the hypothesis that sheep voluntarily consume roughages of different qualities to achieve constant fill of their rumens, and that little regulation of voluntary intake can be attributed to distension of the hind gut.

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Effect of thyme essential oil supplementation on feed intake, apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood parameters and in vitro methane yield of Nellore cattle

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104349 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 104349

Author(s):

Edivilson Silva Castro Filho ◽

Luiz Carlos Roma Júnior ◽

Jane Maria Bertocco Ezequiel ◽

Márcia Saladini Vieira Salles ◽

Marco Túlio Costa Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Methane Yield ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Thyme Essential Oil ◽

Nellore Cattle

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The effect of the pea to wheat ratio and harvest date on the voluntary feed intake,in vivodigestibility and nitrogen retention of pea-wheat bi-crop silages by sheep

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s175275620000082x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2000 ◽

pp. 81-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A.T. Adesogan ◽

M.B. Salawu ◽

E.R. Deaville

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Harvest Date ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

N Retention ◽

Stages Of Growth ◽

Voluntary Feed Intake ◽

Two Stages

Pea-wheat bi-crop silages were reported to have moderate nutritive value when the proportion of peas in the sward was less than 200 g/kg (Adesoganet al., 1999). These authors also suggested that improvements in the digestibility, intake and nitrogen (N) balance of the forages may result from increasing the proportion of peas in the sward. This experiment was designed to examine this theory by determining thein vivoapparent digestibility, N retention and voluntary feed intake (VFI) in sheep of pea-wheat bi-crop silages containing different ratios of peas to wheat and harvested at two stages of growth.

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Effect of animal and vegetal protein diets on feed intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) infected by Aeromonas salmonicida, with and without chronic hypoxia stress

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f98-077 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 55 (9) ◽

pp. 2019-2027 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

H Néji ◽

J de la Noüe

Keyword(s):

Rainbow Trout ◽

Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Chronic Hypoxia ◽

Phosphate Buffer Solution ◽

Aeromonas Salmonicida ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Fish Feed ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of bacterial infection (Aeromonas salmonicida) and chronic hypoxia on mortality, feed intake, and apparent digestibility of each of two diets in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The diets were isonitrogenous (gross basis); one was based mainly on animal protein and the other on vegetal protein. In each of two separate and successive experiments, where the first served as a control for the second, fish were immersed on day 0 (d0) in either a sterile phosphate buffer solution (first experiment) or a suspension of A. salmonicida (second experiment). Thereafter, the fish were either exposed on d2 for 12 days to hypoxic conditions (60% of water oxygen saturation) or maintained under normal conditions. Feed intake was measured daily, while apparent digestibility coefficients for gross energy, dry matter, and crude protein were measured on d0, d2, d5, d9, d11, and d14. Among all infected fish, feed intakes were reduced (P < 0.05), regardless of the source of dietary protein or the degree of water oxygenation. Also, regardless of infection, the feed intakes of hypoxic fish that were fed the vegetal protein based diet were significantly less than those of fish that were fed the animal protein based diet. This response, however, was transitory, since normal levels of feed intake in the former fish were found by d3. The apparent digestibility coefficients for all parameters were unaltered by hypoxia (P > 0.05), but they were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by A. salmonicida infection, especially during the critical period of infection (d5 and d9).

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Voluntary feed intake and apparent digestibility in vivo in ponies offered a mature threshed grass hay ad libitum

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600033432 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 1998 ◽

pp. 130-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. J. Hyslop ◽

A. L. Tomlinson ◽

A. Bayley ◽

D. Cuddeford

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Physical Work ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Voluntary Feed Intake ◽

Grass Hay ◽

Feeding Regimes ◽

Unrestricted Access ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Restricted Feed Intake

Many mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating equids are often kept in circumstances where they are expected to perform only light physical work or activity eg: a childs pony. Consequently their maintenance energy and protein needs can often be met at very restricted feed intake levels. Conversely, when they are housed during the winter months it is believed desirable to manage such animals on unrestricted ad libitum feeding regimes in order to allow the animals to exhibit their natural feed intake pattern and consume forage on a little and often basis throughout the daily feeding period. However, ad libitum access to the diet may lead to such animals becoming excessively fat. These conflicting needs of low energy and protein requirement coupled with the desirability of unrestricted access to the diet could both be met, at least in part, if a low quality forage is available ad libitum. This study examines the voluntary feed intake and apparent digestibility in vivo of a mature threshed grass hay offered ad libitum and determines its ability to meet the predicted energy and protein needs of mature ponies.

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The development of the digestive system of the young; animal. VII. The total and partial apparent digestibility of a pelletted diet by lambs and adult sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600064868 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 64 (2) ◽

pp. 279-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. M. Walker ◽

M. K. Campbell

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Digestive System ◽

Young Animal ◽

Protein Digestibility ◽

Ratio Method ◽

Free Access ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Adult Sheep

1. Fifteen male Merino lambs suckling the ewe and four adult Merino wethers were fed the same pelletted diet. The lambs had free access to milk from the ewe and were creep-fed the pelletted diet. Feed intake by each lamb was measured daily.2. The digestibility of the dry matter of the pelletted diet was determined in a conventional total collection trial with the adult wethers. Dry-matter and crude-protein digestibility "was determined in the lambs on faeces taken at, or just before, slaughter by the lignin-ratio method.

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Apparent Digestibility in Rainbow Trout (Salmo Gairdneri): Influence of Hypoxia

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f88-233 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 2003-2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T. Pouliot ◽

J. de la Noüe

Keyword(s):

Rainbow Trout ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Control Fish ◽

Salmo Gairdneri ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Oxygen Saturation Level ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Isocaloric Diets ◽

Different Sources

We assessed the influence of hypoxia, which is likely to reduce the productivity of fish culture, on the digestibility of nutrients in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Rainbow trout (seven to each diet) were kept for 8 d in water with an oxygen saturation level of 40.0 ± 4.0%, while control fish were kept in 89.4 ± 4.2% oxygen-saturated water. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets composed of different sources of protein (animal, plant, and mixed) were used. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were calculated by the indirect method (chromic oxide) after the automatic collection of feces. The experimental hypoxia used did not change the ADC for protein (total nitrogen), gross energy, or dry matter. The amino acids only showed a tendency for better absorption: proline, glycine, alanine, and tryptophan had a significantly higher ADC (P < 0.05) in experimental fish than in control fish when the animal protein based diet was used. Finally, we noted that feed intake was diet dependent. In contrast with what we observed with the commercial (mixed protein sources) and plant protein based diets, the fish receiving the animal protein based diet maintained a normal (or returning to normal) feed intake when they were subjected to hypoxia.

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