• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.371-373
• /
• 2004

A total of sixty 67 week-old Manina White strain laying hens were individually housed in cages to investigate feed consumption pattern during the day in relation to time of oviposition. Hourly feed intake and time of oviposition were recorded for each bird for seven days. Mean hourly feed intake of all hens showed a smaller peak at 10:00-12:00 and a larger peak at 17:00-19:00. There were no significant differences in amount of daily feed consumption and hourly eating pattern between egg-laying days and non-laying days. However, hens consumed about 10 g more feed (p<0.01) on egg-forming days (the day before oviposition) than on non-eggforming days. Hourly feed intake decreased prior to oviposition, but increased immediately during the time of oviposition. The peak consumption during the evening hours (17:00-19:00) was consistent regardless of the time of oviposition.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2021

A total of fourteen primiparous sows' (Landrace × Yorkshire) were used to determine the effects of two patterns of feed intake during early gestation on the growth performance and litter characteristics in sows. Daily feed intake from day 5 to 112 of gestation for parity 1 sows was 2.2 kg·d^-1 of feed offered with the exception of seven sows who were offered 3.2 kg·d^-1 from day 90 to 108 of gestation (TRT A) or 2.5 kg·d^-1 (d 5 - 60) and 2 kg·d^-1 (d 60 - 90) of feed with the exception of seven sows who were offered 3.5 kg·d^-1 from day 90 to 108 of gestation (TRT B). The different feed intake patterns in early gestation did not have a significant effect on body weight, backfat thickness, or body condition score during, before, and after farrowing (p > 0.05) respectively. However, initial to d 60, backfat thickness difference was significantly improved by TRT B patterns of feed intake during early gestation. In addition, during the overall experiment, average daily feed intake was significantly enhanced for sows in the dietary TRT B group feed intake pattern (p = 0.0001). The fecal score during day 90 was significantly reduced (p = 0.0132) in sows fed with TRT B feed intake pattern. Litter size, litter survival rate, and initial weight showed no significant differences with different feed efficiency of gestating sows. In summary, the results indicate that the 2.5 kg·d^-1 gestation intake pattern allowed gestating sows to obtain optimal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.1717-1725
• /
• 2000

The objective was to determine the relationship between feed intake levels and patterns, and growth performance and body composition of barrows and gilts using automatic feed intake recording equipment (F.I.R.E.). This system records the time of visits to the feeder and the duration and size of meals for individual animals housed in groups. Ninety-six crossbred pigs were grown from $33.4{\pm}0.51$ to $109.7{\pm}1.39kg$ live weight over a 13-week period. Eight mixed-sex groups of 12 pigs were used and 4 dietary treatments were compared giving 2 pens per treatment. The dietary treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal diets with differing protein levels which ranged from 14.7% to 19% between 30 to 55 kg, from 13.3% to 16.9% between 56 and 85 kg, and from 12.3% to 16.8% for the remainder of the study. Animals were ultrasonically scanned to measure loin-eye area and backfat thickness to estimate carcass fat-free lean content at the beginning and end of the study. Barrows had higher daily feed intake than gilts (2.67 vs. 2.46 kg resp. p<0.05) which was the result of a longer feeder occupation time per visit (4.77 vs. 4.54 min, resp. p<0.05), higher feed consumption rates (30.4 vs. 29.0 g/min, resp. p<0.05), and higher feed intakes per visit (136.9 vs. 126.8 g, resp. p<0.01). Gilts had less backfat and greater loin-eye area than barrows (p<0.05). Diet had no significant effect on growth performance and had limited impact on feeding patterns. Body weight showed high correlations with ADG (r=0.74), feed intake per visit (r=0.51) and feed consumption rate (r=0.69). Positive correlation were also found between daily feed intake and feed intake per visit (r=0.45), feeder occupation time per day (r=0.56), and feed consumption rate (r=0.55), and between daily feed intake and backfat thickness (r=0.32) and feed consumption rate and loin-eye area (r=0.32). There were negative correlations between number of feeder visit per day and daily feed intake (r=-0.54), and between feed intake per visit and number of feeder visits per day (r=-0.43). However, correlations between feed intake traits and carcass traits were generally low. Visits to the feeder were greatest during the morning (0700 to 1100 h) and lowest during the evening and nighttime. These results highlight limited variation among the sexes in feeding patterns and suggest important relationships between feeding behavior and feed intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.11
• /
• pp.1427-1435
• /
• 2010

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of a stair-stepped feed intake pattern on growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers. Twenty-seven 11-month-old Hanwoo steers were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was fed according to the Korean steer feeding program, and the other two groups were fed according to an alternated feeding schedule of 3-2-4-2 months. During the first three months of the experiment, treatment group 1 (T1) and treatment group 2 (T2) were fed 20% and 30% less than the control group, respectively. For the following two months, the T1 group was fed 20% more than the control group while the T2 group was fed 20% less than the control group. In the third step, T1 and T2 groups were fed 20% and 10% less, respectively, than the control group for four months. In the last two months, T1 and T2 groups were fed 20% more than the control group. After the stair-step feeding trial, steers were fed concentrated feed ad libitum for five months. The altered feed intake pattern did not affect daily body weight gain. However, daily feed intake tended to decrease and growth efficiency tended to increase in the two treatment groups compared to the control group. Altered feed intake also affected blood metabolite levels. The serum glucose and BUN level of the T1 group increased in the first re-fed period compared to the T2 and control groups. The serum cholesterol level of the T2 group decreased in the first restricted-re-fed growth period compared to the T1 and control groups. The serum NEFA levels of the two treatment groups increased from the first restricted period compared to the controls. The serum insulin level of the T2 group increased in the last period compared to the T1 and control groups. Regarding meat yield index, the control group was significantly higher than the T2 group (p<0.05). Regarding meat yield grade, the carcass back fat thickness of the T2 group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In marbling score, the T1 group was the highest (4.9), followed by the control group (4.1) and the T2 group (4.0). These results indicate that using a stair-stepped growth pattern (T1) can contribute to improvements in growth efficiency and muscle marbling.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.261-266
• /
• 1996

Carcass analysis of most economical parts of broilers were studied after they were fed with different protein levels of 16, 18, 20 and 23% for the starter period and 16, 18 and 20% for the grower period. The energy value of the feed was constant at 3,200 kcal ME/kg. The results for the starter and grower broilers showed similar pattern of responses. There were significant increased in weight gain, feed intake, protein intake, while there were significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio (FCR), abdominal fat and carcass fat when dietary protein increased. For the economical parts of the carcass, most of the fats were found in the thigh meat, while the lowest was found in the breast meat. The protein levels did not influence the meat production of the breast, drumstick and thigh portion. Increasing the protein intake, increased the broiler performance in relation to increased protein content of the breast, drumstick and thigh meat. The different fat contents of the meat might be due to differences in the rate of lipogenesis and fat deposition of the meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.951-955
• /
• 1999

The effects of restricting feed [60% of ad libitum (AL) intake] (FR) or water provided from 0900 h to 1600 h, daily) (WR) or both (FWR) from 14 to 42 days of age on heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) response and performance in broiler chickens under the hot humid tropical conditions were determined. Feed and/or water limitation retarded growth, but had no adverse effect on overall feed conversion ratio and survivability. The trend for total feed and water consumption was similar to body weight pattern with AL>WR>FR>FWR. The nutritional regimens had significant effect on overall water:feed ratios with FR>(AL=WR)>FWR. Restriction of feed and/or water resulted in marked elevation of H/L ratios. As measured by H/L ratios, the effect of adapting to FR dissipated between 16 to 21 days after the onset of feed restriction. The H/L ratios of WR and FWR birds remained elevated throughout the duration of the experiment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.837-843
• /
• 2001

Two experiments were conducted to compare the feed intake patterns and growth performance of Meishan and Yorkshire growing pigs. Experiment 1 was carried out over a 6-wk period and used 48 barrows with equal numbers of purebred Meishan (M) and Yorkshire (Y). Pigs were allocated to four groups of 12 pigs consisting of equal numbers of M and Y. Initial BW were $36.4{\pm}0.32kg$ and $42.1{\pm}1.41kg$ for M and Y, respectively. Experiment 2 was carried out over a 5-week period and used 48 pigs consisting of equal numbers of both barrows and gilts and of crossbred Meishan$\times$Yorkshire (MY) and purebred Yorkshire (Y) animals. Pigs were allotted to 6 pens of 8 pigs, with 4 single- and 2 mixed-genotype groups (initial $BW=28.5{\pm}0.99kg$). In both experiments, pigs were given ad libitum access to a grower diet (17% crude protein, 0.9% lysine, 3365 kcal/kg ME) via feed intake recording equipment (F.I.R.E.). Pigs carried an ear-tag transponder with an unique identification which allowed the time, duration, and size of individual meals to be recorded. In Exp. 1, Y had higher ADG (721 vs 353 g, p<0.01), daily feed intake (DFI; 2.338 vs 1.363 kg, p<0.01), made more frequent visits to the feeder per day (NFV; 18.5 vs 7.7, p<0.01), had a shorter feeder occupation time per visit (FOV; 7.4 vs 12.9 min, p<0.01), and ate less feed per visit (FIV; 130 vs 177 g, p<0.01) than M pigs. Feed consumption rates (CR) were greater for Y compared to M (19.3 vs 14.8 g/min, p<0.01). Feeder occupation time per day (FOD) was longer for Y than M (114.3 vs 82.8 min/pig, p<0.01). Yorkshire pigs visited the feeder more frequently between 0800 and 1100 h. Meishan pigs showed more frequent feeder visits between 0600 and 0800 h, and between 1600 and 2100 h when feeding competition with Y was reduced. In Exp. 2, there was no effect of genotype or group composition on DFI, ADG or gain:feed ratio. Crossbred pigs (MY) made fewer feeder visits (12.6 vs 17.7, p<0.01), and had greater FIV (124 vs 98 g/visit, p<0.01), and longer FOV (8.11 vs 7.24 min/visit, p<0.01) and FOD (112 vs 100 min, p<0.05) than Y pigs. Results of this study suggest substantial genetic variation in feeding patterns as well as in growth performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.1121-1126
• /
• 2000

Daily variation in the serum concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I and in the plasma concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine were evaluated in ewes fed 30%, 100% and 200% of theoretical maintenance energy requirements. The single daily meal has had significant effects (p<0.05) on almost all profiles. In general, serum or plasma hormone concentrations have increased after the meal, in particular at the two higher levels of energy intake. In the group submitted to the lowest level of energy intake, the consequences of the meal on circulating levels were almost imperceptible. The effects of feeding levels on serum or plasma concentrations have widely varied among hormones, not showing any objective pattern or relationship. Because these variations may affect the interpretation of these blood indicators, knowledge of daily profiles and of the effect of feed level must be considered. In order to maximize the diagnostic value of those indicators, the most suitable times for blood collection seem to be 16 h after the meal and (or) just before the meal. The collection 16 h after the meal apparently allows the characterization of a relatively steady metabolic state, intermediate between the close effects of food intake and the final phase of the intensification of body reserves mobilization. The collection just before the meal will give a good indication of the level of activity of those mobilization mechanisms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.593-600
• /
• 2006

The effects of breed and sex on individual growth performance and feeding behaviour were studied between 45 and 90 kg BW in two replicates of forty group-housed pigs. The first and the second replicates were carried out during the warm season (i.e. between February and April 2003) and during the hot season (i.e. between August and October 2003), respectively. During the warm season, ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged $25.3^{\circ}C$ and 86.0%. The corresponding values for the hot season were $27.9^{\circ}C$ and 83.6%. The pigs were grouped in pens of 10 animals on the basis of breed (Creole or Large White) and sex (gilt or castrated male) and given ad libitum access to a grower diet (9.0 MJ/kg net energy and 158 g/kg crude protein) via feed intake recording equipment (Acema 48). An ear-tag transponder was inserted into each pig and this allowed the time, duration, and size of individual visits to be recorded. The growth performance and feeding pattern were significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. The Creole pigs (CR) had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (642 vs. 861 g/d, p<0.01) and carcass lean content ($LC_{90kg}$) (35.4 vs. 54.5%; p<0.01) and a higher backfat thickness at 90 kg BW ($BT_{90kg}$) (23.4 vs. 10.4 mm; p<0.01) than Large White pigs (LW) whereas the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was not affected by breed (2.34 vs. 2.22 kg/d, respectively for CR and LW pigs; p>0.10). Consequently, the food:gain ratio was higher in CR than in LW (3.65 vs. 2.58; p<0.01). CR had less frequent meals but ate more feed per meal than LW (5.9 vs. 8.8 meals/d and 431 vs. 279 g/meal; p<0.01). The rate of feed intake was lower (27.6 vs. 33.9 g/min; p<0.01) and the ingestion time per day and per meal were higher in CR than in LW (87.1 vs. 69.7 min/d and 15.8 vs. 8.4 min/meal; p<0.01). The ADFI and BT90 kg were higher (2.38 vs. 2.17 kg/d and 18.1 vs. 15.9 mm; p<0.05) and LC90 kg was lower (43.5 vs. 46.4%; p<0.01) in castrated males (CM) than in gilts (G) whereas ADG was not affected by sex (p = 0.12). The difference in lean content between CM and G was greater in CR than in LW. The ADFI and ADG were reduced during the hot season (2.18 vs.2.38 kg/d and 726 vs. 777 g/d, respectively; p<0.05) whereas feed conversion and carcass lean content were not affected by season (p>0.05). Average feeding time per meal and meal size decreased during the hot season (10.9 vs. 13.2 min/meal and 316 vs. 396 g/meal; p<0.01) whereas the rate of feed intake was not affected by season (p = 0.83). On average, 0.69 of total feed intake was consumed during the diurnal period. However, this partition of feed intake was significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. In conclusion, the breed, sex and season significantly affect performance and feeding pattern in growing pigs raised in a tropical climate. Moreover, the results obtained in the present study suggest that differences observed in BW composition between CR and LW are associated with difference in feeding behaviour, in particular, the short-term regulation of feed intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.1429-1432
• /
• 2000

Three groups of 7, 8 and 8 barrows (22 weeks age; 35 kg body weight), reared on grower diets were fed ad libitum on three isonitrogenous finisher diets containing 50, 71 and 92% wheat bran by replacing maize grain till the attainment of about 74 kg slaughter weight. Growth pattern, average daily gain, feed intake, feed/gain ratio and carcass traits were similar in all the groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, CF, NFE total carbohydrate and energy (DE) decreased (p<0.01) with the increased level of wheat bran in the diet. However, CP digestibility was comparable among all the diet and the digestibility of EE was significantly (p<0.01) higher in grainless diet ($FD_3$). It appears that maize grain may be completely replaced with wheat bran in the diet of crossbred pigs without any adverse effect on their performance with respect to feed intake, body weight gain and carcass characteristics.