Effects of feeding sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vines as a supplement on feed intake, growth performance, digestibility and carcass characteristics of Sidama goats fed a basal diet of natural grass hay

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of substituting sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] vines for concentrate on growth performance, digestibility, and carcass characteristics. Thirty yearling bucks (15.3?±?1.64 kg) were assigned into six treatments in a randomized complete block design: natural grass hay alone (T1) or supplemented with 100 % sweet potato vines (SPV) (T2), 65 % SPV?+?35 % concentrate (T3), 35 % SPV?+?65 % concentrate (T4), and 100 % concentrate (T5) on dry matter (DM) basis. Supplemented goats (T2, T3, T4, and T5) consumed higher (p?<?0.001) total DM (553, 567, 505, and 515 g/day), respectively, when compared to the nonsupplemented (T1) goats (349 g/day). The crude protein (CP) intake (32.0, 48.6, 54.7, and 69.2 g/day) increased with increasing levels of the concentrate in the diet for T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. The DM digestibility in T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively, was higher (P?<?0.01) (0.69, 0.72, 0.72, and 0.74) than in T1 (0.56). Apparent digestibility of CP was observed to be higher (P?<?0.001) in T3, T4, T5 (0.78, 0.83, and 0.88) when compared to the bucks in T2 (0.60). Higher (P?<?0.001) daily weight gain (31.2, 46.4, 48.6, and 47.6 g/day) were recorded for T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively, whereas the nonsupplemented goats lost weight (?19.5 g/day). Slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib-eye muscle area, and total edible offals were higher (P?<?0.05) in supplemented goats compared with nonsupplemented ones. Therefore, it could be concluded that sweet potato vine can replace the conventional concentrate and could be fed with poor quality hay to prevent body weight loss of animal in the absence of other feed supplements.     

Effects of different levels of dried sweet potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis>) leaves inclusion in finisher ration on feed intake,growth, and carcass yield performance of Ross broiler chicks

The effect of supplementation with increasing levels of dried leaves of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) on feed intake, body weight gain, and carcass yield characteristics of finisher Ross broiler chicks was studied at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. Three hundred Ross broiler chicks aging 29 days and weighing 540 ± 5.28 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed to 15 pens, each with 20 chicks, representing five treatment rations each with three replications. Dietary treatments consisted of inclusions of dried leaves of sweet potato at levels of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g/kg DM for treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days, during which, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency; carcass yield characteristics; and weights and lengths of different parts of gastrointestinal tract were measured. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SAS (1998). Inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato at the level of 200 g/kg DM resulted in lower (P < 0.01) daily DMI as compared to chicks in control diet (T1). The daily body weight gain declined (P < 0.01) when the level of dried leaves of sweet potato in the diet was 150 and 200 g/kg DM. Inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 100 g/kg DM did not affect (P > 0.05) eviscerated carcass weight, and weights of drumstick with thigh and breast meat were not affected (P > 0.05) by inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 150 g/kg DM. The results of this study revealed that inclusion of dried leaves of sweet potato up to 100 g/kg DM in the finisher ration might be considered as the optimum level of supplementation when chickens are sold on live weight basis, but if birds are sold on eviscerated carcass weight basis, inclusion up to 150 g/kg DM might be economically feasible as it produced higher carcass yield components.     

Intake,growth and carcass yield of indigenous goats fed market wastes of sweet potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis>) vines and scarlet eggplant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum aethiopicum</Emphasis>)

Intake, growth and carcass yield of indigenous goats fed basal diets of market wastes of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vines (SPV) and scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) (SEP) were examined in two experiments. In experiment I, the effect of presentation method (chopping, hanging or adding molasses) on the intake of SEP and SPV was evaluated. Presentation method did not influence the intake of SPV while hanging resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) intake of SEP. In experiment II, 24 male growing goats were supplemented with a concentrate (25% cottonseed cake +75% maize bran) in four dietary groups: SEPD, SPVD, SEP+SPV and Control where elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was offered as the roughage. SEP were offered by hanging, while SPV were chopped. The goats were slaughtered after 12 weeks of feeding. Goats in the SEPD group constantly lost weight, hence were not followed to the end. Average daily gain and hot carcass weight were highest (P < 0.05) in the SPVD group (44 g/d and 8.4 kg, respectively), but similar between the SEP+SPV (19 and 6.8) and Control (21 and 6.9) groups. In conclusion, SPV can support goat meat production where standard feed resources are scarce when fed with an energy-protein concentrate. SEP are poorly consumed by goats, hence cannot be used as their sole basal feed.     

Performance of growing indigenous goats fed diets based on urban market crop wastes

The effect of feeding diets including market crop wastes (sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) and scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum)) on growth and digestibility was studied using 32 indigenous intact growing male goats. Adding elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), maize bran and Leucaena leucocephala leaves, four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets (Sweet potato vines, Solanum, Mixed and Control) were formulated. After the growth trial, 12 goats were randomly selected for a digestibility trial with the same diets, and 8 goats for a feed preference test comparing the market wastes and elephant grass. Crude protein (CP) intake was highest (P < 0.05) for the Control (48 g/day) and lowest for the Sweet potato vines diet (23 g/day). Average daily gain was between 11.0 and 14.2 g/day, and similar between diets. The DM and CP digestibilities of the diets were 0.56 and 0.56 (Control), 0.62 and 0.56 (Mixed), 0.59 and 0.49 (Sweet potato vines), and 0.54 and 0.45 (Solanum), respectively. Faecal and urinary N excretions were highest in goats fed the Sweet potato vines and Solanum diets. Eggplant wastes were the least (P < 0.05) preferred. On average the goats spent 5% of their 8-hour time eating eggplant wastes, 34% on sweet potato vines and 36% on elephant grass. Growth performance and N retention were low due to the low intake of feed, especially eggplant wastes.     

Effects of animal type (wild vs. domestic) and diet alfalfa level on intake and digestibility of European adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of alfalfa in the diet on feed intake and digestibility of two types of rabbits, wild (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus) vs. domestic (O. cuniculus cuniculus). Ten wild (W; mean LW = 927 g) and 10 domestic (D; mean LW = 4,645 g) adult rabbit does were fed ad libitum two pelleted diets: a control diet (C) with 15% of dehydrated alfalfa hay (as feed basis) and a test diet (A) with 36% of dehydrated alfalfa hay (as feed basis), according to a change‐over design. Wild does dry matter (DM) intake per kg live weight (BW) was 55% higher (p < .001) than the intake of the D ones (58 g vs. 37 g DM per kg BW respectively). However, no difference (p > .05) was found when intake was expressed per kg^0.75 BW (ca. 56 g DM) and tended to be higher (p = .07) in D does when expressed per kg^0.67 BW (62 g vs. 55 g DM). Domestic does showed a higher (p < .05) DM, organic matter, crude energy and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (3; 2; 3; 3 percentage points respectively) than W does. The amount of nutrients and energy digested by D does was lower per kg BW (p < .001), similar per kg^0.75 BW (p > .05) and tended to be higher per kg^0.67 BW (p < .1) than in W does. The diet content of alfalfa did not affect (p > .05) the feed intake nor the diet digestibility. This study suggests that W rabbits exhibit a higher intake per kg BW and a lower digestibility than their D counterparts, which results in similar digestible nutrient and energy intake per kg BW powered to 0.75. The nutritive value of dehydrated alfalfa for rabbits, evaluated through intake and digestibility, seems to be equivalent to their base diets (forage plus concentrate).     

Feeding forage mixtures of alfalfa hay and maize stover optimizes growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the effects of different proportions of alfalfa hay and maize stover on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of fattening lambs. Forty‐two healthy 3.5‐month‐old male Small‐tail Han lambs of 23.89 ± 0.38 kg body mass were assigned to seven groups, which were fed mixed diets composed of maize stover and alfalfa hay containing 0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 100% maize stover on a dry matter (DM) basis. Each lamb received 1.5 kg DM of forage mixture three times daily and supplementary concentrate (0.5 kg corn per lamb per day) for 60 days. Compared with the control forage diet of maize stover only, forage intake rate and forage conversion rate on the 40% maize stover/60% alfalfa hay mixture were 30% and 5% higher, respectively. Body weight, dressing percentage and net income were 6.7 kg, 8% and 94.37 Yuan higher per lamb, respectively. Thus, feeding lambs with a forage mixture of maize stover and alfalfa hay in a ratio of 40:60 optimized the production performance, slaughter performance, and the income derived from lambs.     

Effect of probiotic supplementation and genotype on growth performance,carcass traits,hematological parameters and immunity of growing rabbits under hot environmental conditions

The effect of dietary inclusion of probiotics and genetic groups on rabbit performance under hot environmental conditions was studied. A total of 80 rabbits aged 8 weeks were distributed into a completely randomized design in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement, including four genetic groups and three concentrations of dietary probiotic (0, 200 and 400 g/t feed). The utilized probiotic contained 4 × 10⁹ colony‐forming units/g of Bacillus subtilis. Jabali local breed (J), imported Spanish V‐line (V) and their crossbreds (¼J¾V and ¾J¼V) were included in the current study. Final weight and body weight gain were not significantly affected by dietary probiotic levels or genetic group. The feed conversion ratio was better for purebreds than that of crossbreds. A significant improvement in percentage of dressed carcass, mid and hind parts was recorded for rabbits fed a diet containing 400 g probiotic/t feed compared with those fed a basal diet or low probiotic level. Probiotic supplementation had a significant decrease in serum cholesterol. Rabbits given 400 g probiotic/t feed had higher hemoglobin, red blood cells and platelets. Adding 400 g probiotic/t feed to rabbit's diet significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved cell‐mediated immunity compared to the other treatments 48 h post‐injection.     

On farm evaluation of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi leaves substitution for natural pasture hay on feed intake and body weight change of Bati goat breeds in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi (ZC) leaves on feed intake and live weight gain of local male goats. Twenty-five male local breed of goats at 1 year of age (body weight; BW?=?20.7?±?0.72 kg) were randomly allocated to five treatments and five replications. Treatments were as follows: T1 (grass hay only; control group); T2 (75% grass hay + 25% ZC leaves); T3 (50% grass hay + 50% ZC leaves); T4 (25% grass hay + 75% ZC leaves), and T5 (100% ZC leaves). The study lasted for 90 days. During this period, feed intake, BW change, and average daily gain were evaluated. There was a significant difference in total dry matter intake of goats fed on different levels of ZC leaves compared with the control group. Mixing of the pasture grass hay diet improved (P?<?0.05) goats feed intake from 440 to 592 g/head/day at the minimum proportion of 25% ZC and natural pasture mixture. However, there was no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed intake among the supplemented groups (T2–T5) as ZC leaves proportion increased. Goats in the control group and in the 25% ZC treatment diet gained 31.4 and 46.7 g, which was not different (P?>?0.05). The highest average daily BW was gained (P?<?0.05) in goats supplemented with the highest level (100%) of ZC leaves. T5 (100% ZC leaves supplementation) showed a significant increment (P?<?0.05) in body weight gain of goats over other treatments and the control. Feed conversion ratio was increased (P?<?0.05) with increased inclusion level of ZC leaves. Goats on supplemented treatments 1 and 2; treatments 4 and 5 had no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed conversion efficiency while there was a significant (P?<?0.05) difference between treatments 2 and 3 diets which had higher (P?<?0.05) feed conversion ratio than the control groups. Generally, the results of the current study showed that supplementation of goats with above 50% level of dried ZC leaves in their diet significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain by improving feed conversion efficiency of goats.

     

Supplementation of cottonseed,linseed, and noug seed cakes on feed intake,digestibility, body weight,and carcass parameters of Sidama goats

A digestibility, feed intake, and carcass evaluation experiment using 20 yearling intact male Sidama goats weighing 16.4 ± 0.63 kg (mean ± SD) was conducted in Ethiopia with the objectives to determine feed intake, digestibility, body weight (BW) gain, and carcass parameters. The treatments included feeding natural pasture hay (T1, control) and supplementation with cottonseed cake (284 g—T2), linseed cake (250 g—T3), and noug seed cake (296 g—T4) on dry matter (DM) basis to supply 85 g crude protein (CP) per head per day. Randomized complete block design for feed intake and BW parameters and complete randomized design for digestibility and carcass parameters were used. Hay DM intake was higher (P < 0.01) for T1 than for the other treatments. T3 promoted higher (P < 0.01) DM (29.3 g/kg W^0.75/day) and CP (14.1 g/kg W^0.75/day) intake than T4 (8.9 g/kg W^0.75/day DM and 4.1 g/kg W^0.75/day CP). T3 showed better (P < 0.05) organic matter and CP digestibility than T2. Goats in T3 had higher nitrogen intake (P < 0.01) and retention (P < 0.05) than those in T1. Goats in T2 and T3 showed higher (P < 0.05) daily BW gain and final BW than those in T4 and T1. Goats in T2 and T3 had higher (P < 0.05) slaughter weight, empty BW, hot carcass weight, rib-eye muscle area, and dressing percentage on slaughter weight basis than those in T1. The results showed that T2 and T3 had similar effect on CP intake, daily BW gain, and carcass parameters for growing Sidama goats fed natural pasture hay.     

Fiber digestion and voluntary intake in horses after adaptation to extensive large-colon resection

Each of 3 digestion trials (3 forage diets) was performed on 2 groups of horses 6 to 12 months after sham operation (group 1; n = 3) or large-colon resection (group 2; n = 5). Diets were alfalfa pellets, alfalfa hay, and grass hay. Feed and fecal analyses were performed to determine apparent digestion of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein and true digestion of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, total plant cell wall, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Additional fecal and metabolic variables determined were percentage of fecal water, total fecal water, metabolic organic matter, metabolic crude protein, and metabolic nitrogen. Large-colon resection decreased the digestion of plant cell wall because of decreased digestion of cellulose in alfalfa pellet and grass hay diets, but not in alfalfa hay diet. Insufficient digestible energy and/or protein from grass hay was obtained by horses with colon resection, and significant (P less than 0.05) weight loss was observed. Voluntary intake was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by horses with colon resection. Of the diets studied, alfalfa hay was the most appropriate forage diet, compared with average grass hay and alfalfa pellet diet, for horses after extensive large-colon resection. Additionally, horses with colon resection may have higher levels of feed intake than do horses without colon resection.     

苜蓿黄酮对肉兔生长性能、肉品质和脂质氧化的影响

本试验研究了日粮中添加紫花苜蓿黄酮类化合物对生长肉兔生产性能、胴体特性、肉质和脂质氧化的影响。试验选择160只42日龄的杂交肉兔,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复10只肉兔。对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组在基础日粮中分别添加0.04%、0.08%和0.12%苜蓿黄酮,试验从断奶(42 d)开展到屠宰(102 d),共60 d。试验结束后,每组随机选择12只肉兔(3只/重复),记录其胴体特征,采集血浆、肝脏和最长肌进行脂质氧化试验。结果发现:日粮添加不同水平的苜蓿黄酮对肉兔末重、日采食量、日增重和料重比均无显著影响(P>0.05)。除了0.12%和0.04%苜蓿黄酮组较对照组显著提高了最长肌肉色亮度外(P<0.05),日粮添加不同水平的苜蓿黄酮对屠体分割重量和其他肉质指标的影响均无显著差异(P>0.05)。日粮添加苜蓿黄酮显著影响肌肉的硫代巴比妥酸反应物值,表现为显著降低肌肉丙二醛含量(P<0.05),其中0.12%苜蓿黄酮组肌肉丙二醛含量最低。结论:在本试验条件下,在肉兔日粮中添加苜蓿黄酮可以改善肌肉氧化稳定性,对动物生长性能无负面影响,但对肉色亮度参数有轻微影响。     

Effect of forage inclusion and particle size in diets of neonatal lambs on performance and rumen development

A slaughter experiment was conducted to determine the effects of alfalfa particle size on rumen morphology and performance of lambs. Twenty‐four Balouchi lambs aged 21 days (9.1 ± 1.1 kg) were randomly fed control (diet without alfalfa hay; CON) and mixed rations containing 15% finely ground (FINE; 2 mm) and 15% coarsely chopped alfalfa hay (LONG; 3 to 4 cm). After a 63 days feeding period, nine animals (three per treatment) were slaughtered to obtain ruminal tissue samples for morphological analyses. Alfalfa particle size did not affect (p > 0.05) papillae density, height, width, epithelium depth and surface area. Coarse alfalfa decreased the stratum corneum and increased (p < 0.05) muscle depth compared with fine and control diets. Neither DNA content and nor RNA concentration of rumen tissue was affected by feeding different diets. Forage particle size did not affect the blood concentration of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), beta‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were higher for control diet; however, there were no significant differences between treatments for average daily gain. These data suggest that coarse alfalfa significantly reduces the stratum corneum and increases muscularity of rumen wall and tended to better feed conversion ratio.     

Growth and carcass characteristics of male Sahelian goats fed leaves or pods of Pterocarpus lucens or Acacia senegal

The effect of feeding browse on growth and carcass characteristics was studied using thirty-two 10–12 months old growing Sahelian goats weighing an average of 15.6 kg. The treatments were four diets: Acacia senegal pods, Pterocarpus lucens leaves and pods and a positive control. The browses were offered ad libitum and supplemented with 200 g of hay of Schoenefeldia gracilis and 200 g of millet bran, while the control group received 200 g of millet bran, 200 g of cottonseed cake and hay ad libitum. The highest DM intake was observed for goats fed A. senegal pods, resulting in higher CP intake from this diet. The diet with P. lucens leaves gave a higher feed consumption than the control diet, but CP intakes were similar. The goats fed P. lucens pods diet had the lowest CP intake. The higher intake of the A. senegal pods diet resulted in higher growth rate (56 g/day), comparable to the P. lucens leaves and the control diets (55 and 51 g/day respectively). However, the feed conversion ratio was the lowest for the control diet. The carcass weight, dressing percentage and weight of the primal cuts were higher for goats fed A. senegal pods, P. lucens leaves and the control diet. In conclusion A. senegal pods and P. lucens leaves showed good intake characteristics for goats under stall-feeding conditions. Pods from P. lucens, resulting in lower performance, can be fed with small amounts of millet bran for maintenance of goats during the dry season.     

Effect of feeding olive-pulp ensiled with additives on feedlot performance and carcass attributes of fat-tailed lambs

Feed cost has a significant effect on the economic efficiency of feedlot lambs; therefore, the use of low-cost non-conventional feedstuffs, such as olive pulp (OP), has the potential to decrease the production costs. Because optimum inclusion of OP-treated silages has not been determined in feedlot lambs, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of OP ensiled with additives in the diet on the feedlot performance and carcass attributes of feedlot lambs. Ram lambs of Mehraban and Ghezel breeds (n?=?50 lambs per breed) were randomly allotted to 10 groups and fed with one of the nine diets containing OP silage or a control diet. Silage treatments were: (1) OP silage without additives (OPS), (2) OP ensiled with 8 % beet molasses and 0.4 % formic acid (OP-MF), and (3) OP ensiled with 8 % beet molasses, 0.4 % formic acid and 0.5 % urea (OP-MFU). The control diet contained 50 % alfalfa hay and 50 % barley grain. Three levels from each silage were chosen to replace the barley grain (10, 20, or 30 % dry matter basis). The lambs were slaughtered after 92 days, and the average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass characteristics were determined. Feeding OPS to fat-tailed lambs, at an inclusion level of 30 %, decreased the carcass dressing percentage, mainly as a result of decreased brisket percentage, but the ADG and FCR values were not adversely affected. Ghezel lambs had higher ADG than Mehraban lambs, but the visceral fat weight percentage, flap weight percentage, and back fat depth were higher in Mehraban. The crude protein content in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was higher in Ghezel, but the dry matter percentage was higher in Mehraban (P?<?0.05). Other attributes were not significantly affected by breed (P?>?0.05). Most carcass characteristics, including major cuts, were not affected by OPS feeding; therefore, feeding OPS (up to 30 %) can be economical for feedlot lambs. Most carcass characteristics, including major cuts, were not affected by OPS levels used in this experiment; therefore, inclusion of OPS (up to 30 %) in the diet may reduce the cost of raising feedlot lambs. This also could help alleviate the problem of storage of OP in oil factories.     

Effect of the replacement of Tifton 85 with maniçoba hay on the performance of Morada Nova hair sheep

The use of native and adapted forages is an alternative for sustainable production systems in northeast Brazil. The goal of this study was to evaluate the substitution of Tifton 85 by maniçoba hay on the performance and carcass traits of Morada Nova hair sheep. The 16 lambs that were used in this study initially weighed 19.36?±?1.48 kg, were housed in individual pens, and were slaughtered at 58 days of confinement. The dry matter intake (839.84 g/day and 3.81 % WB) was higher (P?<?0.05) in sheep fed maniçoba hay. The feed conversion was 7.39 for sheep fed maniçoba hay. The empty body weight (21.61 kg) and cold carcass weight (11.40 kg) did not differ (P?>?0.05) between sheep fed different hay types. The replacement of Tifton 85 by maniçoba hay did not influence the loin eye area (cm²) or carcass compactness index (kg/cm). The replacement of Tifton 85 by maniçoba hay in Morada Nova sheep diet did not affect the weight gain or carcass characteristics. The maniçoba hay can be considered a forage resource for feeding sheep in Brazilian semiarid tropics.     

Growth,carcass yield and meat quality attributes of Red Maasai sheep fed wheat straw-based diets

Thirty-two castrated Red Maasai sheep (12.7 kg initial body weight, aged 12–18 months), were used in an 84-day experiment to evaluate diets based on treated straw upon growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality. The animals were blocked by weight into four similar groups and randomly allotted into four dietary treatments, with eight individually fed animals per treatment. The dietary treatments were ad libitum untreated wheat straw (UTS), wheat straw treated with urea and lime (TS), straw and ad libitum hay (UTSH), and TS and ad libitum hay (TSH). In addition, each experimental animal received 220 g/day (on as fed basis) of a concentrate diet. Treatment of straw increased (P < 0.05) dry matter intake (42.3 vs. 33.7 g/kg W ⁷⁵/day), energy intake (4.6 vs. 3.7 MJ ME/d) and the average daily gain (40.7 vs. 23.1 g). Animals on TS produced heavier (P < 0.05) carcasses (6.6 vs. 5.4 kg) with superior conformation than animals on UTS. Percentage cooking loss was higher in carcasses from animals fed TS compared to those from other diets. Except M. longissimus dorsi and M. semitendinosus, tenderness of muscles was not affected by diet but ageing of meat improved (P < 0.001) tenderness. Overall, straw treatment increased carcass yields with limited effects on meat quality attributes.     

Responses to dietary additions of fiber (alfalfa meal) in growing pigs housed in a cold, warm or hot thermal environment

Five trials involving 112 individually-penned animals were conducted to determine the effects of dietary fiber additions (0 or 10% dehydrated alfalfa meal) on the rate and efficiency of growth and carcass characteristics of growing pigs housed in a cold (10 C), thermoneutral (22.5 C) or hot (35 C) thermal environment. Cold exposure (10 C) depressed efficiency of feed and energy utilization, carcass length, backfat, cold carcass dressing percentage and percentage lean cuts. Exposure to the hot environment resulted in depressed live weight gains but did not alter the efficiency of feed utilization. Dietary additions of alfalfa meal depressed daily gains by 1, 3 and 5% in pigs housed in the cold, warm and hot environments, respectively, and gain:feed ratios by 1, 7 and 10%. Ingestion of the fibrous alfalfa meal depressed cold carcass dressing percentage in the 10 and 22 C environments as compared with the basal diet. Based on these data, the nutritional value of fibrous feedstuffs (15% total dietary neutral detergent fiber or less) for growing pigs allowed to consume feed ad libitum is greater in animals housed in a moderately cold vs a warm or hot thermal environment.     

饲喂苜蓿干草对越冬母羊体质量增加及日粮消化率的影响

本研究分析饲喂苜蓿（Medicago sativa）干草对越冬母羊体质量增加和日粮消化率的影响。从5组（SA1、SA2、SA3、SA4、SA5）暖季放牧母羊中各选取18只健康母羊,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组9只,对照组和试验组平均体质量差异不显著（P＞0.05）。对照组不使用苜蓿干草,试验组中苜蓿干草占日粮干物质的比例为11.4%～17.1%。结果表明,SA2、SA3、SA5试验组使用苜蓿干草提高日粮粗蛋白含量并保持适宜的能量蛋白比[消化能（MJ）∶粗蛋白（g）为（1.06~1.08）∶10],可使越冬母羊不掉膘并降低日粮成本。试验组日粮的粗蛋白和中性洗涤纤维消化率均高于对照组,而干物质消化率均低于对照组。     

The nutrition of the chinchilla as a companion animal--basic data, influences and dependences

This contribution is meant to obtain basic data for feeding chinchillas (ingestion behaviour, feed and water intake) kept as companion animals. The chinchillas ingested more than 70% of their total feed intake during the dark phase (highest level of activity between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am). Daily amounts of feed intake varied between 2.5 (fresh grass) or 2.6 (hay) and 5.5 (pelleted complete diet) g of dry matter per 100 g of body weight. An offered mixed feed based on native components led to a selection of individual ingredients (high palatability: carob, beet pulp, sunflower seeds). The chinchillas' daily water intake varied between 30 (mixed feed in briquette form) and 40 ml (alfalfa cubes) and amounted on average between 1.5 and 3 ml/g of dry matter. Compared with rabbits or guinea-pigs, the chinchillas generally showed noticeable differences (rhythm of feed intake, palatability of individual ingredients, capacity for digestion, etc.) which must be considered in order to optimize the nutrition of this species.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of sorghum milling waste on growth response,nutrient utilisation,gut characteristics and cecal microflora of weaner rabbits

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and cecal microflora of 80 male, mixed breed weaner rabbits fed with varying dietary inclusions of sorghum milling waste (SMW) was investigated. Four experimental diets were formulated such that SMW was included at 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 g/kg, respectively. Each dietary treatment was performed on 20 rabbits. Feed intake increased (P < 0.05) while final live weight and feed conversion ratio of rabbits decreased (P < 0.05) following increased dietary inclusion of SMW. Rabbits fed with 100 and 200 g/kg SMW had similar feed conversion ratios, weight gain, crude fiber, dry matter and crude protein digestibility values. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and rack weight. Similar dressing percentage and rack weight were recorded for rabbits fed with control diet, 100 and 200 g/kg SMW. The weight of cecal content increased (P < 0.05) with increased dietary inclusion levels of SMW. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) coliform and lactobaccillus counts. Dietary inclusion of up to 200 g/kg SMW supported improved growth response and carcass yield without imposing any detrimental effect on cecal microflora.