Performance of sheep fed on annatto byproduct

This study aimed to evaluate intake, digestibility, and performance in sheep fed increasing levels of annatto byproduct (AB). A total of 32 male sheep without defined breed were used. Their initial weight was 23.17±1.45 kg. The animals were housed in individual pens and offered feed twice a day. Nutrient intake was quantified by the difference between the fractions present in the offered feed and the remains. The apparent digestibility was estimated with the aid of the external marker LIPE®. Weight gain was measured by the difference between the initial and final weight of the animals. The intake of dry matter (DM; g/day; g/kg BW; g/kg0.75), organic matter (g/day), crude protein (CP; g/day), and neutral detergent fibre (g/day) was not affected (P>0.05) by addition of AB. The intake of ether extract (EE; g/day) and non-fibre carbohydrates (g/day) was influenced by the inclusion of AB. The apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, CP, and EE was not affected (P>0.05) by the addition of AB. The AB can be included in the diet at levels up 300 g/kg of total DM without affecting consumption, digestibility, and weight gain in sheep

Intrinsic factors affecting sheep meat quality: a review

The quality of meat is a multifactorial parameter dependent on the perspective and goals of the link in the production chain. Generally, a variety of factors directly or indirectly affect the quality characteristics of meat and, therefore, the value of meat products. Often, the literature divides the interfering factors into intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic factors are related to animals; therefore, intrinsic factors are less variable. These factors include breed, sex, age, weight, genes, and type of muscle fiber. Some of these factors are not well studied, others have variable influence or are controversial and only a few are known and sometimes controlled. Thus, this study aimed to review some intrinsic factors that influence the quality of lamb meat

Palm Kernel Cake in Diets for Lactating Goats: Intake, Digestibility, Feeding Behavior, Milk Production, and Nitrogen Metabolism

This study was carried out to determine the optimal inclusion rate of palm kernel cake (PKC) in diets for lactating goats based on intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk production and nitrogen metabolism. Twelve goats were used, eight Saanen and four Anglo Nubian, with a body weight of 46.0 ± 9.4 kg and 105 ± 5 days of lactation, distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design in triplicate. The diets were composed of increasing levels of PKC; 0, 80, 160 and 240 g kg−1 of dry matter (DM). The DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates intakes decreased (p < 0.01) with the PKC inclusion. Milk production and milk protein decreased (p = 0.001), and milk production efficiency was not affected (p > 0.05) by the PKC inclusion. The ether extract intake varied quadratically (p < 0.01). Feeding and rumination efficiencies of dry matter and NDF were reduced (p < 0.001). The fat and total solids contents of the milk were influenced quadratically (p < 0.05). Nitrogen excretion (feces and milk), and retained nitrogen decreased (p < 0.001). Moderate use of up to 80 g kg−1 DM of PKC in the diet of lactating goats is recommended since at these levels milk production or body weight are significantly affected