• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1085-1089
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• 1999

Energy requirement of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens was studied by comparative slaughter technique. Seventeen hens above 72 weeks of age were slaughtered in batches. Batch I consisted of 5 hens which were slaughtered initially. Batch II comprised of six hens, which were fed ad libitum broken rice (BR)-based diet for 18 days. Record of feed intake, number of eggs laid and egg weight during the period was kept. These hens were slaughtered and body energy content was determined. Egg energy was consisted as energy deposited. Batch III consisting of six hens which were fed varying quantity of diet for 15 days, were slaughtered similarly as hens of batch II. Regression equation (body weight to body energy) developed on batch I was applied to batch II and developed on batch II was applied to batch III hens, to find out initial body energy content of hens. Egg energy (EE) was calculated according to formula: EE (kcal) = -19.7 + 1.81 egg weight (g). Regressing metabolisable energy (ME) intake on energy balance (body energy change + egg energy), maintenance ME requirement of hens was found to be $119.8kcal/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$. Multiple regression of ME required for production on energy retained as protein and fat (body plus egg energy) indicated that RIR hens synthesize proteins with an efficiency of 85.5 and fat with an efficiency exceeding 100 percent on BR based diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the variability in broiler performance, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal digestible energy (IDE) between five different maize samples fed with and without xylanase at 16,000 U/kg. Various in vitro characterisations were conducted to determine if any could predict performance or AME. Samples of the maize were harvested in five diverse regions and fed individually in a mash diet as follows (g/kg): test maize 608.3; soya bean meal (SBM) 324.1; poultry fat 25.2; salt 4.6; met 2.6; lys 1.6; thr 0.5; limestone 9.7, dical 18.4; vit/min 5.0; CP 210 and ME (kcal/kg) 3,085. The diets were fed to 720 broilers with 6 replicates, each containing 12 birds per treatment, from 0 to 18 d of age. Maize samples were analysed for starch, protein, crude fibre, fat, protein solubility index (PSI) and vitreousness using near infra red reflectance spectroscopy (NIR). They were also assayed using an in vitro starch digestibility method. The results showed that there was no effect of harvest region on the feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the broilers over the 18 d period (p = 0.959, 0.926, 0.819 respectively). There was an improvement in all parameters with the addition of xylanase (FI p = 0.011; BWG and FCR p<0.001). There was a significant positive effect of xylanase on IDE, AME, IDE Intake (IDEI) and AME intake (AMEI) (p<0.0001 in all cases). Although there was no significant effect of maize source, there was a strong trend towards variability in IDE (p = 0.066) and AME (p = 0.058). There were no significant correlations (p<0.05) between any proximate or physiochemical values and any performance or AME values. This may suggest that none of those selected were suitable predictors for performance or AME. The broilers performed well according to the breed guidelines, with slightly increased FI, increased BWG and similar FCR prior to the addition of xylanase. When FCR and BWG were analysed with FI as a covariate, xylanase addition remained significant suggesting that the improvement in BWG and FCR was driven by an increase in digestibility and nutrient availability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2019

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different feeding levels of a total mixed ration silage-based diet on feed intake, total tract digestion, enteric methane emissions, and energy partitioning in two beef cattle genotypes. Methods: Six mature bulls (three Thai natives, and three Thai natives - Charolais crossbreeds) were assigned in a replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square design, with cattle breed genotype in separate squares, three periods of 21 days, and three energy feeding above maintenance levels (1.1, 1.5, and 2.0 MEm, where MEm is metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance). Bulls were placed in a metabolic cage equipped with a ventilated head box respiration system to evaluate digestibility, record respiration gases, and determine energy balance. Results: Increasing the feeding level had no significant effect on digestibility but drastically reduced the enteric methane emission rate (p<0.05). Increasing the feeding level also significantly increased the energy retention and utilization efficiency (p<0.01). The Thai native cattle had greater enteric methane emission rate, digestibility, and energy utilization efficiency than the Charolais crossbred cattle (p<0.05). The daily metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance in Thai native cattle ($388kJ/kg\;BW^{0.75}$, where $BW^{0.75}$ is metabolic body weight) was 15% less than that in Charolais crossbred cattle ($444kJ/kg\;BW^{0.75}$). Conclusion: Our results suggested that the greater feeding level in zebu beef cattle fed above maintenance levels resulted in improved energy retention and utilization efficiency because of the reduction in enteric methane energy loss. The results also indicated higher efficiency of metabolisable energy utilization for growth and a lower energy requirement for maintenance in Bos indicus than in Bos taurus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1389-1396
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• 2019

Objective: The current study analysed the relationships between methane ($CH_4$) output from animal and dietary factors. Methods: The dataset was obtained from 159 Dorper${\times}$thin-tailed Han lambs from our seven studies, and $CH_4$ production and energy metabolism data were measured in vivo by an opencircuit respiratory method. All lambs were confined indoors and fed pelleted diet during the whole experimental period in all studies. Data from two-thirds of lambs were used to develop linear and multiple regressions to describe the relationship between $CH_4$ emission and dietary variables, and data from the remaining one third of lambs were used to validate the established models. Results: $CH_4$ emission (g/d) was positively related to dry matter intake (DMI) and gross energy intake (GEI) (p<0.001). $CH_4$ energy/GEI was negatively related to metabolizable energy/gross energy and metabolizable energy/digestible energy (p<0.001). Using DMI to predict $CH_4$ emission (g/d) resulted in a coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of 0.80. Using GEI, digestible energy intake, and metabolizable energy intake predict $CH_4$ energy/GEI resulted in a $R^2$ of 0.92. Conclusion: the prediction equations established in the current study are useful to develop appropriate feeding and management strategies to mitigate $CH_4$ emissions from sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.240-247
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• 2012

Dietary supplementation with conventional linted cottonseed hulls (LCSH) is a common practice in livestock production all over the world. However, supplementation with mechanically delinted cottonseed hulls (DCSH) and cottonseed linter residue (CLR) is uncommon. Cottonseed by-products, including LCSH, DCSH and CLR, were assessed by chemical analysis, an in situ nylon bag technique, an in vitro cumulative gas production technique and in vitro enzyme procedure. The crude protein (CP) content of CLR (302 g/kg dry matter (DM)) was approximately 3 times that of LCSH and 5 times that of DCSH. The crude fat content was approximately 3 times higher in CLR (269 g/kg DM) than in LCSH and 4 times higher than in DCSH. Neutral detergent fibre (311 g/kg DM) and acid detergent fibre (243 g/kg DM) contents of CLR were less than half those of DCSH or LCSH. Metabolisable energy, estimated by in vitro gas production and chemical analyses, ranked as follows: CLR (12.69 kJ/kg DM)>LCSH (7.32 kJ/kg DM)>DCSH (5.82 kJ/kg DM). The in situ degradation trial showed that the highest values of effective degradability of DM and CP were obtained for CLR (p<0.05). The in vitro disappearance of ruminal DM ranked as follows: CLR>LCSH>DCSH (p<0.05). The lowest digestibility was observed for DCSH with a two-step in vitro digestion procedure (p<0.05). The potential gas production in the batch cultures did not differ for any of the three cottonseed by-product feeds. The highest concentration of total volatile fatty acids was observed in CLR after a 72 h incubation (p<0.05). The molar portions of methane were similar between all three treatments, with an average gas production of 22% (molar). The CLR contained a higher level of CP than did LCSH and DCSH, and CLR fermentation produced more propionate. The DCSH and LCSH had more NDF and ADF, which fermented into greater amounts of acetate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.685-692
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• 2003

Information on nutrient requirements and forage intake of fallow weaner deer is required for the development of feeding strategies during the year. An experiment was conducted in which 60 fallow weaner deer (grazing on medic and ryegrass based pastures) were supplemented with a concentrated diet at three levels. The diet contained 2% minerals, 30% lupin and 68% barley grain. Twelve deer from each treatment were dosed with commercial alkane capsules in May, June, July, September and October to predict nutrient intake. The relationships between body weight gain and intake of metabolisable energy and crude protein were established using a general linear models analysis. Dry matter intake from pastures ranged from 0.137 kg to 0.304 kg in May and June and increased to 1.2 kg in October. Nutrient intake from pastures was strongly influenced by amount of supplementary feed and gender. Digestible energy intake from pastures was 1.3, 3.8 and 6.1 MJ/day higher for males than females in July, August and October, respectively. The protein and energy intake was strongly correlated with body weight gain. The energy requirement for maintenance were 7.3, 8.2, 10.2, 10.2 and 10.7 MJ DE/day and the DE required for each kg body weight gain were 19, 18, 29, 34 and 49 MJ in May, June, August and October, respectively. The protein requirement for maintenance was 12.2, 12.6, 15.0, 11.4 and $8.5g/W^{0.75}$ in May, June, July, August and October, respectively. The nutrient requirement defined from this study can be used to assist farmers to explore the possible pasture and stock management practices under southern Australian conditions. However, further research is required to develop rapid and cheap methods for estimating dry matter intake, nutritive value of pastures and to quantify the potential growth rate of fallow deer in southern Australia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.861-882
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• 2000

The seed, or grain, of modern cultivars of Lupinus angustifolius, commonly known as Australian sweet lupins (ASL), is an established feed resource for the intensive animal industries of Australia, Japan, Korea and several other countries in Asia and Europe. Since the introduction of ASL to the world marketplace about 25 years ago, researchers in many countries have found them to be a valuable component of the diet of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, finfish and crustaceans. The seed of ASL contains ~32% crude protein (CP) (~35% DM basis) and 5% oil. The main storage carbohydrates in the seed are the ${\beta}$-galactans that comprise most of the cell-wall material of the kernel and the cellulose and hemicellulose of the thick seed coats. ASL seeds contain about 40% non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and a negligible amount of starch. This makes them an excellent ingredient for ruminant diets, as the risk of acidosis is very low. The seed of modern cultivars of domesticated Lupinus species contain negligible amounts of lectins and trypsin inhibitors so they do not require preheating before being used as an ingredient in feeds for monogastric species. They have a high digestibility coefficient for protein, >90% for most species, but a low energy digestibility, ~60%, which is mostly due to the high content of NSP. The low content of methionine (0.22%) and of lysine (1.46%) is typical of the legumes. The lysine availability for pigs is >70%. Lupin kernels contain ~39% CP (~42% DM basis), 6% oil and 30% NSP. They have a higher digestible energy for pigs and finfish and a higher metabolisable energy for poultry than whole seed. Commercial operations rarely achieve complete separation of kernel from hull and it is more likely that the kernel fraction, called splits or meats, will contain ~36% CP. The replacement of soybean meal or peas with ASL in cereal-based diets for most intensively reared animals, birds and fish is possible provided lysine, methionine and digestible energy levels are kept constant. This makes ASL economically competitive in many, but not all, circumstances.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 1996

Studies on the effects of protein levels on the total sulphur amino acid (TSAA) requirements of chickens were conducted on the starter broilers by feeding four levels of crude protein(16, 18, 20 and 23%) at three levels of TSAA (0.83, 0.93 and 1.03%) and on the grower broilers by feeding three levels of crude protein (16, 18 and 20%) at three levels of TSAA(0.72, 0.79 and 0.86%). The metabolisable energy of the diets was maintained constant at 3,200 kcal/kg and the experiments were carried out for two growing periods: starter (0-3 wk) and grower (3-6 wk). The results showed that there were significant differences in body weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio under different protein levels of the starters. Crude protein, ME and TSAA intake were significantly affected by increasing the CP levels. The TSAA requirement of the starter broilers is recommended at 0.93% and it is not influenced by different protein levels used in the experiment. For the grower period, body weight gain and feed:gain ratio improved significantly at higher protein diets. Birds fed higher protein diet consumed greater quantities of protein. Responses to TSAA supplementation for body weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio were not significant. The present results showed that the TSAA level of 0.79 to 0.86% was required for grower diets and that the protein levels of the diet did not influence the TSAA requirement.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1158-1164
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• 2003

In two feeding experiments male and mixed-sex broiler chicks were offered diets based on sorghum and a wheatsorghum blend with two tiers of nutrient specifications, without and with microbial phytase (600 and 800 FTU/kg), from 7-25 and 1-42 days post-hatch, respectively. The nutrient specifications for protein, amino acids, energy density and phosphorus (P) of standard diets were reduced to formulate the modified diets on a least-cost basis. Calculated differences in nutrient specifications between standard and modified diets ranged from 14.3 to 17.1 g/kg crude protein, 0.24 to 0.40 MJ/kg apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and 1.06 to 1.20 g/kg available P. In both experiments, reduced nutrient specifications had a negative impact on growth rates and feed efficiency and phytase supplementation had a positive influence on growth performance and protein efficiency ratios (PER). Phytase addition to the less expensive, modified diets either partially or entirely compensated for reduced growth performance and, consequently, feed costs per kg of live weight gain were reduced. In Experiment 1, phytase increased (p<0.001) nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) from 15.39 to 15.89 MJ/kg dry matter. For nitrogen (N) retention there was an interaction (p<0.05) between diet type and phytase as the effects of phytase on N retention were more pronounced in the modified diets, with an increase from 0.512 to 0.561. These results demonstrate the positive effects of phytase on protein and energy utilisation, in addition to its established liberation of phytate-bound P and illustrate the feasibility of assigning nutrient replacement values to the feed enzyme for consideration in least-cost ration formulations. Further work is, however, required to define the most appropriate reductions in nutrient specifications in association with phytase supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1025-1029
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• 2003

The effect studied was that of the feeding of shrimp by-product meal, as a source of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, on growth performance and fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in growing pigs kept on small holdings in Central Vietnam. Shrimp by-product meal was exchanged with ruminant meal so that the diets contained either 0, 10 or 20% shrimp byproduct meal in the dry matter. The diets were fed on 6 different small-holder farms. The farmers fed a base diet according to their personal choice, but were instructed as to the use of shrimp by-product and ruminant meal. The diets were fed to the pigs from 70 to 126 days of age. There were three animals per treatment group per farm. The diets without and with 20% shrimp by-product meal on average contained 0.01 and 0.14 g docosahexaenoic acid/MJ of metabolisable energy (ME). Due to the higher contents of ash and crude fiber, the shrimp by-product meal containing diets had lower energy densities than the control diets. Eicosapentaenoic acid was not detectable in adipose tissue; the content of docosahexaenoic acid was generally increased after consumption of shrimp by-product meal. In spite of the concurrent high intakes of ash and crude fiber, the feeding of shrimp by-product meal had a general stimulatory effect on growth performance of the growing pigs. The intake of docosahexaenoic acid or its content in adipose tissue was not related with average daily gain. It is suggested that shrimp by-product meal may contain an unknown growth enhancing factor.