Fibrous feeds for functional fowls

Fibres are not digested by fowls, but their impact on digestive physiology, nutrient metabolism and intestinal microflora can be substantial. Analytical shortcomings have historically contributed to different notions on the significance of fibres, but modern techniques now enable us to better discriminate between various fractions of fibre and relate them with the performance of poultry. The four present studies examined relationships between different qualities and means of providing fibres, and the functionality of broiler chickens and laying hens. In broiler chickens, increasing the dietary levels of insoluble fibres stimulated fat and protein digestion, but not in a dose-dependent manner. In the small intestine, these effects were mirrored in altered tissue morphology and luminal microflora composition. Moreover, addressing the negative effects of soluble fibres in wheat on digestion by adding a xylanase to the diet improved feed utilization. These effects were not mirrored by macroscopic or microscopic changes of the small intestine. Effects similar to those of the xylanase were achieved by adding a protease, but not a coccidiostat, to the diet. There were no signs of the effects of the two enzymes being additive. In laying hens, supplementary roughage reduced beak-inflicted injuries and improved feed efficiency; the latter finding likely reflecting better plumage conditions. Increased dietary levels of fibres and fat reduced the liver fat and tended to improve feed efficiency; the latter result probably explained by beneficial effects of added fat on digestion. The diet with more fat and fibres also impaired the hygienic conditions in the stable, presumably due to the fibre fraction being mainly soluble in nature. Experimental lines of hens predisposed to perform severe feather pecking preferred a diet supplemented with spelt hulls more than corresponding hens not predisposed to perform severe feather pecking. This finding supported previous indications that injurious pecking correlates with the fibre content of the feed. It was concluded that the significance of fibres in poultry nutrition largely depends on the quality of fibres. Whereas soluble fibres primarily acted detrimentally on the functionality of the birds, insoluble fibres tended to act in the opposite direction. In poultry nutrition experiments, however, it remains difficult to separate the effects of increasing amounts of fibrous feedstuffs from those of simultaneous dietary fat supplementation, nutrient dilution or ingestion of fibrous materials such as litter

Future domestic protein feedstuffs in the organic poultry production

Organic layers and broilers will according to (EEG) no 2092/91 be fed 100 % organic feeds in year 2012, which is expected to present problems associated with the specific protein requirements of poultry. This document aims at describing the feedstuffs that possibly may constitute a part of the solution to these problems. Peas, field beans, naked oats, canola, hempseed and sunflower come out as interesting feedstuffs. Biproducts from the milling and dairy industry together with marine protein supplements may be brought to the fore, provided that the demand for organic products will rise further.Ekologiska värphöns och slaktkycklingar skall i enlighet med (EEG) nr 2092/91 utfodras 100 % ekologiska fodermedel år 2012, vilket förväntas skapa problem med försörjning av fågelns specifika proteinbehov. Det här dokumentet syftar till att redogöra för de fodermedel som kan tänkas utgöra en del av lösningen på problemet. Ärter, åkerböna, naken havre samt raps, hampa och solros framstår som intressanta fodermedel. Biprodukter från kvarn- och mejeriindustrin samt marina proteinsupplement kan aktualiseras förutsatt att efterfrågan på ekologiska produkter fortsätter att öka

Hemp seed cake fed to broilers

The use of hemp seed cake (HSC) in a poultry nutritional context is described in this MSc thesis. It is well documented that HSC is distinguished by a high protein quality and a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. This, along with its palatability, claimed sustainability and advantageous crop rotational properties make HSC particularly interesting to the organic poultry production. Further, the presence of anti-nutritional factors is low. In the present study, a HSC digestibility trial was set up using 72 as-hatched 28 days old broiler chickens. Further, the growth and feed utilization efficiency was studied. Four experimental diets were composed by replacing 0, 10, 20 and 30 % of a commercial finisher feed with HSC. TiO2 was added as an indigestible marker. Ileal and excreta samples were collected and the digestibility data were subjected to linear regression analysis. An apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of 13.8 MJ/kg DM was suggested and the ileal digestibilities of dry matter, protein, fat and starch were determined to 0.37, 0.80, 0.89 and 0.94, respectively. Generally, the statistical variance was larger in the excreta samples in comparison to the ileal samples. Thus some fibrous contents were assumed to be fermented in the caeca. The production parameters feed consumption; weight gain and feed conversion ratio were satisfactory and were not affected by the inclusion of HSC. It was concluded that the nutritional value of HSC partly resembles e.g. that of rape seed cake and that a 30 % inclusion rate showed no negative effects on the production nor the palatability of the feed when fed during the days 28-35 post-hatch.Användningen av hampfrökaka inom fjäderfänutrition behandlas i det här arbetet för MSc examen. Det är väl dokumenterat att hampfrökakan har en hög proteinkvalité och en stor andel omättade fettsyror. Dessa egenskaper, tillsammans med dess smaklighet, fördelaktiga roll i växtföljden samt den miljömässigt förmodat hållbara odlingen gör hampfrökaka särskilt intressant inom ekologisk produktion. Dessutom är dess innehåll av anti-nutritionella substanser lågt. I den här studien undersöktes hampfrökakans smältbarhet med 72 stycken, 28 dagar gamla slaktkycklingar av olika kön. Dessutom studerades djurens tillväxt och foderutnyttjande. Fyra försöksfoder konstruerades genom att ersätta 0, 10, 20 och 30 % av ett kommersiellt slutfasfoder med hampfrökaka. TiO2 tillsattes i foderblandningarna som en osmältbar markör. Träck och ilealt tarmprov togs och smältbarhetsvärdena behandlades därefter med linjär regression. Hampfrökakans skenbara omsättbara energi (AME) bestämdes till 13,8 MJ/kg TS och dess ileala smältbarhet av torrsubstans, protein, fett och stärkelse var 37, 80, 89 och 94 % respektive. Den statistiska variationen var generellt sett högre i data från träckproven i jämförelse med de ileala tarmproven. En viss mängd fiber antogs ha fermenterats i fågelns blindtarmar. Produktionsparametrarna foderåtgång, viktökning och foderutnyttjande var tillfredställande och påverkades inte av inblandningen av hampfrökaka. Det kunde fastställas att hampfrökakans nutritionella värde delvis liknar t.ex. rapsfrökakans och att en inblandning om 30 % inte uppvisade några negativa effekter på produktionen eller på fodrets smaklighet när det utfodrades från dag 28 till 35

Mindfulness and working memory : Evaluating short-term meditation effects on working memory related tasks and self-reported health benefits

The effects of short-term meditation is a debated subject. There is studies that indicates that there is none or limited effect. Research of mindfulness meditation has also shown positive effects on working memory related tasks and sustained attention, but it can also show reduction of stress and depression. This study evaluate the effects of short-term guided meditation in a group of 10 persons in comparison with a control group. Results indicated no difference in memory tasks such as digit-span but the experimental group showed significant improvements in self-reported stress and mindful assets such as Acting with awareness and Acceptance without judgement. The results are consistent with previous research in this area. Effekten av kortsiktig meditation är omdiskuterad. Det finns studier som indikerar att det inte finns någon eller limiterad effekt. Tidigare forskning kring meditation har också visat positiva effekter på arbetsrelaterade uppgifter och bibehållen uppmärksamhet men även på stressreducering och depression. Den här studien utvärderar effekten av guidad meditation vid tre tillfällen på en experimentgrupp av tio personer i jämförelse med en kontrollgrupp. Resultaten visar inte att mindfulness hade signifikant påverkan på arbetsminnet men signifikant positiv påverkan på stressreducering och på mindfulnessdrag som Agera med medvetenhet och Acceptera utan fördomar. Resultaten går i linje med tidigare forskning inom det här området

MP.2020.2595.Mackinnon

Peer Review Repor

MP.2020.2626.Hostler

Peer Review Repor

MP.2021.2720.Bartos

Peer Review Repor

MP.2020.2470.Xiao

Submission to Meta-Psychology. Contains the full history, including all correspondence, decisions, reviews, revisions etc. Anyone can participate in open peer review directly by using the hypothes.is commenting function on the preprint