An artificial rearing method to produce optimum growth in orphaned foals

Eleven foals were fed a dilute (1 to 10) milk replacer diet (15% fat, 23% milk protein; dry matter) from 1 to 8 weeks of age. Two suckled foals served as controls. Maximum consumption of formula was limited to 25% of body weight per day divided into 5 feedings per day during week one, 4 per day during week 2 and 3 feedings per day from weeks 3 through 8. Supplemental grain was offered to all foals beginning at week 2. Body weight was measured twice weekly and increased linearly over time. Height at withers, croup, elbow and hock were measured once a week and increased at a rate best described by a second order polynomial equation. Increases in body length were linear. There were no statistical differences between suckled and formula-fed foals for any growth parameter. Scours (foal diarrhea) occurred during weeks 1 or 2 in both the control and experimental groups. Diarrhea was mild and of short duration. This regimen resulted in growth and weight gains that were comparable to those of normally suckled foals.     

The effect of artificial rearing on the growth of foals

Fourteen Quarter Horse foals were used to evaluate the effects of artificial rearing on growth. Seven foals were removed from their dams at 3 d of age and fed a reconstituted 26% crude protein (CP) milk replacer free choice for 1 mo, at which time ad libitum solid feeding began. Controls were weaned from their dams at 2 mo of age and fed a 21% CP concentrate ad libitum until the end of the trial. Variables measured during the 26-wk trial were live body weight, height at the withers and length of body from point of shoulder to point of hip. No significant differences were found between the two groups, except during wk 8 where 2-mo weaned foals were slightly heavier (P less than .10). Average daily gains for artificially reared and 2-mo weaned foals were .95 and .98 kg, respectively.     

Importance of milk replacer intake and composition in rearing orphan foals

Effects of milk replacer composition and intake on the growth of orphan foals were evaluated. Twenty foals were assigned to four treatments: 1) mare-nursed, 2) commercial foal milk replacer at recommended intakes (standard), 3) commercial foal milk replacer at high intakes (high), and 4) acidified replacer at recommended intakes (acidified). Foals fed milk replacer diets were weaned at 12-24 hours postpartum and fed milk replacer for 50 days. Mare-nursed foals were weaned between 52 and 56 days of age. Foals fed replacer diets gained 12% to 28% less weight than mare-nursed foals up to two weeks of age. However, by four months of age, weights of replacer-fed foals were similar to those of mare-nursed foals and 32 other mare-nursed foals at the farm weaned between three and four months postparium. Foals drank 10 to 12 L/100 kg body weight (BW) in fluid replacer daily over the trial period. During the first week, high intake foals consumed 26% more replacer (p<0.05) than foals fed acidified or standard diets. This higher intake resulted in diarrhea earlier (6-11 days vs 11-22 days) and for a longer time (6.3 days vs 2.5-3.6 days) than in foals fed recommended amounts. Mare-nursed foals developed “foal heat scours” in the second week postpartum. After the first week, foals fed high replacer diet voluntarily consumed the same volume of fluid replacer as foals fed the standard intake. Foals ate less than 1 kg grain mix/100 kg BW daily to one month of age, then increased intake to 1.5-2 kg/ 100 kg BW to weaning. Water intake was 20-40% of daily fluid intake and was correlated (r = 0.85) to dry matter intake. Foals in the high intake group ate less (p<0.05) solid feed and drank less water than foals fed the standard and acidified diets. The foal's stomach capacity appears to limit meal size and thus replacer intake. If recommended feeding intervals are used, replacer intakes by foals are less than 15% BW daily. High volume intakes appeared to prolong diarrhea. Normal growth rates occur when replacer and good-quality feeds are fed concurrently.     

幼龄华南虎的人工饲养

华南虎幼崽为晚成哺乳动物,刚出生时双眼未睁、不能独立取食和排便,需要人工辅助其学习和完成。初生仔兽的喂饲以少量多食为佳,前3 d以7～8次较为适宜,喂奶量由少增多。饲喂幼虎时人工奶的初始浓度以1：8较适合。幼兽需要用纱布蘸水轻擦仔兽的肛周,以刺激其排便。在8周龄左右为幼虎添加肉浆,1个月后将肉浆替换为肉条。肉类食物的添加时间为观察到幼虎牙齿长出,此时喂奶量可以随着肉量的增加而逐渐减少,直至完全断奶。饲料转换过程中,动物对人工奶的取食量逐渐下降,并且在1周内会出现身体不适,体重增长减缓,一般持续5～7 d即恢复正常。动物对肉条适应以后,而对人工奶的需求量急剧下降,此时可以增加骨头以锻炼幼兽的啃食能力,此时幼兽的体重迅速上升。     

Growth and calcium metabolism in horses fed varying levels of protein

The effect of level of protein intake on growth and calcium metabolism was studied in 24 foals. Starting at four months old, the foals were fed one of three diets containing all nutrients, with the exception of protein, at levels recommended by the United States National Research Council Subcommittee on Horse Nutrition for a 12 month period. The protein levels in the three diets were 9 per cent (low protein) 14 per cent (NRC recommended level) and 20 per cent (high protein). The foals fed the low protein diet were changed to the high protein diet after 140 days when they were nine months old. There were no significant differences in the rates of growth in weight, height, cannon circumference or in hoof growth and feed utilisation of the horses fed the 14 or the 20 per cent protein diets. However, growth, feed intake and feed utilisation by the foals fed the low (9 per cent) protein diet were significantly depressed. The average daily gains for the first 140 days for the 9, 14 and 20 per cent protein treatment groups were 64, 631 and 687 g in weight, 0.57, 0.83 and 0.87 mm in height and 0.04, 0.13 and 0.14 m in forecannon circumference, respectively. The average daily feed intakes for the 140 day period for the three groups were 2.7, 4.4 and 4.7 kg, respectively. After the change to the high protein diet the foals that had been fed the low protein diet maintained a higher rate of gain in bodyweight, height and cannon circumference, and utilised feed more efficiently than the other two groups throughout the second 140 days of the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Milk and water intakes of foals sucking grazing mares.

Intakes of milk and milk nutrients were determined for 8 foals at 11-18 days of age and for 10 foals at 30-44 days and 60-74 days of age while sucking grazing mares. Water intakes (sources other than milk) of the foals were determined at 30-44 days and 60-74 days of age. Five of the 10 mares were fed a protein supplement (24% crude protein) in addition to grazing during the stud season. The protein supplement did not influence foal intakes of milk and milk nutrients, milk composition, weight gains of the mares or the growth rate of the foals. Foal milk intakes increased (P less than 0.05) from 16.9 kg/day at 11-18 days to 18.1 kg/day at 60-74 days of age. The water intakes of the foals increased (P less than 0.01) from 3.9 kg/day at 30-44 days to 5.5 kg/day at 60-74 days of age. Total fluid intakes per kg foal liveweight were 246, 202 and 172 g at 11-18, 30-44 and 60-74 days of age, respectively. For each kg of weight gain, foals consumed 12.8, 15.7 and 16.4 kg milk at 11-18, 30-44 and 60-74 days of age. Stage of lactation had a significant effect on the total solids, lactose and protein content of milk. The fat and gross energy content of milk remained constant.     

代乳粉对不同日龄驴驹生长性能的影响

旨在评价代乳粉对不同日龄驴驹生长性能的影响。分别选取2、3、4、5月龄出生日期、体重、胎次相近且健康状况良好的驴驹各10头,将相同月龄的驴驹随机分为试验组和对照组,每组5头,对照组驴驹随母驴哺乳,试验组驴驹饲喂代乳粉,试验期为30d。试验期间观察不同月龄驴驹的健康状况,测定并比较各月龄对照组及试验组驴驹在试验第0、10、20、30天的体重及体尺指标（体高、胸围、体斜长）,计算同月龄试验组和对照组驴驹的体重及各项体尺指标在试验期内不同时间段的日均变化值。结果表明,2月龄试验组驴驹的试验第10、20、30天体重均极显著（P〈0．01）高于对照组,5月龄试验组驴驹的试验第20天和第30天体重分别显著（P〈0．05）和极显著（P〈0．01）高于对照组（P〈0．05）,2、3、4、5月龄试验组驴驹在试验第0～10天、第10～20天、第20～30天,以及试验期间（第0～30天）的日增重均高于相应月龄驴驹的对照组;5月龄试验组驴驹的试验第10、20、30天体高均显著（P〈0．05）高于对照组,2、5月龄试验组驴驹在试验第0～10天、第10～20天、第20～30天以及试验期间（第0～30天）的体高日增长均高于相应月龄驴驹的对照组;2月龄试验组驴驹的试验第20天和第30天胸围均极显著（P〈O．01）高于对照组;3月龄试验组驴驹的试验第10、20、30天胸围均极显著（P〈O．01）高于对照组;5月龄试验组驴驹的试验第20天和第30天胸围均显著（P〈0．05）高于对照组;2、3、4、5月龄试验组驴驹在试验期间（第0～30天）的胸围日增长均高于相应月龄驴驹的对照组;2、5月龄试验组驴驹的试验第30天体斜长显著（P〈0．05）高于相应月龄驴驹的对照组,3月龄试验组驴驹的试验第10、20、30天体斜长均显著（P〈0．05）高于对照组,4月龄试验组驴驹的试验第20天和第30天体斜长均显著（P〈O．05）高于对照组,2、3A、5月龄试验组驴驹在试验第10～20天、第20～30天,以及试验期间（第0～30天）的体斜长日增长均高于相应月龄驴驹的对照组。综上提示,饲喂代乳粉能够促进驴驹的生长发育,在生产实践中利用代乳粉替代驴乳饲喂驴驹具有可行性。     

泌乳驴的日粮蛋白水平对驴驹生长发育的影响

试验旨在研究泌乳驴的日粮蛋白水平对驴驹生长发育的影响。选取健康、体况良好的5岁龄、胎次(1.9±0.4)胎、体重(240±30) kg、泌乳日期(29±5) d的带驹德州三粉驴24头,分为3个处理组(H、M、L组),饲喂蛋白水平分别为13.18%、12.22%和11.34%的日粮。每个处理组4个重复,每个重复2头驴。正式试验期8周,分为试验前期(1~4周)和试验后期(5~8周)。同时,将24头驴驹跟随母驴相应分为3个处理组,驴驹的公、母比例一致,日龄(29±5) d与体重(48±8) kg相近。所有驴驹除摄取母乳外,补饲数量相同的精补料与粗饲料。试验表明,试验前期泌乳驴的日粮蛋白水平对驴驹日增重无显著的影响(P>0.10);试验后期,随着泌乳驴日粮蛋白水平的增加,驴驹日增重显著增加(P<0.05),饲料转化效率呈一定增加趋势,但对体尺无显著影响(P>0.10)。饲喂泌乳驴高蛋白水平日粮对驴驹血浆中天冬氨酸(Asp)、苏氨酸(Thr)、丝氨酸(Ser)和组氨酸(His)的含量有明显的促进作用。提高泌乳驴的日粮CP水平,对驴驹日增重具有一定促进作用,以12.22%和13.18%的效果较好。     

Guar meal ameliorates Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chicks

Guar meal contains relatively high levels of saponins, which are known to have antiprotozoal activity and may be effective against coccidiosis. A 2x2 factorial experiment investigated the impact of guar meal (0 or 5%) corn-soy-based starter broiler diets on chicks unchallenged or challenged with Eimeria tenella. At 1 day of age, 120 unsexed RossxRoss broiler chicks were randomly distributed among four treatment groups. Chicks were challenged with 5x10(3) sporulated oocysts of E. tenella in 0.5ml at 10 days of age by oral gavage. Weekly body weight, body weight gains, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate were recorded for chicks fed from 0 to 21 days of age. Oocysts shed per gram feces were recorded from 6 to 10 days post-challenge. Results showed that challenged chicks fed 0% guar meal had significantly higher oocysts per gram shed in feces than the other groups. No significant differences among treatment groups in mortality rate were observed. Body weights of unchallenged and challenged chicks fed 0% guar meal were significantly higher than those fed 5% guar meal at 2 weeks of age. Results indicated that including 5% guar meal in the diet of chicks challenged with E. tenella decreased oocysts shed per gram feces and prevented bloody diarrhea, but without affects on body weight and feed conversion ratio at 11 days post-challenge.     

Effect of protein : energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance of goat kids

Two separate experiments were carried out to establish the effects of the protein:energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance, plasma lipid concentrations and fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of male goat kids. In the first experiment there were 211 3-day- old goat kids and in the second experiment there were 121 kids aged 3-7 days. The animals were fed ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks on milk replacers containing either 11.5 or 9.5 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy. In essence, protein was exchanged with fat on a weight basis. Milk concentrations were increased from 160 to 190 g/l in experiment 1, from 150 to 180 g/l in experiment 2. There were significant increases in body weight and feed intake when the milk replacer with high protein : energy ratio was fed. Group mean average daily weight gain was 168 and 203 g for the groups with low and high dietary protein:energy ratio in experiment 1; for experiment 2 the values were 139 and 160 g. Average dry matter intake was 18 and 14% higher for the diet with high protein:energy ratio in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. There was no change in either feed conversion (feed:gain ratio) or energy conversion (weight gain:energy intake ratio). There were no consistent diet effects on plasma lipid concentrations. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected by that of adipose tissue. The milk replacer with high protein:energy ratio produced a small increase in the contents of myristic and palmitic acid in adipose tissue.     

代乳粉用于早期断奶犊牛的效果研究

犊牛使用代乳品可以节省鲜奶，降低饲养成本，控制疾病的发生，促进消化系统的发育。试验用24头犊牛做试验，60日龄断奶。结果表明，代乳品组犊牛增重47．55千克；对照组增重41．72千克；吃代乳品的犊牛在30-60日龄的日增重达到1026克，高于对照组103克。吃代乳品的犊牛每增重1千克的直接饲料成本为15．13元，比鲜奶组犊牛低2．14元／千克。     

Compensatory growth in turkeys: effect of undernutrition on subsequent protein requirements

An adequate and a low protein starter diet (29 and 20 per cent crude protein respectively) were fed from o to 6 weeks of age. The poults receiving only 20 per cent protein were 17 per cent lighter at 6 weeks than the fully fed group. Turkeys from each treatment were then fed one of five levels of protein from 6 to 10 weeks of age. After 10 weeks all groups were fed adequate levels of protein to allow undernourished poults to exhibit compensatory growth.

The percentage protein required for maximum growth in the 6 to 10‐week stage was similar whether turkeys had been fully fed or undernourished from 0 to 6 weeks. But the “ effective “ percentage of protein required in the 6 to 10‐week stage, defined as the level which subsequently allowed maximum body weight at 20 weeks of age, was less for initially fully fed birds. This was because they had smaller growth deficits at 10 weeks and consequently made faster recovery in the limited time allowed.

Turkeys fed 29 and 17 per cent protein or 20 and 22 per cent protein in starter and grower diets respectively reached the same live‐weight at 20 weeks as fully fed turkeys which received 29 per cent protein from o to 6 weeks and 24 per cent protein from 6 to 10 weeks. The compensating turkeys ate about the same total weight of food as fully fed groups, but had a 10 per cent lower total protein intake.     

Haematology of veal calves reared in different husbandry systems and the assessment of iron deficiency

Calves were reared for veal and fed milk replacer either alone or with straw or dry feed of varied iron content. Measurements of haematology and iron biochemistry were made at the start of the rearing period and before slaughter at 16 to 20 weeks of age. When the total dietary iron intake rose to approximately 12,500 mg (an average of 112 mg/dl, approximately 60 mg/kg dry matter) haemoglobin concentration reached a mean value (+/- sd) of 12.4 +/- 1.1 g/dl, similar to control calves. There was no further increase in haemoglobin when more iron was fed, indicating that there was sufficient iron in the diet for normal erythropoiesis. The borderline of iron deficiency anaemia at 16 to 20 weeks of age was defined as a haemoglobin concentration of 9 g/dl and a saturation of total iron binding capacity of 10 per cent. There was evidence of diurnal variation in serum iron concentration in calves fed in a periodic manner. The feeding of straw to veal calves did not prevent iron deficient erythropoiesis.     

Dietary yeast culture supplementation of mares during late gestation and early lactation: Effects on milk production, milk composition, weight gain and linear growth of nursing foals

This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of pregnant and lactating mares with concentrated dried live yeast culture on the nutrient content and rate of production of milk during early lactation and on the growth of their nursing foals. Pregnant mares were fed the same diets, with or without 20 g/day of yeast culture, from 4 weeks before foaling through the eighth week of lactation. Milk production at the onset of lactation, as measured by the weigh-suckle-weigh technique, was significantly stimulated by yeast culture supplementation, although the effect was only temporary. However, the nutrient composition of mares milk was altered by continued yeast culture supplementation through at least the eighth week of lactation. Gross energy (kcal/100 g milk), sugar, fat, protein and total amino acid contents (g/100 g milk) were significantly increased. The concentrations of a number of individual amino acids tended to be greater in the milk of supplemented mares, but most of these individual differences were not statistically significant. The intakes of energy (Mcal/day), sugars, fat, protein, total amino acids, leucine, lysine, serine and valine (g/day) were significantly greater by the foals nursing supplemented mares through 8 weeks. The foals nursing supplemented mares exhibited significantly greater rates of gain by the fourth week of life, and faster growth at the withers after 6 weeks. The efficiency of converting mare feed to neonatal body mass was 24% greater in the foals of supplemented mares, These data indicate that supplementing mares with dietary yeast culture during early lactation resulted in more efficient and rapid growth of their nurslings.     

日粮粗蛋白质水平对哺乳母猪及仔猪生产性能的影响

选用分娩日期相近的天津白猪 1 8头 ,按胎次、体重随机分成 3个处理组 ,每个处理 6个重复 ,每个重复 1头母猪。哺乳母猪自由采食 ,自由饮水。 3个处理日粮的蛋白质水平分别为 1 4.0 %、1 6.5%、1 9.0 %。试验期为 7周。分别于母猪分娩后 0天、3 5天测定背膘厚度、体重、采食量 ;对仔猪隔周称重 ;母猪分娩后 2 1天于前腔静脉采血 ,分离血清后分析血清尿素氮、血清总蛋白、肌酸酐。 2 8天在第一、最后两对有效乳头取奶样 ,分析总固形物、乳蛋白、灰分。试验结果表明 ,母猪体重损失、背膘厚度、采食量、乳成分、以及哺乳期仔猪增重在 3个蛋白水平上差异不显著。高蛋白日粮有提高母猪产奶量的趋势(P <0 .0 7)。母猪的血清尿素氮浓度处理间差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1 )。     

Effectiveness of oxfendazole against early and later 4th-stage Strongylus vulgaris in ponies

Twenty pony foals (reared worm free), 6.5 to 10 weeks of age, were inoculated with Strongylus vulgaris and allocated to 5 groups, each with 4 foals. One week after inoculation, 1 group of 4 foals was given oxfendazole (OFZ) at a dosage rate of 10 mg/kg of body weight, another group was given 2 such treatments 48 hours apart, and a 3rd group was given a placebo. All treatments were administered by stomach tube. Three weeks later, foals were euthanatized and necropsied in a test for efficacy against early 4th-stage larvae. Oxfendazole was 80% and 94.9% effective against early 4th-stage S vulgaris with 1 and 2 doses, respectively. A 4th group of 4 foals was given 2 treatments of OFZ, 48 hours apart, about 8 weeks after inoculation, and a 5th group was given a placebo. These foals were euthanatized and necropsied 5 weeks after treatment in a test for efficacy against later 4th-stage larvae. Two doses of OFZ were 96.6% effective against later 4th-stage larvae.     

Milk replacers for the neonatal calf

A rather long list of broad generalizations exist regarding milk replacers for calves. At least two more general statements should be added to that list. Most broad generalizations regarding milk replacers should be applied cautiously; and if young calves (less than 2 to 3 weeks) are to be fed milk substitutes, the products should be of high quality. Our primary goal in feeding baby calves should be health oriented--that is, not to pre-dispose to or cause diarrhea through diet. This means using milk-source ingredients in milk substitutes targeted for young calves. The preponderance of data presented in this article underscores that statement. Milk replacers containing nonmilk sources of major nutrients are better fed to older calves.     

Lactation and reproductive performance of mares fed added dietary fat during late gestation and early lactation

Eighteen pregnant mares were randomly allotted to one of two treatment groups. The control group was fed a conventional concentrate and the fat group was fed a concentrate containing 5% feed-grade rendered fat. Both concentrates had the same nutrient:calorie ratio and were fed in amounts required to maintain zero change in percent body fat of the mares. During the study, which began 60 d prior to expected foaling date and ended 60 d postpartum, mares were monitored for feed intake, body weight, rump fat thickness, ration digestibility, plasma glucose and lipid concentrations, milk composition and reproductive efficiency. Birth weight, growth rate, and plasma glucose and lipid concentrations were also measured in foals. Mares fed fat consumed less concentrate (P<.09 during the last 60 d of gestation but consumed similar amounts of concentrate over 60 d of lactation. Protein and ether extract digestion was higher (P<.05 and P<.09, respectively) in the mares fed fat during the postpartum period. Dietary treatment had no influence on plasma glucose or lipid concentrations of the mares or plasma glucose concentrations of their foals, but foals whose dams were fed fat had higher plasma lipid concentrations at birth (P<.01), d 10 and d 30 (P<.05). Percent fat was higher in milk samples from mares fed fat at d 10 (P<.09, 1.23 vs .99%) and d 60 (P<.01, .72 vs .43%) of lactation. Reproductive performance was not significantly different between treatment groups, however there was a trend for a shorter postpartum interval and fewer cycles per pregnancy in the mares fed added fat. Foals from both groups were of similar size and weight at birth and had similar weight gains over 60 d, however, foals nursing mares fed fat tended to gain more weight in the first week of life (1.85 vs 1.56 kg/d) and have more rump fat at d 60 (.53 vs .44 cm) than foals nursing control mares.     

Donkey Feeding During Maintenance,Pregnancy, and Lactation: Effects on Body Weight,Milk Production,and Foal Growth

We evaluated the daily intake in donkeys during maintenance, late pregnancy, and early lactation. The growth curves of the foals in the first eight weeks of life and the milk production in lactating jennies were also investigated. Donkeys were separated into two groups: seven pregnant jennies (group 1: pregnant/lactating) and seven nonpregnant, nonlactating jennies (group 2). The groups were fed two different diets each. The feeding period for group 1 covered eight weeks before parturition and eight weeks postpartum. Group 2 was managed during the same time period (16 weeks). Diet 1 consisted of ad libitum hay, which was fed to group 1 during late pregnancy and to group 2 from weeks 1–8. Diet 2 consisted of the same ad libitum hay supplemented with 2 kg/head/day of concentrate, which was fed to group 1 during lactation and to group 2 from weeks 9–16. The daily dry matter intake (diet 1) was 2.56 kg/100 kg of body weight (BW) for nonpregnant jennies and 31% lower in the pregnant donkeys. In the lactating jennies, the total dry matter intake was similar to the nonpregnant group fed diet 2. The nonpregnant jennies lost 1.9% of their initial BW when fed diet 1, whereas they gained 8.4% of their initial BW when fed with diet 2. A weight loss was also found in the lactating donkeys. The foals more than doubled in their birth weight within two months.     

A preliminary study of the tolerance of healthy foals to a low residue enteral feeding solution

After a three day acclimatization period, six healthy, young (aged 4 to 20 days) orphan foals of mixed breeding were fed 100 per cent of their caloric needs (estimated at 523 kjoules/kg bodyweight [bwt] or 125 kcal/kg bwt/day) as a low residue isotonic feeding solution (LRF) for seven days. The solution provided 4.18 kjoules (1 kcal/ml) and was fortified with minerals and protein to meet estimated foal requirements. The solution was fed through an indwelling 12 French feeding tube. Five of the six foals completed the study; the loss of the sixth foal apparently was unrelated to the feeding protocol. The foals tolerated LRF well. Signs of intolerance were noted in two foals and were limited to flatulence, mild bloat and very mild abdominal pain associated with a decreased interval between two feedings during the first 48 h on 100 per cent LRF. Complete recovery without therapy occurred within 6 h and feedings were resumed. Growth in height and weight were comparable to published data for healthy foals raised with their dams. Feeding tubes were easily maintained with no apparent dysphagia, regurgitation or discomfort to foals. This low residue, calorically dense, isotonic feeding solution may be useful for enteral feeding of selected foals aged at least seven days.