IMPACT OF THE USE OF A PROBIOTIC (Enterococcus faecium) ON ZOOTECHNIC PERFORMANCE AND LIPIDID PROFILE IN BROILER CHICKEN

This study was conducted to determine the effect of probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 feed supplementation on animal performance of broilers poultry when compared to control animals. The determination of lipid status parameters on day 51 was performed on 5 chicks randomly selected in each group.. Biochemical analyzes included total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Individual live weight, consumption index and mortality rate were measured at the end of the rearing phases. The results obtained showed that the addition of Enterococcus faecium significantly improved live weight throughout the rearing period without significant charge on FCR and mortality rate. The experimental group had significantly higher cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL levels.

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