• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1524-1528
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• 2006

A total of 437 animals, comprising lambs aged between 3 and 12 months and adults of either sex of Muzaffarnagari sheep maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Farah, Mathura, India were screened to assess the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection following natural infection and to identify the various factors affecting faecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) of ewes and their genetic control. The relationships between FEC, PCV and body weight were also estimated. The prevalence rate for H. contortus infection in the flock under study was 15.7% indicating much lower occurrence of worm infection in lambs up to one year of age. On the other hand, a large proportion i.e., 67.7% of sheep was refractive to natural H. contortus infection. The random effect of sire significantly contributed (p<0.01) variation in log-transformed FEC (LFEC) of ewes. The season of birth had a significant (p<0.01) effect on LFEC of ewes. The lactating ewes had significantly (p<0.01) higher faecal egg counts compared to dry and pregnant ewes. The linear regression effects of the age of ewes on LFEC of animals were significant (p<0.01) in the present study. The heritabilities of LFEC, PCV and body weights of ewes during the course of infection were moderate to high in magnitude and ranged from 0.24 to 0.47. The LFEC of ewes was significantly (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with PCV at both genetic and phenotypic level. The genetic and phenotypic relationships between LFEC and body weights of ewes were -0.26 and -0.06 for this breed. The genetic correlation of PCV and body weight of ewes was positive and high (0.58) and statistically significant (p<0.05) but it was negatively correlated (-0.01) with body weight at the phenotypic level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to establish relationships between chemical and physical parameters of wheat with performance and digestibilities of feed components in broiler chickens fed on wheat-based diets. Ninety-four wheat samples were selected for inclusion in four bird trials. Birds were housed in individual wire metabolism cages from 7 to 28 d and offered water and feed ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI), liveweight gain (LWG) and gain:feed were measured weekly. A balance collection was carried out from 14 to 21 d for determination of apparent metabolizable energy (AME), ME:gain, dry matter retention, oil and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility. At 28 d the birds were humanely killed, the contents of the jejunum removed for determination of in vivo viscosity and the contents of the ileum removed for determination of ileal dry matter, starch and protein digestibility. When wheat parameters were correlated with bird performance data, it was found that specific weight was not significantly (p>0.05) related to bird performance. Bird DMI, LWG and gain:feed were best correlated (p<0.05) with the rate of starch digestion, although the coefficients of correlation (r) were still low (0.246 to 0.523). A negative relationship (p<0.01) between AME and total (r = -0.432) and soluble (r = -0.304) non starch polysaccharide (NSP) was observed in this study. Thousand grain weight (TG) was positively correlated with DMI (r = 0.299), LWG (r = 0.343) and gain:feed (r = 0.371). When establishing multiple regression relationships, correlation coefficients greater than 0.8 were achieved for DMI, LWG, gain:feed and ileal crude protein digestibility. However, the economics involved in determining the parameters involved in the regressions make the process impractical.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.925-932
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• 2007

This study was designed to measure the effect of regrowth age of Digitaria decumbens (D. decumbens) on the intake and dynamics of digesta in the rumen of rams. Six Black-belly rams (mean liveweight: 51.6 (s.d. 0.68) kg) fitted with rumen cannulae were fed twice daily a 14-, 28-, 42- and 56-day old fresh D. decumbens successively for 4 experimental periods. The daily dry matter intake decreased curvilineary from 75.2 to 48.5 (s.e. 2.0) g/kg $BW^{0.75}$ as the age of the D. decumbens grass increased from 14 to 56 days. Dry matter intake for the first 3 h after the morning meal was 863.6, 598.3, 576.4 and 401.5 (s.e. 55.6) g for the 14-, 28-, 42- and 56-day old grasses respectively. The pool of NDF in the rumen at the end of the 3-h feeding period did not vary significantly among the four diets. Twelve hours after the beginning of the morning meal, the pool of NDF increased with the forage regrowth age. Within the total pool of NDF, the pool of large particles tended to increase with the regrowth age. It was concluded that high intake was associated with fast evacuation of NDF from the rumen. Moreover, digestion (cellulolysis) rate and degree of particle reduction by rumination are highly correlated, though speed of physical degradation of forage seems to be the driving force behind intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2007

A growth trial (Expt. 1) and an in vitro fermentation experiment (Expt. 2) were conducted to determine the response of growth performance, cecal fermentation characteristics and in vitro gas production to incremental levels of substitution of digestible fiber for lignified fiber in the diet of weaned rabbits. Three diets, formulated by substituting soyhulls (SH; used as digestible fiber source) for soybean straw (used as lignified fiber source) at substitution levels of 0, 25 and 50%, were used in a factorial design. In the growth trial (Expt. 1), increasing levels of SH substitution resulted in a quadratic increase in daily body weight gain rate (p<0.04) and feed conversion efficiency (p<0.02), but in a numerical decrease in dietary DM intake (p=0.15). When SH were included in the diet at 25% substitution level, rabbits had the highest rate of liveweight gain and feed conversion efficiency. As SH substitution level increased, pH values and ammonia-N of cecal contents linearly (p<0.001) decreased, but total VFA concentration linearly (p<0.03) increased. With incremental levels of SH substitution, the percentage of acetate and butyrate linearly (p<0.05) reduced, but the percentage of propionate and minor acids linearly (p<0.03) increased. Increasing the SH substitution levels tended to increase incidence of diarrhea. In the in vitro fermentation experiment (Expt. 2), regardless of origin of substrates fermented, increasing SH substitution level resulted in increased maximal gas production (p<0.001) and shortened gas production lag time, but had no effect on gas production rate (p>0.2). These observations suggest that incrementally feeding SH to rabbits could stimulate their cecal microbial activity, allowing cecal fermentation to shift towards favoring fiber digestion. In conclusion, digestible fiber from soyhulls may partially substitute for more lignified fiber, soybean straw, without having an adverse effect on cecal fermentative and microbial activity and growth performance. For growing rabbits, about 73% of total dietary NDF should be supplied by effective NDF, the remainder could come from digestible NDF, such as soyhulls.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2006

Studies were carried out using growing to finishing pigs to investigate adequate floor space ($m^2/pig$) in Jeju environment. A randomized block design was used to compare the effect of pig performance on 3 stocking rates (low $0.56 m^2/pig$, medium 0.70 and high 0.90). Liveweight gain and feed intake were measured over a 4 week(Growth stage 1 and Growth stage 2) period or a 3 week(Growth stage 3) period. In growth stage 1 (43 to 65 kg body weight ; BW), daily weight gain was significantly higher in the medium stocking rate than in low or high (P<0.05). However, no significant difference in daily weight gain was found among treatments in growth stage 2(65 to 91 kg) or 3 (91 to 105 kg). Dressing percentage, back fat thickness and carcass grade were also not different (P>0.05). In conclusion, daily weight gain of pigs reared in medium density appeared to be higher than in the other groups during the early growing period which is $0.70m^2/pig$ and similar to that recommended by National Livestock Research Institute, RDA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1593-1598
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• 2003

Nutritional evaluation of some agro-industrial byproducts available in Samoa [dry brewers' grains (DBG), cocoa shell (CS), cocoa dust (CD) and desiccated coconut waste meal (DCWM)] available in Samoa was carried out using both the in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study 24 Anglo-nubian goats were offered by-products with other feed ingredients to compound four different diets. The goats were randomly allocated to 4 diets on the basis of liveweight (18.7-0.3kg). The ADF content of the byproducts followed a similar trend to NDF. The byproducts have a high content of organic matter (91.0-95.4%). Gross energy (GE) content was higher in DCWM (25.1 MJ/kg DM), closely followed by CD (23.2 MJ/kg DM). Concentrate intake was significantly different (p<0.05) among the goats. Average daily live weight gains were 105, 92, 88 and 97 g/goat/day for DBG, CS, CD and DCWM, respectively. Daily live weight gains were higher (p<0.05) in the goats that received DBG, while the least gain was obtained in the goats that received CS byproduct diet. DM digestibility was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the goats on DBG diet than in the other goats. The least DM digestibility was obtained in the goats that received CD diet (p>0.05). CP digestibility followed a similar pattern to DM digestibility. The digestibility of NDF and ADF was influenced by the nature of the diets. The digestibility of OM and GE were best (p<0.05) in the goats that received DBG, DCWM and CS byproduct diets than in CD. Significant differences (p<0.05) among the byproducts were recorded for net gas production. Potential gas production (a+b) ranged from 7.064 to 42.17 ml. Organic matter digested (OMD) from gas production value at 24 h was higher in DBG (47.6 g/kg DM) and this was followed by DCWM (42.5 g/kg DM). The least OMD was obtained in CD (17.9 g/kg DM). A significant difference (p<0.05) in DM disappearance after 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h was recorded. The potential and effective degradability varied significantly (p<0.05) from 85.95-99.6 g/kg DM and from 39.9-65.8%, respectively. The digestibility of the byproducts in both the in vivo and in in vitro techniques demonstrated that they are potential source of feed ingredients for ruminant livestock in Samoa and possibly in the other small Pacific Island countries. On the basis of their potential degradability the byproducts could be ranked in the following order:DCWM>DBG>CD>CS. In conclusion, the results obtained suggest that all the byproducts can contribute to ruminant livestock diets without adverse effects on feed intake, growth rate and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1428-1432
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• 2002

Thirty-six (20 wethers and 16 rams) adult Gansu highland finewool sheep with an average liveweight of $19.42{\pm}1.83kg$ were used. The sheep were allocated to 4 treatments and confined in individual feeding stalls. The 80 day feeding trial was divided into 2 periods of 38 and 42 days. The sheep had access to clean water and were fed chopped wheat straw ad libitum. Daily supplemented diets of 150 g for the first period and 200 g for the later period were provided. The 4 types of supplements were: Wheat bran type (I), which is the traditional feeding practice in the area and the control group; Linseed cake type (II); Linseed cake+poultry litter type (III); Poultry litter+distiller grains type (IV). The digestibility trial was conducted using a total collection method at the end of the first period in the feeding trial. The results showed that the digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in group II and III were increased to more than 50%. CP and NDF digestibility in group II were significantly increased by 23.6% and 25.5% respectively over group I (p<0.01) and by 10.1% and 13.1% respectively over group III (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in group IV was lower than group I by 4.4 to 8.4% (p>0.05). Compared to group I, group II and III increased straw intake by 17.6% (p<0.01) and 10.8% (p<0.05). The ADG increased from 16.2 g in group I to 45.3 g and 32.8 g (p<0.01) in group II and III respectively. The ratio of supplement intake to gain decreased from 10.7 in group I to 3.9 and 5.4 (p<0.01) in group II and III respectively. The ratio of supplement cost to gain also decreased by 60.0% and 64.3%, respectively. The wool growth rate and wool strength in these 2 groups were noticeably improved. This significantly enhanced the wool's textile value. The above parameters in group IV were lower than in group I, except the ratio of supplement cost to gain. This research indicates that local low quality nitrogen resources could be used effectively and economically to improve the utilization of wheat straw fed to sheep on smallholder farms under harsh loess plateau conditions in the winter.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.36.1-36.9
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• 2015

Background: This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with rice bran, sire breed and gender on live animal performance and carcass characteristics in Australian crossbred and purebred Merino lambs. Methods: Forty-eight lambs balanced by sire breed (Dorset, White Suffolk, Merino) and gender (ewe, wether) were randomly allocated into three dietary supplementation groups (Control- 24 lambs fed wheat/barley-based pellets, Low- 12 animals fed a 50/50 ratio of wheat-based/rice bran pellets, and High- 12 lambs fed rice bran pellets). The Rice bran pellets replaced 19 % of the barley component of the feed. Animals were group-fed at the rate of 1000 g of the supplement per head per day with ad libitum access to lucerne hay as the basal diet and water. The duration of the feeding trial was 49 days with an initial 21-day adjustment period. Results: Sire breed differences were evident for initial (p < 0.0002) and final (p < 0.0016) liveweights, hot carcass (p < 0.0030) and cold carcass (p < 0.0031) weights, as well as dressing percentage (p < 0.0078), fat thickness (p < 0.0467), yield grade (p < 0.0470) and rib eye area (p < 0.0022) with purebred Merino under-performing compared to the crossbreds. Concentrate feed conversion efficiency, costs per unit of liveweight gain and over the hooks income were comparable between treatments regardless of the observed trend where the high supplementation group tended to show lower feed intake (745.8 g/day) compared to both the control (939.9 g/day) and low supplementation groups (909.6 g/day). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between treatments for live animal performance, carcass characteristics, gender and their second-order interactions. Conclusions: Results indicate that Rice bran can be utilised as a cost-effective supplementary feed source in genetically divergent sheep over a 49-day feeding period without detrimental effects on overall live animal performance or carcass characteristics.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2007

The effects of microbial feedstuff additives on feed conversion rate and physical and chemical characteristics of excreta in growing pigs were investigated. Three different products (A, B and C) were compared. Microbial population tests showed B contained higher numbers of total bacteria, Lactobacillus spp. and yeasts. The amylase activity of B was also higher than that of A and C. The daily feed intake rates fer control, A, B and C were 2.06, 2.13, 2.17 and 2.34 kg, respectively. Pigs feed product C had the highest liveweight gain(2.89 kg). However, the results of feed conversion rate were not significantly different between treatments. Amount of faces excreted for control, A, B and C was 1.18, 1,19, 1.23 and 1.32 kg, respectively. Urine volume for control, A, B, and C was 1.91, 1.80, 2.19 and 2.31 kg respectively. Moisture content, T-N, $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ in pig manure were not significantly different between treatments. The range of BOD values was 63,453 to $73,758mg/\ell$ for faeces, and 5,678 to $7,428mg/\ell$, for urine. SS values of solid and liquid excreta ranged from 142,200 to 176,000 and from 710 to $1,025mg/\ell$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.85-102
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• 1993

This study was conducted to achieve develop organic sludge recycling technology as sludge make a prey of earthworm. Therefore sludge treatment and recycling technology is an important field by which this research project to solve landfill site and reduction treatment expense using vermicomposting treatment process on the waste sludge from the biological wastewater treatment plant. In experimental results on the optimum conditions of vermicomposting of nightsoil treatment sludge, survival rates were observed 98.3% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 75% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 100% in density of $1/79.8cm^3$, respectively. Liveweight changes of earthworm were increased 266% in temperature of $10-15^{\circ}C$, 227% in pH 5.8-7.5 and 325 % in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Casting production rate were generated 0.06 g/cap./day in temperature $20-25^{\circ}C$, 0.065 g/cap./day in pH 5.8-7.5 and 0.1 g/cap./day in density $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$, respectively. Cocoon production numbers were observed 3.8 ea. /cap.in $10-15^{\circ}C$, 2.95 ea./cap.in pH 5.8-7.5 and 3.16 ea./cap. in $1\;cap./79.8cm^3$ during 6 weeks, respectively. pH was droped by 6.2 to 5.7, volatile solids was decreased by 2.9%, $NH_3-N$ were also reduced by $6.984{\mu}g/g$ to $0.991{\mu}g/g$. $NO_3-N$, however, were increased by $3.213{\mu}g/g$ to $7.706{\mu}g/g$. Fecal coliforms and pathogenic bacteria are analyzed by microbiological method to assess public health safety of casting. Number of fecal coliform groups were reduced 88.6-99.1% (Avg. 95.7%) approximately. And pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shiegella and Vibrio, were not isolated from the earthworm cast.