The Nutritional Value of Khesari (Lathyrus sativus) for Growing and Laying Pullets

The nutritional value of khesari (Lathyrus sativus), a grain legume, was determined for growing and laying pullets. Chemical analyses indicated khesari to be high in crude protein (283g/kg) and low in fat (12.0g/kg) with estimated true metabolizable energy concentration of 12.0MJ/kg. Four hundred Shaver 579 brown pullets belonging to same source were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 100 pullets each. Least-cost isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet containing raw khesari at 0, 100, 150 or 200g/kg were formulated and fed to grower and pullet developer birds separately during 12-18 weeks and 19-22 weeks respectively. This was followed by feeding layer diets during 23-34 weeks of age. The performance of grower chicks during 12-18 wks of age showed no significant effect on body weight gain and FCR but feed intake increased linearly (P<0.05) and differed significantly when the dietary level of raw khesari was 200g/kg. On the other hand, during 19-22 weeks, the birds showed increased body weight gain and feed intake and improved FCR (P<0.01) when they consumed the highest level of khesari (200g/kg). Layer performance in terms of egg production, egg mass and FCR were declined as the dietary levels of khesari was increased showing a clear-cut linear effect. It was concluded from the study that khesari supported growth performance in pullets either similar to or better than the control birds at the levels tested and that it is well tolerable for layers up to 150g/kg dietary level without experiencing any remarkable deleterious effects. Khesari did not show any symptoms typical to lathyrism in both grower and layer birds at the levels tested

Comparative effects of inorganic and three forms of organic trace minerals on growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, and profitability of broilers

Objective: The experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effects of inorganic trace minerals (ITM) and three forms of organic trace minerals (OTM) (propionate, metho-chelated, and proteinate) on growth performance, edible meat yield, immunity, and profitability of commercial broilers. Materials and methods: A corn-soya based mash diet comprising four treatments each of 10 replicates were fed to 720 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks for 35 days (starter diet 021 days and grower diet 2235 days). The diets for comparison were as follows: diet 1: control diet with ITM premix at 1 kg/ton of feed (T1); diet 2: control diet supplemented with propionate trace minerals at 600 gm/ton (T2); diet 3: control diet supplemented with metho-chelated trace minerals at 500 gm/ton by reducing 225 gm methionine/ton of feed (T3); and diet 4: control diet supplemented with proteinate trace minerals at 500 gm/ton of feed (T4). Growth performance, carcass yield, and antibody titer (AT) data were recorded. Data were analyzed and interpreted using SAS Computer Package Program version 9.1. Results: Feeding propionate and proteinate OTM showed similar performance. Birds fed these two types (propionate and proteinate) or OTM had better performance in comparison with those receiving ITM and metho-chelated one. Proteinate group produced more wing meat and propionate group showed higher breast and drumstick meat yield as compared with those received the metho-chelated trace mineral and ITM. The birds belonging to OTM groups showed significantly higher AT level against infectious bursal disease. Proteinate minerals groups showed higher profitability followed by propionate fed broilers. Conclusion: Two forms of OTM, propionate and proteinate improved performance of commercial broilers over those of ITM and metho-chelated one. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 66-73

Effects of Feeding Anti-Stressor and Immunizer to Broiler Chickens on Growth Performance, Meat Yield and Immunity

To examine the influence of anti-stressor and immunizer on the growth of broiler chickens, their meat yield features, and immune response, a total of 360 Cobb-500 day-old commercial broiler chicks were used in a 35-day feeding trial. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments having six replications each of 20 birds. During the starter and grower periods, corn-soya-based plant protein mash diets were provided. Starter and grower diets were provided in two phases: day-old to 21 days and 22-35 days, respectively. The first group of chicks was treated as control (diet 1), the second group was offered a control diet supplemented with an anti-stressor (diet 2) and the third group received a control diet to which an immunizer was incorporated (diet 3). Growth performance data were recorded weekly. Meat yield traits were determined and blood samples were collected on termination of the experiment. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that significantly higher body weight and lowest FCR values were found in the anti-stressor incorporated group (P [J Bangladesh Agril Univ 2022; 20(2.000): 167-174

Evaluation of Marigold Flower and Orange Skin as Sources of Xanthophyll Pigment for the Improvement of Egg Yolk Color

The efficacy of ground marigold flower and orange skin was evaluated for egg yolk coloration. Two feeding trials were conducted. The first trial was carried out with 63 laying pullets (Shaver 579) that received 0, 40g marigold flower and 40g orange skin per kg of mixed feed in three dietary treatments. Each of the treatments comprised of 21 birds distributed to three replicate groups each of seven. The second trial was conducted with 84 laying pullets of the same genetic source that received 0, 40g marigold flower, 40g orange skin and 30mg synthetic pigment in four dietary treatments each having number of birds and replicates similar to trial 1. All birds received identical care and management including diets of more or less similar in composition. Yolk color scores were measured using Roche yolk color fan and other egg quality characteristics and production performance were recorded simultaneously. The noteworthy findings are i) egg yolk color significantly improved and reached to a level of consumers' standard by feeding 40g/kg marigold flower and ii) egg yolk color was slightly improved by feeding 40g/kg orange skin as compared to wheat-based control diet. It was concluded that yolk color in laying pullets may be improved by feeding both orange skin or marigold flower but the latter ingredient appeared to be most effective

Performance of Layers Supplemented with Either Complete Feed or Diets in Cafeteria Feeding System Under Semi-scavenging Condition in a Tropical Environment

1. Egg production ability and its economical aspect were compared among the hens kept under semi-scavenging condition on two feeding systems with four supplementary levels. Commercial balanced feed and cafeteria feeding diet were fed the hens at 40 g, 60 g, 80 g and 120 g/day respectively. Cafeteria feeding diet was composed of 70% mixed feed (40% broken rice, 20% rice polish and 10% wheat bran), 27% soybean meal and 3% oyster shell. 2. The mean feed residue was 4-8 g/day in the hens fed 40 g and 60 g feed group and in 120 g feed group of both feeding system was about 20 g. Body weight gain in the experimental period markedly varied but did not differ among the feed groups. 3. Hen day egg production was highest in the 120 g commercial feed group (55%), followed by the 120 g cafeteria feeding group (45%) and the 80 g commercial feed group (42%). The other feed groups showed 34-37% in hen day egg production except for 27% of the 40 g commercial feed group. Egg quality did not have an intimate relation with the different feed regimes. 4. Regardless of the low egg production ability, the 40 g cafeteria feeding group produced the highest net profit and the 80 g cafeteria feeding group produced the second highest profit. These high net profits were brought from low feed cost. However, the highest income was observed in the 120 g commercial feed group. 5. From these results, it was suggested that under semi-scavenging condition supplemented feeds improve the egg production ability of hens in parallel with the feeding volume although large volume diet decrease large profit