Performance and carcass quality of steers fed whole raw soybeans at increasing inclusion levels

Two experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of whole raw soybeans as a partial or whole replacement for soybean meal in a corn/soybean meal-based feedlot diet. In Exp. 1, 80 crossbred steers (average BW = 441.3 kg) and, in Exp. 2, 96 Angus-sired steers (average BW = 413.7 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments. Treatments were 0, 8, 16, and 24% dietary inclusions of whole raw soybeans. Diets within experiments were isonitrogenous. Across experiments, diets were similar, differing only in amount of corn silage (8 vs. 15% DM) at the expense of whole, shelled corn for Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. No treatment differences were observed for ADG or final BW. Dry matter intake from d 0 to d 58 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased inclusion of whole raw soybeans in Exp. 1, with no effect on feed efficiency. In Exp.2 from d 0 to 72, whole raw soybean inclusion had no effect on DMI or feed efficiency. There tended (P < 0.10) to be a linear reduction in hot carcass weight when whole raw soybeans were included in Exp. 1. Unexpectedly, longissimus muscle area tended (P < 0.10) to respond quadratically (P < 0.10) to the increased inclusion of whole raw soybeans in Exp.1. No differences were detected in marbling score, 10th-rib backfat, or yield grade for Exp. 1 and 2 steers. In Exp. 2, inclusion of whole raw soybeans had no effect on hot carcass weight or longissimus muscle area. Incrementally increasing the inclusion of whole raw soybeans in the diet of feedlot steers had little overall effect on weight gain, feed efficiency, or carcass quality in Exp. 1 and 2. There were subtle differences in the treatment responses observed for hot carcass weight and longissimus muscle area between Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 for the 24% inclusion level. These noted differences may indicate that inclusion levels above 24% might not be beneficial.     

CLA发酵豆粕对羔羊生长性能、胴体性能和肉品质的影响

选择120只健康、体重(11.77±0.70)kg的黄淮白山羊公羔,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复5只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别用2.5%、5.0%和7.5%CLA发酵豆粕等量替代基础日粮中普通豆粕,预饲期为10 d,正式试验期为30 d。结果表明:CLA发酵豆粕对黄淮白山羊公羔的生长性能均无显著影响(P>0.05);试验Ⅲ组的胴体骨重显著高于对照组和试验Ⅰ组(P<0.05),试验Ⅲ组的骨肉比极显著高于对照组和试验Ⅰ组(P<0.01),其他胴体性能无显著差异(P>0.05);CLA发酵豆粕对黄淮白山羊公羔的肉品质而及羔羊肌肉的化学指标均无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Fattening performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics of Kivircik male lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the fattening performance and carcass and meat quality characteristics of Kivircik twin male lambs. Twelve lambs at approximately 5?months of age were subjected to a finishing diet for 60?days. Average live weight of lambs at the beginning and the end of the fattening were 23.14?±?0.84 and 39.0?±?1.01?kg, respectively. Daily live weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were found as 0.265?±?0.007 and 6.14?kg, respectively. Hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and dressing percentage were 19.6?±?0.6 and 18.9?±?0.6?kg and 48.1?±?0.3%, respectively. Kidney-pelvic fat weight, internal fat weight, and m. longissimus dorsi area were 0.117?±?0.023 and 0.364?±?0.041?kg and 15.26?±?0.70?cm(2), respectively. The percentages of leg, back loin, forearm, shoulder, neck, flank-chest, kidney-pelvic fat, and internal fat in carcasses of the lambs were found as 34.1?±?0.4%, 19.6?±?0.3%, 21.0?±?0.2%, 7.0?±?0.3%, 10.5?±?0.3%, 7.2?±?0.2%, 1.3?±?0.1%, and 1.8?±?0.1%, respectively. Averages water content, ash, protein content, and fat content of meat samples were 73.4%, 1.0%, 19.5% and 3.6%, respectively. pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values of meat samples were 5.55 and 0.056?±?0.017. L*(lightness), a*(redness), and b*(yellowness) values were recorded as 43.87, 12.69, and 10.22, respectively. Thus, we conclude that fattening performance, carcass, and meat quality of Kivircik lambs are satisfactory levels than that of other native breeds.     

Fattening performance,slaughter, carcass and meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs

In order to verify the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics and to investigate the changes in some meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs weaned at 3 months of age, 39 lambs (23 males and 16 females) were used as experimental animals. The lambs were fed a concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (120 and 168 g crude protein and 2,700 and 1,951 ME/kg, respectively) for a period of 60 days of fattening period. Male lambs were superior (p < 0.05) to female lambs in terms of daily weight gain (270.4 vs. 205.4 g; SEM = 9.46), hot and cold carcass weights (16.7 and 16.0 vs. 14.1 and 13.4 kg, respectively; SEM = 0.35), intra-muscular fat ratios (1.9% vs. 2.5%; SEM = 0.12) and dripping loss of semitendinosus muscle 3 days postmortem (8.1% vs. 10.2%; SEM = 0.36). The relative weights of some organs, the meat quality traits (pH, cooking loss, shear force, CIELab colour characteristics) and proximate analyses (dry matter, protein and ash) of longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscle samples from lambs were not affected by sex (p > 0.05). Dripping loss, pH and colour characteristics were affected by storage time (p < 0.05). These results provide a basic understanding of performance and meat quality of Karayaka sheep which may have potentials in improving sheep production using an indigenous sheep breed in Turkey.     

Growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of yellow‐feathered broilers fed graded levels of alfalfa meal with or without wheat

The effects of 0, 40 and 80 g/kg alfalfa meal on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Chinese yellow‐feathered broilers fed diets containing or lacking wheat (0 or 200 g/kg) as part of the energy source, were examined using random design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Dressing percentage and semi‐eviscerated proportion were lower, and meat color a* (redness) value was higher in birds fed diets containing wheat than diets lacking wheat (P < 0.05). Drip loss was reduced by the addition of alfalfa meal to diets containing or lacking wheat (P < 0.05). Average sensory score of breast meat was higher in chickens fed corn‐based diets than in those fed wheat (P < 0.05). Meat from those supplemented with 40 g/kg alfalfa meal had better taste than the other two levels (P < 0.05). The inclusion of wheat significantly reduced the activities of creatine kinase and calpain of breast muscle (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Chinese yellow‐feathered broilers fed diets containing wheat had better meat color and lower drip loss than those fed the diets without wheat, and adding 40 g/kg alfalfa meal generally improved meat quality and taste.     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics,meat quality and serum profile of broiler chicks fed on housefly maggot meal as a replacement of soybean meal

A study was conducted to invesstigate the housefly maggot meal (HMM) as an alternative protein source to replace the soybean meal in broiler chick's diet. A total of 720 1-day-old male broiler chicks were divided into three groups and fed diets formulated with HMM to replace soybean meal at the rate of 0%, 4% and 8%. The study lasted for 42 days in two phases. Results showed that HMM addition did not markedly affect body weight, average daily body weight gain and average daily feed intake of the broiler chicks. Feed conversion ratio increased linearly (1–21 days) in starter or quadratically (22–42 days) in the grower phase. HMM non-significantly increased the feed intake and body weight during the grower phase. Slight changes were observed for decrease of blood biochemical indices in the platelets (day 21), and alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme (day 42), and increase for red blood cells, packed cell volume, total protein and uric acid on day 42; however, the fluctuations were within the physiological range. Non-significant effects were observed for carcass composition and meat quality, except that HMM numerically reduced the shear force of breast muscle (linear, p = .058). These results are the strong evidence that HMM can be used as an alternative protein source at 8% in broiler chick's diet without any adverse effect on chick's performance.     

Carcass yield and meat quality in broilers fed with canola meal

1. This study evaluated the effects of canola meal in broiler diets on carcass yield, carcass composition, and instrumental and sensory analyses of meat.

2. A total of 320 one-day-old Cobb broilers were used in a 35-d experiment using a completely randomised design with 5 concentrations of canola meal (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) as a dietary substitute for soya bean meal.

3. Polynomial regression at 5% significance was used to evaluate the effects of canola meal content. The following variables were measured: carcass yield, chemical composition of meat, and instrumental and sensorial analyses.

4. The results showed that carcass yield exhibited a quadratic effect that was crescent to the level of 18% of canola meal based on the weight of the leg and a quadratic increase at concentrations up to 8.4% of canola meal based on the weight of the chest. The yield of the chest exhibited a linear behaviour.

5. The chemical composition of leg meat, instrumental analysis of breast meat and sensory characteristics of the breast meat was not significantly affected by the inclusion of canola meal. The chemical composition of the breast meat exhibited an increased linear effect in terms of dry matter and ether extract and a decreased linear behaviour in terms of the ash content.

6. In conclusion, soya bean meal can be substituted with canola meal at concentrations up to 20% of the total diet without affecting carcass yield, composition of meat or the instrumental or sensory characteristics of the meat of broilers.     

Effect of mixed feeds containing different levels of olive cake on fattening performance,carcass, meat quality and fatty acids of lambs

In this study, the effects of diet including different levels of olive cake were investigated on the fattening performance, blood parameters, certain slaughtering traits, and carcass quality of lambs. Thirty-six male lambs were used in the experiment. The lambs were randomly assigned to three groups with 12 lambs each. Groups included control, 12.5 and 25% olive cake (OC). The mixed feeds were offered ad libitum. All lambs were also allowed to consume alfalfa hay (83.8 g DM/animal/day). The experiment lasted for a period of 56 days. The effect of different levels of olive cake was not found different in fattening performance values of lambs in 0–56 days (P > 0.05). Carcass weight, pH, and yield were not different (P > 0.05). While the values of color parameters, cooking loss, tenderness, and ether extract level of longissimus dorsi muscle (MLD) was not found different (P > 0.05), it was determined that the levels of olive cake increased the water-holding capacity of meat (P < 0.05). Furthermore, although the levels of olive cake were shown to decrease total n-3 and total saturated fatty acids (Σ SFA), they also increased total n-6, n-6/n-3 ratio, total monounsaturated fatty acids (Σ MUFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (Σ PUFA) were not different (P > 0.05).     

The quality of meat of lambs fed with feeds containing lasalocid.

The aim of the research was to determine the quality of meat of lambs fed with feeds containing lasalocid. It was ascertained that lasalocid added in the quantity of 50 mg per animal and day to the feed during the whole period of fattening considerably increased the protein content in the longest back muscle in lambs. The addition of 50 mg lasalocid to the feed considerably lowered the fat content in the muscle. The muscle of lambs receiving 50 mg of lasalocid had the best water binding capacity and thus was most suitable for the production purposes. Lasalocid influenced significantly and advantageously the intensity of colour of the muscle.     

Effects of quantitative feed restriction and sex on carcass traits,meat quality and meat lipid profile of Morada Nova lambs

Background: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed restriction(FR) and sex on the quantitative and qualitative carcass traits of Morada Nova lambs. Thirty-five animals with an initial body weight of 14.5 ± 0.89 kg and age of 120 d were used in a completely randomized study with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme consisting of three sexes(11 entire males, 12 castrated males and 12 females) and three levels of feeding(ad libitum – AL and 30% and 60% FR).Results: Entire males presented greater hot and cold carcass weights(P 0.05), followed by castrated males and females. However, the hot carcass yield was higher for females and castrated males than for entire males. Luminosity values were influenced(P 0.05) by sex, with entire males presenting higher values than castrated males and females.Females showed higher(P 0.05) concentrations of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid in the meat of the longissimus thoracis muscle. The meat of animals submitted to AL intake and 30% FR showed similar(P 0.05) concentrations, and the concentrations of palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and conjugated linoleic acid were higher(P 0.05) than those of animals with 60% FR. The meat of females had a higher ω6/ω3 ratio and lower h/H ratio, and females had greater levels of feeding. The meat of animals on the 60% FR diet had a greater ω6/ω3 ratio, lower h/H ratio and lower concentration of desirable fatty acids in addition to a greater atherogenicity index(AI) and thrombogenicity index(TI).Conclusion: Lambs of different sexes had carcasses with different quantitative traits without total influence on the chemical and physical meat characteristics. The lipid profile of the meat was less favorable to consumer health when the animals were female or submitted to 60% feed restriction.     

Quantitative and qualitative traits of carcass and meat of goats fed diets with cactus meal replacing corn

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the carcass and meat of goats fed diets containing cactus meal (pectin source) replacing corn (starch source). Twenty-eight goats with an average initial weight of 16?±?2.02 kg were confined in a completely randomized design with four treatments (the replacement levels of 0, 330, 660, and 1000 g kg^?1 of dry matter) and seven replicates. The productive performance of the animals was not affected by the replacement of corn by cactus meal. The carcass commercial yield and the dressing percentage decreased with the addition of cactus meal levels in the diets. The commercial cuts, however, especially prime cuts like hind limbs and loin, were not changed by the use of cactus meal. Muscle:bone and fat:bone ratios and muscularity index of hind limbs were influenced by the substitution. The protein and ash contents of the longissimus lumborum muscle decreased while cholesterol levels increased with the presence of cactus meal. Sensory traits of goats’ meat fed cactus meal in the diets were not affected. The substitution of corn for cactus meal reduced carcass yield but did not change the yield of commercial cuts or the qualitative characteristics of the meat.

     

Growth,carcass yield and meat quality attributes of Red Maasai sheep fed wheat straw-based diets

Thirty-two castrated Red Maasai sheep (12.7 kg initial body weight, aged 12–18 months), were used in an 84-day experiment to evaluate diets based on treated straw upon growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality. The animals were blocked by weight into four similar groups and randomly allotted into four dietary treatments, with eight individually fed animals per treatment. The dietary treatments were ad libitum untreated wheat straw (UTS), wheat straw treated with urea and lime (TS), straw and ad libitum hay (UTSH), and TS and ad libitum hay (TSH). In addition, each experimental animal received 220 g/day (on as fed basis) of a concentrate diet. Treatment of straw increased (P < 0.05) dry matter intake (42.3 vs. 33.7 g/kg W ⁷⁵/day), energy intake (4.6 vs. 3.7 MJ ME/d) and the average daily gain (40.7 vs. 23.1 g). Animals on TS produced heavier (P < 0.05) carcasses (6.6 vs. 5.4 kg) with superior conformation than animals on UTS. Percentage cooking loss was higher in carcasses from animals fed TS compared to those from other diets. Except M. longissimus dorsi and M. semitendinosus, tenderness of muscles was not affected by diet but ageing of meat improved (P < 0.001) tenderness. Overall, straw treatment increased carcass yields with limited effects on meat quality attributes.     

Effects of pearl millet silage ammoniation with urea on carcass and meat quality of lambs

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pearl millet silage ammoniated with urea on lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality. Thirty‐two noncastrated crossbred lambs at 4–5 months of age, with an average initial body weight of 17.39 ± 2.16 kg, were distributed into four treatments in a randomized block experimental design with eight animals per treatment. Experimental diets were composed of pearl millet silage ammoniated with four levels of urea (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%, on dry matter basis (DM). Carcass conformation and fatness decreased linearly (p < 0.05). Except for the fat content, the proximate composition was not influenced (p < 0.05) by the diets. Meat lightness and yellowness increased linearly (p < 0.05). There was no effect of diets (p > 0.05) on cooking losses or shear force. The levels of oleic and erucic fatty acid levels in the meat decreased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas linoleic and eicosadienoic acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA:SFA ratio and ω6 contents increased (p < 0.05). Pearl millet silage ammoniated with urea allows for the production of good‐quality lamb meat, with greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, lambs fed diets with pearl millet ammoniated with up to 6% lead to a reduction of carcass characteristics without significantly affecting loin‐eye area possibly associated with low palatability of the additive used. The lower acceptance of the silages with higher levels of urea is due to the ammonia retention in the material is attributed to the ammonization process. Thus, in spite of the benefits on lamb meat quality, it is suggested that the use of this additive in the ammonization of tropical forages be carried out with care, in limits of up to 6%.     

Performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma constituents of meat type drakes fed diets containing different levels of lysine with or without a microbial phytase.

This experiment was conducted to study growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma constituents of Campbell drakes fed diets containing different levels of lysine with or without a microbial phytase. Basal vegetable duck all-mash diets were fed during the growing (1-35 d of age), and finishing period (36-56 d of age) and were formulated to contain 0.90% and 0.73% lysine (negative control), respectively. These diets were supplemented or not with L-lysine HCl, which resulted in a dietary lysine level of 0.90, 0.95, 1.01 and 1.06% and 0.73, 0.80, 0.87 and 0.94%, during the growing and finishing period, respectively. Furthermore, the diets were fed with or without 600 FTU phytase (Natuphos) except for those containing 1.06 and 0.94% lysine during the growing and finishing period, respectively (positive control). A lysine level of 1.01/0.87% in the growing/finishing diet significantly increased BWG and improved FCR of drakes by 2.1 and 1.8%, respectively. Phytase significantly increased BWG by 2.1% and 3.5% after feeding the basal diet and 1.01/0.87% lysine, respectively. Also, FCR was significantly improved by 2.2 and 1.8% of groups fed 0.95/0.80, and 1.01/0.87% lysine, respectively. Phytase as an independent variable increased BWG by 1.8, and improved FCR by 1.0%. Lysine and/or phytase did not affect carcass yield, and meat quality treats as well as plasma constituents of drakes. However, lysine level at 0.95/0.80% and 1.01/0.87% significantly decreased abdominal fat deposition compared to either the negative or the positive control. In conclusion, a lysine level of 1.01/0.87% in the growing/finishing diets for drakes is adequate. After phytase supplementation of the basal diet the BWG at a lysine level of 0.90/0.73% were similar to the positive control (1.06/0.94% lysine). However, the best FCR was obtained after feeding diets containing 1.01/0.87% lysine supplemented with phytase.     

营养水平对荷斯坦肥育牛胴体品质及肉品质量的影响

将24头去势荷斯坦公牛随机分成3组,进行为期180 d的肥育试验.Ⅰ组饲喂低营养日粮,Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别饲喂中、高营养日粮.结果显示:试验Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组与Ⅰ组比较,宰前活重、胴体重、屠宰率、净肉重、胴体出肉率及内骨比均显著提高(P＜0.05);Ⅱ、Ⅲ组之间胴体出肉率和肉骨比差异显著(P＜0.05).胴体品质:Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组的背膘厚、胴体脂肪、肠系膜脂肪、眼肌面积和大理石花纹均优于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05);Ⅱ和Ⅲ组的背膘厚、胴体脂肪、肠系膜脂肪三项指标显著差异(P＜0.05).常规化学成分:各组间干物质、粗脂肪和粗蛋白显著差异(P＜0.05);各组的钙、磷差异不显著(P＞0.05).牛肉质量:Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组的滴水损失、pH值和剪切力值均优于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05);Ⅱ和Ⅲ组之间差异不显著(P＞0.05).结果表明,日粮营养水平对荷斯坦肥育牛的胴体品质及肉品质量具有显著影响.     

Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and tissue histology of growing pigs fed crude glycerin-supplemented diets

The effects of dietary crude glycerin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality indices, and tissue histology in growing pigs were determined in a 138-d feeding trial. Crude glycerin utilized in the trial contained 84.51% glycerin, 11.95% water, 2.91% sodium chloride, and 0.32% methanol. Eight days postweaning, 96 pigs (48 barrows and 48 gilts, average BW of 7.9 +/- 0.4 kg) were allotted to 24 pens (4 pigs/pen), with sex and BW balanced at the start of the experiment. Dietary treatments were 0, 5, and 10% crude glycerin inclusion in corn-soybean meal-based diets and were randomly assigned to pens. Diets were offered ad libitum in meal form and formulated to be equal in ME, sodium, chloride, and Lys, with other AA balanced on an ideal AA basis. Pigs and feeders were weighed every other week to determine ADG, ADFI, and G:F. At the end of the trial, all pigs were scanned using real-time ultrasound and subsequently slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Blood samples were collected pretransport and at the time of slaughter for plasma metabolite analysis. In addition, kidney, liver, and eye tissues were collected for subsequent examination for lesions characteristic of methanol toxicity. After an overnight chilling of the carcass, loins were removed for meat quality, sensory evaluation, and fatty acid profile analysis. Pig growth, feed intake, and G:F were not affected by dietary treatment. Dietary treatment did not affect 10th-rib backfat, LM area, percent fat free lean, meat quality, or sensory evaluation. Loin ultimate pH was increased (P = 0.06) in pigs fed the 5 and 10% crude glycerin compared with pigs fed no crude glycerin (5.65 and 5.65 versus 5.57, respectively). Fatty acid profile of the LM was slightly changed by diet with the LM from pigs fed 10% crude glycerin having less linoleic acid (P < 0.01) and more eicosapentaenoic acid (P = 0.02) than pigs fed the 0 or 5% crude glycerin diets. Dietary treatment did not affect blood metabolites or frequency of lesions in the examined tissues. This experiment demonstrated that pigs can be fed up to 10% crude glycerin with no effect on pig performance, carcass composition, meat quality, or lesion scores.     

Production performance, stress tolerance and intestinal integrity of sunshine bass fed increasing levels of soybean meal

Soybean meal (SBM) is perhaps the most common fish meal (FM) alternative used in aquafeeds; however, SBM cannot fully replace FM in sunshine bass Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis feeds without impacting growth. Reduced production performance may be the result of subtle changes in morphology and/or physiological status. Accordingly, our objective was to assess growth, gastrointestinal integrity and stress tolerance of sunshine bass fed increasing amounts of SBM. Fish (approximately 14.5 g) were fed diets (14% lipid and 40% protein) containing increasing amounts of SBM at the expense of FM (30% FM, 20% FM, 15% FM, 10% FM, 5% FM and 0% FM) for 8 weeks. As expected, complete replacement of FM reduced growth. Although some signs of enteritis were noted, no significant differences in gut integrity were observed. Following 15-min low-water stress challenge, plasma glucose levels were elevated, particularly among fish fed increasing amounts of SBM. Cortisol response was similar, but statistical differences were not resolved for this parameter. Completely replacing FM in feeds for sunshine bass elicits overt reductions in growth. More subtle physiological changes may also result from FM replacement, including alterations in stress tolerance, and these may be important to consider in terms of the suitability of aquafeed formulations and optimal nutrition of sunshine bass.     

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs fed with cassava foliage hay and spineless cactus

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the total or partial replacement of Tifton 85 hay (TH) by cassava foliage hay (CH) and/or spineless cactus (SC) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of confined lambs. Thirty-five Dorper x Santa Inês crossbred lambs were used, with an initial average weight of 16.0 ± 1.9 kg, fed with five treatment diets: 70% TH, 70% CH, 35% TH + 35% CH, 35% TH + 35% SC, and 35% CH + 35% SC. After 90 days of confinement, the animals were slaughtered and the carcass and meat data were compared using the Tukey test at 5%. The partial replacement of TH by SC increased the cold carcass weight by 3.9 kg (p < .05). The proportion of fat (%) increased (p < .05) when TH was replaced by CH + SC. The intensity of red (a*) was lower (p < .05) in the meat of animals fed with CH or CH + SC. It is recommended to partially replace TH with SC, or to replace totally with CH in association with SC.     

Growth performance,meat quality,and bone-breaking strength in broilers fed dietary rice hull silicon

Bone problems have been a key issue that perilously affects broilers' health and welfare, resulting in severe economic loss. The present study was aimed at investigating the influence of dietary rice hull silicon (RHS) on the performance, meat quality, and bone-breaking strength of broilers. One hundred 10-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were used in the study. The birds were divided into 5 groups: one group was kept as the control, and other groups were provided with 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mg/kg dietary RHS along with their basal diets. Results showed that diets containing various levels of dietary RHS did not adversely affect (P > 0.05) the body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Drip loss of thigh meat showed a reduced value in the group supplemented with 7.5 mg/kg dietary RHS compared with other groups (P < 0.05), and the lowest thawing loss was observed in the same group; however, it showed no significant difference among other groups. Similarly, thawing loss of breast meat tended to decrease in the dietary RHS groups and significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the 7.5 mg/kg RHS group. The shear force of breast meat was higher in all RHS groups, and the highest was in the 7.5 mg/kg RHS group (P < 0.05). Although tibia breaking strength increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 7.5 mg/kg RHS group (P < 0.05), but a significant difference in femur breaking strength was not found among groups. In conclusion, dietary RHS can be used as a natural mineral supplement for improving bone-breaking strength and reducing drip and thawing loss of breast and thigh muscles, particularly RHS at a level of 7.5 mg/kg in broiler diets.