Effect of probiotics and acidifiers on feed intake, egg mass, production performance, and egg yolk chemical composition in late-laying quails

Background and Aim: Probiotics can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters because antibiotics are prohibited worldwide. This study investigated the potential combination of probiotics and acidifiers to improve feed intake, productive performance, egg mass, and egg yolk chemical composition of late-laying quail for the health of humans who consume quail products. Materials and Methods: One hundred laying quails were divided into 4 × 5 treatments, with each group consisting of five replications. The adaptation period was 2 weeks, and the treatment was continued for 4 weeks. Probiotics and acidifiers were added to drinking water and incorporated into the diet. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Treatment duration (1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks) and additional feed treatment (control, probiotic 2% + 0.5% acidifier, probiotic 2% + 1% acidifier, probiotic 4% + 0.5% acidifier, and probiotic 4% + 1% acidifier, respectively). Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in feed intake, quail day production, feed efficiency, egg mass in laying quails, and the chemical composition of egg yolk with probiotics and acidifiers in late-laying quails. Conclusion: The combination of probiotics and acidifiers can improve feed intake, production performance, egg mass, and egg yolk chemical composition in late-laying quails

Potential use of dried persimmon (Diospyros kaki) byproducts as feed sources for ruminants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and palatability of dried persimmon byproducts (persimmon peel [PP] and damaged whole persimmons [WP]) ensiled with rice straw in different mixing ratios. PP and WP were ensiled with rice straw at ratios of 3:7 (PP3R7, WP3R7), 5:5 (PP5R5, WP5R5), 7:3 (PP7R3, WP7R3), and 8:2 (PP8R2, WP8R2) for 70 d. WP3R7 had the highest (p &lt; 0.05) crude protein and lactate contents compared to the other combinations. On the other hand, PP3R7 and PP8R2 had lower concentrations of neutral and acid-detergent fibers (p &lt; 0.05) and produced lower amounts of ammonia-N (p &lt; 0.05). The silages were compared to rice straw silage (RS), maize silage (MS), whole-crop rye silage (WCRS), and sorghum-sudangrass silage (SSGS) during an in vitro study. The results showed that PP8R2 and WP7R3 had higher (p &lt; 0.05) dry matter digestibility values than RS, MS, WCRS, and SSGS in a 6 h incubation period. In addition, a palatability test of the silages was conducted on Hanwoo cattle, goats, and deer, using the cafeteria method. The palatability index rate of PP7R3 was the highest (p &lt; 0.05) for the goats and the Hanwoo cattle, whereas PP8R2 had the highest (p &lt; 0.05) rate for the deer and the Hanwoo cattle. In conclusion, dried persimmon byproducts in the form of PP and WPs can be used as ruminant feed when ensiled with RS at ratios of 7:3 and 8:2

Potential use of dried persimmon (Diospyros kaki) byproducts as feed sources for ruminants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and palatability of dried persimmon byproducts (persimmon peel [PP] and damaged whole persimmons [WP]) ensiled with rice straw in different mixing ratios. PP and WP were ensiled with rice straw at ratios of 3:7 (PP3R7, WP3R7), 5:5 (PP5R5, WP5R5), 7:3 (PP7R3, WP7R3), and 8:2 (PP8R2, WP8R2) for 70 d. WP3R7 had the highest (p &lt; 0.05) crude protein and lactate contents compared to the other combinations. On the other hand, PP3R7 and PP8R2 had lower concentrations of neutral and acid-detergent fibers (p &lt; 0.05) and produced lower amounts of ammonia-N (p &lt; 0.05). The silages were compared to rice straw silage (RS), maize silage (MS), whole-crop rye silage (WCRS), and sorghum-sudangrass silage (SSGS) during an in vitro study. The results showed that PP8R2 and WP7R3 had higher (p &lt; 0.05) dry matter digestibility values than RS, MS, WCRS, and SSGS in a 6 h incubation period. In addition, a palatability test of the silages was conducted on Hanwoo cattle, goats, and deer, using the cafeteria method. The palatability index rate of PP7R3 was the highest (p &lt; 0.05) for the goats and the Hanwoo cattle, whereas PP8R2 had the highest (p &lt; 0.05) rate for the deer and the Hanwoo cattle. In conclusion, dried persimmon byproducts in the form of PP and WPs can be used as ruminant feed when ensiled with RS at ratios of 7:3 and 8:2

Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Nutritive Value and In Vitro Ruminal Digestibility of Maize and Rice Straw Silage

A study was conducted to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on nutritive value and in vitro rumen digestibility of maize and rice straw silages. Two identical experiments were carried out for each of the two silages. A total of five treatments were used for each experiment: (1) negative control (NC); (2) positive control (PC); (3) Lactobacillus plantarum (LPL); (4) L. paracasei (LPA); and (5) L. acidophilus (LA). Each treatment was then divided into four ensiling periods: 3, 7, 20, and 40 days with three replications. The LPL treatment had significantly higher dry matter (DM), lower ammonia-N, and a lower number of fungi on maize silage after 40 days (p &lt; 0.05). On the other hand, the LA treatment increased DM and CP content, reduced NDF and ADF contents compared to NC, and also produced more lactic acid compared to the other LAB-treated rice straw silages. Results of the in vitro rumen fermentation of maize silages showed no significant differences in DMD after LAB inoculation. However, higher DMD and ruminal ammonia-N were shown by rice straw ensiled with L. acidophilus. In conclusion, silage additives, which could improve the ensiling process of maize and rice straw, appeared to be different and substrate specific