Effects of the natural sweetener rebaudioside A on intake,nutrient digestion,rumen fermentation,and blood biochemical parameters in adult goats during summer

The effects of dietary rebaudioside A inclusion on feed intake, digestion of nutrients, rumen fermentation, and blood biochemical parameters of goats were evaluated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square study. Nine adult goats during summer were fed a basal forage/concentrate-based diet and the forage was chopped rice straw. The three dietary treatments were 0, 350, and 700 mg rebaudioside A per kg chopped rice straw on a DM basis. No significant improvement was observed in dry matter intake (DMI) of forage and diet among treatments. Nutrient digestibility of DM and organic matter (OM) showed a significant trend (p < .10) across groups. Rebaudioside A inclusion significantly (p < .01) increased the concentration of total volatile fatty acids in the rumen, however, there were no differences in concentration of ruminal ammonia, and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. About blood metabolites, increasing rebaudioside A in the diet caused a quadratic response in glucose and total protein, and albumin concentrations. Under the conditions of this study, supplementation with rebaudioside A at 350 and 700 mg/kg forage did not improve consumption of rice straw-based diet in adult goats in summer. However, the responses in digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites appear to indicate the potential of rebaudioside A as a bio-active substance in goats.     

Effects of blend of canola oil and palm oil on nutrient intake and digestibility,growth performance,rumen fermentation and fatty acids in goats

The study examined the effects of blend of 80% canola oil and 20% palm oil (BCPO) on nutrient intake and digestibility, growth performance, rumen fermentation and fatty acids (FA) in goats. Twenty‐four Boer bucks were randomly assigned to diets containing 0, 4 and 8% BCPO on a dry matter basis, fed for 100 days and slaughtered. Diet did not affect feed efficiency, growth performance, intake and digestibility of all nutrients except ether extract. Intakes and digestibilities of ether extract, unsaturated fatty acids (FA) and total FA were higher (P < 0.05) while digestibility of C18:0 was lower (P < 0.05) in oil‐fed goats than the control goats. Total volatile FA, acetate, butyrate, acetate/propionate ratio and methane decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing BCPO but propionate, NH₃‐N and rumen pH did not differ between diets. Ruminal concentration of C18:0, n‐3 FA and total FA increased (P < 0.05) while C12:0, C14:0, C15:0 and n‐6 FA decreased with increasing BCPO. Analysis of the FA composition of Triceps brachii muscle showed that concentrations of C16:0, C14:0 and C18:2n‐6 were lower (P < 0.05) while C18:1n‐9, C18:3n‐3 and C20:5n‐3 were higher in oil‐fed goats compared with control goats. Dietary BCPO altered muscle lipids without having detrimental effects on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance in goats.     

酵母培养物对肉牛生长性能、营养物质表观消化率及瘤胃发酵参数的影响

试验研究日粮中添加酵母培养物对西门塔尔杂交牛生长性能、营养物质表观消化率、瘤胃发酵参数及抗氧化功能的影响.选取体重相近、健康的西门塔尔杂交肉牛80头,随机分为5组,每组8个重复,每个重复2头肉牛.对照组肉牛饲喂基础日粮,试验组(A、B、C、D)依次在基础日粮中添加50、100、150、200 g/(头·d)的酵母培养物...     

Effect of feeding wood kraft pulp on the growth performance,feed digestibility,blood components,and rumen fermentation in Japanese Black fattening steers

This study aimed to examine the effects of feeding kraft pulp (KP) on the growth performance, feed digestibility, and rumen fermentation of Japanese Black fattening steers. Ten Japanese Black fattening steers (aged 26 months) were randomly divided into control and KP groups. The control group (n = 5) was fed concentrate feed without KP, and the KP group (n = 5) was fed concentrate feed containing 10% KP. Both the groups were provided rice straw as roughage. The experiment was conducted over a period of 12 weeks. There was no significant difference in dry matter intake, daily body weight gain, and nutrient digestibility between both groups. No difference was observed in the ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids among the groups. At weeks 8 and 12 after the onset of the experiment, the acetate‐to‐propionate ratio in the ruminal fluid of the KP group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The average daily pH of ruminal fluid and activity of ruminal lipopolysaccharide did not differ between the groups. Our results suggested that the growth performance and feed digestibility in the Japanese Black fattening steers were not influenced by replacing concentrate feed with KP.     

Effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid in the ration of beef cattle on rumen fermentation,methane emission,microbial flora and nutrient digestibility

Four adult Simmental male cattle (376 ± 9.0 kg initial BW), fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid (TA) on rumen fermentation, methane (CH₄) production, rumen microbes, nutrient digestibility and plasma biochemical parameters. Four levels of TA, that is 0, 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg dry matter (DM), were added to the basal ration (composed of corn silage and concentrate mixture) as experimental treatments respectively. Each experimental period consisted of a 12‐day adaptation phase followed by a 3‐day sampling phase. The results showed that supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the relative abundance of protozoa, methanogens and Ruminococcus albus to the total ruminal bacterial 16S rDNA in beef cattle (p < 0.05). The results also showed that supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) the CH₄ production (l/kg DM intake) by 11.1%, 14.7% and 33.6% respectively. Supplementing TA at 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the ratio of acetate to propionate and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N) (p < 0.05) and tended to decrease the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of rumen fluid (p = 0.07). Supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility (p < 0.05), supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) digestibility by 5.0%, 8.6% and 15.7%, respectively, and supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM increased (p < 0.05) the plasma total antioxidant capability. It was concluded that supplementing TA in the ration of beef cattle decreased the CH₄ production and digestibility of CP of beef cattle. Supplementing TA could be an effective option to mitigate CH₄ emission form cattle, further research is necessary to study the effects of TA on the performance of cattle.     

HMBi对生绒期辽宁绒山羊氮、硫代谢的影响

试验研究不同水平HMBi对生绒期辽宁绒山羊氮、硫代谢的影响。采用4×4拉丁方设计,选择4只辽宁绒山羊羯羊为试验动物,配制HMBi水平为0%(对照日粮)、0.85%(试验日粮A)、1.27%(试验日粮B)、1.70%(试验日粮C)的4种日粮,试验分4个时期进行。试验期每日收集粪、尿,测定其中的氮、硫。试验结果显示,生绒期辽宁绒山羊日粮中添加HMBi能显著减少粪氮和尿氮,增加沉积氮和可消化氮(P<0.05);添加HMBi粪硫和尿硫显著增加,但可消化硫、沉积硫亦显著增加(P<0.05);添加HMBi能显著提高氮、硫的表观消化率、总利用率及生物学价值(P<0.05)。综合分析认为,生绒期辽宁绒山羊日粮中HMBi的适宜添加量为1.27%。     

药用植物提取物对绵羊采食量、养分消化及瘤胃发酵性能的影响

文章旨在探讨日粮添加不同水平药用植物提取物对绵羊采食量、采食行为、养分消化及瘤胃发酵性能的影响.试验将60头平均体重为82.76 kg的绵羊随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复4头.3组绵羊在10?w的试验期中分别饲喂基础日粮+0、80和160?mg/kg药物复合植物提取物.结果:80?mg/kg植物提取物组绵羊的平均...     

Effects of supplementing rare earth element cerium on rumen fermentation,nutrient digestibility,nitrogen balance and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle

The objectives of the trial were to investigate the effects of supplementing rare earth element (REE) cerium (Ce) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, methane (CH₄) production, nitrogen (N) balance and plasma biochemical parameters in beef cattle. Four Simmental male cattle, aged at 14 months, with initial liveweight of 355 ± 8 kg and fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, were used as experimental animals. The cattle were fed with a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of concentrate mixture and corn silage. Four levels of cerium chloride (CeCl₃·7H₂O, purity 99.9%), that is 0, 80, 160 and 240 mg CeCl₃/kg DM, were added to basal ration in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 15 days, of which the first 12 days were for pre‐treatment and the last 3 days were for sampling. The results showed that supplementing CeCl₃ at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM increased neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility (p < 0.05) and tended to increased acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility (p = 0.083). Supplementing CeCl₃ at 80, 160 or 240 mg/kg DM decreased the molar ratio of rumen acetate to propionate linearly (p < 0.05). Supplementing CeCl₃ at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM decreased total N excretion, urinary N excretion and increased N retention (p < 0.05), increased excretion of total urinary purine derivatives (PD) (p < 0.05) and decreased CH₄/kg DMI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing CeCl₃ at 160 or 240 mg/kg DM in the ration of beef cattle increased the digestibility of NDF, decreased the molar ratio of rumen acetate to propionate, increased N retention and microbial N flow and decreased CH₄/kg DMI.     

青贮非常规原料对绵羊养分摄入、氮代谢及瘤胃发酵性能的影响

文章旨在研究青贮非常规原料对绵羊养分摄入、氮代谢及瘤胃发酵性能的影响.将体重一致的90头绵羊随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复5头.试验期间对照组和处理组绵羊分别饲喂青贮非常规饲料原料(马铃薯茎块和木薯按照1:1青贮)水平为0、10％和20％的全混合日粮.结论:随着日粮青贮非常规原料添加水平的升高,绵羊粗脂肪摄入量显...     

不同苹果渣水平对关中奶山羊泌乳性能、养分表观消化率、血清生化指标及瘤胃液pH值的影响

为研究饲粮中添加不同苹果渣水平对关中奶山羊泌乳性能、养分表观消化率、血清生化指标及瘤胃液pH值的影响,选取体重[(50.81±1.53)kg]、胎次(第3胎)、产奶量[(2.15±0.05)kg·d-1]、泌乳日期[(125.00±2.51)d]相近或一致的健康关中奶山羊50只,随机分成5组,每组10只羊,每只羊为1个...     

Effects of heat exposure on nutrient digestibility, rumen contraction and hormone secretion in goats

The present study investigated changes in nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, behavior and hormone (growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1)) secretion among goats (three male goats) in a hot environment (H, 35 ± 1.2°C; relative humidity (RH), 80 ± 7.2%; 13 days), in a thermoneutral environment (T, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days), and in a thermoneutral environment accompanied by the same restricted diet as provided in the hot environment (TR, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days). The following results were obtained: rectal temperature and water intake were higher in the H treatment than in the T treatment or TR treatment, while hay consumption was lower. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility was highest in H treatment. The concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the rumen was also highest in the H treatment. Time spent eating in the H treatment was also the highest, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. Ruminating time was lower in H treatment than in T treatment or TR treatment, and reposing time was highest in the TR treatment. When eating and ruminating, the amplitude values of the rumen contraction were lowest in the H treatment, as was the frequency of rumen contraction. Excretion of plastic particles was faster in T treatment and TR treatment than H treatment. Heat exposure was associated with world lowered concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid in plasma. The plasma glucose concentration was highest in the T treatment, followed in order by TR treatment and H treatment. The plasma GH concentration was lowest in the H treatment, while the plasma insulin was highest in the H treatment. The IGF‐1 concentration was highest in the H treatment, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. In conclusion, heat exposure in goats decreased feed intake and rumen contraction, but increased digestibility. However, when goats in a thermoneutral environment received the same restricted feeding as they received in the hot environment, digestibility increased without a change in rumen contraction. Between the H treatment and TR treatment, the changes in digestibility were accomplished by coordinate changes in hormone secretion in order to maintain body homeostasis.     

Effect of several supplemental Chinese herbs additives on rumen fermentation, antioxidant function and nutrient digestibility in sheep

Two experiments were carried out in this study. Experiment 1 was conducted to examine the effects of several supplemental Chinese herbs on antioxidant function and slaughtered body weight in sheep. Results indicated that Fructus Ligustri Lucidi supplementation improved the blood antioxidant function [higher concentration of glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase and lower concentration of malondialdehyde] and slaughtered body weight in sheep (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 was conducted to investigate the effect of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract (FLLE) on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility in sheep. Four levels of FLLE treatments, i.e. 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg dry matter (DM), were used in this part. Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and propionate proportion, decreased ammonia-N concentration in the ruminal fluid, reduced blood urea nitrogen concentration at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Addition of FLLE at all dosages had no effect on ruminal pH value and acetate concentration at all sampling time points in sheep (p > 0.05). Dynamic degradation coefficient c of maize DM was significantly increased by supplementing FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on degradation coefficients a, b, c of DM and nitrogen of soybean meal; a, b of maize DM; a, b, c of maize nitrogen; and a, b, c of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of Chinese wildrye (p > 0.05). Addition of FLLE at 300 or 500 mg/kg DM increased DM and organic matter digestibility of diet (p < 0.05). Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition had no effect on digestibility of diet's NDF, ADF and crude protein (p > 0.05). From the aforementioned results, it is indicated that FLLE improved antioxidant status and slaughtered body weight. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract addition has capability to modulate rumen fermentation, increase the maize degradation rate, total volatile fatty acid concentration and propionate proportion in sheep.     

Supplementation of cottonseed meal on feed intake, digestibility, live weight and carcass parameters of Sidama goats

The experiment was conducted at Dilla Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) College in Ethiopia using twenty-four yearling intact male Sidama goats with a mean body weight (BW) of 16.8 ± 1.14 kg (mean ± SD). The objective of the experiment was to examine the effect of different levels of cottonseed meal (CSM) supplementation on the feed intake, digestibility, BW gain, and carcass parameters of Sidama goats. The experiment consisted of 90 days of feeding trial and 10 days of digestibility trial followed by evaluation of carcass parameters at the end of the experiment. The treatments included ad libitum feeding of hay (T1, control) and daily supplementation of CSM at 200 g (T2), 300 g (T3) and 400 g (T4) per head on dry matter (DM) basis. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design. The experimental goats were blocked on initial BW and six goats were randomly assigned to each treatment. Hay DM, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake were higher (P < 0.001) in the non-supplemented than in the supplemented goats, however, the contrary was true for total CP intake. Total DM intake was higher (P < 0.001) for goats supplemented with the high level of CSM than those on the control treatment. Among CSM supplemented goats, the intake of CSM DM, CP, NDF (P < 0.001) and total CP (P < 0.01) were higher in the order of T4 > T3 > T2. The high level of supplementation with CSM resulted in better (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility coefficient (DC) of DM and organic matter (OM) compared to the non-supplemented goats. The apparent DC of CP was higher (P < 0.01) for supplemented than non-supplemented goats. The non-supplemented goats had lower daily BW gain, empty BW, dressing percentage on slaughter weight base, rib-eye muscle area (P < 0.01), BW change (P < 0.001), final BW (P < 0.05) and higher feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) than the supplemented ones. The medium level of supplementation resulted in higher daily BW gain (P < 0.01), BW change (P < 0.001), final BW (P < 0.05) and lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) than the lower level of supplementation, but with no differences (P > 0.05) in these parameters with the high level of supplementation. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementation of CSM at 300 g DM per head per day resulted in better animal performance parameters in Sidama goats.     

日粮中添加不同水平紫苏籽对湖羊生长性能、瘤胃发酵及养分表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加不同水平紫苏籽(Perilla frutescens seed,PFS)对湖羊生长性能、血清生化指标、养分表观消化率及瘤胃发酵的影响。选取2月龄、平均初始体重为(23.02±1.36) kg的湖羊公羔60只,依据日粮中PFS含量随机分成为:对照组(Control)、5%紫苏籽组(5%PFS)、10%紫苏籽组(10%PFS)和15%紫苏籽组(15%PFS)。预试期14 d,正试期70 d。饲喂试验结束前21 d,从各组随机挑选4只羊进行7 d的消化代谢试验。试验结束后称重,计算平均日增重(ADG),并采集瘤胃液和血液分别用气相色谱法、比色法、全自动生化分析仪和酶联免疫分析法测定瘤胃液挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)、氨态氮(NH₃-N)、血清中总蛋白(TP)、尿素氮(UN)、葡萄糖(Glu)和血清中生长激素(GH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)等。结果表明,日粮中PFS水平对湖羊生长性能(干物质采食量、平均日增重和料重比)、血清生化指标(TP、UN、Glu、GH和IGF-1)、瘤胃pH和瘤胃液乙酸、丙酸及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)等含量的影响不显著(P>0.05),但随着PFS添加水平的升高,乙酸、丁酸和TVFA的含量呈降低趋势,丙酸呈上升趋势;与对照组相比,15% PFS组中NH₃-N和乙酸/丙酸极显著降低(P<0.01);添加PFS不影响日粮中粗脂肪(EE)和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的表观消化率(P>0.05),但干物质(DM)、有机物(OM)和中性洗涤纤维(NDF)的表观消化率随着PFS添加水平升高而下降,且15% PFS 组的DM和OM的表观消化率均极显著低于对照组(P<0.01);与对照组相比,10% PFS组的粗蛋白(CP)表观消化率极显著提高(P<0.01),而15% PFS组的极显著降低(P<0.01)。综上所述,湖羊日粮中添加PFS水平为10%时,饲喂效果较好。     

Effects of over-load iron on nutrient digestibility,haemato-biochemistry,rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep

There is a risk of iron overload in grazing livestock. However, the effects on nutrient absorption and rumen function induced by excessive iron have not been well understood. Therefore, the purpose of present study was to investigate the impact of over-load iron on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry, rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep. Twenty-four German Mutton Merino cross-bred sheep with weight (42.66 ± 2.34 kg BW) were randomly divided into 4 groups, each with 6 replicates and 1 sheep per replicate. The basal diet consisted of 60% Leymus chinensis hay and 40% concentrate. The sheep in 4 groups were fed the basal diets supplemented with 50 (Control), 500 (T1), 1,000 (T2) and 1,500 (T3) mg Fe/kg as ferrous sulphate monohydrate (FeSO₄·H₂O) respectively. And the actual contents of iron in the diet were determined to be 457.68 (control), 816.42 (T1), 1,256.78 (T2) and 1,725.63 (T3) mg/kg respectively. The experiment lasted 62 days including a 7-day metabolism trial. During the whole experiment, the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre showed a quadratic increase with increasing over-load iron levels (p < .05), and maximum responses were found with 500 mg/kg supplementation. However, the response of total VFA concentration showed a quadratic decrease, as did the concentrations of propionate, butyrate and valerate (p < .05). Serum total iron-binding capacity on day 30 showed a quadratic decrease with the increase in high-dose iron, while the serum iron content increased linearly at day 60 (p < .05). Excessive iron resulted in the change in bacterial communities. An increase in over-load iron linearly decreased the abundance of bacteria in the phylum Bacteroidetes (p < .05), but linearly increased the Firmicutes (p = .037) and Proteobacteria (p = .018). In addition, there was a quadratic effect (p = .003) on the Fibrobacteres, which was higher in the 500 and 1,000 mg/kg Fe-supplemented groups. At the genus level, there were quadratic effects on the abundances of Selenomonas_1 (p = .023) and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 (p = .016). Furthermore, feeding of iron linearly increased the relative abundances of Succiniclasticum and Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 (p < .05). These results indicate that increasing ferrous sulphate monohydrate in diets had no negative impact on the growth performance, but it changed nutrient digestibility, blood iron parameters, rumen fermentation and bacterial communities in sheep.     

甜菜粕替代玉米对肉牛生长性能及瘤胃发酵成分的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同水平甜菜粕替代玉米对肉牛生长性能、瘤胃发酵能力及营养物质表观消化率的影响。试验选择初始体重为(237.2±24.5)kg的肉牛36头,随机分为4组,每组9头牛,每头牛作为1个重复,试验共进行20周。试验基础日粮以玉米和青贮高粱为主,处理组分别用33%、67%和100%甜菜粕等量替代玉米。结果:试验期间肉牛总增重和日增重随甜菜粕替代水平的升高表现为显著二次曲线效应(P<0.05),料比表现为显著二次曲线降低(P<0.05)。日粮添加甜菜粕显著提高肉牛瘤胃pH(P<0.05),33%甜菜粕替代玉米组瘤胃氨氮含量最高(P<0.05);随着日粮甜菜粕添加水平的升高,总脂肪酸、乙酸、丁酸含量及乙酸与丙酸比值表现为显著线性升高(P<0.05),而丙酸和异丁酸含量表现为显著线性降低(P<0.05)。有机物、粗蛋白质、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维和纤维素摄入量随日粮甜菜粕水平的升高表现为显著二次曲线增加效应(P<0.05),而粗脂肪摄入量表现为显著二次曲线降低效应(P<0.05)。有机物、中性洗涤纤维、纤维素和半纤维素表观消化率随甜菜粕水平的升高表现为显著线性升高(P<0.05)。血清肌酸酐、胆固醇水平随甜菜粕添加水平的升高表现为显著线性降低(P<0.05),而血清尿素氮、甘油三酯、IGF-1、皮质醇和T4含量表现为显著二次曲线升高效应(P<0.05)。结论:在本试验条件下,肉牛日粮用甜菜粕替代玉米可有效提高营养物质的消化率,改善肉牛瘤胃的发酵能力,在不损害动物健康的前提下提高日增重,降低料肉比,其适宜替代水平为67%。     

Effect of Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus) ensilaging with two developed enzyme cocktails on feed intake,nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation in sheep

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of feeding Atriplex halimus (AH) silage treated with two developed enzyme cocktails to sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation. The AH silage was treated without or with 2 L of ZAD1^® or ZAD2^®/1000 kg with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Barley grain (300 g/head/day) was fed as an energy supplement once daily at 10.00 hours and AH silage with or without enzyme treatment was offered ad libitum to animals twice daily at 09.00 and 16.00 hours. Sheep were fed on four experimental forage diets comprised of AH silage and barley (D1), AH silage treated with ZAD1^® and barley (D2), AH silage treated with ZAD2^® and barley (D3) and AH silage treated with a combination of ZAD1^® and ZAD2^® (1:1) and barley (D4). Ensiling AH with enzymes reduced its contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. The dry matter intake of AH of D2, D3 and D4 decreased (P < 0.001) as compared to D1. However, enzyme‐treated diets had greater total digestible nutrients intake (P < 0.001) as compared to D1. The nutrients digestibility for D2, D3 and D4 were higher than those for D1 (P < 0.001), and were higher for D3 as compared to both D2 and D4. Sheep fed on D3 had highest (P < 0.001) ruminal total volatile fatty acids concentration, ammonia nitrogen concentration and microbial protein yield. It could be concluded that AH silage treated with ZAD1^® or ZAD2^® improved digestibility and rumen fermentation in sheep.     

The effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake,nutrient digestibility,growth performance and blood parameters of growing calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood metabolites of growing calves. Forty Holstein calves (BW = 100 ± 11 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 10) in a complete randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted of the following: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet supplemented with 0.0003% of dietary dry matter (DM) sodium monensin, (iii) low level of garlic powder (Low‐GAR; 0.5% of dietary DM) and (iv) high level of garlic powder (High‐GAR; 1% of dietary DM). DM intake (DMI) and DM digestibility were (p < 0.05) decreased by High‐GAR. However, calves supplemented with Low‐GAR had a similar DMI to the control calves and similar DM digestibility to the control and monensin groups. The digestibility of other nutrients were not affected by the treatments. Although supplementing monensin relative to Low‐GAR increased the DMI (p < 0.05), average daily gain was similar between Low‐GAR and monensin supplemented calves, which were higher than the control and High‐GAR groups (p < 0.05). As a result, feed conversion ratio was improved in the Low‐GAR group versus other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Administrating garlic powder decreased the blood low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and non‐esterified fatty acids (p < 0.05) without affecting the blood triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein and beta‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations. In conclusion, the calves fed the Low‐GAR showed an improved FCR and blood metabolites without changing the DMI and nutrient digestibility. It suggests that garlic powder could be used as an alternative to monensin for growing calves under the current feeding conditions.     

Basic data on food intake, nutrient digestibility and energy requirements of lorikeets

Although knowledge of the nutrient requirements of pet birds has increased a lot over the last few years, basic data on food and water intake and the energy requirements of nectarivorous species, such as lorikeets, are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to try to generate some of these data for lorikeets kept at maintenance. Determination of the daily maintenance energy requirement enables calculation of the daily ration and thus, the appropriate nutrient concentrations in order to maintain body weight. Investigations were carried out with six Goldie's lorikeets (GL; Trichoglossus goldiei: 40-50 g BW; 1-4 years) and six rainbow lorikeets (RL; Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus: 120-140 g BW; 1-12 years). Three of the most commonly used diets/foods (commercial 'lory soup'/apples/pollen: crude ash - 52.9/17.8/18.8; crude protein - 178/32.5/191; crude fat - 52.8/0.89/73.1; crude fibre - 17.9/40.5/30.4; starch - 139/not detectable/127; sugar - 522/859/418 g/kg DM; ME - 13.9/14.6/10.9 MJ/kg DM) were individually offered ad libitum. The measured dry matter (DM) intake (g/100 g BW) corresponded well to the values reported for granivorous bird species of similar body mass. Both lorikeet species achieved an apparent digestibility of organic matter of more than 90% for apples, approximately 82% for 'lory soup' and approximately 55% for pollen. The water content of the food affected the DM content of the excreta; 8% when fed 'lory soup', 2% for apples and approximately 30% when fed pollen. Regression analysis of body weight change relative to energy intake demonstrated constant body mass (assuming no change in body composition) when the daily energy intakes were 860 (GL) or 650 (RL) kJ ME/kg BW(0.75).