Organic poultry production in the United States: Broilers

Since the USDA implemented the National Organic Program, the growth of the organic food market has continued to increase, with organic poultry as leading products. Organic livestock husbandry practices focus on living conditions that permit natural behaviors and provide outdoor access, preventive health management with a prohibition of antibiotics or other drugs (although vaccines can be used), and organic feed. Organic feed is raised without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; pastures to which birds have access must also be organic. Hatcheries are currently not required to be organic, and conventional chicks may be used if they are under organic management by the second day after hatching. Although alternative, slow-growing genotypes are used in organic production in the European Union, conventional genetics are used in the United States. Poultry products, including meat and eggs, must be handled organically. Most synthetic materials are not permitted in organic food production, whereas most natural materials are; however, the National Organic Program National List specifies which materials are allowed. Of particular interest is an impending ban on the use of synthetic methionine in organic poultry diets. Research in the United States has examined alternative strategies, including the use of slow-growing broilers that are less heavily muscled than conventional fast-growing meat birds, but has not shown these birds to have lower methionine requirements. Research has also examined sensory differences between specialty and conventional meat chickens in the United States. Consumer panelists indicated no preference between these products, although trained panelists found some differences in the flavor of thigh meat. More meat quality differences were due to genotype than to outdoor access. Breast meat from slow-growing birds was more tender than that from fast-growing birds. Outdoor access resulted in leaner meat, but only in the case of slow-growing birds. As interest grows in specialty and organic poultry meat products, additional research is needed.     

Growth performance of fast-growing broilers reared under different types of production systems with outdoor access: Implications for organic and alternative production systems

Outdoor access is an important part of organic and free-range poultry production, yet limited information exists on the effect of various housing and production systems on growth performance and colonization of food-borne pathogens. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to evaluate the influence of different housing systems, particularly fixed versus small, portable houses, with and without outdoor access to pasture, on seasonal growth performance, leg quality, and presence of bacterial food-borne pathogens. In the current study, we used fast-growing broilers, as many small producers use commercial broilers due to their carcass conformation and high breast yield compared with slow-growing hybrids or standard heritage breeds. Although interest in alternative genetics exists because they may be more adapted to outdoor production, they require longer growing periods, with accompanying labor and cost. A pasture containing a mixture of forages was used to simulate the conditions common for small farms in the local region. The experiment had 4 treatment groups: (1) small, portable hoop houses with access to pasture, (2) small, portable hoop houses without access to pasture, (3) a fixed house with access to the outdoors, and (4) a fixed house without access to the outdoors. The present study was repeated at different times of the year to determine if a seasonal effect on the consumption of pasture and carcass quality was present. Overall, raising birds in hoop houses resulted in a reduced growth rate compared with birds raised in the fixed house. None of the production systems altered bone strength or feed conversion. Food-borne pathogens commonly associated with poultry were not found in any of the environments tested. Seasonal production was an issue in the small hoop house birds, as extreme heat in the summer resulted in early termination of that trial. Expanding on forage choice in pastures and customizing hoop houses to deal with weather fluctuations, especially in regions where extreme heat may affect production, are important considerations for these systems.     

The effect of the Naked Neck genotype (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nana</Emphasis>), feeding and outdoor rearing on growth and carcass characteristics of free range broilers in a hot climate

Alternative poultry production with special reference to free range broilers has increased significantly since the nineties in many regions of the world. Numerous factors influence the productive performance of this type of broilers: genotype (namely the use of naked neck animals), feeding and access to an outdoor area. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of each of these factors on the productive performance of free range broilers under commercial rearing conditions. A total of 3200, day old chicks of both sexes from naked neck and normally feathered genotypes were used in this trial. After a joint initiation phase, animals were divided into four different treatments with the combination of two concentrates (high vs low energy content) and management (access to outside park or not). Experiment lasted a total of 12 weeks. Live weight date was recorded weekly and a samples of animals from the trial were sacrificed at the age of 8, 10 and 12 weeks, when carcass characteristics were determined. Besides sex, the only factor that seems to affect growth characteristics was genotype as naked neck animals had poorer growth rates than normally feathered. No effect was detected on carcass yields and percentages of carcass components for any of the variables. From the data presented in this trial the practises associated with free range production are of relative inconsequence to the technical animal production parameters and can only be justified by a pressing need to differentiate these products from standard poultry products in what concerns both welfare issues and meat characteristics. The results also indicate that genetic material from alternative poultry production in Europe can be a useful option in poultry production development projects in the tropics.     

蛋氨酸铬对肉鸡生长、脏器指数及血液生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加蛋氨酸铬对肉鸡生长、脏器指数及血清生化指标的影响,为确定日粮中蛋氨酸铬的适宜添加量提供科学依据。试验选用1日龄AA肉鸡528只,设4个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复33只。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,其它处理组饲喂分别在基础日粮中添加蛋氨酸铬0.1 mg/kg(Ⅰ组)、0.2 mg/kg(Ⅱ组)、0.6 mg/kg(Ⅲ组)的日粮(以Cr3+计),试验期49 d。结果表明:蛋氨酸铬能显著降低饲料消耗(P<0.05),但对肉鸡各日龄段平均体重、料重比和成活率影响差异均不显著(P>0.05)。除能显著降低心脏相对重量(P<0.05)外,日粮中添加蛋氨酸铬对肉鸡其它脏器相对重量影响差异均不显著(P>0.05)。日粮中添加蛋氨酸铬对血液生化指标影响显著(P<0.05)。因此,日粮中补充蛋氨酸铬对肉鸡生产性能、脏器指数影响不明显;但对血液生化指标影响显著,建议日粮中蛋氨酸铬添加量以0.2 mg/kg为宜。     

Use of Digestible Amino Acids and the Concept of Ideal Protein in Feed Formulation for Broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate diet formulation based on digestible amino acids (DAA), the formulation of low protein diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids, and L-Thr supplementation to increase the Thr:Lys ratio from 67:100 to 70:100. Two experiments were carried out with Hubbard male broilers from 3 to 6 wk of age. In experiment 1, corn-soybean meal diets containing 20% CP were used. In experiment 2, 20% CP diets were formulated with corn, soybean meal, wheat bran, feather meal, and meat meal. In both experiments, body weight gain and economic evaluations were better for broilers fed diets formulated on DAA. Carcass yields and carcass composition were not significantly affected by formulation procedures. In experiment 2, birds fed diets based on DAA had improved feed efficiency compared with those fed total amino acids (TAA). In experiment 1, a reduction of CP from 20 to 18.2% did not affect broiler performance. It did, however, result in fatter carcasses, lower percentages of breast meat, and lower economic evaluation. In both experiments, performance and economic evaluation were not affected by the Thr:Lys ratio. In experiment 1, however, abdominal fat and carcass fatness were reduced, and, in both experiments, carcass protein level was higher with a Thr:Lys ratio of 70:100 than with 67:100 ratio (P < 0.05).     

Effect of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid on growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality in three genotypes of chicken

The effects of dietary supplemental nicotinic acid (NA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were investigated in three genotypes of chicken. Fast‐growing AA (Arbor Acres) broilers were compared with two genotypes of a slow‐growing local breed, Beijing‐You, that had undergone selection for and against intramuscular fat content respectively (BJY+IMF and BJY?IMF). The treatments were arranged 3 × 4 factorial completely randomized design. Day‐old females (n = 624) were allocated to four treatments with six replicates per treatment and fed diets (basal contained ～25 mg NA/kg) supplemented with 0, 30, 60 and 120 mg NA/kg. A sample of 72 birds from each genotype was slaughtered at market time (8 weeks of age for AA and 16 weeks of age for BJY). The breast muscles of AA broilers were darker, had less redness and yellowness, lower drip loss and higher shear force as compared to the BJY genotypes (p < 0.01). The highest drip loss and the lowest shear force among the three genotypes were apparent in BJY+IMF (p < 0.01). Increasing supplementation from 0 to 60 mg NA/kg tended to increase average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, width of intermuscular fat band, thickness of subcutaneous fat (including skin) and percentage of abdominal fat but, for most variables, values decreased slightly with 120 mg NA/kg. Increasing supplementation to 60 mg NA/kg decreased (quadratic, p < 0.001) drip loss, but it increased at 120 mg NA/kg. The present results indicate that (i) the AA broilers fed corn–soybean meal based‐diets require approximately 60 mg NA/kg to maximize ADG and meat product yield and decrease the drip loss of breast muscle; (ii) the addition of 30 mg NA/kg meets the requirement of BJY genotypes; and (iii) there seems to be no beneficial effect of NA supplementation on chicken meat quality except for limiting the drip loss.     

半舍饲与地面平养对京海黄鸡生产性能及肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究半舍饲、地面平养对京海黄鸡生产性能及肉品质的影响。选择1日龄京海黄鸡80羽,随机分成2组,每组40羽,分别为半舍饲组和地面平养组,均饲喂统一日粮。结果表明,地面平养可以提高京海黄鸡的生产性能;半舍饲可以极显著降低腹脂率、增加腿肌率(P＜0.01),显著增加肌肉的剪切力(P＜0.05),降低嫩度,具有增加pH、肉色和系水力的趋势。     

Performance and carcass quality of steers supplemented with zinc oxide or zinc methionine

Forty-five Angus steers (avg initial wt 330 kg) were individually fed for 112 d to assess the value of supplemental Zn and source on performance and carcass quality. Steers had ad libitum access to a control diet (81 ppm Zn) of 33% whole corn, 33% ground milo, 15% cottonseed hulls and 13% cottonseed meal, or this control diet with 360 mg Zn/d added from either zinc methionine or zinc oxide. Steers were slaughtered on d 114, and carcass composition was determined by specific gravity. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected by dietary treatments. Steers fed zinc methionine had a higher (P less than .05) USDA quality grade than those fed the control and zinc oxide diets. Marbling score was higher (P less than .05) for steers fed zinc methionine than for those fed control and zinc oxide treatments (4.4 vs 4.0 and 4.0, respectively, where 3 = slight, 4 = small, 5 = modest). Steers fed zinc methionine tended to have more (P less than .10) external fat (13 mm) than steers fed the control diet (10 mm); steers supplemented with zinc oxide had intermediate amounts of external fat (11 mm). Steers fed zinc methionine had 10.5 and 12.8% more (P less than .05) kidney, pelvic and heart (KPH) fat than steers fed control or zinc oxide diets, respectively. The effects of zinc methionine on carcass quality grade and marbling score may be due to Zn and (or) methionine. Regardless of the mechanism, the difference represents a potential economic benefit to producers.     

Higher fear of predators does not decrease outdoor range use in free-range Rowan Ranger broiler chickens

Organic chicken production is currently experiencing a boom in Sweden, but has only recently gained access to a commercial slow-growing broiler strain, the Rowan Ranger. While these chickens are reported to grow at rates better suited to organic production than previously available strains, anecdotal evidence suggested increased fearfulness in this strain and concerns were raised that this may deter the birds from accessing the range. We subjected Rowan Rangers and fast-growing Ross 308 raised on the same organic farm to a set of behavioural tests while also tracking activity and outdoor use. The results suggest that although Rowan Rangers indeed show longer durations of tonic immobility, an index of predator-related fear, both strains made an outdoor visit on average once every 1.5?h and typically spent around 5% of their days in the range. Overall however, our results support the transition to Rowan Rangers in organic chicken production in Sweden.     

Effects of catfish meal blend inclusion in broiler feeds on live performance and carcass yield attributes

This study was designed to investigate whether a catfish meal blend, formulated into broiler feed as a protein supplement, would influence broiler growth and meat yield when included in the diet at industry-acceptable levels. A catfish meal blend was fed at an inclusion rate of 7.5% of the diet to broilers raised to 42 d on a 3-feed program. This treatment was compared with broilers raised on a corn-soybean meal control diet (no animal protein products) and a diet with 7.5% poultry by-product meal. Each animal protein product was formulated into the diets based on a nutritional matrix and was not substituted for another ingredient. The broilers were raised with 50 birds per pen (10 replicate pens per treatment). Five males and 5 females per pen were processed and deboned at 42 d to compare carcass and meat yields. Body weights at 21 d were highest for birds fed the catfish meal blend, with the corn-soybean meal control treatment being the lowest and the poultry by-product meal treatment being intermediate. No significant differences were recorded after 21 d, and no differences were seen in period gains from 21 to 35 or 35 to 42 d. Feed conversion at 21 d favored birds in those treatments fed animal protein products; however, no significant differences were seen at 35 or 42 d. No significant differences were noted in mortality during any of the production periods. Chilled carcass, fillet, and tender yields were not significantly affected by feeding either of the animal protein products. In conclusion, the catfish meal blend included in broiler feeds at an industry-acceptable level (7.5%) showed no adverse effects on broilers grown to 42 d. No health effects were recorded and live performance parameters were not reduced in comparison with the other treatments.     

Crop beta-glucanase activity limits the effectiveness of a recombinant cellulase used to supplement a barley-based feed for free-range broilers

1. The supplementation of diets rich in soluble polysaccharides with microbial cellulases and hemicellulases decreases digesta viscosity and promotes broiler performance. 2. In contrast, recent experiments suggest that polysaccharidases are ineffective for improving the nutritive value of pasture biomass used by free-range broilers. However, the feasibility of using cellulases and hemicellulases to improve the utilisation of cereal-based feeds by pastured poultry remains to be established. 3. A study was undertaken to investigate the capacity of a recombinant cellulase from Clostridium thermocellum to improve the nutritive value of a barley-based feed for free-range pastured broilers of the RedBro Cou Nu x RedBro M genotype. 4. The results show that supplementation of a barley-based diet with a recombinant beta-glucanase had no effect on the performance of free-range broilers, foraging in legume-based diets from d 28 to 56. In addition, the results confirm that the lack of effect of the recombinant enzyme in improving the nutritive value of the barley-based feed does not result from enzyme proteolysis or inhibition in the gastrointestinal tract. 5. Significantly, beta-glucanase activity was identified in the crop of non-supplemented animals. The data suggest that endogenous cellulases originated both from the barley-based feed and from the crop microflora. 6. The results presented here suggest that in older birds of slow-growing genotypes associated with free-range production systems, previously unknown sources of beta-glucanases, such as the feed and microbial symbiotic microflora, can affect the effectiveness of exogenous enzymes added to the feed.     

Immune responses to an Eimeria acervulina infection in different broilers lines

The (T-cell) immune responses of two different broiler lines to a primary Eimeria acervulina infection were investigated. The lines used were a commercial fast-growing broiler line and a slow-growing type of broiler as used in organic farming. Seven-day-old broilers of both lines were infected with 5 x 10(4) oocysts of E. acervulina. The animals were weighed and a species-specific real-time PCR was used to quantify the total amount of parasites in the duodenum. In the fast-growing line, a lower parasite load was seen from day 4 onwards compared to the slow-growing line. In both lines the intestinal peak of Eimeria DNA was observed at day 5 post infection (p.i.). In the duodenum no increase in CD4(+) T-cells was found in both infected lines, but a fast increase in CD8(+) T-cells was observed in the fast-growing line. At day 3 p.i. in the slow-growing broilers an IL-18 mRNA response was observed. At day 4 p.i. strong IFN-gamma and IL-8 mRNA responses were found in both lines. No IL-4 mRNA responses were found in the duodenum. In conclusion, both lines have different growth rates and control and infected conditions. Based on the kinetics of observed phenomena a primary infection with E. acervulina in 7-day-old broilers seems to generate an early CD8alpha(+) response in fast-growing broilers compared to the slow-growing broilers. This difference in immune reaction after an E. acervulina infection could result in a different Eimeria load in the duodenum.     

Growth performance and carcass quality are not different between pigs fed diets containing cold-fermented low-oil DDGS and pigs fed conventional DDGS,but pelleting improves gain to feed ratio regardless of source of DDGS

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs fed diets containing cold-fermented, low oil distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is not different from that of pigs fed diets containing conventional DDGS regardless of the physical form of the diets. A total of 160 barrows and gilts were used. There were 4 diets, 10 pens per diet, and 4 pigs per pen. Pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and fed a common phase 1 diet that did not contain DDGS during the initial 7 d post-weaning. Pigs were then allotted to the four diets that were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two sources of DDGS (cold-fermented and conventional DDGS) and two diet forms (meal and pellets). Pigs were fed phase 2 diets from day 7 to 21 and phase 3 diets from day 21 to 43 post-weaning. All diets were based on corn and soybean meal, but phase 2 diets also contained 15% DDGS and phase 3 diets contained 30% DDGS. From day 43, pigs were fed grower diets for 38 d, early finisher diets for 38 d, and late finisher diets for 18 d and these diets also contained 30% DDGS. Feed was provided on an ad libitum basis and daily feed allotments were recorded. Pigs were weighed at the beginning of each phase and at the conclusion of the experiment. On the last day of the experiment, the pig in each pen with a body weight that was closest to the pen average was slaughtered and carcass measurements were determined. Combined results for the two nursery phases indicated that feeding meal diets instead of pelleted diets increased (P < 0.001) average daily feed intake and decreased (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio (G:F). However, no differences between the two sources of DDGS were observed for the overall growth performance of weanling pigs. For the entire growing-finishing period, the source of DDGS did not affect growth performance, but pigs fed meal diets had reduced (P < 0.001) G:F compared with pigs fed the pelleted diets. There were no differences between the two sources of DDGS for carcass characteristics. Back fat was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed pelleted diets than for pigs fed meal diets. In conclusion, no differences in growth performance or carcass characteristics between pigs fed cold-fermented DDGS and pigs fed conventional DDGS were observed. However, pigs fed pelleted diets had greater G:F and greater back fat than pigs fed meal diets.     

择食饲喂对肉鸡胴体品质和胃肠道发育的影响

试验研究择食饲喂对肉鸡胴体品质、胃肠道发育的影响。144羽22日龄艾维茵(Avian)肉鸡随机分成3个处理,每个处理4重复,每重复12羽,分别饲喂粉碎玉米+浓缩料、豆粕+平衡料的试验日粮和基础全价对照日粮,每处理均设两个食槽。结果表明:①择食饲喂玉米+浓缩料可显著促进肉鸡胃肠道发育(P<0.05),改善肉鸡的健康状况;②择食饲喂对肉鸡胴体品质的影响差异不显著(P>0.05),但择食饲喂玉米组能蛋比较高,腹脂率偏高。     

Effects of exogenous enzymes in corn-based and Canadian pearl millet-based diets with reduced soybean meal on growth performance, intestinal nutrient digestibility, villus development, and selected microbial populations in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to compare a commercial corn-soybean meal diet with a pearl millet diet containing less soybean meal (-27%), alone or in combination with exogenous enzymes, on growth performance, jejunal villus development, ileal CP, and AA digestibility, and cecal microbial populations in broilers. One hundred sixty 1-d-old male Ross 508 broilers (5/cage) were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) a standard corn-soybean meal control diet (CTL); 2) a pearl millet-soybean meal diet (PM); 3) CTL + exogenous enzymes (CE); and 4) PM + exogenous enzymes (PE) with 8 replicate cages/treatment. The PM and PE diets contained less soybean meal because of greater CP and AA contents of pearl millet. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly over 35 d. At d 21 and 35, 8 broilers per treatment were euthanized for sample collection and analyses. Gain-to-feed was greater (P < 0.01) for pearl millet- than corn-based diets. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and most AA was similar between corn-based and pearl millet-based diets, and enzyme supplementation improved AID of CP (P < 0.01) and most AA at both d 21 and 35. However, for AID of some AA at d 21, the response to enzyme supplementation was less pronounced in broilers fed pearl millet-based diets than those fed corn-based diets (grain × enzyme, P ≤ 0.05). The villus was longer (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE at d 35. Similarly, at d 35, lactobacilli loads were greater (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE. It is concluded that, in comparison with corn, broiler diets formulated with pearl millet require less soybean meal and can be used to improve growth performance traits, intestinal lactobacilli populations, and villus development, whereas enzyme supplementation increases AID of CP and AA.     

日粮磷水平对22~42日龄肉仔鸡胴体性能及肌肉品质的影响

为研究日粮磷水平对22~42日龄肉仔鸡胴体性能和肉品质的影响,选用500只1日龄爱拔益加肉鸡公雏,于1~21日龄统一饲喂相同的玉米—豆粕型配合日粮(含非植酸磷实测值为0.39%),于22日龄从中选取360只鸡,按体重相近原则随机分成10个处理组,每个处理组6个重复笼,每个重复笼6只鸡,分别饲喂不添加无机磷的玉米—豆粕型日粮(对照组,含非植酸磷0.09%)及在基础日粮中分别添加0.05%、0.10%、0.15%、0.20%、0.25%、0.30%、0.35%、0.40%和0.45%无机磷(饲料级CaHPO₄),饲养21 d。结果表明,日粮添加适宜水平的无机磷可显著提高42日龄肉仔鸡屠宰率和全净膛率(P<0.1),但日粮磷水平对42日龄肉仔鸡肉品质各指标及其他胴体性能指标均无显著影响(P>0.1)。     

低蛋白质补充合成氨基酸饲粮对肉仔鸡生长性能、氮排泄及胴体品质的影响

本研究分2个试验,旨在探讨低蛋白质补充合成氨基酸饲粮对肉仔鸡生长性能、氮排泄和胴体品质的影响.试验1选用600只1日龄爱拔益加肉仔鸡(公母各占1/2),分1～21 d,22～42 d和43～49 d 3个阶段饲养,饲粮共设5个处理,粗蛋白质水平分别为:生长前期(1～21 d):22.8%、21.9%、21.0%、19.5%和19.0%;生长中期(22～42 d):20.1%、18.8%、17.8%、16.5%和16.0%;生长后期(43～49 d):18.0%、16.9%、15.9%、15.0%和13.8%.各个处理蛋氨酸、赖氨酸和苏氨酸水平均满足NRC(1994)肉仔鸡营养需要.试验2的5组肉鸡饲粮的蛋白质水平与试验1的生长前期和生长中期饲粮相同,同时补充了足够的合成氨基酸以满足肉仔鸡对所有可消化必需氨基酸的需要量.结果表明:降低饲粮粗蛋白质水平同时补充合成氨基酸不影响试验1各个阶段肉仔鸡的生长性能(P>0.05).当以可消化氨基酸为基础配制饲粮时(试验2),生长前期肉仔鸡的日增重和饲料转化效率得到显著改善(P<0.01),但生长中期和生长全期肉仔鸡日增重和饲料转化效率差异不显著(P>0.05).降低饲粮粗蛋白质水平线性增加了试验1中肉仔鸡的脂肪沉积率(P<0.05),但对其他胴体指标没有显著影响(P>0.05).氮排泄随饲粮粗蛋白质水平的降低而线性减少(P<0.01).此外,降低饲粮粗蛋白质水平还降低了试验2中肉仔鸡血浆甘氨酸和苯丙氨酸的含量(P<0.05).综上所述,降低肉仔鸡饲粮粗蛋白质水平同时补充合成氨基酸可获得使用高蛋白质饲粮时的生长性能和胴体品质.     

棉籽粕、菜籽粕和葵花粕对1 ～2月龄肉仔鸡生长性能的影响

选择１ 月龄的艾维茵肉仔鸡２４７ 只, 随机分为１３ 组, 每组１９ 只, 进行３０ ｄ 的饲养试验。在不同处理组的日粮中分别添加不同剂量的棉籽粕、菜籽粕和葵花粕以替代部分豆粕。结果： 在１ ～２ 月龄肉仔鸡的日粮中, 葵花粕的添加量以４ ％ 为最佳, 其日增重比对照组提高１１ ％ （ Ｐ ＞００５） 。棉籽粕和菜籽粕添加量分别为１０ ％ ～１５ ％ 时, 肉鸡日增重和对照组无明显差异 （ Ｐ ＞ ００５） 。棉籽粕和菜籽粕同时添加时要优于单一添加,其日增重比对照组提高５ ％ （ Ｐ ＞ ００５） 。在开发和利用棉籽粕和菜籽粕时, 要注意日粮中赖氨酸、蛋氨酸和动植物油的添加, 其日粮中赖氨酸含量要比推荐量提高８ ％ 左右为宜。     

Effects of glycine and glutamine supplementation to reduced crude protein diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of male broilers during a 41-day production period

Glycine has been reported to be conditionally essential for broilers fed reduced crude protein diets during the starter period. Research evaluating dietary Gly responses subsequent to the starter period is sparse. This experiment was conducted to ascertain the effects of feeding reduced crude protein diets supplemented with Gly and/or L-Gln (nitrogen source) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers during a 41-day production period. Eight dietary treatments were utilized with the negative control diets formulated to contain approximately 2.4 and 0.29% points lower crude protein and total Gly + Ser concentrations, respectively, than the positive control diets. The 6 other diets were formulated to contain intermediate concentrations of total Gly + Ser and/or crude protein (nitrogen) by adding Gly and/or L-Gln, respectively, to the negative control diets. Glycine appeared to have more pronounced effects than nitrogen contribution on feed conversion ratio and body weight gain of broilers during starter and grower periods, whereas Gln improved feed conversion of broilers in the finisher period. Total breast meat weight and yield of broilers provided diets with the additions of Gly and L-Gln were higher than those receiving diets with only Gly or L-Gln supplementation. The positive outcomes on growth performance and carcass characteristics suggested that providing adequate total Gly + Ser and nitrogen concentrations in diet formulation may be necessary for broilers when dietary CP content was reduced approximately by 2.4% points during a 6-week production period.     

The effect of supplementing organic diets with fish meal and premix on the performance of pigs and some meat and blood characteristics

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fish meal and mineral-vitamin premix, supplementing organic diets, on the performance of pigs and some meat and blood characteristics. The experiment was conducted on an organic pig fattening farm. The study involved 120 pigs with an approximate 25 kg body weight. Animals were divided into 3 groups, kept in pens, 10 animals each. Group I (control) animals were fed with plant feedstuffs of organic origin. Diets for group II and III were enriched with fish meal or fish meal and vitamin-mineral premix, respectively. The experiment was carried out till pigs reached a weight of 115 kg. Feed samples were subjected to laboratory analyses. Body weight (3 times) and feed intake were recorded. Blood samples were collected (2 times) to determine hematological and biochemical indices. Some parameters in meat samples were also determined. The fish meal addition improved (P < or = 0.05) the average daily gains as well as feed conversion ratio during fattening period and mineral-vitamin premix significantly (P < or = 0.05) fortified fish meal influence. Fish meal supplement improved (P < or = 0.05) also some carcass characteristics. Supplementation of the diet with premix additionally decreased (P < or = 0.05) backfat thickness and increased share of meat in carcass. Fish meal improved (P < or = 0.05) some meat characteristics and elevated content of some polyunsaturated fatty acids. An increase in hemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell and cholesterol level in blood of animals from both experimental groups were also found. The results obtained proved the usefulness of fish meal and mineral-vitamin premix in the fatteners nutrition based on organic diets.