The Effects of Medium Chain Fatty Acids in Mash and Crumbled Pellet Diets on Growth Performance of Broilers

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in mash and crumbled pellet broiler diets. A total of 400 male chicks (Cobb 500; initial BW 0.092 lb) were housed in 4 Petersime batteries and used in an 18-d study. Treatments were randomly assigned to 80 cages within location block resulting in 8 cages per treatment with 5 chicks per cage at placement. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial with main effects of feed type (mash and crumbled pellet) and 0.5% MCFA inclusion (no inclusion, control; hexanoic acid, C6; octanoic acid, C8; decanoic acid, C10; and dodecanoic acid, C12). Fat inclusions in the diets were equalized using 0.5% soybean oil in the control diet. Prior to crumbling, diets were conditioned at 185°F for approximately 20 s and pelleted (CPM, model CL-5, Crawfordsville, IN) with a 5/32 × 7/8 in. ring die. Dietary treatments were fed for the full duration of the study. There was no evidence of feed form × MCFA interactions. From d 0 to 18, chicks fed pelleted diets had improved (P \u3c 0.001) body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and final BW compared to those fed mash diets. For the overall treatment period, there was no evidence of a MCFA effect (P \u3e 0.10) on broiler performance. Pelleting and crumbling feed improved growth performance regardless of MCFA inclusion. The MCFA inclusion did not positively influence growth performance of broilers

Decreasing Corn Particle Size Increases Metabolizable Energy When Fed to Gestating Sows

Previous research has demonstrated that reducing the particle size of corn improved metabolizable energy (ME) utilization in many phases of swine production. One phase that has had limited research thus far is the gestating phase for sows. The objectives of this paper were to determine the effects of corn particle size on the digestibility of gross energy (GE), and determine the digestible energy (DE) and ME in gestating sow diets. A total of 27 sows during the second phase of gestation (d 40 to 74) were chosen and fed a common diet with corn ground to 1 of 3 target average particle sizes (geometric mean diameter; dgw) of 400, 800, or 1200 μm. Corn was ground using a 3 high roller mill (RMS model 924). Titanium dioxide (0.25%) was included in the diet as an indigestible marker for index digestibility calculations. Sows were fed experimental diets for 7 d to allow for diet adaptation before a 2-d collection period. At the beginning of the collection period, sows were fitted with a urinary catheter and urine was collected in buckets containing 20 mL of sulfuric acid. Fecal grab samples were also collected from each sow during the collection period. Subsamples were taken, mixed, analyzed for GE, and titanium levels to determine digestibility of gross energy and to calculate DE and ME. The ME of corn was calculated by subtracting the ME of soybean meal (1,494 kcal/lb) and soybean oil (3,889 kcal/lb) from diet ME, utilizing the NRC 2012 values for those ingredients. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and calculated DE, ME, and corn ME content increased (linear, P \u3c 0.001) as corn particle size was reduced from 1200 to 400 μm. The ME of the diet (88.5% DM) increased by 81 kcal/lb as the dgw was reduced from 1,200 to 400 μm. The calculated corn ME (88.5% DM) also increased by 103 kcal/lb as the dgw was reduced from 1,200 to 400 μm. Utilizing a linear regression model and the analyzed corn particle size data herein, it was determined that for every 100 μm reduction in corn dgw from 1,372 to 404 μm, the ME value of corn is increased by 10.7 kcal/lb

Decreasing Corn Particle Size Increases Metabolizable Energy When Fed to Gestating Sows

Previous research has demonstrated that reducing the particle size of corn improved metabolizable energy (ME) utilization in many phases of swine production. One phase that has had limited research thus far is the gestating phase for sows. The objectives of this paper were to determine the effects of corn particle size on the digestibility of gross energy (GE), and determine the digestible energy (DE) and ME in gestating sow diets. A total of 27 sows during the second phase of gestation (d 40 to 74) were chosen and fed a common diet with corn ground to 1 of 3 target average particle sizes (geometric mean diameter; dgw) of 400, 800, or 1200 μm. Corn was ground using a 3 high roller mill (RMS model 924). Titanium dioxide (0.25%) was included in the diet as an indigestible marker for index digestibility calculations. Sows were fed experimental diets for 7 d to allow for diet adaptation before a 2-d collection period. At the beginning of the collection period, sows were fitted with a urinary catheter and urine was collected in buckets containing 20 mL of sulfuric acid. Fecal grab samples were also collected from each sow during the collection period. Subsamples were taken, mixed, analyzed for GE, and titanium levels to determine digestibility of gross energy and to calculate DE and ME. The ME of corn was calculated by subtracting the ME of soybean meal (1,494 kcal/lb) and soybean oil (3,889 kcal/lb) from diet ME, utilizing the NRC 2012 values for those ingredients. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and calculated DE, ME, and corn ME content increased (linear, P \u3c 0.001) as corn particle size was reduced from 1200 to 400 μm. The ME of the diet (88.5% DM) increased by 81 kcal/lb as the dgw was reduced from 1,200 to 400 μm. The calculated corn ME (88.5% DM) also increased by 103 kcal/lb as the dgw was reduced from 1,200 to 400 μm. Utilizing a linear regression model and the analyzed corn particle size data herein, it was determined that for every 100 μm reduction in corn dgw from 1,372 to 404 μm, the ME value of corn is increased by 10.7 kcal/lb

Feed Mitigant Efficacy for Control of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus when Inoculated Alone or Together in Feed

Research has demonstrated that swine feed can be a fomite for viral transmission and feed additives can reduce viral contamination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate two feed additives in feed contaminated with PEDV or PRRSV. Feed additives included: no treatment, 0.33% commercial formaldehyde-based product, and 0.50% medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) blend. Feed samples were inoculated with PEDV and PRRSV alone or together at an inoculation concentration of 106 TCID50/g for each virus. Once inoculated, feed was stored at room temperature for 24 h before analyzing via qRT-PCR. For samples inoculated with PEDV or PRRSV alone, a quantitative real time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used, which was designed to detect PEDV or PRRSV nucleic acid. For co-inoculated samples, an assay was designed to detect PEDV and PRRSV within a single assay. For PEDV alone, there was marginally significant evidence that feed additives resulted in differences in cycle threshold (Ct) value (P = 0.052), but no evidence was observed for pairwise differences. For PRRSV alone, formaldehyde increased Ct compared to the untreated control and MCFA treatment (P \u3c 0.05). For co-infection of PRRSV and PEDV, MCFA and formaldehyde increased Ct (P \u3c 0.05) in comparison to non-treated feed. In summary, formaldehyde increased Ct values in feed when contaminated with PRRSV while both feed additives increased Ct in feed when co-inoculated with PRRSV and PEDV. This study also provided evidence that the co-inoculation model can effectively evaluate mitigants

Feed Mitigant Efficacy for Control of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus when Inoculated Alone or Together in Feed

Research has demonstrated that swine feed can be a fomite for viral transmission and feed additives can reduce viral contamination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate two feed additives in feed contaminated with PEDV or PRRSV. Feed additives included: no treatment, 0.33% commercial formaldehyde-based product, and 0.50% medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) blend. Feed samples were inoculated with PEDV and PRRSV alone or together at an inoculation concentration of 106 TCID50/g for each virus. Once inoculated, feed was stored at room temperature for 24 h before analyzing via qRT-PCR. For samples inoculated with PEDV or PRRSV alone, a quantitative real time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used, which was designed to detect PEDV or PRRSV nucleic acid. For co-inoculated samples, an assay was designed to detect PEDV and PRRSV within a single assay. For PEDV alone, there was marginally significant evidence that feed additives resulted in differences in cycle threshold (Ct) value (P = 0.052), but no evidence was observed for pairwise differences. For PRRSV alone, formaldehyde increased Ct compared to the untreated control and MCFA treatment (P \u3c 0.05). For co-infection of PRRSV and PEDV, MCFA and formaldehyde increased Ct (P \u3c 0.05) in comparison to non-treated feed. In summary, formaldehyde increased Ct values in feed when contaminated with PRRSV while both feed additives increased Ct in feed when co-inoculated with PRRSV and PEDV. This study also provided evidence that the co-inoculation model can effectively evaluate mitigants

Impact of feed additives in swine diets and the effect of corn particle size on metabolizable energy in gestating sows.

Master of ScienceDepartment of Grain Science and IndustryChad B. PaulkOne experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of formic acid and lignosulfonate addition on pellet quality. A second and third experiment were conducted to analyze the effect of 5 feed additives on PEDv and PRRSv in a feed matrix. A fourth study was conducted to analyze the effect of corn particle size on digestible and metabolizable energy in gestating sows. In experiment 1, 5 treatments consisting of a control, or the control with 2 levels of formic acid (0.36 % and 0.6%), or the control with a blended product containing 60% formic acid and 40% lignosulfonate (blended product was included at 0.6% and 1.0% of the diet). Diets were pelleted and analyzed pellet durability and hardness. Increasing formic acid in the diet decreased pH (P 0.05) were observed for pellet mill energy consumption, or pellet durability, regardless of testing method or pellet hardness when adding formic acid or lignosulfonate to the diet. In experiment 2, 12 chemical treatments 1) non-treated, individually inoculated virus controls (positive control), 2) 0.33% commercial formaldehyde-based product (Sal Curb; Kemin Industries, Inc.; Des Moines, IA), 3) 0.50% MCFA blend (1:1:1 ratio of C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0, Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), 4) 0.25%, 5) 0.50%, or 6) 1.00% of commercial dry mono and diglyceride-based product (Furst Strike; Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, IL), 7) 0.25%, 8) 0.50%, or 9) 1.00% of commercial dry mono and diglyceride-based product (Furst Protect; Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, IL), 10) 0.25%, 11) 0.50%, or 12) 1.00% dry mono and diglyceride-based experimental product (Furst-McNess Company, Freeport, IL). In total there were 12 treatments with 3 replications per treatment. A complete swine feed was treated with each chemical treatment before inoculation with 10⁶ TCID₅₀/g of feed with PEDV or PRRSV. PEDV or PRRSv RNA detection levels were then analyzed via quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Formaldehyde and MCFA decreased (P < 0.05) the detectable RNA concentration of PEDV and PRRSv compared to all other treatments. Furst Strike, Furst Protect, and the experimental product did not reduce detectable concentrations. In experiment 3, 4 chemical treatments were used 1) non-treated, individually inoculated virus controls (positive control), 2) 0.33% commercial formaldehyde-based product (Sal Curb; Kemin Industries, Inc.; Des Moines, IA), 3) 0.50% MCFA blend (1:1:1 ratio of C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0, Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). In total there were 4 treatments with 3 replications per treatment. A complete swine feed was treated with each chemical treatment before inoculation with 10⁶ TCID₅₀/g of feed with PEDV and PRRSv or a combination of the two. Sal Curb and MCFA both increased (P < 0.05) feed Ct values in the co-infection treatments for both viruses, whereas only Sal Curb increased Ct values when used against PRRSv (P < 0.05). The fourth and final experiment evaluated the effect of corn particle size on energy digestibility in gestating sows. Three particle sizes (400, 800, and 1200 μm) of corn were mixed into a complete gestation diet and fed to gestating sows (9 sows per treatment). Feed, feces, and urine were then analyzed for energy, nitrogen, and titanium dioxide levels to calculate digestible, metabolizable and nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy. Crude Protein, Digestible and Metabolizable energy (ME), nitrogen adjusted ME and Corn ME all increased (linear, P < 0.05) as particle size was reduced from 1200 to 400 μm

Effects of increasing GleptoForte dosage on newborn piglet growth, litter performance, and blood parameters

Newborn piglets have iron deficiencies due to inadequate iron storage and low levels of iron in mother’s milk. This results in lower red blood cell counts, lethargy, and mortality. Common industry practice is to administer 200mg of iron via injection at processing. Little is known of the iron level required for modern genetics and whether a booster shot is beneficial. Gelptoforte (Ceva Animal Health, LLC., Lenexa, KS) an injectable iron containing gleptoferron, is used in pigs to prevent anemia. This study evaluated the effects of increasing Gleptoforte dosage in suckling pigs and litter performance. 28 litters totaling 336 suckling pigs (DNA 241×600, initially 3.83 ± 0.114 lb BW), were equalized on each day of farrowing on a 21-d trial. During processing (d3), all piglets were weighed. Six barrows and six gilts per litter were allotted to treatment in a completely randomized design for a total of 56 piglets per treatment. Treatments consisted of a negative control receiving no iron injection and increasing levels of iron from Gleptoforte at 50, 100, 150, 200, or 200mg plus a 100mg booster at d11. Piglets were weighed at processing (d11) and weaning (d21) to calculate ADG. One barrow per treatment, per litter was utilized for blood collection via jugular venipuncture. Blood criteria included: Hemoglobin (Hgb), Hematocrit (Hct), Serum Fe, and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC). Overall, ADG and ending BW improved (quadratic; P=0.001) as dosage increased. There was no evidence of difference for any hematological criteria measured on d3 prior to the iron injection. For all following blood data, a treatment × day interaction was seen. On d11 and d21 Hgb, and Hct increased (quadratic; P=0.001); Serum Fe increased (linear; P=0.001) on d11 and increased (quadratic; P=0.001) on 21; TIBC increased (quadratic; P=0.001) on d11 and increased (linear; P=0.001) on d21; with 0mg treatment having the lowest and 200mg treatment having the highest values, respectively. On d21, a significant difference was observed for Hct (P=0.046), Hgb (P=0.011) and serum Fe (P=0.019) between the 200mg and 200mg + 100mg treatments with the 200mg + 100mg resulting in the highest values. There was no evidence of TIBC differences between the 200mg and 200mg + 100mg treatments. In summary, no iron injection resulted in the poorest growth and blood parameters. Administering 100mg Gleptoforte resulted in the greatest growth performance. Administrating 200mg + 100mg Gleptoforte improved hematological criteria but did not influence piglet growth performance compared to 200mg

The effects of medium chain fatty acids in mash and pelleted diets on growth performance of broilers

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in mash and crumbled broiler diets. A total of 400 male chicks (Cobb 500; initial BW 41.8 g) were housed in 4 Petersime batteries and used in an 18-d study. Treatments were randomly assigned to 80 cages within location block resulting in 8 cages per treatment with 5 chicks per cage at placement. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial with main effects of feed type (mash and crumble) and 0.5% Medium Chain Fatty Acid inclusion (Control no inclusion; Hexanoic Acid (C6); Octanoic Acid (C8); Decanoic Acid (C10); Dodeanoic Acid (C12)). Fat inclusion in the diets were equalized using 0.5% soybean oil in the control diet. Feed was pelleted using a CPM (model CL5) pellet mill equipped with a 3.97×2.22 mm die. Feed was pelleted at a conditioning temperature and retention time of 85°C and 20 sec, respectively. Dietary treatments were fed for the full duration of the study. Data was analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Results were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and marginally significant between P > 0.05 and P ≤ 0.10. For d 0 to 12 and d 0 to 18, there were no feed form × MCFA interactions. From d 0 to 12, broilers fed crumbles had improved (P 0.10) on broiler performance. Pelleting and crumbling feed improved growth performance regardless of MCFA inclusion. MCFA inclusion did not positively influence growth performance