Productivity of young sheep of Romanov breed at diff erent level of feeding

The purpose of the research was a comparative study of the efficiency of feed use and the productivity of young sheep at different feeding levels, as well as clarifying the norms of metabolic energy and raw protein for growing young rams of Romanov breed with intensive rearing and fattening at the age of 3 to 10 months. Scientifi c and economic experiment has been carried out in the sheep breeding complex of the breeding farm in the OOO Farm “Pokrov” in the Zubtsovsky area in the Tver region. After weaning of sheep at the age of 3 months, 2 groups of young rams and 2 groups of young ewes have been formed, from twin litters per 15 heads in each. It has been found that the intensity of the growth of young rams was higher at both levels of rearing and fattening. The young rams of the 1st control group grew by 16,61 kg during the experimental feeding period, and the young ewes by 9,62 kg. In animals of the 2nd experimental group, the difference was 5,52 kg or 32,8 % in favor of the young rams. All indicators of the slaughter of young rams, depending on the level of feeding diff ered significantly. Thus, the difference in removable weight was 5,77 kg or 17,7 % in favor of animals of the 2nd experimental group. The difference between the groups by pre-slaughter weight was 5,74 kg or 19,2 % (P ≤ 0,001). By weight of the hot carcass, the sheep of the 2nd experimental group significantly exceeded the 1st control group by 2,82 kg or 21,3 % (P ≤ 0,01), by slaughter weight the difference was 3,97 kg or 29,0 % (P ≤ 0,01). The slaughter yield increased from 45,7 to 49,5 % or 3,8 abs.%. Age affects the efficiency of mutton production. Thus, the cost of 1 kg of mutton did not diff er from 7-month-old and 10–month-old rams, and feed expenditures increased significantly, therefore the prime-cost of mutton in older animals also increased, and the profitability of production decreased. Therefore, the slaughter of animals and the sale of mutton under intensive rearing is more effective at the age of 7 months.

Effect of Azolla (pinnata) Supplementation on the Haematological and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Deccani Ram Lambs Reared under Grazing Based Production System

Background: Most of the shepherds in Telangana follow extensive rearing system, thereby intake of nutrients by the animal is minimal while grazing. In this context, Azolla, an unconventional feed with high protein and nutritive value may meet the nutritional demand of sheep and help in gaining optimum body weight at an early age in grazing system of management. Therefore, the present study was aimed to study the changes in haematological and blood biochemical parameters of lambs with azolla meal supplementation under grazing based production system.Methods: Eighteen weaner ram lambs were divided in to three experimental groups i.e., T1, T2 and T3 with six lambs in each group, such that average group weights were uniform. T1 group was control with no azolla supplementation while in T2 and T3, azolla was supplemented at the rate of 10 and 20% of dry matter intake, respectively. Duration of experimental feeding was 120 days. The mean haematological and blood biochemical studies were done by collecting the blood samples before the start, in the middle and at the end of the experiment.Result: The haematological parameters like PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC showed no significant difference between the groups. The mean total protein at the end of the experiment was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in T3 group as compared to T2 and T1 groups. The mean albumin value in the middle and at the end of the experiment was non significantly higher in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group. The mean BUN value at the end of the experiment was non significantly lower in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 group.

Prey removal in cotton crops next to woodland reveals periodic diurnal and nocturnal invertebrate predation gradients from the crop edge by birds and bats

Factors influencing the efficacy of insectivorous vertebrates in providing natural pest control services inside crops at increasing distances from the crop edge are poorly understood. We investigated the identity of vertebrate predators (birds and bats) and removal of sentinel prey (mealworms and beetles) from experimental feeding trays in cotton crops using prey removal trials, camera traps and observations. More prey was removed during the day than at night, but prey removal was variable at the crop edge and dependent on the month (reflecting crop growth and cover) and time of day. Overall, the predation of mealworms and beetles was 1-times and 13-times greater during the day than night, respectively, with predation on mealworms 3–5 times greater during the day than night at the crop edge compared to 95 m inside the crop. Camera traps identified many insectivorous birds and bats over crops near the feeding trays, but there was no evidence of bats or small passerines removing experimental prey. A predation gradient from the crop edge was evident, but only in some months. This corresponded to the foraging preferences of open-space generalist predators (magpies) in low crop cover versus the shrubby habitat preferred by small passerines, likely facilitating foraging away from the crop edge later in the season. Our results are in line with Optimal Foraging Theory and suggest that predators trade-off foraging behaviour with predation risk at different distances from the crop edge and levels of crop cover. Understanding the optimal farm configuration to support insectivorous bird and bat populations can assist farmers to make informed decisions regarding in-crop natural pest control and maximise the predation services provided by farm biodiversity.

Changes in the Microbial Composition of the Cecum and Histomorphometric Analysis of Its Epithelium in Broilers Fed with Feed Mixture Containing Fermented Rapeseed Meal

This study examined the influence of fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on the intestinal morphology and gut microflora of broiler chickens. Limited information is available on the effects of FRSM on the intestinal morphology and the gastrointestinal microbiome population of animals. First, 48 21-day Ross 308 broilers were placed in metabolic cages and randomly assigned to four experimental groups. Group I birds were negative controls and received no additive. Group II birds were positive controls and received a 3% addition of unfermented rapeseed meal. Group III birds received a 3% addition of rapeseed meal fermented with the Bacillus subtilis 67 bacterial strain. Group IV birds received a 3% addition of rapeseed meal fermented with the B. subtilis 87Y strain. After 23 days of experimental feeding, the contents of the birds’ ceca were collected for microorganism determination. The histomorphology of the broilers’ ceca was also determined, and beneficial changes were found in the histology of the broilers’ ceca with the additives. Moreover, these materials inhibited the growth of pathogens and significantly stimulated the growth of probiotic bacteria. These results suggest that the addition of 3% FRSM has a potential probiotic effect and can be used as a material in feed for broilers.

Pre-Caecal Disappearance of Starch and Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) Content in Digesta of Caecum of Growing Pigs Fed with Ripe Hulled Shredded Acorns in Their Diet

Physical properties and chemical composition of caecum chyme, with particular regard to starch pre-caecal disappearance and volatile fatty acid (VFA, C2-C5) content, were determined in 16 growing pigs fed raw acorns in the diet. Pigs were singly housed and divided into two experimental feeding groups (each n = 8). The control group was fed a conventional complete diet for pigs (pelleted; 890 g dry matter (DM)/kg, 435 g starch/kg DM, based on cereals and soybean extraction meal). The acorn-fed group was offered a combined diet, 70% of ripe whole shredded acorns (695 g DM/kg, 447 g starch/kg DM) and 30% of the control diet. After one week, all 16 animals were slaughtered, and contents of the caudal ileum and caecum were analyzed for dry matter, crude ash, and starch. Fresh caecum chyme was analyzed for VFA content and molar proportion of acetic, propionic, n-butyric, n-valeric acid were determined. VFA per kg of organic matter (OM) in the caecum differed significantly between groups (p = 0.047). Pre-caecal disappearance (pCD) of acorn native starch turned out to be high (>95%). Estimated VFA content in caecum in the acorn combined diet resulted in 8.72 g per kg of OM, and the relationship based on molar proportion between acetic:propionic:n-butyric:n-valeric acid was 1:0.2:0.1:0.04, which pointed to higher proportions of n-valeric acid when hulled shredded acorns are fed to pigs.

Distribution of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin during experimental feeding of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

Within the European Union (EU), edible insects need to be approved as “Novel Food” according to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and must comply with the requirements of European food law with regard to microbiological and chemical food safety. Substrates used for feeding insects are susceptible to the growth of Fusarium spp. and consequently to contamination with trichothecene mycotoxins. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the influence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins on the larval life cycle of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor (L.)) and to study the transfer of T-2, HT-2, T-2 triol and T-2 tetraol in the larvae. In a 4-week feeding study, T. molitor larvae were kept either on naturally (oat flakes moulded with Fusarium sporotrichioides) or artificially contaminated oat flakes, each at two levels (approximately 100 and 250 μg/kg total T-2 and HT-2). Weight gain and survival rates were monitored, and mycotoxins in the feeding substrates, larvae and residues were determined using LC-MS/MS. Larval development varied between the diets and was 44% higher for larvae fed artificially contaminated diets. However, the artificially contaminated diets had a 16% lower survival rate. No trichothecenes were detected in the surviving larvae after harvest, but T-2 and HT-2 were found both in the dead larvae and in the residues of naturally and artificially contaminated diets.

Response of Fattening Rabbits with Acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) Combined in the Diet: First Acquaintances on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Perirenal Fatty Acid Profile

The request for functional and healthy meat presents a challenge to modern animal nutritionists and rabbit meat consumption appears to increase alongside the aging population. Novel functional feeds for food-producing animals gather the interest of the scientific community and acorns appear frequently accounted among non-competitive-with-human feeding sources, above all in slow food production systems. This investigation aimed to assess the response to acorns combined in the diet of 40 fattening rabbits, in respect of growth performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acids composition in perirenal fat. A same commercial fattening diet combined or not with shredded acorns (control, CON = 0 vs. acorn combined diet, ACD = 200 g/kg feed as fed weight, respectively) was administered for six weeks to two groups of Separator rabbits, consisting of 20 animals each. No differences in feed conversion, carcass weight at slaughter and carcass yields (24 h) were found between groups at the end of the experimental feeding. Perirenal fat profile of rabbits from the ACD group pointed to significant differences in ΣPUFA content (25.1 vs. 31.6, as a percentage of total lipids, respectively, p < 0.001) and in the Σ n − 6/n − 3 ratio (5.95 vs. 2.41). In conclusion, acorns can be used as an energy source in mixed feeds for rabbits, especially in slow production systems.

Olive cake in the feeding of fattening rabbits

Nutritive effect of different levels (10% and 20%) of dried olive cake on the body mass, feed conversion ratio and histopathological changes in tissues in conventionally bred Hyla rabbits was investigated. During a 56-day experimental feeding regime, 60 rabbits were divided into a control group and two experimental groups with 20 animals each (10 males and 10 females). Control group received no olive cake, while the first experimental group received 10% and the second experimental group 20% of dried olive cake throughout the whole feeding period. No significant differences in the body mass were found between the groups in the trial. In both experimental groups, feed conversion was better than in the control group. Histopathological tests were performed on a total of 28 rabbits. Histopathological changes observed in the brain, heart and kidneys of rabbits were the consequence of pathological activity of microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi found in all groups. In the rabbits of both experimental groups fed with olive cake, deposition of fat in the heart, liver, lymph nodes, thyroid gland, adrenal gland and pancreas might be explained by the greater amount of fat from olive oil in the meal. Statistically significant was only the fat deposition in the liver, namely, in hepatocytes. Histopathological screening identified pathological action of fungus Cyniclomyces guttulatus in the digestive tract of all rabbit groups which caused inflammation of the mucous membranes (enteritis) of the entire digestive system (from the stomach to the large intestine) and therefore possibly interfered with the absorption of certain nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.).

Standardisation of quantitative resource conversion studies with black soldier fly larvae

Using larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) to convert low-value residual organic resources into high-value products like protein-rich animal feed ingredients and biofuel while managing organic waste has developed into a global industry. Considering the associated exponential increase in publications dealing with diet conversion efficiency by BSF larvae, it is timely to suggest procedures to arrive at an improved harmonization and reproducibility among studies. This means establishing protocols for describing the basic experiment design, fly colony origin, rearing procedures, reference and experimental feeding substrates, and sampling preparations including microbiota and chemical analyses. Such standardised protocols are instrumental to allow conversion efficiencies to be calculated. Some of these parameters are relatively easy to describe such as giving the origin and rearing conditions, while others are more challenging (e.g. description of microbe community). In this article we discuss and propose such procedures with the aim to arrive at standardisation of how future resource conversion studies with BSF larvae are conducted and how results are communicated.

Toxicological safety assessment of ZeolFat energy feed additive

Development of inexpensive and environmentally friendly feed additives based on waste from the food industry and expired products as energy sources for animals is of current relevance and high demand. The study aimed to test the toxicological safety of ZeolFat energy feed additive (EFA) on laboratory animals. The tests on white rats showed that ZeolFat EFA is a low-toxic feed product with no cumulative properties revealed. The animals exhibited satisfactory physical state and a good appetite during experimental feeding. They were active, and their response to external stimuli remained similar to that before EFA introduction. ZeolFat EFA had a stimulating effect on carbohydrate and lipid, and mineral metabolism in rats, thereby ensuring a high increase in their live weight.