Fattening performance, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics of calves sired by Charolais, Simmental and Eastern Anatolian Red sires mated to Eastern Anatolian Red dams

Comparisons were made among calves sired by Charolais (C), Simmental (S) and Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) breeds of bulls for fattening, carcass and meat quality traits when mated to EAR dams. C- and S-sired calves had 43.1% and 36.4% higher daily weight gain, 44.5% and 43.9% heavier final weight in fattening, respectively. Calves produced by C sires had best feed efficiency value (6.51 vs. 7.44 and 7.22) compared to the S and EAR sire breed groups. Carcasses of C- and S-sired calves had heavier weight, higher dressing percentage and greater Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle area than those of EAR-sired calves. USDA yield grades were lower (P<0.01) for carcasses from C and S sires, and highest for carcasses from EAR calves. C-sired calves received higher (P<0.01) ratings for panel tenderness score, lower shear force value and number of chews before swallow than S- and EAR-sired progeny. Overall results of the study suggested that fattening performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics might be considerably improved by using C sires in the crossbreeding program as sire breed.     

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on fattening performance, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, and meat quality traits of Awassi lambs

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on growth, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, and meat quality traits of Awassi male lambs at approximately 8 months of age. The lambs were divided into two groups as control (CG, n=12) and experimental (VG, n=12) at the beginning of the fattening period. The CG and VG lambs were fed with a concentrate and grass hay close to ad-libitum by biweekly adjustment of the amount offered. In addition, the VG received a supplement of 45 mg vitamin E per lamb per day during a 75-day fattening period. Inital weight, final weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were 31.8±1.40 kg, 45.5±1.37 kg, 183±13 g and 7.6 for CG, 32.5±1.45 kg, 46.7±1.42 kg, 189±15 g and 7.0 for VG, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation did not have a statistically significant effect on animal performance traits, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages, but produced an 8.1% improvement in feed conversion efficiency. After slaughter, carcasses were chilled at 4?°C for 24 h. Then, the carcasses were dissected into wholesale cuts, and m. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles excised. The samples of muscle were subjected to moisture, protein, ether extract and ash analyses. Samples were cooked for shear test and cooking yield measurements. There were no significant differences between CG and VG lamb groups in chemical composition of meat samples from the LD muscles. Though the influence of vitamin E supplementation on color parameters (L*, a*, b*) was not statistically significant, the mean a* (redness) values decreased on days 2 and 4 and increased on days 7 and 12 of the storage period. However, the a* values of muscles from the VG were higher than those grouping CG. L* and a* values in LD muscle from vitamin E-treated lamb groups were also preserved for a period of 12 days of maturation. In this study, drip loss was relatively preserved by vitamin E supplementation to the diet of animals. The results showed that vitamin E supplementation to the diet of Awassi male lambs at an inclusion rate over the amount of nutritional recommendations relatively reduced lipid oxidation, drip loss and tended to maintain meat redness.     

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on performance and meat quality traits of Morkaraman male lambs

This research was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on meat quality traits of approximate 8 months of age Morkaraman male lambs. The lambs were divided into two groups-control (CG, n=7) and experimental (VG, n=6)-at the beginning of fattening period. The diet given to the CG and VG consisted of concentrate and grass hay. In addition, the VG received a supplement of 45 mg vitamin E per lamb in a day during a 75-day fattening period. At the end of the study, average daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency values as to feed basis were found to be 208 g and 6.3 for CG and 223 g and 6.0 for VG groups, respectively. Vitamin E supplementation resulted in 8.8% improvement in feed conversion efficiency. In the same way, vitamin E supplementation resulted in 6.7% increase in daily weight gain. Slaughter and carcass characteristics of lambs were also determined, but fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics were not significantly different between groups. The effects of vitamin E on meat characteristics, meat colour (L*, a* and b*), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content (TBARS), drip loss and pH were determined using m. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles obtained from CG and VG. Though the effect of vitamin E supplementation on most of the meat quality traits was not statistically significant (P>0.05), L* and a* values in LD muscle from VG were preserved for a period of 12 days of maturation. In addition, a* (redness) tended to increase slightly. TBARS values in samples from CG were found to be higher than those of vitamin E treatment group. In this study, it was also concluded that drip loss was relatively preserved by vitamin E supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation of Morkaraman male lambs at an inclusion rate over the amount of nutritional recommendations, significantly reduced lipid oxidation, drip loss and tended to maintain meat redness.     

Effects of dietary humate supplementation to broilers on performance,slaughter, carcass and meat colour

BACKGROUND: This experiment was designed to examine the effect of dietary humate supplementation primarily on pH and colour parameters of carcasses, breast fillets and drumsticks and, secondarily on performance and carcass characteristics in broilers. RESULTS: A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments varying in supplemental humate level (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% for H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃). Dietary humate supplementation did not affect performance traits and slaughter, hot carcass weights and yields. Carcass‐related variables (pH, L*, a*, b*, H* and C*) were responsive to the dietary treatments. The L*, a*, b*, and C* values for drumstick muscles were higher than those for breast muscles. Except for the L* value, meat colour parameters changed due to packaging. The a* value was higher and b* value was lower for vacuum packaged breast and drumsticks than for those aerobic packaged. Storage period affected colour parameters; while L*, b*, H* and C* values were higher for drumstick skin than for drumstick meat; the a* value was greater in drumstick meat than in skin. CONCLUSION: pH and colour parameters of carcasses, breast fillets and drumsticks of broilers were improved by dietary humate supplementation. However, responses of broiler performance and slaughter and carcass characteristics were minimal. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Dietary Ram Horn Hydrolysate (RHH) on the pH and Color Characteristics of Carcasses,Breast Fillets and Drumsticks of Broilers

This study was conducted to define the effects of ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) on the pH and color properties of carcasses and dissected products in broilers. Two-hundred and forty male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were fed with basal diets supplied with RHH for 4 wks. Chicks were allocated to four dietary treatments (H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups) in a completely randomized experimental design. Feed and water were offered ad libitum consumption and lightening was continuous throughout the experimental period. H₀ group was fed only the basal diet and given normal drinking water. Treatment groups were fed with basal diet plus a 1% (H₁), 2% (H₂), and 3% (H₃)-RHH-added water in place of normal drinking water to meet the daily water requirements of chickens from 1 to 28 days of ages. At the end of the trial all birds were slaughtered, then the ranges of pH and skin color of carcasses were determined at various times during the first 24 hour (1, 3, 7, 12, 17, and 24). After standard dissection of carcasses, breasts and drumsticks were divided into two groups for vacuum and aerobic packaging. Packed breasts and drumsticks were stored at 3 60.58 C, for 12 days, and the color values were determined. The pH values of H₃ group were lower than those of H₀, H₁ and H₂ groups (p < 0.05). The lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values increased during the 24-h period. The H₀ group had the higher b* values than those of RHH-added groups (p < 0.05). The L*, a* and b* values of drumstick meats were higher than those of the breast meats (p < 0.05). The values of b* in aerobic packaged breasts and drumsticks were higher than the vacuum packaged (p < 0.05) treatments. The b* values increased with storage. The a* values of RHH-supplied groups were higher than that of the control (p < 0.05), while b* value of control was higher than those of the RHH-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). While the L* and b* values of drumstick skin were higher than that of drumstick meat, a* values in drumstick meats were higher (p < 0.05). The vacuum packaging increased the a* value during storage. As a result, the use of RHH in broiler diets had a significant effect on the L*, a*, and b* values of carcasses and dissected tissue (p < 0.01).     

Effects of dietary humate supplementation on performance,egg quality and egg yolk fatty acid composition in layers

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of humate on performance, egg quality and egg yolk fatty acid (FA) composition in laying hens. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty White Lohmann layers at 46 weeks of age were assigned randomly to seven groups, each with 18 replicate cages of five hens. Control diet (C) and C supplemented with 0.10 (H1), 0.15 (H2), 0.20 (H3), 0.25 (H4), 0.30 (H5) and 0.35 (H6) wt% humate were offered for 25 weeks. Humate supplementation improved performance variables and egg quality indices including shape index, yolk colour, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit, but not specific gravity, shell strength and shell thickness. Average feed intake (g), egg production (%), egg weight (g) and feed efficiency for the groups were 118.9, 87.2, 68.1 and 2.07 (C), 118.8, 87.7, 66.3 and 2.08 (H1), 119.3, 89.8, 66.6 and 2.03 (H2), 119.5, 88.9, 66.9 and 2.05 (H3), 118.3, 86.5, 66.9 and 2.11 (H4), 119.3, 90.6, 66.9 and 2.02 (H5) and 123.6, 88.5, 66.1 and 2.16 (H6) respectively. Palmitoleic acid concentration increased from 4.34% (C) to 7.65% (H5) and stearic acid concentration decreased from 7.39% (C) to 5.39% (H6) of total FA. CONCLUSION: Dietary humate supplementation improved performance, inner egg quality parameters and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of supplemental ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) at different levels on growth performance and slaughter traits of broilers

This study was carried out to determine the influence of ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) supplementation on the growth performance and slaughter traits of broilers. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross 308), received from a commercial hatchery at 1 day of age, were allocated to four dietary treatments (H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups) in a completely randomized experimental design. Feed and water were offered ad libitum and lighting was continuous throughout the experimental period. The H₀ group was fed with basal diet plus normal drinking water. The H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups were fed with basal diet plus 1%, 2% and 3% RHH‐added water, respectively, in place of normal drinking water to meet the daily water requirements of broiler chicks from 1 to 28 days of age. All birds were housed in batteries from 1 to 21 days, and in grower broiler pens to 49 days. Feed intake and body weight gain were recorded weekly per pen. The average final body weights were 2524.9, 2601.2, 2441.7 and 2424.9 g for the H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The average daily weight gains were 50.66, 52.25, 49.05 and 48.65 g, respectively, and the supplementation had no significant effect on this parameter. Daily feed consumptions were 96.18, 95.25, 91.70 and 90.75 g, respectively, and the difference between control and treatment groups was significant (P < 0.01). The feed conversion ratios (FCR) were, respectively, 1.79, 1.71, 1.73 and 1.81 (P > 0.05). At the end of the trial all birds were slaughtered to determine the slaughter traits. The hot carcass weights and yields were 1874.0, 1934.7, 1767.0, 1845.3 g and 75.78, 77.80, 75.00, 77.41%, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). In addition, offal weights were determined and it was observed that there was no difference among the groups. Abdominal fat pad weights were similar in all groups. The H₁ group experienced more effects on some performance and slaughter traits than the control and the other RHH‐treated groups, and the supplementation of diets with RHH at a level of 1% improved broiler performance. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of dietary humate on the pH,TBARS and microbiological properties of vacuum‐ and aerobic‐packed breast and drumstick meats of broilers

The current trial determined the influence of dietary humate, including humic, fulvic and ulmic acids and some microminerals on the pH, TBARS and microbiological properties of vacuum‐packed and aerobic‐packed breast fillets and drumsticks of broilers. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments (H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups). A basal diet (H₀), basal diet plus 0.1 (H₁), 0.2 (H₂) and 0.3% (H₃) humate (Farmagulator DRY^?, Humate, Farmavet International Inc, Kocaeli 41 400, Turkey) were offered during the experimental feeding period. At the end of the trial all chicks were slaughtered. After standard dissection of carcasses, the breasts and drumsticks were divided into two groups for vacuum packaging or aerobic packaging. Packed breasts and drumsticks were stored at 3 °C for 12 days. The breasts and drumsticks were analyzed for pH, TBARS, total mesophilic, total psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriacea counts at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days of storage. The feeding of humate decreased pH values of breast fillets and drumstick muscles (p < 0.01), especially at the 0.1% level. The TBARS value decreased (p < 0.01) when compared with the without‐humate group (H₀). Total aerobic mesophilic (p < 0.01), total aerobic psychrotrophic (p < 0.01) and lactic acid bacteria (p < 0.05) counts were lower in the H₃ group than the other groups. The effect of meat type on pH, TBARS, total aerobic mesophilic (p < 0.01) and lactic acid bacteria (p < 0.05) and Enterobacteriacea counts was significant. While the pH and TBARS values of breast fillets were lower than those of drumstick meats, the total mesophilic, total psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriacea counts of drumstick meats were higher than those of breast fillets. The effect of packaging type on pH (p < 0.01), TBARS (p < 0.01), total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria (p < 0.01) and Enterobacteriacea counts (p < 0.01) was found statistically significant and the maximum values were determined in the aerobic‐packed samples. In addition, investigated parameters were also affected by storage period. While the total aerobic mesophilic count decreased, the other parameters increased when compared with zero day of storage. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of diets containing different levels of common vetch (Vicia sativa) seed on fattening performance,carcass and meat quality characteristics of Awassi male lambs

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of common vetch seed (CVS), used at various levels (0, 15 and 25%), as a protein source in diets replacing different proportion of barley, wheat bran and soybean meal on fattening performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics of Awassi male lambs at approximately 8 months of age. The lambs were divided into three treatment groups, T1 (control, fed a diet without CVS; n = 12), T2 (15% CVS; n = 12) and T3 (25% CVS; n = 12), at the beginning of the fattening period. The T2 and T3 lambs were fed with a concentrate including 15 and 25% of ground CVS. The main protein source was soybean meal in T1 diet treatment, partially replaced by vetch in T2 and T3 diet treatments. All groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate mixture offered ad libitum, and 300 g of grass hay per lamb per day during the 60 day fattening period. Daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (concentrate and hay consumption for 1 kg of live weight gain) were 1.716 kg, 0.26 kg and 6.60 for T1, 1.756 kg, 0.28 kg and 6.27 for T2 and 1.806 kg, 0.29 kg and 6.23 for T3, respectively. Growth, carcass and meat quality traits were almost the same across the groups. In conclusion, CVS supplementation to diets of Awassi lambs at a 0, 15 and 25% rates showed no statistical differences in fattening performance, wholesale cuts of carcasses, meat color parameters (L* = lightness, a* = redness, b* = yellowness, H = huge angle and C = chroma) and pH values, but there were numerical differences (improvement) in feed conversion efficiency. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry