Water intake in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from open dishes and nipple drinkers under different water and feeding regimes

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are often presented suffering from urolithiasis. A high water intake is important in the prophylaxis of uroliths. We investigated the influence factors for water intake using 12 rabbits subjected to different feed and water regimes with practical relevance: Hay, fresh parsley, a seed mix and two different pelleted feed were offered in diverse combinations. Water was provided either by open dish or nipple drinker. Water was accessible ad libitum except for four treatments with 6 h or 12 h water access. Under the different feeding regimes, the drinker had no influence on water intake, but faecal dry matter content was significantly higher with nipple drinkers [60.0 ± 2.1 vs. 57.2 ± 2.1% of wet weight (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.003]. Dry food led to a higher drinking water intake but total water intake was still lower than with addition of 'fresh' food. With restricted water access, rabbits exhibited a significantly higher water intake with open dishes compared with nipple drinkers (54.9 ± 9.8 vs. 48.1 ± 8.2 g/kg(0.75) /day (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.04). High proportions of fresh parsley or hay in the diet enhanced total water intake and urine output, and led to lower urinary dry matter content and lower urinary calcium concentrations. Restricted access to drinkers led to a decreased total daily water intake and increased dry matter content of urine and faeces. For optimal water provision and urolith prophylaxis, we recommend a diet with a high 'fresh food' proportion as well as additionally hay ad libitum with free water access, offered in an open bowl.     

Effect of the last diet on the selective feeding behavior of heifers

The present study examined and discussed the way the basal diet (BD) during the preliminary phase and the last diet (LD) before the food selection test affected the selective feeding behavior of heifers. For the BD and LD, oat hay and concentrate were used. Three different levels of roughage content (low, medium and high) were prepared by changing the mix ratios of oat hay and concentrate. Low and high roughage diets were used for the BD, and all three of the roughage levels were used for the LD. A mixture of orchard grass and white clover (MIX), and Japanese pampas grass leaf (JP) were used as testing foods. In the preliminary phase, all heifers were fed the BD three times per day. In the test phase, heifers were fed the LD for the first meal (06.00–12.00 hours), and food selection under different BD and LD was examined during the second meal (13.00–16.00 hours) of the day. The effects of the BD were significant for MIX dry matter intake (DMI), JP DMI and the rate of MIX DMI for total DMI. Under the high roughage BD condition, heifers ingested more MIX than under the low roughage BD condition. The effect of the LD was significant on JP DMI, whereas the rate of MIX DMI for total DMI was not significant. Selective feeding behavior was strongly affected by the BD and slightly by the LD.     

羊草草原放牧动物选择性采食研究(简报)

通过对羊草草原放牧动物采食行为的跟踪观测,将放牧动物选择性采食分为4种形式,即去顶、拔心、去顶 拔心和未采食,用上述4种采食方式代替以采食高度描述放牧动物采食行为的方法.在不同放牧率下动物对羊草草地主要植物选择性采食排序是不一样的.放牧动物采食率随着放牧率的增加而增加,采食率的高低表明该动物对草地植物的喜食程度,但是喜食程度并不能代表动物对植物的危害程度,危害程度的大小应以去顶 拔心率的高低来决定.     

Food and water intake and urine composition in cats: influence of continuous versus periodic feeding

Twenty healthy, noncastrated, adult male cats had periodic (11 am to 12 am) or continuous (24 hours daily) access to food. With periodic feeding, cats ate less food, drank less water, and produced less urine than when food was available continuously. The composition of urine obtained by cystocentesis at 7:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 10 pm was influenced somewhat by feeding pattern. With periodic feeding, urine pH was lower at 7:30 am and higher at 3:30 pm than it was with continuous feeding. Most mineral concentrations and urine osmolality-specific gravity did not differ with the different feeding schedules. However, when periodic feeding was used, concentrations of magnesium and phosphorus in urine were as high or higher preprandially (7:30 am) than postprandially (3:30 pm). Frequency of urination per 24 hours was not influenced by the feeding schedule, but the time that urination occurred during the 24-hour period was somewhat different. An experimental, high magnesium diet fed to the cats for 200 days caused urethral obstruction in 7 of 10 cats fed periodically and in 7 of 10 cats fed continuously. Cats with obstruction had urinary mineral concentrations similar to concentrations in cats without obstruction, indicating that urinary mineral concentration may not be the only factor relevant to the process of obstruction. Necropsy findings and histologic evaluation of tissues from the cats indicated incidental lesions or abnormalities caused by urethral obstruction, but did not indicate anatomic abnormalities that would have predisposed the cats to obstruction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

小黑麦干草对羔羊生产性能及采食行为的影响

为探究小黑麦(×Triticale Wittmack)干草对舍饲羔羊生产性能和采食行为的影响,本研究选用18只舍饲湖羊公羔,随机分为对照组、试验Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组,每组6只;对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组在基础日粮中分别用10%、20%的小黑麦干草等量替代粗料。结果表明:Ⅰ组试验羊的平均日增重为189.72 g,显著高于对照组和Ⅱ组(P <0.05);试验羊采食量随小黑麦干草添加比例的增加而降低,Ⅱ组采食量显著低于Ⅰ组和对照组(P <0.05),采食时长极显著高于Ⅰ组和对照组(P <0.01);Ⅰ组试验羊排泄次数显著高于对照组(P <0.05),与Ⅱ组无显著差异(P> 0.05);Ⅰ组试验羊反刍周期、反刍时间、反刍食团数和食团咀嚼总次数都极显著高于Ⅱ组(P <0.01)。综上可知,小黑麦干草作为粗饲料在羔羊日粮中适宜添加比例为10%,这为小黑麦干草饲料化开发利用提供了理论基础。     

Food intake and ingredient profile affect viscosity of ileal digesta of dogs

Two experiments were conducted to determine dietary factors affecting digesta viscosity. In experiment 1, six ileal-cannulated dogs were either full (607.1 kJ/BW0.67) or restricted (303.5 kJ/BW0.67) fed. In experiment 2, four dog foods were surveyed for effects on digesta viscosity based on protein source [animal protein (AP) or plant protein (PP)] or dietary fibre source [soluble dietary fibre (SDF) or insoluble dietary fibre (IDF)]. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher (p<0.05) when dogs were full (11.4 g/kg) compared with restricted fed (5.98 g/kg). Ileal digesta viscosity tended to be higher (p=0.07) for full fed [10,251 centipoise (cP)] compared with restricted-fed dogs (6677 cP). Ileal digesta viscosities were 6561, 11,074, 13,830 and 15,967 cP for dogs consuming IDF, SDF, AP and PP treatments respectively. Ileal DM concentrations were 11.4%, 13.6%, 14.8% and 14.8% for SDF, IDF, AP and PP treatments respectively. DM digestibility coefficients were lowest (71.2%) for the PP treatment and highest (88.7%) for the IDF treatment. Organic matter digestibilities followed a similar pattern. Ileal digesta viscosity of dogs appears to increase with increased diet intake, and increased ileal DM concentration. More digestible diets result in less ileal DM and lower viscosity constants.     

不同载畜率条件下绵羊选择性采食的研究

2002年7-11月,在内蒙古畜牧科学院四子王旗试验站,对短花针茅Stipa brevi flora荒漠草原不同载畜率条件下的蒙古细毛羊的选择性采食进行了观察研究.结果表明:绵羊对适口性好的牧草有很强的选择性采食能力,其食谱主要由几种适口性好的牧草组成;绵羊的选择性采食有明显的季节变化,8月对银灰旋花Convolvulus ammannii的嗜食性指数高于其他牧草,9月对栉叶蒿Artemisia pectinata的嗜食性指数有所增大;同一季绵羊食谱各放牧处理间无显著差异,但随着放牧时间的延续和气温的下降,食谱中的植物种类组成明显减少.     

圆叶决明草粉替代不同比例精料喂兔效果研究

利用豆科牧草圆叶决明Chamaecrista routundifolia CPI34721草粉分别以10%,15%,20%不同比例替代精料进行肉兔喂养试验.试验结果表明:与对照相比较,在兔只平均日增重、饲料利用率方面,各处理与对照差异不显著.替代10%和15%精料处理可显著提高兔肉品质,替代20%精料的处理在经济效益方面最佳,可提高经济效益5.15%.     

Ruminal degradation kinetics,intake, digestibility,and feeding behavior of beef steers offered annual or perennial grass-hay with or without supplementation

Effects of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on ruminal fermentation, degradation kinetics, and feeding behavior of steers offered annual (Eragrostis tef; TEFF) or perennial (Bothriochloa bladhii; OWB) grass hay were evaluated. Ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (n = 6; body weight [BW] = 304 ± 11 kg) were assigned to a 4 × 6 unbalanced Latin square design with four treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial: hay type (OWB or TEFF) and DDGS supplementation (0% or 0.5% BW [dry matter {DM} basis]). Steers had ad libitum access to hay. Periods consisted of a 14-d adaptation followed by 7 d of collection. Residues from the in situ incubations (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h post-feeding) were fitted to a first-order kinetics model using the NLIN procedure of SAS. The DDGS decreased (P < 0.01) TEFF DM intake (DMI) by 11.3%, while not affecting DMI of OWB. The greatest DMI was observed for steers supplemented with DDGS, regardless of forage, and least in steers consuming OWB without DDGS (hay type × DDGS; P = 0.03). Non-supplemented steers spent more (P < 0.01) time eating hay. Digestibility of DM tended (P = 0.06) to increase with DDGS supplementation. A hay type × DDGS interaction was observed (P ≤ 0.05) on ruminal effective degradable fractions. The rate of degradation, soluble fraction, and the potentially degradable fraction of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased (P ≤ 0.05), while the undegradable fraction of all components decreased (P ≤ 0.01) when steers were offered TEFF compared to OWB. Ruminal DM, OM, and ADF degradation lag-time increased (P ≤ 0.02) in steers offered OWB. Ruminal degradation kinetics were not (P ≥ 0.17) independently affected by DDGS supplementation. Average ruminal pH of steers offered TEFF (P < 0.01) and those offered DDGS (P < 0.01) were lower than OWB and non-supplemented steers. Total concentration of VFA tended (P = 0.09) to increase when DDGS was provided with OWB, while decreasing when TEFF was offered. The acetate:propionate increased (P < 0.01) with DDGS supplementation due to a decrease (P = 0.03) in propionate. Ruminal NH₃-N was greater (P = 0.03) in steers offered TEFF compared to OWB, and those supplemented with DDGS (P = 0.03). An annual, in place of a conventional, perennial hay improved intake and digestion of nutrients, without affecting feeding behavior. The supplementation with DDGS appears to affect forage intake, ruminal degradation, and feeding behavior, although not independent of forage quality.     

Effects of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) hay feeding on dry matter intake and milk production of Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) fed rice straw ad libitum

To identify the effects of field pea hay (FPH) as a supplement of rice straw (RS) on feed intake and milk production of mid‐late lactation buffaloes in Tarai, Nepal, nine multiparous Murrah were fed a concentrate at 0.6% of their bodyweight (BW) on a concentrate dry matter (DM) basis daily while having ad libitum access to RS. The buffaloes were divided into three groups, and the experiment with three levels of FPH feeding was conducted at the following rate of BW: 0% (T1), 0.5% (T2) and 1.0% (T3) on an FPH DM basis. The DM intake (DMI) was higher in T2 and T3 than in T1. As the amount of FPH was raised, the BW change, crude protein intake (CPI) and total digestible nutrient intake (TDNI) was increased. Although the yield of milk and milk composition did not differ among the treatments, the 7% fat corrected milk yield (FCMY) tended to increase as FPH feeding amount was raised. Although there were no significant differences in FCMY/DMI and FCMY/TDNI among the treatments, FCMY/CPI decreased with FPH feeding. Supplementary FPH increased DMI, CPI and TDNI that might have raised BW, and tended to improve FCMY in mid‐late lactating buffaloes as a result of an increase in TDNI.     

天然草原青干草对农区洼地绵羊肉品质的影响

本研究旨在研究天然草原青干草对农区洼地绵羊肉品质的影响。选取4月龄洼地绵羊公羊27只,组间平均体重(20.0±0.5) kg,按随机区组原则分为3组(每组3个重复,每个重复3只):试验Ⅰ组饲喂天然草原青干草,试验Ⅱ组饲喂青贮玉米秸和花生秧,试验Ⅲ组饲喂青贮玉米秸和苜蓿,试验期105 d,其中预试期15 d,正试期90 d。结果表明,肉色、大理石花纹、pH、熟肉率等指标3个试验组间差异均不显著(P>0.05),失水率试验Ⅰ组显著低于试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组(P<0.05);剪切力试验Ⅰ组显著低于试验Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、水分3个试验组间差异均不显著(P>0.05),粗灰分试验Ⅰ组显著高于试验Ⅱ组(P<0.05),试验Ⅰ组与试验Ⅲ组相比差异不显著(P>0.05)。氨基酸总含量3个试验组间差异不显著(P>0.05),鲜味氨基酸试验Ⅰ组显著高于试验Ⅱ组。综合研究表明,与农区秸秆饲料相比,天然草原青干草可以在一定程度上提高农区洼地绵羊羊肉的食用价值和营养物质含量,同时改善了羊肉风味,可在农区推广使用天然草原青干草。     

Ammonia, pH and volatile fatty acids in the bovine rumen after feeding with hay.

The effect of feeding level and interval between feedings on the fermentation pattern in the bovine rumen have been investigated in experiments with hay. The animals were completely adapted heifers fitted with rumen cannulas, and the parameters measured were ammonia, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and non-glucogenic/glucogenic ratio (NGGR) in the VFA mixture.Increasing feeding levels, ranging from 2/3 to 4/3 of maintenance level, resulted in higher average concentrations of VFA and lower pH in the rumen fluid. Further the highest level of intake caused a considerable diurnal variation in the pH and the concentration of total VFA, and increased the variation in the molar composition of the VFA mixture.Three feeding intervals ranging from 8 to 16 hrs., with hay administered at maintenance level, caused no changes in the fermentation pattern.Typical variations in the concentrations of ammonia and valeric acid as related to time after feeding were demonstrated, but the concentrations of the branched-chain fatty acids in the rumen fluid were found to be quite constant.It may be concluded that a representative mean value of the parameters measured, except for ammonia and valeric acid, may be based on relatively few samples when feed intake does not exceed maintenance level, whereas sampling every hour is required at higher feeding levels.     

Broiler growth and feeding behaviour in three different lighting regimes

1. Female broiler chicks reared in a 12‐h photoperiod which included a simulated “dawn” and “dusk” grew slightly faster than those reared in a 12‐h photoperiod of uniform light and others kept in continuous light.

2. This was apparently because the chicks subjected to dawn and dusk ate more food than those subjected to 12‐h uniform light and converted food more efficiently than those in continuous light.     

Different responses in postprandial plasma ghrelin and GH levels induced by concentrate or timothy hay feeding in wethers

Ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) play a key role in regulating energy balance, metabolic hormone secretion and food intake. Ghrelin and GH responses to dietary compositions have not yet been fully clarified, although there may be significant relationships between dietary compositions and ghrelin and GH responses. In the present study, therefore, we assessed whether dietary compositions influence postprandial plasma ghrelin and GH levels in wethers. Four wethers were respectively fed concentrate (C) or timothy hay (R) for 14 days. The levels of total digestive nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) were adjusted to be at the same level. The basal ghrelin in both groups was rapidly and significantly decreased after feeding. Although the decline of ghrelin levels in C was greater and shorter than that in R, no significant difference was observed in the area under the curve (AUC) or in the incremental area. The plasma GH levels were also rapidly and significantly decreased after feeding in both groups and a significant difference was observed between the two groups for AUC of GH. Interestingly, the circadian changes in the plasma ghrelin levels were close to those in the GH levels in C, but this was not the case in R. These data suggest that dietary compositions influence postprandial plasma ghrelin and GH levels, and that these differences may be caused by several factors, including nutrients and ruminal fermentation.     

Food intake and struvite crystalluria in ferrets

Four adult, castrated, male ferrets were studied in two similar trials for effects of food intake on variables hypothesized to promote struvite (ammonium, magnesium, phosphate hexahydrate) crystal formation in urine. Struvite crystalluria occurred in three of the four ferrets. Urine pH (UpH) averaged 6.6 for these ferrets. UpH in the ferret without crystalluria was 6.0. By simple linear regression analysis, no relationship was found between the amount of food ingested and the urinary concentration and excretion of magnesium and phosphorous. However, urine osmolality and excretion of both protein and ammonium were correlated to food intake (P<.05). Ways in which these effects could promote struvite crystal formation are discussed.This research was supported in part, by Grants No. BRSG 50507 RR07021-14 (DSR) and BRSG RR05788-03 (CVM). Florida Agriculture Experiment Station Journal Series No. 3305