South African Journal of Animal Science

Effects of adding natural additives to whole milk on performance, faecal, and blood parameters in suckling Holstein calves

S. Guven — 2024-02-12

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of additives containing organic acids, herbal extracts, and prebiotics to whole milk on the developmental performance and several faecal and blood parameters of Holstein calves during the suckling period. A total of 40 one-day-old Holstein calves were divided randomly categorized into two groups of 20 (10 males and 10 females). For the first three days, both groups were provided with five litres of colostrum daily. Starting from the fourth day, the first group (control) received whole milk, while the second group (NCA) was given milk with a commercial additive of 5 g/L of whole milk. The calves had access to starter feed and water ad libitum. Results indicated the body weight and red blood cell counts of calves in the NCA group showed a substantial increase during the first four weeks, while the occurrence of diarrhoea decreased, compared to the control group. However, no marked differences between the control and NCA groups in terms of intake of concentrate feed, feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, levels of white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, phosphorus, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, calcium, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, faecal levels, or days with diarrhoea were noted. Consequently, it was concluded that adding commercial additives to whole milk had a positive effect on the early development of the digestive system of calves, substantially increasing their body weight in the first four weeks of life and therefore making them more resistant to diseases in this critical period.

Effects of feed form (pellet or mash), corn particle size, and Bacillus-based probiotic supplementation on performance traits and digestive tract health of broiler chickens

I. YousefianAstaneh — 2024-02-12

A total of 720 Ross 308, male broiler chicks were used to study the effect of feed form, corn particle size, and probiotic supplementation as a completely randomized block design with 2×2×2 factorial arrangement (eight treatments and five replications). The factors included the type of feed (pellet or mash), the average size of corn particles (590 and 1220 μm), and the addition or absence of a probiotic (DIPro) to the diet. At the end of the experiment, relative weights (% of BW) of abdominal fat and gizzard were calculated as a percentage of live weight. Using pellets increased the body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). Feeding coarse corn particles substantially reduced the body weight gain and increased the feed conversion from 1–10, 25–42, and 1–42 days of age. Feed intake reduced from 1–42 d and 42–25 d by consuming coarse corn particles. The use of probiotics increased feed intake and body weight gain from 25–42 and 1–42 d. The pelleted diet increased gizzard and proventriculus pH, whereas coarse corn particles reduced pH. The pelleted feed decreased the relative weight of the gizzard and increased the abdominal fat percentage. Coarsely ground corn increased the abdominal fat and gizzard percentage. Probiotic supplementation improved feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion from 1–42 d. Pelleted feed plus probiotics and a 590-μm particle size produced the best performance in broilers.

Marek's disease in backyard chickens of Pakistan: A study of pathological lesions in correlation to viral load

M. Azeem — 2024-02-12

Marek's disease (MD) is an infectious, lymphoproliferative disorder caused by the alpha herpesvirus genus, Mardivirus, serotype 1 (Gallid Herpesvirus 2, or GaHV-2). There is no current information on Marek's disease virus (MDV) pathotypes and serotypes circulating in backyard poultry in Pakistan. This study aimed to characterize GaHV-2 in the backyard poultry of Rawalpindi division based on glycoprotein C and to investigate the correlation of a viral oncogene (meq) with the histological, lymphoproliferative infiltration in the visceral organs of naturally-infected birds. The study was performed from May 2019 to April 2020 in the Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock districts of the Rawalpindi division. An overall 13.96% prevalence of MDV infection based on gross morphology and 18.43% using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was recorded. The Pakistani GaHV-2 isolates could be divided into two clades, based on sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the gC gene, closely related to the US virulent isolates and mildly virulent vaccine strain, CVI988, respectively. Of total PCR-positive cases, 25 (75.76%) samples revealed gross tumours. Median histopathological scores of lymphoproliferative infiltrations in the spleen and liver tissues were recorded as moderate (++), whereas in the heart and gonads, mild (+) changes were observed. The mean viral load quantified using real-time PCR of 14.72 copies of meq gene/β-actin revealed a strong (R² = 0.88) correlation with histopathology scores of spleen tissues. Differences in the meq gene/β-actin ratio were observed between non-tumorous and tumorous birds, which is indicative of pathological changes in individuals of the present study.

Growth, slaughter performance, abdominal visceral organ sizes, and plasma metabolic markers in indigenous, improved, and crossbred growing pigs fed roasted or sprouted cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) diets

M.W. Lubisi — 2024-02-12

Growth, slaughter performance, and blood metabolic markers were evaluated in Windsnyer (W), Large White (LW) × Landrace (LR), and three-way crossbred (W × LW × LR) pigs fed control (soybean cake), sprouted, or roasted iso-nutrient, cowpea, maize-based diets. Twelve male pigs of each genotype with initial live weights of 15 ± 2.3 kg, 37 ± 1.4 kg, and 39 ± 1.2 kg (10–11% degree of maturity) were used. The pigs were on the trial diets for eight weeks in a balanced factorial experiment replicated four times. The growth rates were W × LW × LR > LW × LR > W, and control > sprouted cowpeas > roasted cowpea diets. Scaled to pig metabolic (weight 0.75), feed intake was greatest in the control, followed by sprouted cowpeas and roasted cowpeas, and pig BW was W × LW × LR ≥ LW × LR > W. The feed conversion was control < sprouted cowpeas ≤ roasted cowpea diet. Pigs on the control diet recorded the highest back fat thickness, with the least backfat in LW × LR pigs. The LW × LR pigs had more backfat on roasted than on sprouted cowpeas, whereas W pigs had more backfat on roasted cowpeas. Scaled (% live weight) liver and kidney sizes were largest in W pigs, and the kidney size was larger on roasted cowpeas. Blood marker profiles were aligned to pig growth and slaughter performance, with low total protein, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase activity in LW × LR pigs; sprouted cowpeas caused elevated plasma urea, albumin, and the alkaline phosphatase activity. The W pigs had low plasma creatinine and high cholesterol levels, with elevated cholesterol on sprouted cowpeas. The LW × LR and W × LW × LR genotypes had better growth and slaughter performance than the W pigs; cowpea was inferior to the control diet, with better efficiency on sprouted, rather than roasted, cowpeas. Pig responses to roasting or sprouting cowpeas were considered largely independent of the genotype.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of farmers on antibiotic use, resistance, and stewardship in food animal production systems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

L.T. Mokhutsoane — 2024-02-12

Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics for metaphylaxis, prophylaxis, and growth promotion in food animal production systems contributes to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance can subsequently be transmitted within and between animals, humans, and the environment and consequently lead to treatment failure in humans and animals at a later stage. A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on antibiotic use, resistance, and stewardship in food animal production systems in KwaZulu-Natal. The questionnaire was divided into four sections and information on the socio-demographic features and employment experience, in addition to knowledge, attitudes, and practices were collected. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) with average scores > 50% considered adequate. In total, 82 respondents were received, of which 66 complete questionnaires constituted the final sample. Fifty-five percent (55%) and 50% of farmers stated that antibiotic(s) were different to anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic medicines, respectively, while 42% considered them identical. Thirty-six percent of farmers agreed that the ban of antibiotic use as growth promoters in animals will have a negative effect on livestock production, and 45% agreed that it is difficult to produce high-quality livestock products without antibiotics. There are gaps in the overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices of farmers that should be improved through programs such as awareness campaigns and education and training on antibiotic use, resistance, and stewardship.

Haematological parameters of Hungarian, farmed ostriches

L. D. Brassó — 2024-02-12

The analysis of haematological parameters is of great importance from a diagnostic point of view and is important on a global scale as well. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of the month, farm, bird age, and sex on blood haematology values and to make a reference range for diagnostic purposes for ostriches. Blood samples were taken during the slaughter of the birds in October and November, 2021 and in May and June, 2022. In total, 22 females and 33 males aged between 8 and 60 months from three farms in eastern Hungary were included in the evaluation. Temperature and humidity data were also collected in the indicated months. The month, farm, and age of birds strongly influenced the haematology values. The white blood cell count (WBC) was the highest in June and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) was the lowest in May. Farm “B” differed from the two other farms in the mean cell volume (MCV), expressing the lowest mean cell value. For the 8–10- and 15–17-month-old birds, the red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), and haematocrit (HCT) showed lower values compared to the 11–13- and 48–60-month-old birds. The white blood cell count (WBC), mid-cell count (MID#), and granulocyte count (GRAN#) were the highest for the 8–10- and 11–13-month old age groups; the mean cell volume (MCV) was the highest for the 48–60-month-olds. Differences could not be explained by the weather conditions. Contrary to the literature, birds on farms using probiotics did not always show higher haematological values. To draw more precise conclusions, diagnostic and serum chemical analyses should also be performed in the future.

Risk factors for puerperal endometritis in the sow

N.H. Nam — 2024-02-12

Puerperal endometritis in sows may detrimentally affect the health of sows and reduce reproductive performance in their subsequent litters. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine risk factors for puerperal endometritis in sows. In total, 139 second-parity, Yorkshire × Landrace sows from a swine farm were recruited. Information including parity number, gestation length, litter size, number of dead-born piglets per litter, use of manual extraction of foetuses, intrapartum oxytocin use, and postpartum vaginal discharge were recorded. Puerperal endometritis was defined based on the characteristics of the vaginal discharge. Logistic regression was used to determine the significant risk factors for puerperal endometritis. The incidence of puerperal endometritis was 20.1% (28/139). Manual extraction of foetuses, farrowing duration, and number of dead-born piglets per litter were determined as the most significant risk factors for puerperal endometritis. All of these factors were positively associated with the disorder. The present study showed that puerperal endometritis was common in the sow. Determination of risk factors for puerperal endometritis contributes to the understanding of the disorder and helps farm practitioners spot and treat sows at risk early.

Village chicken production and egg quality in dry and wet, resource-limited environments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

T. Tenza — 2024-02-12

The study investigated the quality and production of village chickens in wet and dry environments. Three hundred households were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Both external and internal characteristics were measured in 4 000 eggs using visual observation and laboratory analyses. The main source of income for the households in both environments was government grants. Village chickens were largely kept for eggs, meat, income, leisure, and rituals. The proportion of households selling eggs was low (less than 3%). Village chicken productivity was constrained by feed shortages, high disease prevalence, theft, slow growth, predation, and lack of access to the market. Feed availability varied seasonally. The dry environment produced 30% more eggs, which was an anomaly. Egg weights were larger (49.8 g) in wet than dry environments (39.6 g). It was concluded that egg quality and production were affected by feed availability. To improve egg production and quality, the environment should be improved using inputs such as feeding programs and housing.

Fermented feed may improve the growth performance, immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan White Geese

Y. Chen — 2024-02-12

The current study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of dietary fermented feed (FF) on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and number of cecal microorganisms of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 d of age. A total of 240, 1-day-old female geese were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates (eight birds per replicate). Geese in the control group were fed the basal diet (0.0% FF) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% FF, respectively. The 5.0% FF and 7.5% FF groups had greater body weights (BW), average daily feed intakes (ADFI), and average daily gains (ADG) than the control group. The feed/gain ratio (F/G) in the 7.5% FF group was higher than the control group. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IGA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the 5.0% FF group were higher than those in the control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 5.0% FF group was lower. Moreover, the FF did not affect the plasma biochemical indicators, number of cecal microorganisms, and intestinal morphology of geese in the groups. These findings indicate that 5.0% FF may improve the growth performance (BW, ADG, and ADFI), immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

Settled and nomadic breeding of Karya sheep

Serkan AydÄ±nlÄ± — 2024-02-12

Records of five settled and five nomadic sheep enterprises in Karya-2, a sub-project of the “National Ovine Breeding by Public” project carried out by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies of Denizli Province, Turkey, were examined in this study. In nomadic and settled enterprises, birth weights, 90-d live weights, 180-d live weights, 90-d daily live weight increase, and daily live weight increase up to 180 d were different. Birth types were different and the twin birth rates were higher in nomadic enterprises. The Karagoz type was more common. The proportion of male and female newborn lambs was similar. The nomadic breeders tended to separate the sheep in the herd more than the settled sheep; the number of animals devoted to breeding in the nomadic systems was found to be higher than in settled systems. The number of lambs per ewe decreased slightly over time from 2014–2018. Although the number of rams decreased, the number of breeding rams increased. There was no marked change in survival rate during the weaning period. There was an increase in live weight and fertility of Karya sheep from 2014–2018. The production averages of sheep in nomadic enterprises were more profitable and yields of measured parameters were higher than in the settled sheep enterprises.

Stress-alleviating properties of dietary red grape pomace in Ross 308 broilers reared at a high stocking density

K.K. Thema — 2024-02-12

Nutraceutical plant products such as red grape pomace (Vitis vinifera L. var. Shiraz) contain potent antioxidants that could mitigate stress caused by high stocking density. An experimental feeding trial was conducted using a total of 720 densely-stocked (30 birds/pen) Ross 308 broiler chickens (300.6 ± 9.30 g live weight) to evaluate their productive, physiological, and meat quality responses, as well as welfare indicators when supplemented with incremental levels of red grape pomace. The birds were randomly distributed to 24 pens, each with a floor space of 1.32 m2 (1 m length × 1.2 m width × 1.55 m height). The birds were raised on standard chicken diets supplemented with 0, 15, 30, and 50 g/kg of red grape pomace. Overall feed intake, overall body weight gain, and overall gain-to-feed ratio were not influenced by experimental diets. No quadratic or linear trends were observed for blood parameters, except for neutrophils and mean platelet volume. Linear decreases were observed in the weights of duodenum, ileum, cecum, and colon as red grape pomace levels increased. With regards to meat quality, water-holding capacity increased linearly, whereas cooking loss decreased linearly as dietary red grape pomace levels increased. Increasing red grape pomace levels did not affect temperature, yellowness, lightness, chroma, and shear force, but affected initial pH and 24-hour redness and hue angle of the breast meat. The use of red grape pomace did not improve productive performance, physiology, meat quality and welfare parameters, neither did it alleviate high stocking density-induced stress.

The effects of poultry fat with soy oil at a fixed energy:protein on broiler field performance

Nezih Okur — 2024-02-12

The effects of poultry fat (PF) as an alternative to soy oil (SO) in broiler diets at a fixed energy:protein on field performance were investigated. Chick weight (CW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), average live weight (ALW), feed consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR), production efficiency factor (PEF), and liveability were examined. The experiment, which included 12000 broilers chicks with 15 repetitions in 60 pens, lasted 41 d. The chicks were obtained from 36-w old (middle-aged) Ross 308 strain broiler breeders. Four different diets of SO in starter, SO or PF in grower, and SO or equal amounts of both (SO+PF) in finisher were tested. The highest performance data were obtained when SO was used in the grower and SO+PF were used in the finisher diet, whereas the lowest performance data were obtained when PF was used in grower and SO+PF in the finisher diet. The differences between the CW, ADWG, ALW, FC, FCR and PEF values of these groups were significant, except for liveability. This is thought to be due to the synergistic effect caused by the combined use of SO and PF. The liveability was numerically higher in the SO groups and decreased with the use of PF, but these differences were not statistically significant. The use of PF with SO may be an effective and economic alternative in terms of fixed energy:protein if certain ratios are not exceeded.

The relationship between milk components, immunoglobulins, and cytokine content at the end of lactation in Kyrgyz mares

F.R. Istanbullugil — 2024-02-12

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of immunoglobulins and cytokine levels in the milk of Kyrgyz mares during the last period of lactation. For this purpose, seven Kyrgyz mares were used. During the last week of lactation, milk samples were obtained from mares four times at intervals of two days. Physicochemical tests were performed on all collected milk samples, and pH, fat, ash, titratable acidity, and dry matter were measured. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin -2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Based on the measurements, the lowest IgG level was determined on the last day of lactation (10.23 ± 13.13 μg/mL) and the TNF-α level was determined to be the highest on the last day lactation (61.10 ± 75.69 pg/mL). However, no statistical differences between the days in terms of IFN-γ, IL-2, pH, titratable acidity, dry matter, ash, and fat were found. Varying degrees of positive correlations between the parameters existed and were more pronounced between IgG levels and pH values. As a result, it was concluded that in the last period of lactation in Kyrgyz mares, IgG concentrations decreased and TNF-α levels increased in their milk, but substantial changes in milk composition, immunoglobulins, and cytokine levels in milk did not show positive correlations with the physicochemical properties of milk.