Tracing the growth of crossbred village (kampung) chickens from hatch till maturity.

Two popular strains of Malaysian crossbred kampung chickens were utilized for the purpose of gathering fundamental growth information, from hatch till the age of sexual maturity at 22 weeks. These birds comprised equal number of males and females. For both strains and sexes, similar sigmoid growth curves and patterns were exhibited. A phase of accelerated growth observed reached a point of inflection (POI) at the ages of between 8 and 9 weeks. The POI was coincident with maximum growth rate which then started to decline until maturity. Male birds were significantly superior to females from week 8 onwards, the superiority being most apparent between weeks 9 and 15 when significant differences in body weight gains were also observed

Evaluation of dietary protein intake by growing ostriches.

The protein requirements of growing ostriches have not been established. In an effort towards more understanding of the animal's needs for this nutrient two trials were carried out to evaluate the intake of protein (GP) from complete feeds by growing ostriches. In trial I, the comparative response of ostriches to diets containing Pligh Protein (HP, 22.5% GP), Medium Protein (MP, 17.5% CP) or Low Protein (LP, 12.5% CP) protein content was determined, while the preference of these birds to the same three diets offered simultaneously in a free-choice feeding situation was investigated in trial II. Ostriches in trial I fed on HP or MP consumed more feed, gained more weight and were more efficient in converting feed to body weight than birds fed on LP. Differences in growth performance between the HP and MP groups were not significant. Birds on HP consumed more protein than those offered MP but this was not translated into superiority in growth. In trial II, where ostriches were offered either a sole MP feed or a free-choice of HP, MP and LP given simultaneously, birds on the single complete feed were more efficient in converting feed and protein into body weight than choice-fed animals. In choice feeding, MP was consumed at a significantly higher amount and proportion than that of either HP or LP which, between themselves was consumed in similar amounts. It was concluded that among the three diets studied, a medium protein feed with a GP content of 17.5% was most economical and optimum for growing ostriches. When presented with a choice of feeds with varying protein contents these birds were not able to select well for optimum growth performance

Effects of intraruminal infusions of sodium salts on selection of hay and concentrate foods by sheep

Infusion of salts of short-chain fatty acids into the rumen of sheep depresses food intake but the relative importance of the effect of the acids and of osmolality are not fully understood. Three experiments were carried out in which sodium acetate (NaAc) and sodium chloride (NaCl) were infused for 3 h at 4 m /min and compared with water controls. The effects on the intakes of a concentrate food and hay were examined to study the effect of osmotic and acid manipulation of the rumen on dietary choice. In the first experiment the foods were continuously available while in the second and third the foods were given for 3 min at 1.5-h intervals. Salt infusions depressed concentrate intake without significant effect on the intake of hay. The effect of NaAc tended to be greater than that of NaCl and persisted after the end of infusion. The weight of concentrate eaten during the 3-min tests was significantly and negatively related to both acetate and sodium concentrations in rumen fluid. The weight of hay eaten was negatively related to concentrate intake. The results demonstrate that the treatments imposed had a differential effect on intake, only depressing that of the concentrate food. They also suggest that, as NaAc has a greater effect than NaCl, the influence on feeding is due both to the osmotic load and the acid effect

Nutritional evaluation of house cricket (Brachytrupes portentosus) meal for poultry

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of house cricket meal (HCM) as an alternative feedstuff for poultry. The proximate chemical composition, amino acid (AA) content and total metabolisable energy (TME) of HCM were determined. The protein quality of HCM was evaluated using protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein ration (NPR) methods. Treatment diets consisted of basal diet (N-free), basal + HCM, basal + soy bean meal (SBM) and basal + fish meal (FM) and were arranged in a completely randomized design. The crude protein (CP) content of HCM was 60.4% and the value was higher than that of either SBM or FM. Total metabolisable energy value for HCM was similar to that of corn but was much lower than that of SBM. Total amount of tryptophan, tyrosine and valine in the HCM were 2.8, 2.4 and 3.2%, respectively. These values were higher than those in SBM and FM. The percentages of lysine, methionine and cysteine in HCM were 2.4, 0.5 and 0.8%, respectively. These values were similar to those in SBM (2.9, 0.6 and 0.7%) but lower than FM (4.5, 1.7 and 0.8%). Chicks fed HCM diet recorded higher (p<0.05) weight gain than chicks fed SBM but slightly lower than chicks fed FM. The PER values for HCM, SBM and FM were 3.42, 3.11 and 3.71, respectively. NPR values for HCM, SBM and FM were 3.66, 3.29 and 3.96, respectively. The PER and NPR values of HCM were higher (p<0.05) than that of SBM but slightly lower than that of FM. The results suggest that the HCM has a substantial amount of protein and energy which could to be included in poultry diets

Effects of phase feeding on carcass characteristics and meat composition of kampung chickens

A study on kampung chickens was undertaken to investigate the influence of scheduling of feeds by reducing protein levels during the various phases of growth of the birds until market age, on carcass characteristic and meat quality. A total of 62 3-week-old female kampung chickens were reared in two-tier wire floor cages with two chicks per cage for eight weeks. The chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups (single-phase, 2-phase, 3-phase and 4-phase) and fed with step-down dietary protein levels (19, 17, 15 and 13%) accordingly. At the end of the study period, ten birds per treatment were randomly sampled for analysis. Carcass yield and component parts (breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, abdominal fat, back and neck) of the birds were determined as percentages of live weights. Meat chemical composition from breast muscles was determined for dry matter, crude protein and crude fat content. No significant differences were found in the percentages of carcass yield, component parts, dry matter, crude protein and crude fat contents between the four phases. It is concluded that phase feeding did not adversely affect carcass yield and meat chemical composition. This feeding strategy could therefore be an economical practice for rearing kampung chickens without sacrificing carcass yield and meat quality

Effect of medium-chain triglycerides on piglets in three farms in Selangor and Penang, Malaysia

The aims of this study were to evaluate effect of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) between treatment and control groups on growth performance, mortality rate and fecal coliform count in piglets. In addition, the effect of MCT on weaning body weight was evaluated. This study was separated into Phase I and Phase II. In phase I, 18 litters were selected from three farms in Selangor and Penang. Piglets in each litter was equally divided into control group and treatment group where only treatment group piglets were fed twice with 2 ml MCT on Day 1. Body weight was taken on day one, three, five and seven. Phase II involved 12 litters from a farm. The same procedure as in phase I was done, except the body weight was taken on day one, fourteen and twenty eight. MCT treatment group piglets were found to have higher growth performance and lower mortality rate thAn control group piglets. No difference in fecal coliform count was observed between treatment and control group. MCT showed more prominent effect on growth performance during weaning period of the piglets. In conclusion, MCT supplementation had positive effect on the growth performance of piglets as a result of increased body weight and average daily gain. Besides, MCT were able to reduce mortality in piglets in all the farms

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on weight gain in weaners in a pig farm, Penang, Malaysia

The aims of this study were to compare the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on body weight, average daily gain, percentage of body weight gain, health status and faecal coliform counts in weaner pigs. Fifty commercial breed (Landrace and Duroc) weaner pigs were selected from a pig farm in Penang, Malaysia. The weaners were equally distributed into control and treatment groups. The control group was fed commercial diet while the treatment group fed commercial diet with IGF-I added. Body weights of weaners were recorded every 15 days. In this study, IGF-1 treatment group showed statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight and average daily gain towards the end of the study (45 days). No significant difference in percentage body weight gain between control and treatment groups was observed. From the blood parameters, there was no sign of toxicity or infection in the control and treatment groups. The study showed that IGF-1 treated group had lower coliform count compared to controls, which indicates that IGF-1 may have beneficial effects on the digestive system of weaner pigs

Effects of dietary protein level on growth and protein intake of young growing ostriches (Struthio camelus)

A study was conducted to evaluate responses in growth and protein intake of confinement-raised young growing ostriches, to three levels of dietary protein (CP). Eighteen ostriches aged between 10 and 14 weeks were used in the study which was conducted over a period of six weeks. The three dietary protein levels investigated were high protein (HP, 22.5% CP), medium protein (MP, 17.5% CP) and low protein (LP, 12.5% CP). All diets contained an equal crude fibre concentration of 11.2%. Ostriches fed on the HP and MP feeds consumed more feed, gained more weight and were more efficient in converting feed to body weight than birds fed on the LP feed. Differences in growth parameters between the HP and MP treatment groups were not significant. Birds on HP feed consumed more protein than those offered the MP feed but this was not translated into superiority in growth. Consumption of protein by the ostriches on the LP feed was significantly lower than by birds on HP or MP feed. Results were discussed and it was concluded that among the three diets studied, a medium protein feed with a CP content of 17.5% was optimum and most economical for growing ostriches