Dietary effects of Algerian sodium bentonite on growth performance and biochemical parameters in broiler chickens

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing poultry feed with graded levels of Algerian sodium bentonite (Na-B) on growth performance and the development of villus height in jejunum and some biochemical parameters during 50 days in broiler chickens. A number of 420 one-day old broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were obtained from a commercial hatchery. The birds were randomly allocated into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). The treatments were 0 (control), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of Algerian Na-B levels. The results obtained indicate clearly that weight gain in the chickens fed treatments containing 4% Na-B had greater weight gain than the chickens fed different treatments (0, 1%, 2%, 3% and 5% Na-B). Feed conversion rate (FCR) was lower birds supplemented with Na-B 4% (2.45) than control group (3.06). Maximum feed consumption was observed in the birds’ control (5,655.3 g), while the lowest was noted in the chickens with diet added 4% Na-B (5,009.5 g) (p< 0.05). The weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was decreased for the Algerian Na-B supplemented group, compared with the control group. The villus height was affected by dietary treatments (1%, 2%, 3% and 5%) on days 18 and 50 (p< 0.05). Feeding the supplemented graded levels Na-B resulted in an increase in plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL concentrations at 50 days of age, compared with the control group. These results showed clearly that the Na-B from Algeria can improve the growth performance in broiler chickens. Thus, dietary inclusion of Na-B had positive effect on plasma triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL values in broiler chickens at the end experiment

Main mineral contents in camel meat in Algeria

The objective of the study was to determine the concentrations of minerals and trace elements in camel meat in Algeria. Meat samples from 32 camels were collected. The assays were performed by atomic emission spectroscopy. The mean concentrations (± standard error) of calcium and phosphorus were 33.1 ± 6.1 and 655 ± 21.3 mg / 100 g, respectively. Trace element contents were 14,056 ± 831 µg / 100 g for zinc, 6100 ± 447 µg / 100 g for iron, and 1322 ± 43 µg / 100 g for copper. The breed factor had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on calcium and sodium levels. No significant effects (p < 0.05) of age were observed on the various minerals studied. The meat of the dromedary has mineral contents similar to those of other farm animals

Phenotypic Characterization According to The Feather Color of Indigenous Muscovy Ducks Bred in The Back Yard in Brazzaville, The Congo

Abstract.  In Congo, waterfowl genetic resources are constituted by native population of Muscovy ducks that play an important role in food security. The present study aimed to identify and to characterize strains bred in the back yard in the households in Brazzaville. A sample of 154 households drawn over seven districts of Brazzaville was enrolled in the survey. Adults ducks found in the households were identified, pictured by a key of determination and then compared by using the multi resolution analysis image method. The survey recorded 13 strains in which four were considered as newly since they have never been reported elsewhere. These strains received temporally the name of the districts where they have been identified for the first time Makelékélé 1 (0.34%, n=6), Makélékélé 2 (0.11%, n =2), Poto poto 1  (0.28%, n=5) and in Poto poto 2 (0.11%, n=2). Finally, the survey reported nine classical  strains such as  black plumage, duclair, white, tortora, sepia, chocolate, lavender, grey and canizie. The apparent wide variation in plumage colors is an indication that the duck populations have not been ‘purified’ through selective breeding. In the context of the valorization of poultry biodiversity, this work represents a step toward a better knowledge of the production abilities of local ducks breeds in Congo. Key words: Muscovy ducks, color feather, strains, Congo. Abstrak.  Sumber daya genetik unggas air di Kongo mencakup populasi itik lokal yang memegang peranan penting dalam ketahanan pangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi dan menggolongkan jenis itik yang dipelihara di pekarangan rumah di Brazzaville. Sampel penelitian menggunakan 154 responden rumah tangga yang tersebar di 7 wilayah Brazzaville. Itik dewasa diidentifikasi dari pekarangan, dan dibandingkan dengan metode Analisis Multi Resolusi. Survey mencatat 13 jenis peranakan, 4 diantaranya dianggap baru karena belum pernah dilaporkan di studi manapun. Jenis ini sementara dinamai sesuai distrik tempatnya pertama ditemukan, yaitu Makelékélé 1 (0,34%, n=6), Makélékélé 2 (0,11%, n =2), Poto poto 1  (0,28%, n=5) dan di Poto poto 2 (0,11%, n=2). Berdasarkan survei didapatkan sembilan jenis klasik yaitu bulu hitam, duclair, putih, tortora, sepia, coklat, lavender, abu-abu dan canizie. Banyaknya ragam warna bulu adalah indikasi bahwa populasi itik belum “dimurnikan” melalui seleksi. Dalam konteks penetapan nilai keanekaragaman hayati unggas, penelitian ini mewakili sebuah langkah menuju pengetahuan yang mendalam akan kemampuan produksi itik yang berkembang di Kongo. Kata kunci: itik Muscovy, warna bulu, strain, Kong

Effects of supplementary feeding on the growth performance of late-weaning piglets in tropical areas

Supplementary feeding of piglets in the maternity ward is essential for late weaning at 45 days. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a solid diet could improve the zootechnical performance of piglets at weaning. Thirty-six piglets were divided between three sows: suckling piglets only fed milk by sow A (group 1, control); suckling piglets fed by sow B and receiving the starter feed between days 30–45 (group 2); suckling piglets fed by sow C and receiving both types of feed, prestarter at day 15 and starter at day 30 until day 45 (group 3). Individual weighing was carried out as soon as the prestarter feed was introduced on day 15, then on day 30, finally on day 45. At weaning, piglets fed both types of feed had higher (p < 0.05) live weights at 45 days of age (11.2 ± 2.5 kg vs 8.0 ± 1.7 kg), feed intakes (292 ± 45 g/d vs 134 ± 45 g/d) and average daily weight gains (206 ± 49 g/d vs 101± 30 g/d). In conclusion, solid feed significantly improved (p < 0.05) the feed intakes and growth rates of piglets by day 45. This study showed the need to distribute prestarter and starter feeds in farms enhancing late weaning. This practice opens up prospects for improving animal production performance in pig farming in tropical areas

Influence du caractère culard sur la production et la qualité de la viande des bovins Blanc Bleu Belge

National audienceWhen compared to animals of the dual purpose type in the same breed, Belgian Blue double muscled bulls exhibit, at least, similar average daily gain with lower feed intake. The higher feed efficiency in the double muscled type is mainly explained by the composition of the weight gains, the muscle content is minimum 60 kg higher and the fat content 30 kg lower than in the dual pur pose type when slaughtered at a similar live weight. In both types, the dressing percentage and the lean meat proportion in the carcass increase with final liveweight. The chemical composition and the sensory characteristics of meat are also influenced by double muscling. The fat content is reduced and the polyunsaturated fatty acids proportion is increased in the double muscled type, resulting in a nutritional advantage. The difference in sensory characteristics could be, only partially explained by the fas ter post mortem pH drop. The paler meat is mainly related to the myoglobin content. The advantage of the double muscled type in terms of tenderness, due to a low collagen content, is not exhibited in a > cut of the carcass with a low level of collagen, Finally, according to most of the available data, the water holding capacity of meat of double muscled animals seems not very different. The concentrations of several blood metabolites indicate a partition of the absorbed nutrients propitious to protein deposition and unpropitious to fat deposition in double muscled animals. During the fattening period, this specific partition can be related to endocrine characteristics, mainly growth hormone and insulin.Lorsqu’on les compare à des sujets mixtes de la même race, les taurillons Blanc Bleu Belge (BBB) culards réalisent des gains quotidiens moyens au moins aussi élevés tout en consommant moins d’aliments. L’amélioration de l’efficacité alimentaire est expliquée principalement par la composition des gains de poids : la carcasse d’un sujet BBB culard contient au moins 60 kg de muscle en plus et 30 kg de graisse en moins que celle d’un sujet mixte abattu au même poids vif. Lorsque le poids vif augmente, on observe, dans les deux types, une augmentation du rendement à l’abattage et de la proportion de viande maigre dans la carcasse. La composition chimique et les qualités organoleptiques des viandes sont, elles aussi, influencées par le caractère culard. La teneur en gras est réduite et la proportion d’acides gras polyinsaturés est augmentée chez le culard, ce qui constitue un avantage nutritionnel. L’évolution plus rapide du pH post mortem chez le taurillon culard ne peut expliquer que très partiellement les différences observées pour les qualités sensorielles. La couleur plus pâle de la viande est liée en grande partie à sa faible teneur en myoglobine. L’avantage du culard en matière de tendreté, expliqué par une teneur faible en collagène, n’apparaît pas dans un morceau noble de la carcasse à faible teneur en collagène. Enfin, dans la majorité des études disponibles à ce jour, la capacité de rétention d’eau de la viande produite par les culards apparaît peu différente de celle des non culards. Les concentrations de plusieurs métabolites sanguins indiquent une répartition des nutriments favorable au dépôt de protéines et défavorable au dépôt de graisses chez le culard. Lors de l’engraissement, les particularités endocriniennes concernent essentiellement l’hormone de croissance et l’insuline ; elles peuvent expliquer la répartition particulière des nutriments