• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2004

Despite higher fecundity, Black Bengal goat generally has lower milk production, which is often insufficient for their multiple kids. However, milk requirement of Black Bengal kids is poorly defined. Present trial was thus designed to determine the requirement and intake of milk of pre-weaned Black Bengal kids in relation to their growth rate age and sex. Thirty, one month old Black Bengal kids of either sex divided into two groups were allocated to two groups, suckling alone (T1) or suckling along with teat-bottle feeding of milk (T2). Ten kids were allocated for the T1 and 20 kids were allocated for the T2. Digestibility of milk was also determined in T2 animals. Average daily consumption of milk, milk energy and milk N were 773 and 722 g, 1,170 and 1,093 kJ/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ and 1,552 and 1,462 mg N/kg $W^{0.75}/d$, respectively. During 9 weeks trial period, male kids had significantly higher live weight (4.32 vs. 4.20 kg; p<0.01) and intake of milk (773 vs. 722 g/d; p<0.05), energy (117 vs. 1,093 kJ/kg $W^{0.75}$/d; p<0.01) and N (1,552 vs.1,462 mg/k $W^{0.75}/d$; p<0.01) than the female. Milk consumption and the corresponding milk energy and milk N intake increased linearly up to 5th week of the trial, which, then decreased quadratically up to 9th week i.e., up to the weaning. Overall milk DM intake during this period was 2.58% (range 1.5-3.0%) of live weight or about 36 g/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ (range 29-45 g/kg $W^{0.75}/d$). Pre-weaned Black Bengal kids of about 4.5 kg weight, growing at the rate of 60 g weight daily requires at least 750 g milk daily. Daily live weight gain, estimated as the regression between the live weights over time, was 60 g ($r^2$=0.99) and 55 g ($r^2$=0.99), respectively, for the male and female kids. Efficiency of milk energy utilization for weight gain ranged from 0.67 to 0.84 (mean 0.81) for the male kid and 0.75 to 0.91 (mean 0.82) for the female kids. Efficiency of milk protein utilization for weight gain ranged from 0.46 to 0.70 (mean 0.61) for the male kid and 0.51 to 0.81 (mean 0.64) for the female kids. Additional teat-bottle feeding of suckling kids had no significant effect on their growth rate (54vs. 57 g/d). Average digestibility of milk DM, OM and N was 98.85, 98.99 and 98.69%, respectively and they were slightly (p>0.05) higher in the male than the female kids. Results suggest that the requirement of energy and protein and their utilization efficiency in Black Bengal kids is not different from that of the other breeds of goat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 1998

An experiment was conducted for 90 days using 9 growing bull calves (initial LW 71.5 kg) to investigate the effect of replacing til oil cake by poultry excreta on growth performance and nutrient utilization. The animals were randomly divided into three groups. The control group A was fed with conventional concentrate mixture containing til oil cake, rice bran, wheat bran, bone meal and common salt and the groups B and C were offered diets in which 50 and 100 percent of til oil cake of diet A were replaced by dried poultry excreta. All the animals were fed urea soaked rice straw ad libitum and concentrate mixture was given at the rate of 10 g per kg LW. Towards the end of growth trial a conventional digestibility trial was conducted. Average daily live weight gain was 216, 211 and 188 g for animals fed diets A, B and C, respectively. Average daily dry matter intake in groups A, B and C was 3.42, 3.37 and 3.30 kg per 100 kg LW, respectively. The daily live weight gain and dry matter intake did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the dietary groups. The digestibility coefficient for DM or NFE was almost similar but that for OM, CP, CF and EE was significantly different (p < 0.01) among the dietary groups. TDN percent in diets A, B and C was 57.3 53.3 and 50.8, respectively and the difference was significant (p < 0.01). Animals in all the groups were in a state of positive nitrogen balance. The results indicated that til oil cake can be replaced by dried poultry excreta in bull calf ration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1143-1150
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• 2008

An experiment was conducted in Vietnam to test the hypothesis that supplementation with cassava powder up to 2% of live weight (LW)/d (DM basis) would linearly increase digestible organic matter intake and LW gain of Laisind cattle. There were five treatments: a basal diet of elephant grass fed at 1.25% of LW and rice straw fed ad libitum or this diet supplemented with cassava powder, containing 2% urea, at about 0.3, 0.7, 1.3 or 2.0% LW. The cattle fed cassava powder at about 2.0% LW did not consume all of the supplement, with actual intake similar to the 1.3% LW treatment. Organic matter, digestible organic matter and digestible energy intakes increased (p<0.001) curvilinearly with increased consumption of cassava powder. Rice straw intake declined curvilinearly with increasing intake of cassava powder (p<0.001), and there was a small linear decline (p = 0.01) in grass intake. The substitution rate of cassava powder for forage was between 0.5 and 0.7 kg DM reduction in forage intake per kg DM supplement consumed, with no difference between treatments. Apparent digestibility of organic matter increased (p<0.001) in a curvilinear manner, while digestibility of neutral detergent fibre declined (p<0.001) in a curvilinear manner with increased consumption of cassava powder. Live weight gain increased (p<0.01) linearly with increased consumption of supplement. It was concluded that the amount of cassava powder fed should be limited to between 0.7 and 1.0% LW.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.361-365
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• 1993

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding fresh cassava roots on the performance and carcass quality of pigs raised from $15{\pm}1kg$ to 85 kg live weight. Fresh unpeeled cassava roots were chopped into chips and offered separately along with a protein concentrate made up of copra cake and meat and bone meal, and a local mineral-vitamin premix. Commercial pig grower and finisher diets served as control. A total of 24 pigs were used in an incomplete randomized split-plot design experiment. Pigs fed fresh cassava-based diet grew as fast, 0.78 vs 0.77 kg/day, and were as efficient, 3.74 vs 3.77 in converting feed into body weight gain as those fed the commercial control diet. Similarly, there were no differences in carcass quality measured in terms of dressing percentage, 77 vs 77; backfat thickness, 2.76 vs 2.78 cm; loin eye muscle area, 29.2 vs $29.1cm^2$ and in the relative proportions of the different carcass cuts between the two dietary treatments. The use of fresh cassava along with the protein and the local mineral-vitamin premix however, resulted in lowered total feed cost and cost per unit of live weight gain. It is concluded that fresh cassava roots can be fed along with copra cake, meat and bone meal protein concentrate and a local mineral-vitamin premix to fattening pigs with no adverse affects on performance and carcass quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.2031-2038
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of intermittent feeding and cold water on performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens between 4 to 6 wk of age exposed to daily high temperature. Methods: Broilers were assigned to four treatment groups according to a 2×2 factorial design between 22 to 42 d of age (80 broilers per treatment, 4 replications). Broilers were divided into two main groups as feeding type (ad-libitum [AL] and intermittent [IF] for 6 h daily) and sub-groups as water temperature (normal [NW], 24.9℃ and cold [CW], 16.4℃). Heat treatment was applied between 11.00 to 17.00 h daily between 22 to 42 d of age. Results: Live weight at 6th wk was not affected by feeding type and water temperature, but the live weight was significantly higher in IF chickens at the 5th wk (p<0.05). Average weekly gain of IF broiler chickens were higher compared to AL group at 4, 5, and 6 wk of age (p< 0.05). Although feeding type did not affect feed intake in 4 and 5th wk, feed intake was higher in IF chickens at 6th wk (p<0.01). In addition, feeding type and water temperature did not affect feed conversion ratio and interactions were not significant (p>0.05). Water temperature had no significant effect on heart, liver, gizzard, and abdominal fat percentages (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that IF increased the average weekly gain in chickens reared under daily heat stress for 6 h between 22 to 42 d of age. IF in hot environmental conditions slightly increased performance without adversely affecting health, welfare, and physiological traits, whereas CW implementation had no significant effect on performance. It can also be said that IF suppresses a sudden increase in body temperature depending on age and live weight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.647-650
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• 1996

Fifteen sheep were used in a trial which compared the feeding value of whole barley gain and cottonseed cake as supplements to a basal diet of leaves of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Diet SB contained 700 g (air-dry matter) of saltbush alone, diet SB + BG contained 700 g SB with 400 g whole barley grain and diet SB + CS contained 700 g SB with 400 g cottonseed cake. The digestibility of the dry matter of diets SB (69%) and SB + CS (70%) were lower (p < 0.001) than of diet SB + BG (76%). Sheep offered SB alone daily lost 80g whereas those fed the other diets gained 11 g (SB + CS) or 17 g (SB + BG) per day. Daily water consumption of the sheep offered the three diets was similar (p > 0.05), but their water consumption was higher (p < 0.001) than that of sheep offered daily 700 g wheat straw and 200 g barley grain. The results indicate that, at the levels of feeding used, barley grain and cottonseed cake had similar value as supplements to fourwing saltbush harvested in summer. The addition of the supplement allowed the sheep to gain some live weight. However, the presence of saltbush leaves in the diet resulted in higher water intakes by the sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2000

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a new non-conventional fibrous feed for ruminants. Evaluation on the nutritive values and digestibility of OPF was carried out using goats. In a completely randomised design, 20 local male goats were assigned to evaluate fresh and different types of processed OPF. A 60 day feeding trial was done to determine the digestible nutrient intake of fresh, ensiled and pelleted OPF and its response on live weight gain of goat. The pelleting of OPF increased (p<0.05) intake compared to fresh or ensiled OPF. The OPF based mixed pellet (50% OPF with 15% palm kernel cake, 6% rice bran, 6% soybean hull, 15% molasses, 2% fishmeal, 4% urea, 1.5% mineral mixture and 0.5% common salt) increased (p<0.05) nutrient intake, digestibility and reduced feed refusals. The mixed pellet also increased digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) at 80% and 63% level respectively than the fresh OPF. The increased digestible nutrient intake on the OPF based mixed pellet, resulted in increased live weight gain of goats. Furthermore, OPF has a good potential as a roughage source when it is used with concentrate supplement. OPF based formulated feed in a pelleted form could be used as a complete feed for intensive production of goat and other ruminants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.659-662
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• 2004

A growth trial of 60 days with 16 male buffalo calves (10 to 11 months age; 100${\pm}$7 kg live weight mean) was conducted to investigate comparative efficacy of cottonseed meal (CSM) and sunflower meal (SFM). Cottonseed meal was substituted isonitrogenously with SFM at 0, 12, 24 and 36% levels in four rations viz. A, B, C and D. Daily feed consumption was 5.07, 4.30, 4.17 and 3.20 kg, while daily weight gain was recorded to be 0.98, 0.74, 0.57 and 0.33 kg under rations A, B, C and D, respectively. In the digestibility and nitrogen balance trial using eight calves, digestibility of organic matter was 63.2, 62.9, 62.1 and 61.7, respectively. Nitrogen retained as percent of intake did not differ significantly. Sunflower meal was purchased at half the price of CSM but economics of weight gain did not favor SFM inclusion in rations. Results suggested that SFM should not be fed to buffalo calves gaining more than 0.7 kg/day.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 1995

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of internal parasites on growth rates of Thai Native (TN) and crossbred (75% TN $\times$ 25% Anglo-Nubian, AN and 50% TN $\times$ 50% AN) goats (undrenched, drenched every 3 weeks or at 9 weeks) in village environments in southern Thailand in a humid tropical climate. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in growth rate ($g/kg^{0.75}/d$) between the genotypes during unsupplemented grazing (0-64 days of the experimental period). However, during supplementary feeding (64-127 days) and throughout the period (0-127 days) TN goats had significantly (p < 0.01) lower growth rates compared with 75% TN $\times$ 25% AN and 50% TN $\times$ 50% AN goats. There was no (p > 0.05) significant difference in growth rates between 75% TN $\times$ 25% AN and 50% TN $\times$ 50 % AN goats. The growth rates of goats drenched every 3 weeks were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those undrenched or drenched at 9 weeks. The results of this study also indicate that drenching alone did not result in increased weight gain except when the nutritional status was also improved. Parasitic infection affected some blood constituents, such as pack cell volume, haemoglobin, total protein and albumin. This resulted in lower growth rates for control groups and goats drenched at 9 weeks compared to those of goats drenched every 3 weeks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.774-780
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• 2000

For this study three types of block such as medicated urea-molasses-mineral block (MUMMB, 7% urea), urea-molasses-mineral blocks ($UMMB_a$ 7% urea) and urea-molasses-mineral blocks ($UMMB_b$ 21% urea) were prepared. Naturally infested 24 indigenous dairy cows with gastrointestinal nematodes were used to study the effect of MUMMB, $UMMB_a$ and $UMMB_b$ on different parameters (body weight, milk yield, serum urea level, milk urea level). The cows were offered normal diet added with 250 g block per cow for every day. Straw and green grasses were used as basal diet in the ration. The managemental facilities for all cows of each group were similar. Cows were stall fed, calves were tied up at night and had free access to their dam during day time. Milking was done once daily in the morning. The daily average live weight gains by MUMMB, $UMMB_a$, $UMMB_b$, and control group (no block) were 52.08 g, 44.44 g, 48.58 g, and 1.41 g respectively. The live weight gain were statistically significant (p<0.01) in comparison to control group. The highest daily milk yield was observed in MUMMB treated cows (2.39 L/d); followed by $UMMB_b$ treated cows (1.82 L/d) and $UMMB_a$ treated cows (2.16 L/d). The lowest milk yield was found in control group (1.54 L/d). This result differs significantly (p<0.05) between treated groups and also with control group. During urea-molasses-mineral blocks $UMMB_a$, $UMMB_b$ licking milk urea level increased from initial $22.76{\pm}2.35mg/dl$ to $35.46{\pm}4.80mg/dl$ and initial $22.86{\pm}2.96mg/dl$ to $40.66{\pm}0.87mg/dl$ respectively. This variation of milk urea level was statistically significant (p<0.001). Similarly during $UMMB_a$, and $UMMB_b$ blocks licking, serum urea level increased in both treated groups from initial $22.76{\pm}2.60mg/dl$ to $32.68{\pm}2.21$ and initial $23.70{\pm}2.78mg/dl$ to $40.48{\pm}3.24mg/dl$, respectively. This variation of serum urea level was also statistically significant (p<0.001). Use of MUMMB instead of UMMB was proved better for milk production and live weight gain in dairy cows under the village condition of Bangladesh where balanced ration for dairy cows are a major scarcity. And various concentration of urea in blocks positively affect milk and serum urea levels of indigenous dairy cows.