scholarly journals The Effect of Socialising Piglets During Lactation on Performance, Suckling Behaviour and Weaning Aggression: a Preliminary Field Study

Author(s):  
Nikolina Mesarec ◽  
Urška Pačnik ◽  
Alja Mesarič ◽  
Janko Skok ◽  
Dejan Škorjanc ◽  
...  

The post-weaning aggression among piglets is a serious problem in modern pig production which compromises animal welfare and health, as well as could cause considerable economic losses. To prevent post-weaning aggression between piglets an approach of early socialisation of piglets during lactation was tested in the present study. In the group farrowing pen (GFP) three individual farrowing pens were interconnected whereby piglets had free access to move across pens and/or cross-suckled alien sows that were still individually crated – passage between pens was released within 24h postpartum. Piglets/litters in the control group went through the conventional breeding practice (i.e. individual farrowing pen/crate). Altogether, the experiment involved 235 piglets. The preliminary results revealed that the suckling order stability differed between studied breeding technologies (group and individual). About one third of all piglets (31.3%) were found being involved (at least once) in the cross-suckling, i.e. suckling by the alien mother. Consequently, suckling stability was found generally lower in the GFP, with a significant drop after two weeks of lactation. Regarding the growth performance, piglets from GFP grew relatively, i.e. considering initial body weight, faster both during lactation and after weaning, although their daily weight gain was not significantly higher. The present preliminary study revealed early socialisation of piglets as an effective method to mitigate post-weaning aggression, as well as to improve their growth performance. However, considering mortality in lactation and disturbances in suckling stability, additional studies are needed to optimize the process of early socialisation, particularly in terms of piglets’ age when grouping of non-littermates is implemented during lactation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Abdul Muumin Sadick ◽  
Iddrisu Mubarik ◽  
Dennis Kodzo Awalime ◽  
Rebecca Akumbilim ◽  
Philip Larweh ◽  
...  

One hundred and twenty (120) 16 weeks old White Leghorn layer breeds were used for the study. The objective of the study was to determine effect of photoperiod on layer chicken. The research was carried out at the Poultry Section of the Animal farm of the Department of Animal Science Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Mampong. Four treatments made up of 12 hours of light, 14 hours of light, 16 hours of light and 18 hours of light were used for the study. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Birds were exposed equally to common daylight and in the evenings, lights were turned on at specified periods. Growth parameters measured were initial body weight, daily feed intake, daily weight gain and final body weight. Egg traits measured were egg weight, albumen height, yolk color and yolk weight. The data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model procedure of Statistical Analysis System. Results from the study indicated that, varied photoperiod regimes had no significant (P>0.05) effect on initial body weight, daily feed intake but had significant (P<0.05) effect on daily weight gain and final body weight of growth traits. Photoperiod had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the egg characteristics of the white Leghorn layer bird. It was concluded from the study that, increasing photoperiod had no positive effect on growth and egg characteristics of the white Leghorn layer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdallah E. Metwally ◽  
Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth ◽  
Ahmed A. Saleh ◽  
Shimaa A. Amer

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to investigate whether the energy matrix values of the nonstarch polysaccharide- (NSP-) degrading enzymes, bioemulsifier (LYSOFORTE®), guanidinoacetic acid (CreAMINO®), or their combinations could be summed. The effects of these additives on the growth performance, carcass traits, and economic value of the broiler chicken diets were evaluated. A total of 525-one-day-old Ross chicks with an initial body weight of 42.96 ± 0.87 g were haphazardly allocated into seven groups with five replicates. The seven experimental treatments are as follows: (1) basal diet with no additives (breeder recommendation), which is the control group, (2) basal diet minus 100 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.02% NSP-degrading enzymes (NSP), (3) basal diet minus 50 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.025% emulsifier (LYSOFORTE®), (4) basal diet minus 50 kcal/kg supplemented with 0.06% guanidinoacetic acid (CreAMINO®), (5) basal diet minus 150 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP and LYSOFORTE® (NSPL), (6) basal diet minus 100 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP and CreAMINO® (NSPC), and (7) basal diet minus 200 kcal/kg supplemented with a mixture of NSP, LYSO, and CreAMINO® (NSPLC). The experiment lasted for 35 days. Results It was found that the final body weight, body weight gain, and relative growth rate were significantly higher in birds fed diets supplemented with NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value. The overall feed conversion ratio was significantly improved due to the supplementation of NSPC, CreAMINO, NSPL, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value compared to the control group. Moreover, no significant effect on the carcass criteria was observed by the different treatments. As a result of the dietary supplementation with NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO®, and LYSO with the reduced energy matrix value, the net profit, total return, economic efficiency, and performance index were increased and the cost of feed per kg of body weight gain was decreased. Conclusion The energy matrix value of NSPL, NSPC, CreAMINO®, and LYSOFORTE could be established in the diets of broiler chickens to improve the growth performance and economic efficiency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-175
Author(s):  
Atikur Rahaman ◽  
Md Bazlar Rashid ◽  
Md Mahmudul Hasan ◽  
Rakibul Islam ◽  
Fahima Binthe Aziz ◽  
...  

This study was conducted under the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology to determine the effects of Neem and Nishyinda leaves supplementation on growth performance and GUT biosis in broilers. A total of 40 day old broiler chicks were divided into four groups A, B, C and D. Group A was considered as control, fed only with commercial broiler ration. Group B supplemented with formulation of 2 gm grinded Neem leaves, Group C with 2 gm grinded Nishyinda leaves and Group D with 1 gm grinded Neem leaves plus 1 gm grinded Nishyinda leaves per liter of water respectively. Observations were recorded for live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, hemato-biochemical parameters and GUT biosis specially the parasite of birds in six weeks. Body weights were increased significantly (p<0.05) in all treated groups in respect to the control and highest was recorded in combine Neem plus Nishyinda supplemented groups (Group D). No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed among the groups for PCV and TEC values. Hb content increased and ESR decreased significantly (p<0.05) with combine Neem plus Nishyinda supplemented group (Group D). The serum SGOT and SGPT levels were also decreased with the same kind of supplementation. In treatment group there was significantly decreased of parasitic eggs, but in case of control group no decrease of parasitic eggs. There was no significant pathological change in any internal organs of the broiler of treated groups. Best result was found in the group D. The present study reveals that combine supplementation of Neem plus Nishyinda gives better result over other groups in respect to body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, hemato-biochemical parameter and profitability without making any health hazard of the broilers. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2020, 6(2): 168-175


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Ž. Baltić ◽  
Marija Dokmanović Starčević ◽  
Meho Bašić ◽  
Amir Zenunović ◽  
Jelena Ivanović ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to assess effects of selenium (Se)-yeast diet supplementation on performance and carcass composition in ducks. The study was performed on 240 1-day old ducklings of the same origin (Cherry Valley hybrid), during a 49-day period, which were fed diets supplemented with the following four different levels of Se yeast (ALKOSEL® R397): groups with Se at 0 mg/kg of the diet as-fed, 0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Growth performance (bodyweight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed-conversion ratio) and carcass characteristics (hot and cold carcass weight, chilling losses, dressing percentage, carcass cut yields, and percentage of tissues in breast and thighs with drumsticks) of the ducks were determined. Animals fed high-Se diets (0.4 mg/kg) had higher (P &lt; 0.05) final bodyweight and daily weight gain (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those fed diets with inadequate (0 mg/kg) or with supranutritional (0.6 mg/kg) Se levels. Ducks fed only with basal diet showed a higher (P &lt; 0.05) feed-conversion ratio (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those supplemented with Se at 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Dressing percentage was higher (P &lt; 0.01) in the control group (69.50%) than in the group with Se added at 0.6 mg/kg (66.85%). The weights of basic cuts from the duck carcasses did not significantly differ among compared groups. Moreover, the percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat in breast and thighs with drumsticks increased in Se-supplemented groups compared with the control group, while the opposite was determined with the percentage of muscle. It was concluded that a diet containing 0.4 mg of added Se per kilogram produced the greatest growth-performance results in ducks.


Author(s):  
Lemma Gulilat ◽  
Firew Tegegne ◽  
Solomon Demeke

The objective of this study was to develop the least-cost starter&rsquo;s diet and evaluated its effect on the growth performance of Sasso breeds and Indigenous ecotype of chicks under the local condition of the South Gondar Zone. The effects of substitution of different levels of commercial starters ration with homemade diet on the growth performance of Sasso and Indigenous chicks were studied in Hiruy Abaregay village of Farta district. The research area is 586km distant from the capital city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 510 Sasso T-44 and 90 Indigenous local ecotypes day-old chicks were randomly divided into five groups, each with 102 and 18 chicks, respectively. These were assigned into five treatments in which 100 (T1), 75 (T2), 50 (T3), 25 (T4), and 0% (T5) of commercial starter&rsquo;s diet in factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications for 60 days feeding period. The results obtained indicated that increased levels of substitution of a commercial diet with a homemade diet significantly depressed (p&lt;0.001) mean daily feed consumption and retention of dry matter, nitrogen, and metabolizable energy. Growth rate as measured by mean daily weight gain, mean final body weight, and total feed consumption and feed cost were significantly miserable (p&lt;0.001) in an increased homemade diet. On the contrary, there was an increase in feed conversion ratio and fiber content in high-level dilution of starter&rsquo;s commercial diet with a homemade diet. However, the groups of chicks on 0, 25, and 50% commercial starters diets replaced by homemade diet were significantly higher (p&lt;0.001) in mean daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and final body weight attained. The results of this study indicated that up to 50% of expensive commercial starter&rsquo;s diet could economically be replaced with the least cost homemade diet without adversely affecting the growth performance of chicks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. C. Hsieh ◽  
W. C. Lin ◽  
W. Y. Chuang ◽  
M. H. Chen ◽  
S. C. Chang ◽  
...  

Objective: The study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues.Methods: In total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% <i>Pleurotus eryngii</i> stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% <i>Pleurotus sajorcaju</i> stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% <i>Fammulina velutipes</i> stalk residue (FV).Results: The chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)- antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM.Conclusion: The mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
Galina Molyanova ◽  
Maksim Nogotkov

The purpose of the research is increasing the average daily gain of animals due to the use of the Bisolbi drug. The effect of Bisolbi preparation based on Bacillus subtilis H-13 1.5×108 (LLC «Bisolbi-Inter») on the biochemical and productive life of calves was studied. The scientific and production experiment was carried out on the basis of a dairy farm of the State «Kupinskoe» Unitary Enterprise of the Samara region involving 30 Holstein-Friesian calves. The biological effect of the drug is provided due to its adsorption properties, the ability to enhance the activity of a number of enzyme systems and increase the digestive and systemic immunity of the body. The drug use increases the integration intensity of animals: the amount of total protein in the blood serum of calves of the experimental group at 120 days of age was higher by 8.9% (p<0.05), albumin – by 9.2% (p<0.01), compared with the animal data of con-trolled group. The Bisolbi indication contributed to an increase in the intensity of carbohydrate-lipoid metabolism: the cholesterol amount was higher by 23% (p<0.01), the glucose content – by 0.4 mmol/l (p<0.05) in the blood of 120 day old calves of the experimental group, compared with the data of controlled animals. It was found that the body weight of calves in the control group of 100 days age was 105.23±2.11 kg, in the experimental group – 108.6±2.19 kg, which is 3.37 kg higher. The average daily weight gain of animals in experimental group was signif-icantly higher by 0.075 kg (p<0.01). At 120 days of age, the body weight of the experimental calves was higher by 4.19 kg (p<0.05), the average daily weight gain by 0.080 kg (p<0.05), compared with the data of the controlled ani-mals. The indication of Bisolbi 5-10 ml (LLC «Bisolbi-Inter») to calves daily for 2 months resulted in an additional profit constructively of 137 rubles from each head.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
M Moniruzzaman ◽  
MBR Mollah

Microbial protein often called as single cell proteins (SCP) are becoming a potential alternative to conventional protein rich ingredients in poultry diet. An experiment was conducted to know the possibility of using Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived SCP in broiler diet. A total of 96 male Ross-308 day old chicks were assigned to four diet comprising control (0% replacement), 25% replacement, 50% replacement and 100% replacement of protein concentrate with autolyzed S. cerevisiae. Each group had 6 replicates of 4 chicks in each. Body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected (P>0.05) in case of 25% and 50% replacements. However, 100% replacement had resulted numerically negative effect as compared to control group. Dressing percentage and other carcass characteristics were not affected (P>0.05) in the replacement groups. The results of this study indicated that autolyzed S. cerevisiae might be used to replace protein concentrate at 25% to 50% level in broiler diet without affecting growth and carcass quality. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (1): 1-8


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Serena Calabrò ◽  
Alessandro Vastolo ◽  
Nadia Musco ◽  
Pietro Lombardi ◽  
Alessandro Troisi ◽  
...  

The study aimed to compare two diets, Control (CTR) and Experimental (EX) (mainly differing as regards their ingredients, energy, and protein contents) administered to medium and large-sized bitches from two months before the expected proestrus and up to 30 days after delivery on mothers’ weight, body condition score, litter size, milk quality, and puppies’ growth. No differences were found for body weight during pregnancy, even if the BCS after delivery was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the EX group than in the CTR one. Concerning the size effect, the percentage of weight gain on the initial body weight was double in medium-sized dogs compared to large dogs (p < 0.01). The number of puppies per litter was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the EX group compared to the CTR one. Concerning puppies’ weight, the CTR group showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight from the 21st day of life due to the significant (p < 0.01) higher daily weight gain during the suckling period. Considering the performance of bitches and puppies, both diets seem useful for these stages of their lives. In fact, after 30 days of lactation, all tested bitches showed a healthy status and both the percentage of newborns mortality and puppies’ growth kinetics fell into the normal physiological range for the species.


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