Reducing the proportion of animal protein in feed for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). 2. Supplementation of methionine and lysine

Continuing previous investigations, two test feedstuffs whose fishmeal content had been reduced to 5% and which were supplemented with 4.5 g methionine and 5.0 g lysine per kg resp. 6 g methionine and 6 g lysine per kg were proofed in comparison with a fattening feed for trout as customary in trade and with a fish meal content of 35%. The content of animal protein in the control feed was at least 75% (crude protein content 41%), in test feed I at most 35% (crude protein content 35.4%), in test feed II at most 17% (crude protein content 33.9%). All feedstuffs had the same energy content. The tests were made with rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of 80...100 g at the beginning and at water temperatures of 11...12 degrees C. They were conducted over a period of 112 days. After giving the same amount of feed, growth of and feed expenditure for the fish feed with the test feedstuffs were less suitable than of those fish which had received the control feed. Concerning the protein efficiency ratio, the productive protein value and the energetic expenditure too, the best results were achieved with the control feed.     

Testing of extracted particles from winter rapeseed with different glucosinolate levels in swine with special reference to the iodine supply. 2. Thyroid hormone status, histomorphometric findings and iodine content of the thyroid gland

In the experiment, 2 x 12 growing pigs received 19 or 6.7 mmol glucosinolates + aglucones/kg feed via conventional rapeseed meal (RSM) or RSM of a newly bred variety. These pigs and 24 littermates pair fed with a soya bean meal (SBM) diet were subdivided in groups of 4 animals each. Their diet contained either no supplementary iodine or an iodine supplementation of up to 1 mg/kg feed. In the RSM and SBM groups the lack of additional iodine lowered the serum T4 and T3 content below the detection limit and caused goitre with about 1 mg iodine in the total thyroid. The SBM diet with 0.0625 mg supplementary iodine/kg increased the serum T4 level and reversed the thyroid enlargement but not that of epithelial cells. The hypothyroidism (goitre and serum T4 level approximately 10 nmol/l) still existed in the case of this iodine dosage together with the RSM of the newly bred variety. A serum T4 level comparable to that of the animals fed SBM was only reached by supplementing the low glucosinolate diet with 0.25 mg iodine/kg feed. The iodine content of the thyroid, however, was reduced by 50 per cent. Though thyroid and epithelial cells were enlarged, this enlargement was not so obvious as in animals exposed to higher glucosinolate level. In spite of 1 mg supplementary iodine/kg feed, the feeding of the conventional RSM resulted in a lower serum T4 level a reduced thyroid iodine content and the enlargement of thyroid and that of epithelial cells. Compared to the high glucosinolate RSM, a significantly lower antithyroid effect of the low glucosinolate RSM was found in pigs with iodine supply. The degree of thyroid enlargement and the serum T4 level were the criteria.     

AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OF AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL FEEDS AND SUSPECTED CASES OF MYCOTOXICOSIS

Aflatoxin B₁ was detected in 23 of 55 Australian feedstuffs known to be either water damaged or visibly mouldy. The highest contamination was 0.7 mg/kg of feed and the mean concentration 0.14 mg/kg. Of 36 feedstuffs purchased from local manufacturers, only a peanut meal contained aflatoxin B₁ (0.5 mg/kg).
Eleven feedstuffs were associated with field outbreaks of animal disease and 7 of these contained aflatoxin. However, the level of aflatoxin contamination was insufficient to account for the described disease symptoms.     

Copper poisoning of sheep after ad libitum supplementation of rations by a mineral feed

Within 8 weeks 22 of 400 sheep died with symptoms of Cu intoxication. In the liver of 2 dead sheep Cu contents of 491 and 830 mg/kg dry matter were found. The concentration of copper in the concentrate and other feedstuffs (grass, hay, straw, kale, dried sugar beet pulp) could not explain the development of Cu-toxicosis. The mineral-vitamin-supplement contained 86.7 mg Cu/kg. Obviously the Cu intoxication of previously Cu loaded sheep was provoked by offering the mineral supplement ad libitum (with intervals of 3-4 days), the intake of this mixture reached values up to 400 g/animal and day. By renunciation of mineral supplements in the same flock 7 months later lambs died due to Cu deficiency (Cu content in the liver: 13-14 mg/kg dry matter).     

Effects of rapeseed-press cake glucosinolates and iodine on the performance, the thyroid gland and the liver vitamin A status of pigs.

Rapeseed press cake (per kg DM 181 g EE, 341 g CP and 23.3 mmol glucosinolates) was tested in a long-term experiment with a total of sixty pigs (live weight range 24 to 104 kg). The 3 x 2 factorial design consisted of three rapeseed press cake levels (no rapeseed press cake--control, 75 g or 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet) each with two iodine dosages (125 or 250 micrograms supplementary iodine per kg diet). Reduced feed intake and depressed weight gain were found in groups receiving 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet, which correspond to 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. At an inclusion level of 75 g rapeseed-press cake per kg diet no differences in feed intake and growth intensity were recorded in comparison to the rape feed free control. The rapeseed-press cake diet increased the weight of thyroid gland and liver and decreased the serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. Higher iodine dosage increased the serum T4 concentration of pigs receiving 75 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet (= 1.6 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet) to the level of the control group and retarded the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Intake of rapeseed products lowered the iodine content of the thyroid gland, however, there was no significant difference between groups given 1.6 and 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. The vitamin A content of the whole liver and the vitamin A serum concentration were not influenced by the diets tested. However, rapeseed press cake and the glucosinolates, respectively, decreased the vitamin A concentration per gram liver due to the organ enlargement and the resulting dilution effect.     

2015年山东省肉鸡饲料原料中重金属污染情况调查及风险评估

本试验旨在调查2015年山东省肉鸡饲料原料中砷、铅、镉、铬和汞元素的污染情况,评估饲料原料的污染风险。试验收集烟台市莱阳、威海市文登、青岛市莱西、潍坊市诸城、日照市莒县、临沂市沂水、德州市夏津等地不同饲料生产厂家使用的8种饲料原料,包括玉米、豆粕、麸皮、花生粕、棉籽粕、玉米蛋白粉、干酒糟及其可溶物( DDGS)和微量元素预混料,应用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法( ICP-AES)检测镉、铅和铬元素的含量,应用原子荧光光谱法( AFS)检测砷和汞元素的含量,计算检出率、平均含量、超标率、最高含量与平均含量比值( HC/AC)和离散系数。结果表明：饲料原料中砷、铅、镉、铬和汞元素的检出率分别为32.29%、7.29%、12.50%、100.00%和100.00%;阳性样品中平均含量分别为0.21、1.27、2.12、3.48和0.02 mg/kg,超标率分别为0.00、1.04%、1.19%、54.76%和9.52%;微量元素预混料中砷、铅和镉元素,棉籽粕中铬元素及花生粕中汞元素的HC/AC最大,微量元素预混料中镉元素、花生粕中汞元素、豆粕中砷元素及棉籽粕中铅和铬元素离散系数最大。综上所述,肉鸡饲料原料中铬和汞元素污染严重;微量元素预混料中砷、镉、铬和铅元素、棉籽粕中铬和铅元素、花生粕和豆粕中汞元素易出现严重污染,因此建议制定预混料和饼粕类饲料中多种重金属元素的限量标准。     

Initial research on the use of mixed corn grain and stalk silage in broiler fattening

The suitability of a corn and cob maize silage (CCM) as a component rich in energy in the fattening ration was investigated in a growth experiment with male broilers. The CCM silage with a dry matter content of 60.2% contained the following substances determining its value (per 1 kg dry matter of the feed): 102 g crude protein, 61 g crude fibre and 682 energetic feed units for chickens (EFUc). CCM silage was either fed as a component of a feed mixture consisting of 70.5% CCM silage and 29.5% protein concentrate (all values of original substance) or both components of the ration were fed to broilers separately. The protein concentrate was composed as follows (values per kg): 650 g soybean oilmeal, 110 g fishmeal, 85 g tankage from rendering plants, 55 g torula yeast, 70 g mineral mixture and 30 g of a mixture of biologically active substances. The broilers of the control group received commercial fattening feed for broilers with coarse maize meal as cereal component. The feed mixture with CCM silage and separate CCM silage were accepted readily. When CCM silage and protein concentrate were offered alternatively, the same amount of CCM silage was consumed but 8% less protein concentrate. The broilers fed with CCM silage plus protein concentrate reached 96-97% of the live weight of the control animals (1.952 g/animal, 49th day), which received conventional feed, although their net energy intake was 10% lower. This proves a more favourable net energy expenditure for the test groups fed with CCM silage.     

Evaluation of two supplements for the prevention of alfalfa bloat.

Poloxalene and a mineral mixture feed supplement patented for the treatment of emphysema, polyarthritis, and other pectin related diseases were tested in two trials for their ability to prevent bloat in cattle fed fresh alfalfa. Each trial had a crossover design using three Jersey steers with rumen fistulas per group. Each trial period continued until the total number of cases of bloat reached > or = 24. Treatments were given at 0800 each day. The mineral mixture was given at 100 g/d and 190 mg/kg body weight per day in the first and second trials, respectively. Poloxalene, which was tested only in the second trial, was given at 23 mg/kg body weight per day. Each group of steers was then fed 200 kg of freshly harvested alfalfa in the vegetative to early bloom stages of growth at 0830. In the first trial, only 69% as many cases of bloat occurred on the mineral mixture as on the control treatment, but no significant difference was detected in the second trial. The potency of the alfalfa may have been higher in the second trial, when forage dry matter was lower, magnesium and soluble nitrogen were higher, and bloat occasionally occurred twice a day. Bloat did not occur when the steers were treated with poloxalene. In these trials, poloxalene was completely effective in preventing bloat, but the mineral mixture was only partially so.     

Effect of iodine, copper and zinc supplements to rations with a high quota of rapeseed extract meal on the growth and thyroid function of fattening swine. 2. The effect of the iodine supplement on nutrient digestibility and on protein and energy retention

Three groups of six pigs each (live weight at the beginning of the experiment 20 kg) were given a cereal ration with 8% rape seed meal. Group I did not receive a J supplement and was fed ad libitum. The rations of groups II and III were supplemented with 1 mg J/kg feed. The feed intake of group II was limited to the amount consumed by group I (pair fed); group III received the feed ad libitum. The daily weight gains of the 3 groups were 327, 377 and 613 g, feed expenditure 3.79, 3.68 and 3.47 kg/kg gain. In an N balance experiment carried out with 3 animals each from groups I and II, 41.4% of the N taken in group I and 43.8% in group II were retained (p greater than 0.05). Liver, intestinal fat and leaf were heavier in group I (p less than 0.01), the protein content of the empty body, the bones and bristles significantly lower than in group II. Protein retention in group II was 14% higher than in group I. In case of iodine deficiency protein retention is lower, energy retention, however, is largely unchanged.     

碘对1~4周龄五龙鹅生长性能、屠宰性能和血清抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮碘添加水平对1~4周龄五龙鹅生长性能、屠宰性能和血清抗氧化指标的影响,以确定五龙鹅饲粮中碘的适宜添加水平。试验选用1日龄五龙鹅216只,随机分为6个组,每组3个重复,每个重复12只。Ⅰ组(对照组)饲喂基础饲粮,Ⅱ~Ⅵ组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.2、0.4、0.8、1.6、3.2 mg/kg碘的试验饲粮。试验期为4周。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮添加0.4 mg/kg碘能显著提高鹅的平均日增重和平均日采食量(P0.05),显著降低料重比(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮添加0.4 mg/kg碘极显著提高了半净膛率、全净膛率、胸肌率(P0.01),显著提高了屠宰率、腿肌率(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,饲粮添加0.4 mg/kg碘极显著提高了血清总抗氧化能力及总超氧化物歧化酶活性(P0.01),显著提高了血清过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P0.05),显著降低了血清丙二醛含量(P0.05)。由此可见,本试验条件下,饲粮中添加适宜水平的碘对1~4周龄五龙鹅生长性能、屠宰性能和血清抗氧化指标有显著影响。五龙鹅饲粮中碘的适宜添加水平为0.4 mg/kg。     

Effects of dietary vitamin K levels on bone quality in broilers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin K (menadione) on bone quality in cage-raised broilers. Three hundred and sixty male broilers were randomly allotted to one of six treatments, with six replicate pens per treatment and 10 chicks per pen. Broilers were fed one of six diets including a control diet or the control diet plus graded levels of vitamin K (0.5 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 32 mg/kg and 128 mg/kg). Water and feed were provided ad libitum during the 7-week experimental period. Results indicated that vitamin K supplementation of broilers diets significantly effected bone quality and feed efficiency. The treatment containing vitamin K at 8 mg/kg improved growth performance (during weeks 6-7) and bone quality (during weeks 0-3). In our study, hydroxyapatite binding capacity of serum osteocalcin (during weeks 0-3), bone breaking strength, bone flexibility, bone ash weight increased linearly (P < 0.05) and bone mineral density, bone mineral content increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing supplementation of vitamin K. In conclusion, to gain optimum bone quality and broiler performance, our studies suggest that the concentration of vitamin K in broilers diets should be 8 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, and 2 mg/kg, for the starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that the starter period is an important phase for improving bone quality. In addition, this study validated the mechanism of vitamin K effects on bone quality. Vitamin K boosts the carboxylation of osteocalcin and decreases the concentration of serum under-carboxylated osteocalcin enhancing hydroxyapatite binding capacity of serum osteocalcin and improving bone quality.     

Supplementation of swine feed rations with zeolite during cage rearing

The effect of the addition of zeolite to pig feed ration was studied in the cage rearing system under production conditions. Zeolite was mixed in the COS I and COS II feed mixtures directly in the feed plant, the mixing ratio being 100 kg feed mixture + 5 kg zeolite. The feed mixture was administered in granular form ad libitum. The test group had 648 weanlings and the control group 674 weanlings; the piglets, kept in two-story cages in four sections, were arranged so that the test group could be a mirror-like reflection of the control group. The trial lasted 45 days. The piglets given the fortified feed ration had daily weight gains higher by 0.017 kg and feed consumption lower by 0.234 kg per 1 kg of gain, as compared with the control animals. The costs of the feed ration required for producing a kilogram of gain were 8.55 Cz. crowns in the zeolite group and 9.422 crowns in the control group.     

The effect of feeds treated with ionizing irradiation on biochemical indicators of the nutritional value of energy nutrients

The influence of feedstuffs treated with ionizing radiation on the nutrition of dogs was tested in four groups of animals. Two groups were administered for 90 days a ration, the main part of which (VETACAN meat feed mixture and VETAVIT loose feed mixture) was irradiated with radioisotope Co 60 of the intensity of 25 kGy/kg, in other two groups of dogs the nonirradiated ration was used for the same time period. The control groups of dogs were put together for these two diets. The laboratory examination of irradiated feedstuffs confirmed their complete microbiological and mycological intactness. However, the irradiation brought about a significant 35% degradation of essential amino acids with an increase of ammonia nitrogen, destructive changes in the lipid component of feedstuffs and a partial decomposition of the saccharide part of the VETAVIT feed mixture, expressed by the acidity of water extract. The sensory evaluation of irradiated feedstuffs did not show any perceptible alterations. The haematological examination of the blood of animals, which had been administered irradiated feed rations, demonstrated a significant negative influence on the blood picture. The biochemical examination of the blood serum and plasma revealed that total proteins of experimental dogs dropped and the creatinine level was also significantly decreased. Neither was the level of carbohydrate nutrition nor the energy saturation affected by irradiation. The glucose levels in the blood serum of dogs fluctuated within the range of physiological reference values. The growth of free ammoniacal bases of feedstuffs, evoked by ionizing radiation, conditioned obviously the level of actual pH of blood in dogs as determined in this study. The destruction of lipoid fraction in the feedstuffs induced a decrease in the activity of lipophile retinol and thus the biological value of feeds was impaired. The biochemical examination of ALT, AST and ALP enzyme activity did not show any increased activity of parenchyma, in particular of liver cell. A decisive role of the biological quality of feed ration for utilization of some minerals was demonstrated by a significant decrease of the magnesium level in animals administered irradiated feed rations without any biological supplementation. On the contrary, the potassium, calcium and phosphorus levels did not reflect this dietary difference between the groups.     

Inhibitory effects of organic acids and salts on selected micromycetes]

Inhibitory effects of two fungistatic preparations (A and B) and of propionic acid were tested in a complete feed mixture for broiler chickens (starter mixture). The water content of this mixture was 25.4%, environmental temperature was 24 degrees C and relative air humidity 90%. Propionic acid, which has a high fungistatic effect, served as a standard. The composition of the preparation A was as follows: propionic acid, acetic acid, sorbic acid, citric acid and calcium propionate. The preparation B contained: sorbic acid, citric acid and calcium propionate. Examinations were performed in a naturally contaminated and subsequently sterilized (25 kGy) feed mixture; it was then infected with Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, A. parasiticus and Penicillium purpurogenum from the Collection of Animal Pathogenic Microorganisms, Brno. A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. glaucus, Penicillium sp., Absidia corymbifera, Mucor sp., Rhizomucor pusillus were detected in the naturally contaminated feed mixture. The mycoflora which was found in the native substrate was resistant to both tested fungistatic preparations; and this resulted in mycelium growth from 7th day of incubation. The efficiency of the preparations A,B and of propionic acid in the feed mixture was identical at concentrations of 4 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, respectively, and their inhibitory effects were lowest at these concentrations (Fig. 2). A high water content in the nutrient substrate resulted in the rapid growth of fungi of the Mucorales species. The relative humidity of the environment (90%) and water content of tested samples affected markedly micromycetes growth in this experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparative sulfur analysis using thermal combustion or inductively coupled plasma methodology and mineral composition of common livestock feedstuffs

The objective of this study was to compare the use of thermal combustion (CNS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to measure the total S content in plant-, animal-, and mineral-based feedstuffs, and to provide concentrations of other macro- and micro-minerals contained in these feedstuffs. Forty-five feedstuffs (464 total samples) were obtained from suppliers as well as swine feed and pet food manufacturers throughout the United States. Mineral data from IPC analysis were summarized on a DM basis using sample mean and SD, whereas the comparison of total S content between CNS and ICP was examined by bivariate plot and correspondence correlation. Analyses of a wide range of feedstuffs by CNS and ICP for total S were comparable for all but a few feedstuffs. For potassium iodide and tribasic copper chloride, ICP estimated total S to be lower than when analyzed by CNS (bias = 2.51 +/- 0.15 SE, P < 0.01). In contrast, for defluorinated phosphate and limestone, ICP estimated total S to be greater than when analyzed by CNS (bias = -1.46 +/- 0.51 SE, P < 0.01). All other samples had similar estimates of total S, whether analyzed by CNS or ICP. As expected, S composition varied greatly among feedstuffs. For total S, plant-based feedstuffs generally had lower total S compared with animal-based feedstuffs, whereas minerals supplied in sulfate form had the greatest concentration of total S. In addition to total S, mineral composition data are provided for all feedstuffs as obtained by ICP analysis. Within specific feedstuffs, mineral composition was quite variable, potentially due to low concentrations in the feed-stuff causing high mathematical variation or due to the source of feedstock obtained. In general, analyzed values of P were similar to previous tabular values. These data provide feed formulators a database from which modifications in dietary minerals can be accomplished and from which mineral requirements can be met more precisely to reduce losses of minerals into the environment.     

Supplementation of algae to the diet of pigs: a new possibility to improve the iodine content in the meat

Meat products with a higher iodine content can be produced through feeding animals with a diet supplemented with inorganic iodine salts or with algae containing high iodine. This may help to improve daily iodine intake and to control iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in man. In the present study a total of 40 crossbred pigs (Deutsche Landrasse × Piétrain) with an average body weight of 17 kg were allotted to either a control group, to two groups receiving potassium iodide (KI) at different concentrations (5 or 8 mg iodine per kg of feed) or to two groups receiving the algae Laminaria digitata containing the same amount of iodine. After pigs were fed with iodine-supplemented diets for 3 months, it was found that compared to the control group the iodine content increased by up to 45% in fresh muscle, by 213% in adipose tissue, by 124% in the heart, by 207% in the liver and by 127% in the kidneys. There was a significant (p < 0.01) higher concentration of serum thyroxine (T₄) and a lower concentration of serum triiodothyronine (T₃) in those iodine-supplemented groups. The iodine content of urine from all iodine-supplemented groups was also greatly increased. Furthermore, it was shown that the supplementation of algae into feed could increase daily body weight gain by 10% (p > 0.05). It is suggested that the carry-over of iodine through feeding pigs with an algae-supplemented feed could be beneficial to both the control of IDD and the improvement of pig production.     

Utilisation of iodine from different sources in pigs.

Balance experiments have demonstrated that growing pigs fed a ration consisting of wheat, barley, extracted soya meal, dicalciumphosphate, and iodine-free feeding salt utilised 48.8% of the received iodine. The tested supplementary iodine sources included potassium iodide (KI), ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI), iodine humate (HUI) prepared from iodine acid (HIO3), and the product P containing 0.004% iodine in an oil base (P). The amount of the supplemented iodine was in all cases 1 mg per 1 kg feed. The utilisation of iodine from the supplements reached 93.6, 92.6, 90.7, and 67.9% for KI, EDDI, P, and HUI, respectively. The values were significantly higher compared with controls (P < 0.01). Compared with KI and EDDI, the utilisation of iodine from HUI was significantly lower (P < 0.01). The lower availability of iodine from HUI was probably due to the high binding capacity of humate. The amount of urinary iodine excreted by control pigs receiving in the non-supplemented ration 147.5 micrograms iodine per day, was 40.3 micrograms per day (27.3%). In the pigs receiving in the supplemented ration 1647.5 micrograms iodine per day, the amount of urinary iodine reached 734.9 to 805.0 micrograms per day (44.6 to 48.9%). The corresponding values of faecal excretion were 75.6 micrograms iodine per day (51.2%) for the control pigs and 106.2 to 121.1 micrograms iodine per day (6.45 to 7.35%) for the pigs fed the supplemented rations. A high amount of 528.6 micrograms iodine per day (32.1%) was excreted in the faeces by pigs of the group HUI.     

The long-term effects of using a higher amount of iodine supplement on the efficiency of laying hens

1. Two different levels of dietary iodine supplement (K + 0, 3.57 mg/kg; K + I, 6.07 mg/kg) were used in a 52-week experiment using 32 ISA Brown laying hens. 2. The greater iodine content in the diet impaired the egg production (K + 0, 319.9 +/- 1.31 eggs/hen; K + I, 312.4 +/- 4.19 eggs/hen), the egg weight (K + 0, 64.4 + 0.66 g; K + I, 63.1 +/- 0.61 g) and the food to egg mass ratio (K + 0, 2.13 +/- 0.023 kg/kg; K + I, 2.22 +/- 0.030 kg/kg). 3. The greater dietary iodine content had significant (P<0.05) negative effects on Haugh units, yolk index and eggshell weight.     

Occurrence of aflatoxins in pig feed]

Sixty-seven pig feed samples were examined for the presence of aflatoxins by the method after Velasco, with simultaneous qualitative determination by the thin-layer chromatographic method. All samples were collected at about the same time (June 1977) from central stores, feed preparing plants, storage containers and feeding lines on farms. On the whole, the feeds formed a representative sample of the conditions of pig feed storage and treatment. The presence of aflatoxins was proved in 18 samples (26.8%). One sample (1.4%) showed just traces of aflatoxin, six samples (8.4%) contained 0.014 to 0.45 mg aflatoxins, eight samples (11.2%) contained 0.10 to 0.30 mg aflatoxins, and three samples (4.2%) had 2.7 to 3.5 mg aflatoxins per 1 kg of feed. The samples with the highest aflatoxin concentrations came from metallic storage containers for complete feed mixtures in front of the pigsties.     

Effect of feeding sheep on naturally spoiled rice straw, clover hay and concentrate feed mixtures

The effects of feeding naturally contaminated feedstuffs to sheep were investigated through feeding of contaminated and uncontaminated clover hay, rice straw, and concentrate feed mixture were compared. The highest level of contamination with fungi was observed in the concentrate feed mixture followed by clover hay and rice straw. The most dominant mycotoxin in the contaminated feedstuffs was zearalenone. Contamination resulted in increases of crude protein, ash and silica in feedstuffs while both ether extract and crude fibre decreased. In vivo digestibility of different diet constituents in both contaminated and uncontaminated feedstuffs were determined using four mature Rahmani rams. Contamination resulted in significant increase in the digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and energy. Contamination affected feed intake of the different feedstuffs particularly the concentrate feed mixture. A metabolism trial was also conducted to study the nitrogen and mineral balance. Retention of nitrogen and calcium was reduced when mouldy feeds were given. On the other hand, magnesium was relatively increased. Blood analysis for sheep at the end of the trials resulted in elevated values of inorganic phosphorus and phospholipid phosphorus and declined total nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, calcium/phosphorus ratio and cholesterol/calcium ratio due to feeding on mouldy ration. Results of the urine analysis during the metabolism trials proved that mouldy ration increased the estimated values of the concentration of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C; whereas pH values, total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus were declined during the feeding on the mouldy ration. Mouldy feeds tested, seemed to have toxic, nephritic and hepatic effect.