Effect of enzymes,flavor and organic acids on nutrient digestibility,performance and carcass traits of growing–finishing pigs fed diets containing dehydrated lucerne meal

BACKGROUND: We recently determined that 150 g kg^?1 of lucerne meal can be fed during the finishing period without detrimental effects on pig performance but lucerne should be limited to less than 75 g kg^?1 during the growing period. Lucerne has a high fiber content, is poorly digested and contains antinutritional factors such as saponins which reduce palatability. Therefore, pig performance could be enhanced by supplementing lucerne‐containing diets with feed additives such as flavors, enzymes or organic acids. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of these additives on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass traits when fed to growing‐finishing swine fed diets containing lucerne. RESULTS: Flavor and enzyme had no effect on nutrient digestibility, pig performance or carcass traits. During the growing period, inclusion of propionic and acetic acids increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy. Weight gain and intake also increased (P < 0.05). None of the additives had any effect on pig performance during the finishing period or on carcass traits. CONCLUSION: During the growing period, including 200 g kg^?1 lucerne was detrimental to pig performance. Addition of organic acid improved pig performance and nutrient digestibility. During the finishing period, 200 g kg^?1 lucerne can be successfully incorporated into pig diets without negative effects on pig performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional value of feed grade chickpeas for ruminants and pigs

The feeding value of feed grade chickpeas (Kabuli and Desi type) for ruminants and pigs was determined in two studies. Two ruminally fistulated cows were used in the first study to determine the effects of moist heat treatment (127 °C for 10 min) on the ruminal protein degradability of feed grade chickpeas. Heat treatment reduced (P < 0.05) soluble crude protein and increased (P < 0.05) the amount of crude protein associated with neutral detergent fibre for both types of chickpeas. Ruminal degradability of crude protein for Kabuli and Desi chickpeas was reduced by 39 and 33% (P < 0.05) respectively as a result of heating. In the second study, 64 crossbred pigs were each assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a factorial (4 treatments × 2 sexes) design experiment. The experimental barley/wheat‐based diets were supplemented with either soybean meal (control), Kabuli chickpeas (300 g kg⁻¹), Desi chickpeas (300 g kg⁻¹) or field peas (300 g kg⁻¹). Dry matter and gross energy digestibility coefficients, determined using the indicator method, were lower (P < 0.05) for the Desi‐ than for the Kabuli‐supplemented diet. However, no differences were observed in dry matter or gross energy digestibility between the Kabuli chickpea‐supplemented diet and the control or the field pea‐supplemented diet. Diets supplemented with chickpeas or field peas had a lower (P < 0.05) crude protein digestibility than the control diet. Pigs fed either of the chickpea‐supplemented diets during the growing phase gained less (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the control diet. However, during the finishing phase and over the entire experiment, dietary treatment had no effect on pig performance. There were no significant differences in carcass traits between pigs fed any of the four diets. It was concluded that moist heat treatment is an effective method to increase the rumen escape protein value of chickpeas and that the inclusion of feed grade Kabuli or Desi chickpeas in finishing diets up 300 g kg⁻¹ had no detrimental effects on pig performance. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Interaction between lactose levels and antimicrobial growth promoters on growth performance of weanling pigs

In experiment 1, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate the interaction between lactofeed (LF70) (860 g kg^?1 whey permeate, 140 g kg^?1 soya bean meal) level (175 g kg^?1 and 350 g kg^?1) and avilamycin (0 and 40 mg kg^?1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. Pigs were fed starter diets from day 0 to day 22 and a transition diet was fed from day 23 to day 39. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1. Pigs fed 350 g kg^?1 LF70 had a higher daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01) and an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the starter period than the pigs fed 175 g kg^?1 LF70. Pigs fed medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.05) and an improved FCR (p < 0.05) than the non‐medicated fed pigs during the starter period. There was an increase in feed intake (AFI) (p < 0.05) during the transition period with increasing levels of LF70. There was an improvement in FCR during the transition period with the inclusion of avilamycin (p < 0.01). There was a significant interaction (p < 0.01) between LF70 and avilamycin for ADG during the transition period. The inclusion of avilamycin at 175 g kg^?1 LF70 inclusion had no effect (p > 0.05) on ADG. However at 350 g kg^?1 LF70 inclusion the pigs offered medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.001) compared with non‐medicated diets. In experiment 2, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial to investigate the interaction between LF70 level (175 g kg^?1 and 350 g kg^?1) and zinc oxide (ZnO) (0 and 3.1 g kg^?1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1 and of ZnO was 2 g kg^?1. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ADG with increasing levels of LF70 during the starter period. The inclusion of ZnO during the starter period resulted in an increase in ADG (p < 0.001) and FCR (p < 0.05) compared with no ZnO inclusion. Neither the inclusion of zinc oxide not of LF70 had an effect (p > 0.05) on performance during the transition period. In conclusion the supplementation of starter diets with increasing levels of LF70, ZnO and avilamycin resulted in increased ADG and improved FCR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of fibre level and fat supplementation in expander‐processed diets on grower–finisher pig performance

Seventy‐two entire male pigs (40.4 ± 1.0 kg) were used to study the effects of increasing crude fibre (CF) level in the diet and maintaining the digestible energy (DE) content of the diet by increasing dietary fat inclusion on pig performance and nutrient digestibility in a 3 × 2 factorial experiment. Productive performance and nutrient digestibility were determined in individually fed pigs offered expander‐processed pelleted diets ad libitum containing three levels of CF (50, 60 and 70 g kg^?1) and two levels of fat supplementation (25 and 50 g kg^?1) until slaughter at 100 kg. All diets were expander processed at 105 °C for 5 s at 35 bar pressure having been previously conditioned at 85 °C for 5 s. All diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of digestible energy (13.5 MJ kg^?1) and lysine (10 g kg^?1) and the fat source was a 60:40 blend of tallow and palm oil. The increase in dietary CF level decreased (P < 0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude protein, organic matter (OM) and energy, while the inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat decreased (P < 0.01) OM and energy digestibility. The inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat in the diet increased (P < 0.01) ether extract digestibility at the 50 and 60 g kg^?1 CF levels; however, fat inclusion had no effect at the 70 g kg^?1 CF level. There was no CF × fat interaction in any growth criteria. The inclusion of 50 g kg^?1 fat in the diet significantly reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake (2.28 versus 2.43 kg day^?1, SEM 0.039), average daily gain (ADG; 0.877 versus 0.927 kg day^?1, SEM 0.017) and DE conversion ratio (36.1 versus 35.0 MJ kg^?1, SEM 0.40). The increase in dietary CF level decreased (linear, P < 0.05) feed intake (2.45 versus 2.32 versus 2.29 kg day^?1, SEM 0.040), ADG (0.940 versus 0.896 versus 0.872 kg day^?1, SEM 0.021) and kill‐out proportion (740 versus 741 versus 730 g kg^?1, SEM 3.6). In conclusion, increasing both the CF level and supplementary fat inclusion rate had a negative effect on pig growth performance and nutrient digestibility. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of phytase inclusion and calcium/phosphorus ratio on the performance and nutrient retention of grower–finisher pigs fed barley/wheat/soya bean meal‐based diets

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphorus (P) level and calcium (Ca)/total P (tP) ratio on the efficacy of microbial phytase. Experiment 1 examined the effects of P concentration and microbial phytase inclusion on mineral excretion and pig performance, while experiment 2 examined the effects of Ca/tP ratio and microbial phytase inclusion on mineral excretion and pig performance. In experiment 1, nutrient and mineral digestibility (n = 4) and growth performance (n = 12) were determined in pigs individually fed diets containing (T1) 5.5 g kg^?1 tP, 2.3 g kg^?1 available P (aP) and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca, (T2) 5.5 g kg^?1 tP, 2.3 g kg^?1 aP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 Peniophora lycii phytase, (T3) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 1.4 g kg^?1 aP and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and (T4) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 1.4 g kg^?1 aP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase. In experiment 2, nutrient and mineral digestibility (n = 4) and growth performance (n = 12) were determined in pigs individually fed diets containing (TT1) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP and 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca, (TT2) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 8.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase, (TT3) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP and 5.0 g kg^?1 Ca and (TT4) 4.3 g kg^?1 tP, 5.0 g kg^?1 Ca and 750 FYT kg^?1 P lycii phytase. All diets were formulated, using standard feeding values for the ingredients, to have similar concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and lysine. In experiment 1, pigs offered the low‐P diets had significantly lower P intake (P < 0.001), faecal P excretion (P < 0.05), Ca intake (P < 0.05) and faecal Ca excretion (P < 0.05) compared with pigs given the adequate‐P diets. These pigs also had significantly lower daily gain (P < 0.01), feed intake (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05). The inclusion of phytase in both the adequate‐ and low‐P diets increased the digestibility of energy (P < 0.05) and Ca (P < 0.01) but had no effect on pig performance. In experiment 2, lowering the Ca/tP ratio from 1.85:1 to 1.15:1 increased the DE content of the diet (P < 0.05). The inclusion of phytase increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of protein (0.874 versus 0.840, SEM 0.009) and Ca (0.427 versus 0.380, SEM 0.019) as well as the DE content of the diet (14.47 versus 14.26 MJ kg^?1, SEM 0.073). There was a significant ratio × phytase interaction (P < 0.5) for P digestibility. Microbial phytase significantly increased P digestibility when added to the 1.15:1 ratio diet but had no effect when added to the 1.85:1 ratio diet. The inclusion of microbial phytase increased feed intake (2.16 versus 2.00 kg day^?1, SEM 0.05; P < 0.05) and weight gain (0.893 versus 0.818 kg day^?1, SEM 0.022; P < 0.05). Lowering the Ca/tP ratio resulted in a significant improvement in FCR (2.32 versus 2.40 kg kg^?1, SEM 0.03; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the beneficial effects of microbial phytase supplementation of pig diets are adversely affected by a wide Ca/tP ratio. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cassava leaf meal as a replacement for coconut oil meal in pig diet

Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate cassava leaf meal (CLM) as a replacement for coconut oil meal (COM) in tropical pig diets. In each trial, 36 pigs (initial weight, 14.5 kg) were limit fed diets containing 0, 133, 267 and 400 g kg^?1 CLM substituted for equal amounts (w/w) of COM in a 179 g kg^?1 protein basal diet. An extra-period Latin-square changeover design with 2-week periods was used. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved when diets containing 133 g kg^?1 CLM were fed, which may be attributed to the higher lysine content of CLM. Daily gain and feed efficiency of pigs fed diets containing 267 g kg^?1 CLM were similar to those on the basal diet. Poor performance of pigs fed the 400 g kg^?1 CLM diets may be explained by the low energy content and the presence of anti-nutritional factors, such as cyanide and tannin, in CLM. Two balance trials were conducted using 16 barrows (castrated male pigs, initial weight, 37.2 kg). Apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, energy, protein, cell contents, cell wall and hemicellulose were depressed, whereas those for ash and lignin were improved as CLM was substituted for COM. The data indicate that cassava leaf protein is utilised efficiently, although other nutrients in CLM are not as digestible as those in COM.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of cysteamine on growth performance,carcass quality,serum hormones and gastric ulcer in finishing pigs

A study was conducted to determine the effects of graded levels of dietary inclusion of a cysteamine (Cs) preparation on growth performance, carcass quality, plasma hormone levels, gastric pH and occurrence of gastric ulcer in finishing pigs. A total of 384 Landrace × Large White finishing pigs, (192 gilts and 192 barrows) with an average initial body weight of 66.05 ± 0.623 kg (mean ± SEM) were randomly divided into 24 floor pens, with eight gilts and eight barrows in each pen (9.2 m²) as one experimental unit. The 24 pens of pigs were randomly allocated to one of three diets: (1) a maize/soybean meal basal diet; (2) the basal diet plus 30 mg Cs kg^?1 diet; and (3) the basal diet plus 50 mg Cs kg^?1 diet. Dietary supplementation of Cs had quadratic effects (P < 0.01) on final body weight and average daily gain, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1. Dietary supplementation of Cs quadratically improved (P < 0.01) average daily feed intake and feed/gain ratio, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1. Dietary supplementation of Cs had a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) on muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of Cs reduced (P < 0.05) back‐fat thickness. Dietary supplementation of Cs had quadratic effects (P < 0.05) on plasma glucagon and T₃ hormone levels, with optimal responses occurring at 30 mg kg^?1, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on plasma growth hormone, insulin and T₄ levels. There were no apparent pathological changes seen in the stomach mucosa of pigs fed at 30 mg Cs kg^?1 compared with the control diet. It is concluded that a low dose of dietary inclusion of Cs at 30 mg kg^?1 can improve growth performance and carcass quality without adverse effects on the stomach in finishing pigs. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary fibre level and enzyme inclusion affect nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in grower pigs

An experiment was conducted with 12 grower pigs to determine the effects of (1) manipulating dietary neutral detergent fibre (NDF) level and (2) dietary inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes on nutrient digestibility and excreta characteristics in pigs. Four diets were formulated to contain three levels of NDF: 1, 66 g kg^?1 NDF (low fibre); 2, 121 g kg^?1 NDF (moderate fibre); 3, 222 g kg^?1 NDF (high fibre); 4, diet 3 plus 2.0 g kg^?1 enzyme. Increasing levels of dietary NDF linearly decreased dry matter and energy digestibilities (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Lowering dietary NDF from 222 to 121 g kg^?1 improved nitrogen digestibility by 13% (P < 0.01). Faecal production was decreased by 9% for each 1% decrease in dietary NDF content (r² = 0.99, P < 0.05). Inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in the high‐fibre diet improved dry matter and energy digestibilities by 2 and 3% respectively, and reduced faecal production by 10% (P < 0.01). Faecal and manure (faeces plus urine) pH values from pigs fed the high‐fibre diet and the high‐fibre plus enzyme diet were lower than those from pigs fed the other experimental diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, lowering the dietary NDF level or inclusion of fibre‐degrading enzymes in high‐fibre diets may offer relatively practical and easy methods for reducing waste production in pigs. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional value of an extruded spent hen–soybean meal blend for pigs and ruminants

Two studies were conducted to determine the feeding value of an extruded spent hen meal–soybean meal (SHSB) blend (50:50 spent hen/soybean meal) for pigs and ruminants. In the first trial, 60 crossbred pigs were assigned to one of five dietary treatments in which 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of soybean meal was replaced by the SHSB blend as a protein source. Total tract nutrient digestibility coefficients (obtained using the indicator method) were determined using six barrows per treatment. Results showed that digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein (CP) and gross energy were not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of the SHSB blend in the diet and averaged 75.3, 74.3 and 74.0% respectively. Average daily gain during the growing period (22–54 kg) increased (P < 0.05) as the level of the SHSB blend increased to 50% of the supplementary protein. However, higher replacement levels reduced the average daily gain of growing pigs (quadratic effect P = 0.037). Inclusion of the SHSB blend had no effect on average daily gain during the finishing period (54–76 kg). Feed intake decreased linearly (P = 0.042) as the level of the SHSB blend in the diet increased. Consequently, feed conversion improved linearly (P = 0.001) in response to increased levels of the SHSB blend. Two ruminally fistulated cows were used in the second trial to determine the ruminal degradability of the SHSB blend relative to meat meal, canola meal and brewers' grains. Effective ruminal CP degradability of the SHSB blend was similar to brewers' grains, lower (P < 0.05) than canola meal and higher (P < 0.05) than meat meal. The estimated ruminal undegraded protein value for the SHSB blend, meat meal, canola meal and brewers' grains was 547, 593, 417 and 546 g kg⁻¹ of CP, respectively. It was concluded that the SHSB blend could replace 50% of soybean meal during the growing period and 100% during the finishing period with no adverse effects on pig performance. The SHSB blend could serve as a source of both ruminal degraded and undegraded protein for ruminants. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chemical composition,nutritive value and voluntary intake of tropical tree foliage and cocoyam in pigs

The composition of the leaves of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and of two trees (Trichanthera gigantea and mulberry, Morus alba), their nutritive value in pigs and voluntary intake by pigs were determined. The average protein content ranged from 170 to 240 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM) and that of neutral detergent fibres from 218 to 398 g kg^?1 DM. The leaves are interesting sources of calcium (up to 69 g kg^?1 DM), potassium, iron and manganese. The proteins are well balanced in essential amino acids, with lysine ranging from 43 to 57 g kg^?1 proteins. The apparent faecal digestibility was determined by difference in 35 kg pigs fed a diet containing 35% leaf meal. The digestibility coefficients of DM, N and energy were, respectively, 47–57, 33–36 and 51–53%. The digestible energy value ranged from 1.674 to 2.037 kcal kg^?1 DM. The voluntary intake of Trichanthera and Xanthosoma was measured in sows weighing 100 kg on average. The intake reached 3.4 kg fresh leaves day^?1 (0.51 kg DM) and 1.0–1.1 kg dry leaf meal/day. It is concluded that low energy density is the main limiting factor of tree foliage for pig nutrition but that they are good sources of minerals and well‐balanced proteins. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ileal digestibility of defatted soybean,lupin and chickpea seed meals in cannulated Iberian pigs: II. Fatty acids and carbohydrates

Five castrated male Iberian pigs (100 ± 2 kg mean live body weight) fitted with T‐shaped ileal cannulas were used to determine ileal digestibility of legume seed meals. The diets were based on defatted soybean (256 g kg^?1), lupin (451 g kg^?1) or chickpea (731 g kg^?1) seed meals and contained similar amounts of digestible energy (14.2–15.1 kJ g^?1) and protein (107 g kg^?1). Only myristic acid (C14:0) ileal apparent digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in lupin than in chickpea meal. Ileal apparent digestibility of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (710–920 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of saturated (480–710 g kg^?1) FA for both seed meals. Ileal digestibility of chickpea starch was 850 g kg^?1. Ileal digestibility of oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and ciceritol) in lupin (820 g kg^?1) and chickpea (690 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of defatted soybean (510 g kg^?1). However, total amounts of oligosaccharides digested were higher (p < 0.05) for lupin and chickpea meals (29.6 and 24.6 g kg^?1 feed respectively) than for soybean (15.2 g kg^?1 feed). Among individual non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP) sugars, ileal digestibility values for rhamnose and xylose in lupins were higher (p < 0.05) than those for soybean or chickpea. Ileal digestibility of lupin meal NSP (650 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than those of soybean (560 g kg^?1) or chickpea (430 g kg^?1). Up to the terminal ileum, higher (p < 0.05) amounts of lupin total NSP (94.1 g kg^?1) than for soybean (24.3 g kg^?1) or chickpea (27.1 g kg^?1) were digested. Lactate, acetate and isobutyrate concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin and chickpea seed meals compared with soybean‐fed animals. It is concluded that higher lactate and short chain fatty acids concentrations in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin or chickpea seed meals compared with soybean are likely to be the result of higher total amounts of lupin NSP and/or lupin and chickpea oligosaccharides digested up to the terminal ileum. This might have a protective effect on Iberian pig's intestinal physiology. Both lupin and chickpea meals are likely to constitute a valuable alternative to defatted soybean in Iberian pig feeding. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary supplementation with antimicrobial peptide‐P5 on growth performance,apparent total tract digestibility,faecal and intestinal microflora and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs

BACKGROUND: The increase in drug‐resistant bacteria and the ban on antibiotic growth promoters worldwide make the search for novel means of preventing bacterial infection and promoting growth performance imperative. In this sense, antimicrobial peptides are thought to be ideal candidates owing to their antimicrobial properties, broad spectrum of activity and low propensity for development of bacterial resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with antimicrobial peptide‐P5 (AMP‐P5) on weanling pig nutrition. RESULTS: A total of 240 weanling pigs were allotted to four treatments on the basis of initial body weight. There were four replicates in each treatment, with 15 pigs per replicate. Dietary treatments were negative control (NC, basal diet without antimicrobial), positive control (PC, basal diet + 1.5 g kg^?1 apramycin), basal diet with 40 mg kg^?1 AMP‐P5 (P5‐40) and basal diet with 60 mg kg^?1 AMP‐P5 (P5‐60). Pigs fed the PC or P5‐60 diet showed improved (P < 0.05) overall growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy and reduced (P < 0.05) faecal and intestinal coliforms compared with pigs fed the NC diet. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that dietary supplementation with 60 mg kg^?1 AMP‐P5 has the potential to improve the growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and reduce coliforms in weanling pigs. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The interaction between threonine and avilamycin on piglet performance and diet digestibility post weaning

A 3 × 2 factorial experimental design was used to investigate the interaction between threonine level (8.6, 10.5 or 12.1 g kg^?1) and an antimicrobial growth promoter (0 or 60 mg kg^?1 avilamycin) in piglet starter diets. Three hundred and sixty weaned piglets (24 d of age; 5.9 kg live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and assigned to one of six dietary treatments. The treatments were (1) 8.6 g kg^?1 threonine and avilamycin, (2) 10.5 g kg^?1 threonine and avilamycin, (3) 12.1 g kg^?1 threonine and avilamycin, (4) 8.6 g kg^?1 threonine and no avilamycin, (5) 10.5 g kg^?1 threonine and no avilamycin and (6) 12.1 g kg^?1 threonine and no avilamycin. The diets were formulated to have identical concentrations of digestible energy (16 MJ kg^?1) and total lysine (16 g kg^?1). There was no interaction between threonine and avilamycin in any performance variable measured. Neither the level of threonine nor the inclusion of avilamycin in the diet had any effect on feed intake, average daily gain or food conversion ratio. There was a significant interaction between threonine level and avilamycin inclusion in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, ash, neutral detergent fibre and gross energy and also digestible energy content. In the absence of avilamycin, there was a linear increase in nutrient digestibility to increased threonine levels in the diet. However, in the presence of avilamycin there was a quadratic response to increased threonine levels. In conclusion, optimum piglet performance was achieved at a threonine level of 8.6 g kg^?1 and there was no advantage to avilamycin inclusion under current conditions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tolerance of growing pigs to trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors in chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) and pigeonpeas (Cajanus cajan)

The threshold level of growing pigs to trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors was investigated by adding graded levels of meals rich in these inhibitors to diets and recording responses. Diets were formulated to contain either 250, 500 or 750 g kg^?1 of Opal chickpea, dehulled Tyson chickpea or dehulled pigeonpea meals and pig response compared to that of pigs given a wheat and soya-bean meal control. Trypsin inhibitor levels (mg g^?1) of the diets were, respectively, control, 0.2; chickpea meal 1, 1.2.32; chickpea meal 2, 1.7–4.7; pigeonpea meal, 1.4–3.6. Chymotrypsin inhibitor levels (mg g^?1) of the diets were, respectively, control, 0.2; chickpea meal 1. 0.9–2.2; chickpea meal 2, 1.6–4.5; pigeonpea meal. 0.8–2.1. The diets were offered ad libitum over the 20–50 kg growth phase. Growth responses of the pigs fed the two chickpea meals were similar to those of the pigs fed the control soya-bean meal diet (P>0.05). In contrast, the addition of pigeonpea meal linearly depressed growth rate (P<0.001), feed intake (P<0.05) and increased the feed conversion ratio (P<0.05), inclusion levels of the chickpea meals had no effect on organ weights, whereas the inclusion of pigeonpea meal significantly affected the weights of the liver and pancreas (P<0.05), indicating the presence of other anti-nutritional factors. The results indicate that the growing pig can tolerate dietary levels of at least 4.7 and 4.5 mg g^?1 of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, respectively. These threshold levels are unlikely to be exceeded in conventional diets containing the majority of grain legumes. The results also indicate that dehulled pigeonpea meal contains an anti-nutritional factor(s) for growing pigs.     

Effects of feeding an aquatic weed Lemna trisulaca as partial replacement of fish meal on the performance of growing ducklings

Growing ducklings were fed diets containing an aquatic weed Lemna trisulaca meal (LTM) replacing, on a protein basis, either 40, 60 or 80 g kg^?1 of the fish meal (FM) from a control diet which contained 120 g FM kg^?1. Partial replacement of FM (40 and 60 g kg^?1 of the FM) by LTM on a protein basis showed good growth and low food consumption but food conversion efficiency was found to be comparable. It was concluded that LTM could be considered as a protein feed supplement for growing ducklings and also as a part replacement of animal protein (FM) in the nutrition of growing ducklings without deleterious effect on performance.     

Substitution of fish silage protein and a free amino acid mixture for fish meal protein in a chicken diet

White Leghorn chickens were fed a basal diet with about 550 g kg^?1 of the protein from fish meal. Graded amounts of fish silage protein or an amino acid mixture simulating fish meal protein were substituted for parts of the dietary fish meal protein. In two experiments 150 and 300 g kg^?1 of fish meal protein were replaced by fish silage protein or by an amino acid mixture simulating fish meal. In one experiment graded amounts of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g kg^?1 of fish meal protein were replaced by fish silage protein. Growth and feed efficiency were the same or better when some of the protein was from fish silage. The results showed that replacement of dietary fish meal with fish silage did not reduce the dietary quality of the feed for young growing chickens. It is concluded that it might be advantageous to substitute fish silage for some of the fish meal under the experimental conditions used.     

Nutritional value of animal feed grade wheat as replacement for maize in lamb feeding for mutton production

The utilization of abundantly available animal feed grade wheat (AFW) as a replacement for conventional and costly cereal supplement in lamb feeding to lower the cost of mutton production was explored. Thirty‐five growing lambs divided into five equal groups and were fed diets containing 0, 118, 235, 353 or 470 g kg^?1 AFW replacing equal quantity of maize. The diets were fed in the form of composite feed mixture, which had a roughage (Prosopis cineraria leaves) to concentrate ratio of 25:75. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different in these groups, ranging from 35 to 42 g kg^?1 body weight, while AFW inclusion linearly (P < 0.05) reduced DMI. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and cellulose were not affected by AFW addition, whereas neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility coefficients were reduced (P < 0.05). The digestible CP content (142.7–162.7 g kg^?1 diet) increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increased AFW inclusion levels. However, AFW additions did not affect metabolizable energy (ME) value of diet (10.2–10.5 MJ kg^?1 diet DM). Digestible CP intake was similar but digestible DM and OM intake tended to decrease (P < 0.05) linearly when expressed in terms of g kg^?1 W^0.75. ME intake (MJ d^?1) was not different among the diets but showed linear (P = 0.041) reducing trends with increasing AFW levels in diet. The efficiency of ME and N utilization for unit gain was also not affected by AFW incorporation. N retained as g d^?1, percentage of intake and percentage of absorbed ranged from 15.4 to 19.5 g, 49.7% to 60.3% and 62.6% to 74.6%, respectively. Intake and utilization of dietary N was not affected but urinary N excretion reduced (P < 0.05) linearly by AFW. Daily microbial N (MN) flow estimated by urinary purine derivative excretion was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for lambs fed a diet with AFW 235 g kg^?1 (3.05 g MN) and 353 g kg^?1 (2.51 g MN) compared to without AFW diet (1.31 g MN). MN when expressed as g kg^?1digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) and microbial protein g kg^?1 digestible organic matter apparently fermented in rumen (DOMR) followed a similar trend. During the growth trial, lambs fed diets containing AFW (353 g kg^?1), which replaced 75% maize had higher total gain (14 kg, P < 0.05) and average daily gain (ADG 154 g, P < 0.05). However, feed efficiency (feed consumed kg^?1 live weight gain) was not different. Rumen pH and microbial enzyme activities studied 4 h post feeding revealed that AFW did not affect rumen pH, which ranged from 5.95 to 6.30. Similarly, carboxymethyl cellulase and β‐xylosidase enzyme activities were not different among treatments, but AFW inclusion linearly (P = 003) increased carboxymethyl cellulase enzyme activities. The α‐amylase enzyme activity differed significantly (P < 0.05) and was highest (22.6 IU) in groups where AFW replaced maize completely. It was concluded that, in lambs reared under intensive system for mutton production on high concentrate diets, conventional and costly energy supplements like maize can be replaced up to 75% with a low‐cost animal feed grade wheat to economize on cost of production. However, more studies are required to confirm these inclusion levels for greater economic returns. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of condensed tannin in cottonseed hulls on endogenous ileal amino acid loss in the growing rat

The effect of condensed tannin (CT) in cottonseed hulls (CSH) on endogenous ileal amino acid flow in the growing rat was evaluated. CSH contain around 900 g kg^?1 fibre and 52 g kg^?1 total CT. Twenty-four rats were allocated to four semi-synthetic diets, which contained enzymically hydrolysed casein (EHC) as the sole source of dietary nitrogen and chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Two of the diets contained no CSH while the remaining two contained 50 g kg^?1 CSH. At each level of hull inclusion (0 and 50 g kg^?1), polyethylene glycol (PEG: MW 3500) was added (6 g kg^?1) to one of the diets. The effect of CT was assessed by determining endogenous ileal amino acid loss in the presence or absence of PEG, which binds and inactivates CT. The rats were given their respective experimental diets ad libitum for 14 days. Samples of digesta were collected at slaughter from the terminal 15 cm of ileum. The digesta samples were centrifuged and the supernate ultrafiltered. The precipitate plus retentate (MW > 10000) fraction affords an estimate of endogenous loss. Inclusion of CSH in the EHC based diet increased ileal flow of total nitrogen (1387 versus 1623 μgg^?1 dry matter intake; P ≤ 0.05), increased ileal flow of total amino acids (23%; P ≤ 0.01), and significantly increased ileal flow of several individual amino acids. There was no significant effect of PEG and no PEG × diet interaction; showing that the CSH effects could not be explained by action of CT. The presence of hulls in commercial cottonseed meal would appear to contribute to the reported low apparent ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients for cottonseed meal by increasing endogenous ileal amino acid flow, but this effect is not due to the CT component of the hulls.     

Effects of enzymes in diets with varying energy levels on growth and egg production performance of Japanese quail

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed‐grade enzyme supplementation in diets with varying levels of energy on the performance of growing and laying Japanese quails. Day‐old Japanese quails, 504 in number, were subjected to six dietary treatments with six replicates at each treatment. Each replicate had 14 chicks. The dietary treatments consisted of three energy levels ie 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal), 11.30 MJ (2700 kcal) and 10.48 MJ (2500 kcal) ME kg^?1 diet and two enzyme levels (0 and 0.5 g kg^?1 diet). A metabolism trial was conducted at the fourth week of age. At the end of week 5, 10 quails (five of each sex) per treatment were sacrificed for carcass characteristics and 20 female quails from each of the six dietary groups were housed in individual laying cages and fed respective layer diet to study the laying performance and egg quality up to 20 weeks of age. Body weight gains of quails fed 12.15 MJ or 11.30 MJ ME kg^?1 diets were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those fed diets with 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Feed intake was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in birds that received diet with 12.15 MJ ME kg^?1 than in birds that diets containing either 11.30 or 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) was best at 12.15, followed by 11.30 and 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Enzyme supplementation did not improve the growth performance, feed intake or feed conversion efficiency of quails. Enzyme addition also did not influence nitrogen retention or energy or dry matter metabolizability. The carcass characteristics did not differ because of energy or enzyme supplementation. Feed intake increased significantly (p < 0.01) as the dietary energy level decreased. The egg production and quality characteristics remained almost similar in all the dietary treatments. It was concluded that the optimum dietary energy level for quail was 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal) ME kg^?1 during the growing phase and 11.30 MJ (2700 kcal) ME kg^?1 during the laying phase. Addition of feed enzymes to conventional diets containing varying levels of maize, soyabean meal, fish meal and deoiled rice bran was not beneficial to improve growth, carcass traits, egg production performance or nutrient utilization. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The nutritional value of cassava root meal in laying hen diets

Two hundred and eighty-eight laying hens (144 Hisex white, 144 Hisex brown) were randomly allocated to one of twelve dietary treatments and fed ad libitum for ten 28 day periods. The diets, fed either as mash or pelleted, were a control diet and five other diets with increasing levels of added cassava root meal (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 g kg^?1 diet). At the end of the experiment, four Hisex white birds from each treatment were taken for the measurement of water intake. The AME content of the diets was measured by the total collection method. The inclusion of high levels of cassava root meal had no detrimental effect on egg production or food intake. However, as the level of cassava increased, there was a tendency towards a decrease in food consumption in the meal-fed birds. Water consumption was significantly greater in the birds given pelleted feed than in those given mash. Also, at the higher levels of cassava inclusion in the meal-fed birds, water consumption was greater. The AME content of the cassava root meal was 14.1 MJ kg^?1 dry matter.