An acoustic based approach to evaluate the effect of different diet lengths on feeding behavior of Litopenaeus vannamei

Studying shrimp feeding behavior is challenging and, traditionally, studies have been using direct visual observation or video recordings with image analysis under laboratory conditions. Passive acoustics monitoring (PAM) is a non-invasive approach to study feeding behavior of penaeids, as their mandibles emit clicking sounds during feed ingestion. Considering the wide variation available in shrimp diet lengths, our knowledge is still limited about their effects on feeding behavior. The present study was designed to use acoustics to evaluate the feeding behavior of Litopenaeus vannamei fed different diet lengths. A commercial pelleted diet with similar diameter (2.4 mm) and three different lengths was used as treatments “small” (2.35 mm), “medium” (4.26 mm) and “large” (8.42 mm). Three separate trials were performed with fastened shrimp (20 g), using omnidirectional hydrophones and external audio recorders. Our approach started with the characterization of the click acoustic parameters produced by three shrimps when fed the different diet lengths in anechoic chambers (15 L). We then analyze the number of clicks produced per pellet and duration of the clicking activity when shrimp fed a single pellet in individual tanks (1 L). Finally, the acoustic energy of feeding activity and feed consumption, as well as theirs relationship to predict feed intake was evaluated in aquaria (70 L) with five shrimps. The acoustic parameters of isolated clicks were not affected by the different diet lengths, however, doubling the length of the pellet resulted in doubling the number of clicks emitted during feeding activity. The duration of clicking activity per pellet indicated that small pellets are consumed 2.9 and 4.7 times faster than medium and large pellets, respectively. Furthermore, feeding acoustic energy of small pellets decreased rapidly after feed offer, as their faster consumption probably contributed to shrimps achieved satiety earlier than larger diets. Feed consumption was similar among diets length, but significantly correlated with the feeding acoustic energy emitted by L. vannamei, which is a breakthrough in feeding behavioral research. The results highlight the potential and possibilities of an acoustic approach to estimate feed consumption, as well as an alternative to traditional methods in feeding behavioral studies to improve efficiency of feed management.     

加强生长育肥猪的饲养管理减少疾病的发生

在整个养猪生产中,育肥是养猪的最后一个生产环节,是检测猪种选择是否正确,营养饲料是否适合,饲养技术是否过硬,疫病防控是否完善的关键,不仅关系到市场供应,而且对猪场经济效益有着重要影响,也是发展养猪生产的最终目的。     

桑叶养猪实用技术

桑叶养猪实用技术分为桑树种植技术和桑叶干粉发酵养猪技术两个部分。利用荒地种植桑树,降低生猪养殖饲养成本,桑叶养猪种养结合,成为生态农业典范。桑叶干粉发酵技术,提高了桑叶干粉的可消化率和饲料功能。桑叶干粉发酵料占配方6%~10%,做成桑叶猪饲料,替代3%~5%鱼粉、豆粕等蛋白质饲料,节约了饲料成本。桑叶喂养猪(简称桑叶猪,下同)的猪肉中含有肌苷酸等风味物质,显著提高猪肉胴体品质和猪肉风味。设计猪尿处理,采用红泥膜沼气池降解工程工艺应用后,降解水兑2倍清水对桑树喷灌工艺,减少人工处理劳力和成本费用。设计10%抗非洲猪瘟中药饲料添加剂+桑叶饲料,预期防治非洲猪瘟总效果85%以上。桑叶养猪实用技术可行,供同行参考。     

中国野桑蚕人工饲料育研究初报

为解决野桑蚕作为试验昆虫在室内饲养难的问题,以江苏启东野桑蚕为材料,用家蚕低成本饲料进行了饲育研究。在催青期温度25℃、饲育温度27~25℃以及光照条件1~2龄12 L 12 D、3~5龄15 L 9 D的条件下,野桑蚕人工饲料育的2龄起蚕率为31.3%,幼虫期20~48 d,雌、雄蛹体质量分别为0.45、0.25 g,蛹期17~23 d,雌蛾平均产卵266粒,产滞育卵的母蛾占45.0%。研究结果表明,人工饲料育能够使野桑蚕顺利完成世代发育。     

Feed intake pattern of broiler chickens under intermittent lighting: Do birds eat in the dark?

This paper reflects the results of a short experiment conducted in parallel with a larger trial which aimed to test the assumption that ‘consumption of feed by broiler chickens during periods of darkness is largely negligible’. To that effect, on d 31, feeders of birds raised under intermittent lighting (IL), i.e. 1 h of light [1L]:3 h of dark (3D):1L:3D:1L:3D:1L:3D:2L:6D, were weighed at the onset and at the end of each period of darkness (or scotoperiod). Moreover, in order to compare the feeding behavior of IL birds with that of broilers raised under continuous lighting (CL, i.e. 18L:6D), their feeders were weighed in parallel and at the same time points. On d 31, feed intake of IL birds during scotoperiods represented 45% of their 24 h feed intake. Both CL and IL birds presented anticipatory feed intake prior to the long nocturnal period of darkness (6D), as well as higher feed intake right at the onset of lighting at 06:00. Feed intake of CL birds during the 6D nocturnal scotoperiod was negligible at around 2% of their total feed intake. Intermittent lighting birds exhibited excitement at the start of each hour-length scotoperiod and, within that time, ingested around 2.5 times the amount of feed ingested by CL birds. Although short, this study revealed several interesting observations which might be worth further exploring in a larger, lengthier, behavior-focused experiment. Amongst other factors, it might be interesting to understand whether the high feed intake observed during scotoperiods for IL birds in reflective of the whole flock or rather a coping mechanism developed mainly by hierarchically lower-ranking birds to achieve their daily feed intakes requirements.     

云南温带多年生优良牧草——扁穗雀麦

分析总结了扁穗雀麦的分布、来源、植物学特征、生物学特性、饲用价值和栽培利用措施,以促进该优良牧草的推广利用。由于扁穗雀麦在云南冬春潮湿阴凉环境条件下仍保持绿色,故可作为解决冬春青绿饲料的优良牧草利用。     

结构用集成材拼方自动上料设备的研制

介绍了一种基于PLC控制的自动上料设备。该设备应用于结构用集成材拼方过程中,具有自动传送、自动翻转、步进推靠、自动卸料等功能。对该设备的主要机械结构、动作方式和电气控制原理做了详细的表述。此设备已经成功应用于生产实践,并且运行稳定可靠,操作方便快捷。     

Variation of Hematochemical Profile and Vitamin E Status in Feral Giara Horses From Free Grazing in the Wild to Hay Feeding During Captivity

Wildlife protection and management are important priorities for landscape identity and biodiversity preservation. Feeding practices of fauna confined in facilities during temporary captivity are fundamental to support animal health and natural behavior. Appropriate provision of feedstuffs appears to be necessary to support the best practices in respect of animal species-specific natural diet. This investigation explored the variation of the metabolic profile by means of selected metabolite and respective circulating levels in a group feral Giara horses undergoing the change of the diet, moving from natural free grazing in the wild to temporary captivity. Six Giara horses (4 mares and 2 stallions; estimated age: 2.5–3 years; body weight: 163–170 kg) were captured to monitor the serological reaction to equine infectious anemia (EIA; screening at Coggins test). Animals were sheltered in a wildlife rescue center for a duration of 4 weeks, and all received the same hay-based diet (ad libitum). On 0 and 28 days of captivity, blood serum alpha-tocopherol (α-TOH) concentration was determined alongside selected metabolites (liver enzymes, total protein and fractions, cholesterol, triglycerides, and macrominerals and trace elements). Comparative feces quality and composition were also assessed. Both serum samples (0 vs. 28 days) displayed α-TOH levels below (<2 μg/mL) adequacy established for the domestic horse. Initial levels markedly (P = .020) decreased after the 4 weeks of captivity (Δ = −32.5%). Vitamin E status and ALT levels varied significantly, but serum protein fractions did not point to significant variations before and after captivity. All horses tested negative to EIA. Monitoring of vitamin E status of wild and feral herbivores may be recommendable in the context of adequate feeding practices during captivity to prevent potential deficiency or excessive depletion.     

The Influence of Stable Management and Feeding Practices on the Abnormal Behaviors Among Stabled Horses in Malaysia

The present study aimed to provide preliminary data on the prevalence of oral stereotypic, locomotory stereotypic, and redirected behaviors as well as their associations with stable management and feeding practices. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 207 working horses used for leisure riding, equestrian sport, polo, endurance, and patrolling were selected from seven equine facilities. Data on the stable management and feeding practices were obtained through the stable records, interviews, and on-site monitoring visits, whereas the prevalence of abnormal behaviors in the studied population was determined using the instantaneous scan sampling method. Most horses in the present study worked for more than 8 hours per week (n = 93). In addition, more horses were fed three times per day (n = 65) with different amounts of hay, concentrate, and chaff. Among the study population, oral stereotypic behaviors had the highest prevalence (n = 281; 54%), followed by redirected behavior (n = 181; 34%), and locomotory stereotypic behaviors had the lowest prevalence (n = 63; 12%). The oral stereotypic behavior was found to be significantly influenced (P < .05) by the working hours, amount of hay, and amount of concentrate. Both locomotory stereotypic and redirected behaviors were found to be influenced (P < .05) by the number of feedings per day and the amount of hay. In summary, the present study has proven that the stable management and feeding practices could influence the prevalence of different abnormal behaviors in the majority of working horses, with oral stereotypy being the most common abnormal behavior in this country.     

山西四种鸮形目鸟类生态习性的初步研究

本研究于山西吴城地区对4种鸮形目鸟类的生态习性进行了研究，旨在积累该地区鸮形目鸟类的生态学基础资料。利用样线法记录迁徙时间，并收集繁殖季栖息地、巢卵特征的数据资料；利用食团内容物分析法分析食性。结果表明不同年份红角鸮、长耳鸮、短耳鸮的迁徙具有相似特点，均是北迁持续期时间短、间隔时间长，南迁持续期时间长，间隔时间短。红角鸮与纵纹腹小鸮在巢址选取、育雏行为等方面存在差异，营巢地更接近居民区的纵纹腹小鸮的繁殖成功率相对较高。4种鸮形目鸟类均以小型哺乳类和鸟类为主要食物，此外也取食少量昆虫和部分家畜、家禽。不同物种之间需求的重叠会导致种间竞争的增加，考虑到鸮形目鸟类在生态系统中的重要作用及其偏低的种群数量，应对其加以关注并实施保护。