Anthelmintic usage on the performance of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared intensively in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Anthelmintic drugs have been used strategically in livestock reared in the tropics. These drugs have been used in the treatment of endoparasitism which have resulted in an increase in the animals’ performance. The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a neo-tropical rodent with the potential for domestication and has been farmed intensively in Trinidad. However, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of anthelmintic use of the growth performance of the agouti. In searching the literature, it was found that this type of study on the agouti has not been done. In this experiment fourteen weaned agoutis weighing 1kg were divided into two groups randomly. The first group (T1) was not given any anthelmintic treatment but the second group (T2) was treated with Endovet Ces® subcutaneously every three months. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups in the carcass weight, weight gain, dressing percentage (hot and cold), heart, lungs, skin, head and feet. However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen between groups in the weight of liver and pluck. To the authors knowledge this is the first time that carcass parameters has been presented in literature. The live weight of the animals at the end of the experiment ranged from 2.4 kg to 2.6 kg and animals had a dressing percentage of 57% to 55%. The results are suggestive that the use of anthelmintic drugs in agoutis reared intensively had no significant effect on weight gain and dressing percentage.

Impacts of Age, Genotype and Feeding Low-Protein Diets on the N-Balance Parameters of Fattening Pigs

The effects of feeding low-protein (LP) diets and the age and genotype of fattening pigs were evaluated in an N-balance trial. Sixty weaned piglets of two genotypes were allotted to three different diets. Besides the control diets for the crossbred Topigs 20 × DanBred Duroc (TD) and Hungarian Large White (HLW) pigs, two LP diets were fed containing 1.5 (T1.5) and 3% (T3) less dietary protein than the control. The LP diets were supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine to equalize their digestible amino acid contents. Starter diets were fed between 20–30, grower I between 30–40, grower II between 40–80 and finisher between 80–110 kg live weights. Pigs were kept in floor pens, with 10 animals per pen. In all phases, six pigs with similar live weight were placed into individual balance cages and in the frame of a seven-day long balance trial, the daily N-intake, fecal and urinary N-excretion were measured. From the data N-digestibility, the total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and N-retention were calculated. All the investigated main factors, the genotype and age of pigs and the protein content of the diets had significant effects on the N-balance of fattening pigs. The determinacy of the factors depended on the investigated parameter. Fecal N-excretion and N-digestibility were steadier compared with the urinary N-exertion and TAN percentage. N-digestibility increased and the urinary N-excretion decreased when LP diets were fed. The urinary N-decreasing effect of LP diets was not linear. Compared with the control (19.6 gN/day), T1.5 treatment resulted in 14.5, treatment T3 in 12.4 g daily urinary N-excretion. The TAN and the N-retention of HLW pigs were more favorable than those of TD pigs. Based on our results, it can be concluded that the accuracy of the nitrogen and TAN excretion values of pigs, used in the calculation of the national NH3 inventories, could be improved if the genotype, the more detailed age categories and the different protein levels of feeds are considered.

Dietary supplements based on modified and enriched with amino acids zeolite in the cultivation of young turkeys

Relevance. Modern turkey crosses have a genetically determined high growth rate. These farm birds are very sensitive to even minor fluctuations in their diet, are susceptible to a deficiency of amino acids, protein, mineral elements and vitamins, which can contribute to a decrease in their productivity, the development of pathological processes and diseases. The use of modern technologies and scientific achievements has made it possible to prepare a new product — modified zeolite. This natural mineral is already free of impurities and microbes, with open pore windows, has a high ability to selectively exchange, and is obtained by various methods of activating zeolite in industrial conditions. At the same time, Ulyanovsk specialists have mastered the technology of enriching modified zeolite with useful substances.Methods. The aim of the work was to study the effect on the body of turkeys and the level of their productivity of additives based on modified zeolite enriched with amino acids. The experiment was organized for 60 days on 250 turkeys of the breed Hybrid Cread-mayker aged 55–60 days in the conditions of the Ulyanovsk region. The control group received the main ration (MR), the experimental group was given once a day in addition to the MR in the morning feeding in a mixture with mixed feed 5% additives of modified zeolite enriched with amino acids.Results. The inclusion of a supplement based on modified zeolite enriched with amino acids in the diet of turkeys does not have a negative effect on the hematological parameters of their blood, all indicators corresponded to the physiological norm. During the experiment in the 2nd group, the live weight of poultry was obtained larger by 8.70%, which amounted to 12,296 kg, respectively, more profit was obtained from the sale of turkey meat, total revenue was 133,210, and additional profit was 27,960 rubles, 2.41 rubles of profit was received for 1 ruble of costs. Тhe data indicate the normalization of mineral homeostasis in the body of turkeys and better absorption of nutrients in the feed diet.

Growing of replacement young cattle in ООО «PskovAgroInvest»

ООО «PskovAgroInvest» pays great attention to the rearing of replacement young animals. The rate of increase in the intensity of raising heifers on the farm meets the standards and requirements of pedigree dairy cattle breeding. The farm uses stage-bystage rearing of replacement young stock, taking into account its age. A group approach to rearing young animals. Replacement heifers use natural and cultivated pastures in the summer. In recent years, the age of replacement heifers at the first insemination has noticeably decreased and approached the norm. At the same time, the live weight of animals at the first insemination increased, which in 2020 amounted to 460 kg, which opens up prospects for a further decrease in the age of the first insemination. This became possible due to an increase in the average daily growth in cultivation, which regularly increases every year and amounts to 756 g in 2020, which is 98 g, or 14.9%, more than in 2016. From table 2 it follows that in recent years, at all age periods, replacement heifers had a live weight exceeding the breed standard, which is 250 kg at 10-month-old, 290 kg at 12-month-old and 390 kg at 18-month-old age. At the same time, an increase in the average live weight of the replacement livestock is observed every year. So, in 2020, the value of the indicator was 278 kg at the age of 10 months, 331 kg at the age of 12 months, 463 kg at the age of 18 months, which is 16 kg, 54 kg and 75 kg, or 6.1%, 19, 5% and 19.3%, more than in 2016, respectively. Thus, the analyzed period allows us to conclude about the effectiveness of zootechnical work to improve the rearing of replacement heifers on the farm, but it must be continued in order to reduce the age of first insemination to 15–17 months with the optimal live weight of the livestock.

PREVENTION OF AVIAN MYCOTOXICOSIS WITH FEED WITH THE ZEODO ADDITIVE

The article presents the results of the study of the feed additive Zeodo in experimental mycotoxicosis in chickens. The authors found that the use of Zeodo feed additive contributes to an increase in live weight gain in chickens by 7.3 %. Conditions of feeding chickens with low-toxic feed and single injection with a mixture of mycotoxins. The authors also concluded that Zeodo reduces the synergistic effects of mycotoxins and has a preventive property against mycotoxicosis. The results of the experiments on the test of Zeodo feed additive give grounds for its further production tests.

LIVESTOCK IN KAZAKHSTAN: DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS

The research was carried out in order to highlight the main problems that impede the increase in the competitiveness of Kazakhstani animal husbandry. The indicators of productivity (milk yield, shearing of wool from one sheep, etc.), as well as aggregated data (production volumes, indices of the physical volume of gross production) were used as criteria for assessing the development of the industry. In Kazakhstan, the share of beef pedigree cattle in 2019 accounted for only 11.5% of the total cattle population. The average live weight of cattle was 336 kg, the average slaughter weight was 175 kg, which is 2 times lower than world standards, the average live weight of 1 bird was 2.2 kg. The republic has a weak base for the production of basic feed for the fattening contingent, due to which its supply with such feed is at the level of 57.8% of the scientifically grounded norm. The share of breeding stock of dairy cattle (as of January 1, 2018) is 2.8%, birds of all types - 12.3% of the total livestock, sheep - 14.8%. In modern conditions, in order to increase competitiveness, it is necessary to focus efforts on solving such problems as providing highly productive breeding cattle and poultry; improving the fodder base by expanding the crops of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, chickpea; strengthening of preventive work against especially dangerous animal diseases; adaptation of scientific developments in the field of genetics, selection and fodder production to the current economic conditions in animal husbandry; accelerating the transfer of animal husbandry to new technologies; implementation of international standards for product quality and management

EFFECTS OF LEAD AND CADMIUM INTOXICATION ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF BROILER CHICKENS AND ITS CORRECTION WITH SYNTHETIC PREPARATIONS

The authors present the results of a study of the effects of long-term (1.5 MPa) and short-term (5, 10 and 15 MPa) intoxication with heavy metals on the antioxidant status of broiler chickens. The authors found that the addition of increased concentrations of toxicants to the diet leads to their accumulation in poultry’s muscle, fat tissues, and skin. According to the study, lead content increases by 2.25 times, cadmium content increases by 6.5 times. Lipophilic compounds Tiofan and Tiofan M have the most pronounced detoxifying effect in chronic intoxication. Fantox 11-1 is the most pronounced detoxifying effect among hydrophilic compounds, which are inferior to lipophilic ones. Accumulation of heavy metals in the body led to a decrease in the antioxidant status of poultry. There was an acceleration of oxidative processes in long-term experimental toxicosis up to 3.10, up to 21.00 times in the short-term. The addition of 100 mg of lipophilic antioxidants per 1 kg of live weight to the diet with 7.5 mg of lead and 0.75 mg of cadmium per 1 kg of feed resulted in a decrease in the rate of oxidation reactions. The presence of lead and cadmium ions in the tissues of poultry caused a reduction of induction periods in the temperature-stabilized samples to 90 %. Enrichment of the diet with Thiophan and Fantox 11-1 increased this indicator up to 12.40 times. The hydrophilic antioxidant Fantox 11-1 dosage of 15 mg per 1 kg of live weight had a pronounced effect. Its introduction into the diet will correct the lack of endogenous antioxidants and increase the body’s antioxidant status under the influence of heavy metals.

Effects of Anthocyanin Supplementation and Ageing Time on the Volatile Organic Compounds and Sensory Attributes of Meat from Goat Kids

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of dietary anthocyanin addition on volatile compounds of meat from goat kids during ageing. For this work, 60 male and female kids were divided into two groups: red orange and lemon extract (RLE group; n = 30), which received an RLE extract (90 mg/kg of live weight); and control (CON group; n = 30). The phytoextract in dry powder form was rich in bioflavonoids such as flavanones (about 16%) and anthocyanins (about 3%). After slaughtering, the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle was aged at 4 °C. The volatile organic compound (VOC) and sensorial analyses were carried out at 1, 3 and 7 days. A total of 10 chemical families were identified during the ageing process. Aldehydes were the most abundant VOC, followed by ketones and alcohols. Their contents increased during the process, showing after 7 days of ageing mean values of 20,498, 2193 and 1879 ng/g of meat, respectively. Regarding dietary effects, carboxylic acids, hydrocarbons and thiols presented significant differences between treatments, with higher carboxylic acid contents observed in RLE samples (437 vs. 467 ng/g of meat for CON and RLE batches, respectively; p < 0.05). On the contrary, hydrocarbons (436 vs. 254 ng/g of meat for CON and RLE batches, respectively) and thiols (160 vs. 103 ng/g of meat for CON and RLE batches, respectively) displayed significantly (p < 0.01) higher amounts in CON compared to the RLE group. Regarding ageing time, the tenderness, juiciness, odour and overall assessment parameters showed significantly higher scores at the end of the whole process (p < 0.05). On the other hand, only odour displayed significant differences between treatments, reaching higher scores in CON samples (p < 0.05). Therefore, ageing time improved the sensorial properties (tenderness, juiciness, odour and overall assessment) and the VOC content, whereas the inclusion of anthocyanins in the kids’ diet did not have a great impact on the properties of aged meat.

Medidas corporales y estimación de peso vivo en bucerros predestete en la provincia de Granma, Cuba

La investigación se realizó en la oriental provincia de Granma, área que destaca por sus resultados científicos relacionados con el comportamiento productivo de la especie bubalina en Cuba. El objetivo fue estimar el peso vivo a través de medidas corporales en bucerros desde el nacimiento hasta los ocho meses de edad. Se registraron datos de 1 302 animales, hembras y machos nacidos de 120 búfalas de la raza Buffalypso en el período 2008 a 2015, las medidas corporales: alto de la cruz (AC), longitud del cuerpo (LC), perímetro torácico (PT), perímetro abdominal (PA), ancho de la pelvis (AP), largo de la pelvis (LP) y ancho del tórax (AT) fueron medidas con cinta métrica en cm. Mientras el peso vivo (PV) fue determinado con plataforma digital, todas las maniobras se hicieron cada 30 días. Los modelos predictivos utilizados fueron: Quetélet, PV = (PT)2 (longitud de cuerpo) (87,5); Crevat, PV= (PT) (Longitud del cuerpo) (PA) (80) y Correa, PV= (PT)2(Longitud del cuerpo)/ 300. Los resultados comparativos por sexo arrojaron diferencias altamente significativas (P<0,001) para el PA y diferencias significativas (P<0,05) para el PT, PV, LP y LC a favor de los machos. EL modelo que mostró mejor ajuste (r2=0,96, P>0,001) combinó tres variables (PT, PA y LC), aunque el perímetro torácico solo mostró parámetros elevados (r2=0,94, P>0,001). Finalmente se concluye que las elevadas correlaciones entre las medidas corporales y el peso vivo, demuestran que las variables estudiadas pueden por si solas o combinadas explicar el comportamiento del peso vivo, pero la ecuación de predicción del PV (kg) a través de PT (cm) propuesta atribuye mayores ventajas para la práctica del pesaje. The research was carried out in the eastern province of Granma, an area that stands out for its scientific results related to the productive behavior of the buffalo species in Cuba. The objective was to estimate live weight through body measurements in calves from birth to eight months of age. Data were recorded on 1 302 animals, females and males born to 120 buffaloes of the Buffalypso breed in the period 2008 to 2015, body measurements: height at the withers (AC), body length (LC), thoracic perimeter (PT) , abdominal perimeter (PA), pelvic width (AP), pelvic length (LP) and chest width (AT) were measured with a tape measure in cm. While the live weight (PV) was determined with a digital platform, all the maneuvers were done every 30 days. The predictive models used were: Quetélet, PV = (PT) 2 (body length) (87.5); Crevat, PV = (PT) (Body length) (PA) (80) and Correa, PV = (PT) 2 (Body length) / 300. The comparative results by sex yielded highly significant differences (P <0.001) for the PA and significant differences (P <0.05) for the PT, PV, LP and LC in favor of males. The model that showed the best fit (r2 = 0.96, P> 0.001) combined three variables (PT, PA and LC), although the thoracic perimeter only showed elevated parameters (r2 = 0.94, P> 0.001). Finally, it is concluded that the high correlations between body measurements and live weight show that the variables studied can, alone or in combination, explain the behavior of live weight, but the prediction equation of LW (kg) through PT (cm ) proposal attributes greater advantages to the practice of weighing.