Examination of mink (Mustela vison) fed a sulphuric acid preserved fish during lactation and growth period. I. A clinical-chemical examination

Addition of sulphuric acid preserved fish in great amounts as fur animal feed has a serious influence on the metabolism of the animals. The present experimental work shows that several clinical-chemical parameters are changed during feeding of acid preserved feed resulting in changes of the fluid-, electrolyte- and acid-base balance as well as in the immunological status. The changes are most probably due to changes also found in the organ functions. The present work together with earlier investigations by the authors has formed the scientific background for the use of acid preserved fish silage in mink during the last 10 years. This has made it possible to out-distance the competitors further, both with respect to fur quality and feeding costs.     

The influence of the pH of feed on the acid-base balance of mink.

The acid-base balance in small carnivores (mink, Mustela vison) was examined during 6 feeding periods, when the same animals were given different feeds during a prolonged time. The feeds consisted of normal farm feed to which different amounts of sulphuric acid-preserved feed and feed silaged with organic acids were added (Tables I--II). When the pH of the feed was decreased to below 5.5, the acid-base balance of the animals was changed and metabolic acidosis occurred (Tables III--V, Fig. 1). On neutralization of the acid-preserved feed a normal acid-base balance could be maintained. However, the growth of the animals was reduced after prolonged feeding with silage as they lost weight during the following periods (Table vii).     

Effects of High Dietary Levels of Fresh or Oxidised Fish Oil on Performance and Blood Parameters in Female Mink (Mustela vison) During the Winter,Reproduction, Lactation and Early Growth Periods

The effects of high dietary levels of fresh or moderately oxidised fish oil on performance and blood parameters in mink females were investigated during the winter, reproduction, and lactation periods. Furthermore, the effects of the diets on kit performance were investigated during the lactation and early growth periods. The investigation was carried out with a total of 292 females distributed in five experimental groups fed fresh fish oil stored frozen, fresh fish oil ensiled, oxidised fish oil stored frozen, oxidised fish oil ensiled, and soya oil, respectively. The females were weighed three times during the winter period, and the females and the kits were weighed at parturition and 2, 4, and 7 weeks post partum. Blood samples were collected from the females and the kits 6 and 8 weeks post partum, respectively. The results show that high dietary levels of fresh or moderately oxidised fish oil could be used for mink females during the winter and reproduction periods without any negative effects on performance, health and reproduction results. However, high levels of fish oil resulted in lower kit weights at weaning. These negative effects on kit growth were related to the dietary composition fed during the lactation and early growth periods and not to the diet used during the preceding winter and pregnancy periods. A high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in a decreased number of blood platelets for both mink females and their kits.     

The influence on breeding, production, and acid-base balance when mink are fed on acidified feed.

It has been shown, partly in an investigation in which female mink were subject to increasing quantities of acid in their feed, and partly in an investigation of experimental animals which were fed with various concentrations of acid-preserved fishsilage, that there is a marked risk for a change of the acid-base balance to a metabolic acidosis when pH in the feed comes lower than 5. These investigations are also considered to show that mink's reproductive ability and general welfare is considerably affected when fed with large quantities of acid-preserved fish feed over a longer period, possibly because of alterations in the acid base balance. It is possible to reduce or avoid metabolic acidosis in mink by neutralizing silage or feed.     

The effect of feeding corn silage juices on selected indicators of metabolism in dairy cows given feed containing various proportions of silage and hay

In farm production conditions two comparative trials lasting 58 and 128 days were carried out. Acidogenic exposure to acids of silage juices, silage and haylage (lactic acid, acetic and butyric acids) in feed ration ranged from 0.33 to 2.85 mol per 100 kg live weight. It was proved that it was possible to include 9 to 10 litres of silage juices in feed ration under the condition that the total daily intake would not exceed 1.94 mol of acids per 100 kg live weight. This supplement of silage juices increased milk production. Higher amount of acid (2.65 and 2.85 mol) resulted in acidogenic and ketogenic type of silage juice enriched feed ration, which caused a more rapid decrease of lactation curve in dairy cows fed this feed ration than in those in the control group.     

The formaldehyde content in fish in relation to anemia in mink (author's transl)]

The fish-induced anemia in mink is an alimentary disease produced by feeding high amounts of some raw marine fishes. The anemiogenic properties of the fish has been related mainly to its content of the iron binding agent-trimethylaminoxide. The aim of the present investigation was to examine how far formaldehyde could also play a part as an anemiogenic factor. The content of formaldehyde has been analysed in all species of raw, cold stored fish known to be used in mink food and in a few samples of ready made food (Table II). The content of formaldehyde varied within wide limits from 12 to 105 ppm, but none of the measured contents reached the high values obtained by Costly (1970). The mean values of formaldehyde in gutted coalfish, fillet waste of coal fish, cod and haddock prepared for the feeding experiments, were all close to 50 ppm. 175 female mink and 632 mits were tested during the whole of the breeding period from 15.2-30.6, 80 per cent of the diet (page 1) was fish products with and without supplements of formaldehyde. Amounts from 200 to 50 ppm were tried (Table I). The supplement of 200 ppm formaldehyde had an appetite-decreasing and anemiogenic effect, but the supplement of 50 ppm, i.e. a formaldehyde content up to the highest value observed in fillet waste, had no effect on appetite or hemoglobin synthesis neither in females nor in kits. This content of formaldehyde did not counteract the anti-anemiogenic effect of iron glutamate. The fish-induced anemia occurred in mink thus appears unaffected by the quantities of formaldehyde found in fish diets to fur bearing animals. Triox must be regarded as the dominant anemiogenic factor in raw fish diets.     

Consumption and ruminating behavior in sheep. 3. Experiments on infertile female sheep of different breeds with reference to feed type and feeding duration

Ewes of the breeds merino fattening sheep, Stavropol merino and fertility hybrid were studied as to their consumption and ruminating behaviour after receiving a pelleted straw-concentrate mixture, maize silage and wilted silaged grass. During the feeding periods of 2 X 45 min or 2 X 180 min/d unlimited rations were available to the animals. With 86 min/d the sheep used the short feeding period nearly completely for feed intake. In the longer feeding period the sheep consumed 18% more feed in 161 min/d, ate more slowly, however, and ruminated somewhat less. In comparison with the straw-concentrate mixture, the silage rations were ruminated for shorter periods and less effectively, the number of ruminating movements per day and cycle was reduced, the breaks between bites became longer. The wilted grass silage stimulated ruminating even less than chopped maize silage. There were significant differences between the breeds in the ruminating frequency, which affected the number of ruminating movements per day and cycle.     

Proportion of corn silage in diets of feedlot steers fed to achieve stepwise increases in growth.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of proportion of dietary corn silage during periods of feed restriction on performance of steers. In Exp. 1, Simmental x Angus steer calves (n = 107; initial BW = 273 +/- 3.8 kg) were allotted to 12 pens with eight or nine steers/pen and four pens/treatment. Periods of growth were 273 to 366 kg BW (Period 1), 367 to 501 kg BW (Period 2), and 502 to 564 kg BW (Period 3). In two of the dietary regimens, steers were given ad libitum access to feed throughout the experiment and were fed either a 15% corn silage diet in each period or an 85, 50, and 15% corn silage diet in Periods 1, 2, and 3; respectively. In the third feeding regimen, a programmed intake feeding regimen was used. Steers were fed a 15% corn silage diet in each period. However, feed intake was restricted to achieve a predicted gain of 1.13 kg/d in Period 1 and 1.36 kg/d in Period 2, and feed was offered for ad libitum consumption in Period 3. For the entire experiment, ADG was similar (P = 0.41) among treatments and feed efficiency was lower (P < 0.10) for steers in the corn silage regimen than for steers in the programmed intake and ad libitum regimens. In Exp. 2, Simmental x Angus steer calves (n = 106; initial BW = 233 +/- 2 kg) were allotted by BW to 12 pens (three pens/treatment) and fed in three periods similar to those described in Exp. 1. Four feeding regimens were investigated: 1) AL; steers were offered a 15% corn silage diet for ad libitum consumption in all three periods; 2) PI; DMI was programmed to achieve gains as described in Exp. 1; 3) CS-HLL; programmed intake as described above except diets contained 85, 15, and 15% corn silage in Periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively; and 4) CS-HIL; same feeding regimens as CS-HLL, except diets contained 85, 50, and 15% corn silage in Periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Steers were given ad libitum access to feed in Period 3. Overall ADG was lower (P < 0.05) for steers in the CS-HLL and CS-HIL feeding regimens than for steers in the AL and PI regimens; feed efficiency was greatest for steers in the PI regimen. Few effects of feeding regimen on carcass characteristics were observed.     

The effect of Rumensin on the metabolic profile of rumen fluid in feedlot cattle

The effects were studied of sodium monensinate dosed 125 mg on the metabolic profile of rumen fluid. The experiment was conducted under current farming conditions in a pavilion cattle fattening house. The experiment, which lasted 367 days, comprised 985 bulls of the Bohemian Spotted breed. The feed ration was based on silage with an additive of dried poultry litter and concentrates. The additive was administered in concentrate mixture, 125 mg per head/day. After the start of the experiment want of appetite to sodium monensinate was observed. The animals took approximately four weeks to adapt completely to the additive. The following characteristics were investigated to study the metabolic profile of rumen fluid: actual acidity, total titration acidity, ammonia, total nitrogen, lactic acid, total volatile fatty acids, per cent acetic acid, per cent propionic acid, molar ratio acetic acid: propionic acid, per cent iso- and n-butyric acid, absolute number of infusoria and energy net yield of volatile fatty acids. Increased levels of the clinico-biochemical parameters of the metabolic profile of rumen fluid were found in lactic acid, propionic acid and energy net yield of volatile fatty acids. The per cent of propionic acid increased at some samplings by up to 116%. A drop was recorded in total nitrogen, per cent acetic acid, per cent butyric acid, molar ratio C2 : C3 and total number of infusoria. The decrease in the per cent of acetic acid ranged around 16% and the drop in butyric acid level amounted at some samplings up to 78%. No response to the additive was observed in the other characteristics of the metabolic profile of rumen fluid.     

Fermentation characteristics and microorganism composition of total mixed ration silage with local food by‐products in different seasons

Total mixed ration (TMR) silage in different seasons was prepared with apple refuse, orchardgrass hay, orchardgrass silage, corn silage and a commercial compound feed in Tohoku, Japan, and with tofu cake, brewers' grains, tall fescue hay, Sudangrass hay, timothy hay, alfalfa hay and a commercial compound feed in Shikoku, Japan, respectively, and their fermentation quality and microorganism composition were evaluated. In Tohoku, the TMR silage in spring, autumn and winter displayed poor quality, with pH value above 4.7, and the harmful microorganisms such as escherichia, yeasts and molds were detected even after 60 days of ensiling; but the TMR silage in summer was well preserved and the escherichia were too few to count after 7 days of ensiling. In Shikoku, the TMR silage in all seasons was well preserved, with low pH, high lactic acid contents, and escherichia, yeasts and molds were consistently at or below the detectable numbers after 7 days of ensiling. The results showed that the TMR silage could not produce sufficient lactic acid to improve silage quality under low‐temperature conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop preparation techniques of promoting the lactic acid fermentation for TMR silage in cold seasons.     

Effects of forage and protein source on feedlot performance and carcass traits of Holstein and crossbred beef steers.

Fifty-eight Holstein and 58 crossbred beef steers were individually fed one of four isonitrogenous diets to evaluate the effects of forage source (corn silage and alfalfa haylage) and protein source (soybean meal and fish meal) on feedlot performance. Phase 1 diets (up to 354 kg of BW) were 40% forage and 60% concentrates and were fed for 70 to 136 d (depending on diet and breed group). Phase 2 diets (354 kg of BW until slaughter) were 20% forage and 80% concentrates and were fed for 127 to 150 d (depending on diet and breed group). Slaughter end points were .6 cm of 12th rib fat for Holsteins and 1.0 cm of rib fat for crossbreds using real-time ultrasonic estimates. The steers were fed for a maximum of 330 d each year. Forage source was a significant component of variation for most growth, efficiency, and carcass traits. Holstein and crossbred steers fed alfalfa haylage had significantly lower average daily gain, feed efficiency, dressing percentage, and empty body fat and required more days on feed to reach slaughter end points, but had higher total feed energy intake available for production. Steers fed corn silage diets had significantly greater energetic efficiency (P less than .05) than those fed alfalfa haylage, due to increased use of ME to produce fat in the carcass. Protein type did not influence gain, feed or energetic efficiency, energy intake, or most carcass traits. A significant protein system x forage source interaction among the four diets was detected for crossbred steers fed corn silage and fish meal, for which there was significantly greater feed conversion with lower energy intake above maintenance, possibly due to better fiber digestion and(or) amino acid flow to the lower tract. Alfalfa haylage plus soybean meal diets decreased (P less than .05) the percentage of Holsteins grading USDA Choice or higher. These results indicate that corn silage, because of greater energy concentration, was a more desirable forage in feedlot diets composed of less than or equal to 40% forage and that protein type (soybean meal and fish meal) in growing diets is not an important factor in feedlot performance or carcass traits of Holstein or crossbred steers that are fed these diets.     

青贮饲料的调制与利用技术

青贮是在厌氧和湿润环境条件下,乳酸菌利用原料中的碳水化合物产生大量的乳酸积累,从而抑制各种微生物的生长和繁殖,使原料得以长期保存的饲料调制方法。青贮饲料具有柔软多汁、气味酸香、营养丰富、适口性好、利用率高和便于保存等特点,已成为家畜不可或缺的组成部分。通过对青贮原理、原料选择、窖池建设、制作步骤、取喂方法等方面的技术进行介绍,旨在为广大农牧民和饲草料生产企业与规模养殖场提供借鉴。     

水貂膨化配合饲料筛选试验

采用对动、植物性饲料干、湿法膨化技术的加工工艺 ,配制成水貂膨化配合饲料 ,与新鲜鱼、肉搅碎后 ,再加入蒸、煮或炒熟的玉米、大豆 ,形成糊状饲料进行饲养水貂的不同饲料配方正交筛选试验。试验设计选用L4(2 3 )正交表 ,设置三因素 ,每因素二水平。试验动物选择纯种美洲标准貂 ,在生长前期、冬毛生长期分别进行了 89d与 5 9d的正交试验。试验结果表明 ,各因素极差值对影响日增重的主次关系估计为C >B >A ;B、C因素与A因素已达到显著水准 (P <0 0 5 ) ,B、C因素之间无显著差异。     

Immunoglobulin levels in ewe colostrum and in lamb serum

The immunoglobulin content of ewe colostrum falls rapidly after the first suckling and reaches a low level 36 h after the first feed. The whey content of colostrum will rise by more than 50 per cent during the same period. The production of colostral immunoglobulin during the 24 h following the first feed was related, in this work, to the amount of colostrum produced; the greater the colostrum production, the greater the immunoglobulin production. Colostrum production ranged from 1216 to 4493 g and immunoglobulin production from 22-21 to 86-34 g during the eight feeds studied. Colostrum production was related to demand by the lambs. There was a clear positive correlation between the total amount of immunoglobulin the lambs' circulation 30 h after the first feed and the immunoglobulin consumed. Approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the immunoglobulin ingested was present in the lambs' circulation at this time.     

青贮饲料的加工调制技术

青贮饲料是在厌氧环境下,使用青贮设施长期保存的青绿多汁饲料。加工调制好的青贮饲料,不但能有效保存青贮原料中的营养成分,还能保证奶牛全年青绿饲料的均衡供应,提高奶牛产奶量。本文从分析青贮原料与发酵过程入手,在强调满足青贮条件的同时,分别介绍了青贮窖青贮、袋装青贮、裹包青贮、青贮塔青贮等不同种类青贮饲料的加工调制方法,以期为奶牛养殖场（户）提供帮助。     

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.     

Some consequences of the ingestion by young and growing pigs of feed contaminated with ergot.

Growing pigs were fed freshly milled ergot sclerotia (Claviceps purpurea Fr (Tul)) from North American wheat containing 0-31 per cent of total alkaloids of which 30 per cent was ergotoxine, 30 per cent ergosine, 20 per cent ergotamine and 20 per cent other ergot alkaloids. Pigs were induced to ingest a diet heavily contaminated with ergot (10 per cent w/w). The presence of ergot reduced feed intake and growth of the pigs, but there was no evidence of peripheral necrosis, of internal or external haemorrhage, or of changes in haemotological characteristics. Balance experiments in which the diet was contaminated with 4 per cent (w/w) of ergot showed that 90 per cent of the alkaloids were absorbed by the pigs, but none could be detected in tissues or urine. The ingestion of ergot did not affect the digestibility of the diet, but the urinary excretion of nitrogen was increased and the retention of nitrogen reduced. The presence of ricinoleic acid was shown to be a useful diagnostic feature of ergot contamination of diets, digesta and faeces; it was not found in body tissues.     

Analysis of integrated animal-fish production system under subtropical hill agro ecosystem in India: Growth performance of animals,total biomass production and monetary benefit

The present study assessed the benefits of integration of animals with fish production in optimizing the bio mass production from unit land in subtropical hill agro ecosystem. Hampshire pigs and Khaki Campbell ducks were integrated with composite fish culture. The pig and duck excreta were directly allowed into the pond and no supplementary feed was given to fish during the period of study. The average levels of N, P and K in dried pig and duck manure were 0.9, 0.7 and 0.6 per cent and 1.3, 0.6 and 0.5 per cent, respectively. The average body weight of pig and duck at 11 months age was 90 and 1.74 kg with an average daily weight gain of 333.33 and 6.44 g, respectively. The fish production in pig-fish and duck-fish systems were 2209 and 2964 kg/ha, respectively while the fish productivity in control pond was only 820 kg/ha. The total biomass (animal and fish) production was higher (p < 0.05) in commercial feeding system compared to the traditional system, however the input/output ratio was 1:1.2 and 1:1.55 for commercial and traditional systems, respectively. It was inferred that the total biomass production per unit land was high (p < 0.05) when animal and fish were integrated together.     

西藏青贮用乳酸菌筛选分离及应用研究进展

西藏自治区地处青藏高原,虽然饲料原料资源丰富,但整体利用率不高。青贮处理可以有效贮存饲料,既可以节约饲料资源,也可以保存饲料中的营养成分。目前,西藏地区关于青贮用乳酸菌的研究已经由从传统乳制品中分离乳酸菌过渡到从多种天然青贮饲料中分离乳酸菌。对西藏地区青贮用乳酸菌的筛选分离及应用研究进展进行了综述,以期为加快以青贮分离乳酸菌菌株为来源的高原青贮用乳酸菌制剂的研发提供参考。     

Bacteriological Quality of Ready-Mixed Mink Feed in Finland

Frozen samples of Finnish ready-mixed mink feed were analyzed for total bacterial count, the number of faecal streptococci, the coliform count, the number of haemolytic bacteria and the number of sulphite-reducing bacteria. The investigation comprised 242 feed samples from 38 central kitchens and larger private farm kitchens, the combined feed production of which is about 85 % of the yearly feed production of Finland.Of all samples 48.3 % had a total bacterial count of 10⁶ … 6} × 106 bacteria per g of feed. The total bacterial count was relatively constant during the first four production periods of the year (December-August) and was elevated during the last period (September-November). The percentage of samples containing less than 2.5 × 10⁴ faecal streptococci per g of feed was 49.8 %; 62 % of the samples contained less than 2.5 × 10⁴ coliform bacteria per g. The content of coliform bacteria was lowest during the third production period (May); 48.5 % of the samples contained 5 × 10³ … 10⁵ haemolytic bacteria per g, and 4.6 % were negative. The content of haemolytic bacteria was relatively constant during the whole production year; 52.6 % of the feed samples contained 5 × 10³ … 10⁵ sulphite-reducing bacteria per g, and 17.2 % were negative. The mean content of sulphite-reducing bacteria was lowest during the second production period (March-April).The results are discussed and compared with corresponding results from Norway and Denmark.