Cysteine in Broiler Poultry Nutrition

The SAAs are limiting in the major poultry feed ingredients, ranking first and fifth in soya bean meal and maize, respectively. Feed ingredients rich in protein, in particular and other nutrients, enhance Energy supply and protein accretion. Modern commercial broilers have reduced maintenance needs and high amino acid requirements, and are more responsive to protein (amino acids) than energy. Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid belonging to the SAAs. It plays essential roles in protein synthesis, structure and function, causing growth depressing effects in broiler chicks when there is methionine:cysteine imbalance. Genetically predetermined amino acid sequences in proteins are essential for production of adequate quantities of meat, milk and eggs. Therefore, ideal amino acid ratios which conform to the requirements of broilers should be utilized. In nutrition, amino acids are equivalent to proteins, hence the shift in focus from proteins to individual amino acids, expressed as ideal ratios to lysine. The SAAs are practically relevant and have critical nutritional roles in animal nutrition with over 90% production being used to fortify animal (particularly poultry) diets. A balance in the methionine:cysteine ratio is necessary to ensure efficient utilization of the SAAs for proper growth and development in broiler poultry.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and internal organ weights of weaner rabbits fed replacement levels of sun-dried soyabean milk residue

This study evaluated the growth performance of weaner rabbits fed diets containing sundried soybean milk residue meal (SSMR) at five levels of inclusion. Forty weaner rabbit with an average initial weight of 520±1.04g arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) were used. SSMR was used at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels to replace soya bean meal. The result of the growth performance showed progressive increase in parameter evaluated as the level of SSMR increases in the diets. Rabbits fed (100% SSMR) recorded significant higher final body weight 1351.73g which was similar to rabbits fed 25, 50 and 75% SSMR while those on T1 (0% SSMR) had the least value of 1194.50g. However, carcass characteristics and internal organ weights measurements were also not influenced by the treatment diets. It was therefore concluded that 100% SSMR can be used in compounding weaner rabbits without deleterious effect on growth performance, carcass characteristics and internal organ weights. Cette étude a évalué le rendement de croissance des lapins sevrés nourris selon des régimes contenant des résidus de lait de soja séchés au soleil (RSSS) à cinq niveaux d'inclusion. Quarante lapins sevrés d'un poids initial moyen de 520±1,04 g disposés dans un modèle complètement randomisé (CRD) ont été utilisés. SSMR a été employé aux niveaux de 0, 25, 50, 75 et 100% pour remplacer le repas de haricot de soja. Le résultat de la performance de croissance a montré l'augmentation progressive du paramètre évalué comme le niveau des augmentations de SSMR dans les régimes. Les lapins nourris (100% SSMR) ont enregistré un poids corporel final plus élevé significatif 1351.73g qui était similaire aux lapins nourris 25, 50 et 75% SSMR tandis que ceux sur T1 (0% SSMR) avaient la valeur la moins élevée de 1194.50g. Cependant, les caractéristiques de carcasse et les mesures internes de poids d'organe n'ont pas non plus été influencées par les régimes de traitement. Il a donc été conclu que 100% SSMR peut être utilisé dans la composition des lapins sevrés sans aucun effet sur la performance de croissance, les caractéristiques de la carcasse et le poids interne des organes.

Replacement value of rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) meal for full-fat soya bean meal on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broilers

Rubber seed meal (RSM) contains about 28.63% CP but also high in CF (20%). Rubber seed cake was extruded after the extraction of rubber seed oil from the Rubber Seed oil processing Department of Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Ben in-City. The rubber seed cake was then milled to produce RSM. Soya bean meal (SBM) was prepared by processing sun-dried soya bean seeds in a combined toaster, grinder and extruder. The experiments reported in this study were to investigate the utilization of RSM as a replacement for SBM in the diers of broilers. In the first experiment, 225 seven days'-old broiler chicks of Anak strain were randomly allotted to live dietary treatments Ty T2, T3, T4 and I's which had 100% SBM: 0% RSM, 75% SBM: 25% RSM, 50% SBM: 50% RSM, 25% SBM: 75% RSM and 0% SBM: 100% RSM respectively. The CP level was set at 24% and energy level at 2900kcal/kg. The birds were further subdivided into three replicates of 15 birds each. The trial lasted for 28 days. In the second experiment, design and feed formulation were similar but the CP level was set at 21% and energy at 2700kcal/kg. 225 five weeks old broiler chicks from the first experiment were fed the broiler finisher diets. At the end of the oth week 2 birds were randomly selected from each of the replicates for carcass, organ weight and haematological evaluation. In experiment 1. feed intake of the birds on diets containing RSM up to 75% inclusion level compared favourably with the control (0%RSM). In the second experiment, feed intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with increased level of RSM inclusion up to 75% Body weight gain, FCR and nutrients digestibility of birds fed diets containing RSM up to 50% inclusion level compared favourably with the control (0%RSM). The relative dressing percentage, heart weight and haematological parameters of the birds fed different levels of RSM based diets were comparable. The weight of the gizzard increased significantly (P<0.05) with increased level RSM inclusion. Dietary inclusion of RSM reduced the cost of producing 1 kg of feed. Therefore, RSM can be used to replace SBM ar 50% inclusion level in the diers of broilers without any deleterious effect.

Evaluation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) as a substitute for soya bean meal in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) meal was substituted for soybean meal in the practical diets for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Six iso-nitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were formulated in which heat-treated soybean meal was replaced at varying levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) with protein from pressure-cooked and sun dried pigeon meal (23% crude protein). Nile tilapia fed 60% pigeon pea meal had significantly (P<0.01) better growth response and nutrient utilisation. Growth was depressed in low pigeon pea fish and also in high (above 60%) pigeon pea diets. The poorest feed conversion ratio was observed from 100% pigeon pea fed fish.

Soya Bean Meal and Starea Blocks as Protein Supplements for Gestating Beef Cows on Weathered Range

Fifty-two pregnant Hereford and Angus cows, divided according to weight and age into two equal groups, were compared as to their weight changes when grazed on weathered range and fed either soya bean or Starea blocks for 80 days. Weight changes were similar for cows on both protein supplements. As the trials progressed, consumption of Starea supplement declined; that of soya bean meal block remained constant. Cows fed Starea blocks had higher rebreeding rates than did those fed soya meal and their calves (when weaned) weighed more, though differences were not statistically significant.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production of broiler chickens fed graded levels of seed meal mixed with enzyme

One hundred and twenty (120), 1 week old broiler chicken were randomly assigned to 4 treatment diets in a completely randomized experiment that lasted 49 days. The diets were made with soya bean based diet (D1) as control and treatment diets D2, D3, D4 containing graded levels (7.5%, 10%, 12.5%) of boiled Mucuna sloanei seed meal mix with enzyme(BME).Birdsfed diet 2 (7.5% BME) had higher final body weight 2216.70g. The test diets gave lower total feed intake value that was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the control. D2 gave the lowestfeed-to-gain ratio (1.72) that was significantly (P<0.05) different fromthoseof the control(2.09), D3 (2.08)and D4 (2.27). There was no significant difference (P>0.05)among birds fed the treatmentdietsand thosefed the control diet for dressed weight percentage and back cut percentage. D2had cost/Kg weight gain and gross margin (N190.44 and N686.97 respectively) that were numerically higher than those of the control (N272.75 and N660.68) but statistically higher than those of, D3(N241.45 and N505.29) and D4 (N274.45 andN387.71). Mucuna seed meal mixed with enzyme in this experiment was 7.5% which performed better than the control in all the parameters considered and is therefore recommended for replacement of soya bean meal in the diet of broiler chickens. Inclusion of Mucuna sloanei seed meal from 10% and above will not yield good carcass that would be comparable to the control (soya bean based diet) Mucunasloanei The optimal level ofinclusion of qualitativereplacementof the soya bean meal with boiled

Performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production of broilers fed diets containing Gliricidia sepium leaf meal as replacement for soya bean meal

This study was conducted to assess the growth performance, carcass traits and economics of production of broiler fed soya bean replaced with gliricidia sepium leaf meal diet. One hundred, 4 weeks old broiler chickens were randomly distributed to five treatments of two replicates with t10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed trial diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels of soya bean replaced with G. sepium leaf meal for five weeks. Parameters measured included weight gain, weight of feed consumed, feed gain ratio, price per kg of feed, price per kg of broiler and weights of carcass parts among others. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance. Results showed that weight gain were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. Feeding trial exerted effects on feed intake however, feed gain ratio and feed efficiency were not significantly different (P>0.05). No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in thigh, wing and breast muscle weights of the birds fed G. sepium meal substituted diet however, liver weight was significantly affected by the diet. Price/kg of feed reduced with increased G. sepium in the diets but the cost per/kg animal produced was not significantly affected (P>0.05). It could therefore be suggested that soya bean meal could be replaced with G. sepium leaf meal up to 40% level without adverse effect on performance and weights of major primal parts of the bird. This will also reduce the cost of feed and competition for soya beans between man and livestock industry.