Technical-Economic Performance, Carcass and Meat Quality of COBB500 Broilers Fed Rations Incorporating Mango By-Product Feeds in Ivory Coast (West Africa)

The study evaluated the growth performance and carcass quality of COBB500 broilers fed two experimental rations incorporating feed and mango fine ED10 for a batch of 83 birds, ED20 (batch of 83 birds) in comparison with a commercial control ration CCD (84 birds). For this purpose, 250 day-old chicks of this breed were purchased in Korhogo and transported to Tengréla in Ivory Coast for rearing. The results show that substituting mango provender ans and mango seed flour for maize resulted in rations with costs per kgMS of 215.35FCFA, 2016.93FCFA and 320FCFA for the ED10, ED20 and CCD rations respectively. The production costs per kg of chicken (FCPkgLW) of the CCD ration were significantly higher than those of the ED10 and ED20 (p 0.05). ADGs were significantly different and decreasing from CCD, ED20 to ED10 (p 0.05). Average weights at 42nd day for ED20 and CCD were homogeneous (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than for ED10 (p 0.05). By day 49th the average weight of ED20 had reached and exceeded that of CCD by day 42nd. PSLW, HCW and CCW were significantly different and decreasing from CCW, ED20 to ED10 (p 0.05). Average hot (HCY) and cooled (CCY) carcass yields of ED20 and CCD rations were comparable (p > 0.05) and significantly higher than those of ED10 ration (p = 0.009) and 0.003). Average drumstick and neck weights were significantly higher and lower for CCD, ED20 and ED10 (p 0.05). For all other parts of the cut, the average weights of the CCD ration were significantly higher (p 0.05) than those of the ED20 and ED10 rations, which were homogeneous (p 0.05). The incorporation of mango provender and mango seed flour in broiler rations offers the prospect of reduced production costs, less competition between man and animals over cereals, and lean meat production that is more appreciated than that of chickens fed conventional feed. As it stands, the ED20 ration can be recommended as a growth diet for broilers. It would be necessary to determine the levels of anti-nutritional substances in mango feeds and to assess the in vivo digestibility of mango ingredients and the diets incorporating them.

First Known Case of Carcass Guarding by Black Kite (Milvus migrans) in Urban Landscape, North India

Behavioral traits of species can play an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem and in evolving behavioural adaptations to survive according to environmental conditions.This note documents evidence of adding a rare observation by providing photographic evidence of the entanglement of a carcass of a juvenile Black Kite(Milvus migrans)from a nest and the use of nest by an adult individual,guarding the carcass.Documenting such behavior contributes to our understanding of the natural history and management of native species in an urban environment.Further,scientific studies/observations are needed to be conducted to reach some conclusion as to why species perform such behaviour.

Effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on meat cuts and carcass trait in finishing pigs

Pork cutting is a very important processing in promoting economic appreciation across the swine business chain. The goal of this research is to determine the proportion and weight of meat cuts, as well as to analyze the effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on meat cuts. Simultaneously, we investigate the correlation between meat cuts, carcass traits and meat quality traits. To assess 17 meat cut traits, 12 carcass traits and 6 meat quality traits, we sample 2 012 pigs from four breeds, including Landrace(LD), Yorkshire(YK), Landrace Yorkshire(LY), and Duroc Landrace Yorkshire(DLY). The results showed that carcass weight, sex and breed composition have significant effects on the weight and proportion of most meat cuts. The proportion of cuts for muscle and bone decrease as carcass weight grows, whereas the proportion of cuts for fat increases. Moreover, the thickness of four-point backfat was significantly increasing(P<0.001) with increase of carcass weights, indicating that large amount of intaking energy in the late finishing stage was used for fat deposition. Besides, the proportion of Shoulder cut(SC) and Back fat(BF) in barrows was significantly higher(P<0.001) than that in sows, whereas the Leg cut(LC) showed the opposite trend. The Loin(LO) proportion and Loin muscle area(LMA) of barrows were significantly lower(P<0.001), but the proportion of fat areas in the image(PFAI) and visual marbling score(VMS) were significantly higher(P<0.001) than those of sows, respectively. In terms of breeds, LD had the longest straight carcass length, significantly longer(P<0.001) than the other three breeds, which partially explains why LD had the largest proportion of the Middle cut(MC). Moreover, the proportion of SC in DLY was the highest. Last but not least, the correlations between the proportions of most meat cuts, and also between meat cuts and meat quality or carcass traits were low or not significant(P>0.05). The effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on the meat cuts, meat quality and carcass traits are breed and growth stage dependent. It also reflects the asynchrony of the growth curve between different sexes. Our results laid an important foundation for breeding pig carcass cuts and composition.

Strategies to improve genomic predictions for 35 duck carcass traits in an F2 population

Background Carcass traits are crucial for broiler ducks,but carcass traits can only be measured postmortem.Genomic selection(GS)is an effective approach in animal breeding to improve selection and reduce costs.However,the performance of genomic prediction in duck carcass traits remains largely unknown.Results In this study,we estimated the genetic parameters,performed GS using different models and marker densi-ties,and compared the estimation performance between GS and conventional BLUP on 35 carcass traits in an F2 population of ducks.Most of the cut weight traits and intestine length traits were estimated to be high and moder-ate heritabilities,respectively,while the heritabilities of percentage slaughter traits were dynamic.The reliability of genome prediction using GBLUP increased by an average of 0.06 compared to the conventional BLUP method.The Permutation studies revealed that 50K markers had achieved ideal prediction reliability,while 3K markers still achieved 90.7%predictive capability would further reduce the cost for duck carcass traits.The genomic relationship matrix nor-malized by our true variance method instead of the widely used 2pi(1-pi)could achieve an increase in prediction reliability in most traits.We detected most of the bayesian models had a better performance,especially for BayesN.Compared to GBLUP,BayesN can further improve the predictive reliability with an average of 0.06 for duck carcass traits.Conclusion This study demonstrates genomic selection for duck carcass traits is promising.The genomic prediction can be further improved by modifying the genomic relationship matrix using our proposed true variance method and several Bayesian models.Permutation study provides a theoretical basis for the fact that low-density arrays can be used to reduce genotype costs in duck genome selection.

Genetic dissection and genomic prediction for pork cuts and carcass morphology traits in pig

Background As pre-cut and pre-packaged chilled meat becomes increasingly popular,integrating the carcasscutting process into the pig industry chain has become a trend.Identifying quantitative trait loci(QTLs)of pork cuts would facilitate the selection of pigs with a higher overall value.However,previous studies solely focused on evaluating the phenotypic and genetic parameters of pork cuts,neglecting the investigation of QTLs influencing these traits.This study involved 17 pork cuts and 12 morphology traits from 2,012 pigs across four populations genotyped using CC1 PorcineSNP50 BeadChips.Our aim was to identify QTLs and evaluate the accuracy of genomic estimated breed values(GEBVs)for pork cuts.Results We identified 14 QTLs and 112 QTLs for 17 pork cuts by GWAS using haplotype and imputation genotypes,respectively.Specifically,we found that HMGA1,VRTN and BMP2 were associated with body length and weight.Subsequent analysis revealed that HMGA1 primarily affects the size of fore leg bones,VRTN primarily affects the number of vertebrates,and BMP2 primarily affects the length of vertebrae and the size of hind leg bones.The prediction accuracy was defined as the correlation between the adjusted phenotype and GEBVs in the validation population,divided by the square root of the trait’s heritability.The prediction accuracy of GEBVs for pork cuts varied from 0.342 to 0.693.Notably,ribs,boneless picnic shoulder,tenderloin,hind leg bones,and scapula bones exhibited prediction accuracies exceeding 0.600.Employing better models,increasing marker density through genotype imputation,and pre-selecting markers significantly improved the prediction accuracy of GEBVs.Conclusions We performed the first study to dissect the genetic mechanism of pork cuts and identified a large number of significant QTLs and potential candidate genes.These findings carry significant implications for the breeding of pork cuts through marker-assisted and genomic selection.Additionally,we have constructed the first reference populations for genomic selection of pork cuts in pigs.

Prediction of Load-Displacement Curve of Flexible Pipe Carcass Under Radial Compression Based on Residual Neural Network

The carcass layer of flexible pipe comprises a large-angle spiral structure with a complex interlocked stainless steel cross-section profile, which is mainly used to resist radial load. With the complex structure of the carcass layer, an equivalent simplified model is used to study the mechanical properties of the carcass layer. However, the current equivalent carcass model only considers the elastic deformation, and this simplification leads to huge errors in the calculation results. In this study, radial compression experiments were carried out to make the carcasses to undergo plastic deformation. Subsequently, a residual neural network based on the experimental data was established to predict the load-displacement curves of carcasses with different inner diameter in plastic states under radial compression.The established neural network model’s high precision was verified by experimental data, and the influence of the number of input variables on the accuracy of the neural network was discussed. The conclusion shows that the residual neural network model established based on the experimental data of the small-diameter carcass layer can predict the load-displacement curve of the large-diameter carcass layer in the plastic stage. With the decrease of input data, the prediction accuracy of residual network model in plasticity stage will decrease.

Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Hararghe Highland Bull after Draught Work Service

The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of draught work on carcass characteristics, meat yield potential, and distribution along primal cuts in Hararghe highland bulls fed on net energy requirement basis. Twelve bulls were sorted into three groups of four animals each and assigned to three treatment hours: control (0), 4, or 6, using a complete randomized design (CRD). The results of the study show that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), chilling loss, total edible and non-edible offal, fat thickness (FT), deboned meat yield (kg), meat to bone ratio, muscle distribution, and proportion of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH%) among the treatment groups. However, the hot carcass-based dressing percentage was significantly lowered (p < 0.05) in bulls that work 4 or 6 hours a day. Meat yield was strongly correlated with HCW (r = 0.74) and FT (r = 0.73). Therefore, the number of hours the bull spent on draught work did not negatively impact meat yield or quality. Consequently, the research suggests that utilizing Hararghe highland bulls for draught service, four or six hours a day is viable for dual advantages: crop cultivation and marketable carcass.

Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Bulls from Arsi, Boran, Harar and Holstein Frisian Crosses Cattle Breeds Finished under Similar Level of Concentrate Supplementation

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age and breeds (Arsi, Borana, HF-Cross and Harar) on carcass and meat characteristics of bulls finished under similar feeding conditions. The feeding experiment was conducted for 90 days at Beef farm of Haramaya University. In this experiment, 24 bulls were fed with roughage (60%) which contained grass hay and wheat straw and concentrate (40%) which contained wheat bran, noug (gucia abysica) cake, maize grain, limestone, salt and ruminant premix. The bulls were transported to Bishoftu ELFORA export abattoir for slaughter following the procedure of the abattoir. The result of the study revealed that the average slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, shrink loss, commercial dressing and true dressing percentage were 179.1 kg, 86.8 kg, 82.7 kg 4.7%, 48.8% and 78.3%, respectively. Total edible and nonedible offal were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by breed and age. Pelvic fat was significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by breeds. Meat yield percentages of Arsi, Boran, Harar, and HF-crossbred were 78.1%, 77%, 72.8% and 77.2% respectively. Meat yield was predicted from fat thickness and ribeye area with 61% accuracy. Arsi bulls attained the highest (78%) meat yield at early age but decreased by 0.713 rate as age of animals advanced by one digit whereas the meat yield from other breeds showed increment in meat yield percentage with the rate of 1.98, 1.1 and 0.1 for cross, Borana and Harar breed bulls, respectively as age advanced. Yield from fore shank, sirloin, top and bottom sirloin primal cuts were affected by breed. Arsi breed had higher meat bone ration than cross breed. Retailed meat yield was significantly (P < 0.001) predicted from rib area and subcutaneous fat thickness (P < 0.001) with a coefficient of determination 61%, from live animal trait and primal cuts with a coefficient of determination 89.56% and 94.78% respectively. Arsi bulls can be used for beef purpose at 2 - 3 years, as the meat percentage decreases thereafter;while bulls from Boran, cross breed and Harar breeds can be used up to 5 years of age. Meat to bone ratio indicated that HF-Crossbred was less appropriate for beef purpose than other breed bulls in this study. The rate of pH decline was not influence (P > 0.05) by age and breed in the current study.

Residual feed intake in beef cattle and its association with carcass traits, ruminal solid-fraction bacteria, and epithelium gene expression

Background: Residual feed intake(RFI) describes an animal's feed efficiency independent of growth performance.The objective of this study was to determine differences in growth performance, carcass traits, major bacteria attached to ruminal solids-fraction, and ruminal epithelium gene expression between the most-efficient and the least-efficient beef cattle. One-hundred and forty-nine Red Angus cattle were allocated to three contemporary groups according to sex and herd origin. Animals were fed a finishing diet in confinement for 70 d to determine the RFI category for each. Within each group, the two most-efficient(n = 6; RFI coefficient =-2.69 ± 0.58 kg dry matter intake(DMI)/d) and the two least-efficient animals(n = 6; RFI coefficient = 3.08 ± 0.55 kg DMI/d) were selected. Immediately after slaughter, ruminal solids-fraction and ruminal epithelium were collected for bacteria relative abundance and epithelial gene expression analyses, respectively, using real-time PCR.Results: The most-efficient animals consumed less feed(P = 0.01; 5.03 kg less DMI/d) compared with the leastefficient animals. No differences(P > 0.10) in initial body weight(BW), final BW, and average daily gain(ADG) were observed between the two RFI classes. There were no significant RFI × sex effects(P > 0.10) on growth performance.Compared with the least-efficient group, hot carcass weight(HCW), ribeye area(REA), and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat(KPH) were greater(P ≤ 0.05) in the most-efficient cattle. No RFI × sex effect(P > 0.10) for carcass traits was detected between RFI groups. Of the 10 bacterial species evaluated, the most-efficient compared with least efficient cattle had greater(P ≤ 0.05) relative abundance of Eubacterium ruminantium, Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Megasphaera elsdenii, and lower(P ≤ 0.05) Succinimonas amylolytica and total bacterial density. No RFI × sex effect on ruminal bacteria was detected between RFI groups. Of the 34 genes evaluated in ruminal epithelium, the mostefficient cattle had greater(P ≤ 0.05) abundance of genes involved in VFA absorption, metabolism, ketogenesis, and immune/inflammation-response. The RFI × sex interactions indicated that responses in gene expression between RFI groups were due to differences in sex. Steers in the most-efficient compared with least-efficient group had greater(P ≤ 0.05) expression of SLC9 A1, HIF1 A, and ACO2. The most-efficient compared with least-efficient heifers had greater(P ≤ 0.05) m RNA expression of BDH1 and lower expression(P ≤ 0.05) of SLC9 A2 and PDHA1.Conclusions: The present study revealed that greater feed efficiency in beef cattle is associated with differences in bacterial species and transcriptional adaptations in the ruminal epithelium that might enhance nutrient delivery and utilization by tissues. The lack of RFI × sex interaction for growth performance and carcass traits indicates that sex may not play a major role in improving these phenotypes in superior RFI beef cattle. However, it is important to note that this result should not be considered a solid biomarker of efficient beef cattle prior to further examination due to the limited number of heifers compared with steers used in the study.

Supplementation of different fat sources affects growth performance and carcass composition of finishing pigs

Background: There are various fat sources with different energy values and fatty acid compositions that may affect growth performance and carcass composition of grow-finishing pigs. A higher net energy was recently reported in choice white grease compared with soybean oil. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine whether practical responses confirm that difference between choice white grease and soybean oil, and to extend the observations to other fat sources.Results: In Exp. 1, pigs fed fats had lower(P < 0.05) average daily feed intake in phase II and overall period,greater(P < 0.05) gain:feed in phase I, phase II, and overall period than pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed fats tended(P = 0.057) to have thicker backfat depth at the last rib than those fed control. Pigs fed 6% fats had greater(P < 0.01) gain:feed in phase II and overall period than pigs fed 3% fats. During phase I, pigs fed choice white grease grew faster(P < 0.05) than pigs fed soybean oil. In Exp. 2, pigs fed dietary fats(soybean oil, choice white grease, animal-vegetable blend, palm oil, or tallow) had greater(P < 0.01) gain:feed in each phase and overall period, greater(P < 0.01) average daily gain in phase I, but lower(P < 0.01) average daily feed intake in phase II an overall than pigs fed the control diets. The choice white grease also increased(P < 0.05) average daily gain during phase I compared with soybean oil. Pigs fed palm oil had thicker(P < 0.05) backfat depth at the 10 thrib than those fed soybean oil, animal-vegetable blend, or tallow.Conclusions: Inclusion of 6% dietary fat improved feed efficiency of finishing pigs, while different fats produced different practical results that may be consistent with their different energy values. Results from the early stage indicate that dietary fats with relatively more saturated fatty acids may provide greater energy than those with relatively more unsaturated fatty acids for growing pigs.

Effects of melatonin implantation on carcass characteristics, meat quality and tissue levels of melatonin and prolactin in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

Background: Implantation of goats with melatonin can induce cashmere growth and significantly increase cashmere production performance. However, the impact of melatonin implantation on the carcass characteristics,meat quality and related hormone levels in muscle and viscera of cashmere goats has not been studied. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of melatonin implantation of cashmere goats during the nongrowing period on meat quality and related hormone levels in the tissues. It aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of melatonin in cashmere goat production systems.Results: Melatonin implantation(2 mg/kg live weight) had no influence(P > 0.05) on daily weight gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin muscle area, or the p H, moisture level, crude fat(except for Gluteus muscle) and amino acid content of muscles of cashmere goats. After implantation for 1 month, shear force of Longissimus dorsi and water loss rate of Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris of cashmere goats were increased(P < 0.05), whereas the cooking yield of Gluteus muscle was reduced(P < 0.05). The melatonin treatment decreased(P < 0.05) muscle crude protein, Gluteus muscle crude fat and ∑n-3 PUFA content and decreased(P < 0.05) ∑n-6 PUFA content.However, after 2 months of implantation most of these effects had resolved. Melatonin implantation had no effect(P >0.05) on the melatonin or prolactin contents of kidney, heart, spleen, liver, Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris and Gluteus muscles. Melatonin content of lung tissue was lowered(P < 0.05) and that of prolactin was elevated(P < 0.05) by the melatonin implantation.Conclusion: This study has shown little impact of melatonin implantation of cashmere goats on carcass quality. A few meat quality indices i.e., shear force, water loss rate, ∑n-3 PUFA, ∑n-6 PUFA, and crude protein content of Longissimus dorsi;water loss rate, cooking yield and crude protein content of Biceps femoris;ether extract, crude protein content of Gluteus;were affected briefly(at 1 month of implantation) but these effects were not evident after 2 months of implantation.There was little effect of the melatonin treatments on tissue levels of melatonin or prolactin except in lung.

Effects of Low Protein Diets Supplemented with Ami-no Acids on Production Performance,Carcass Qual-ity and Input-output Ratio of Pigs

[Objectives] To study the effects of low-protein diets supplemented with amino acids on the production performance,carcass quality and input-output ratio of fattening pigs and growing-finishing pigs. [Methods] Two studies were conducted on fattening pigs and growing pigs respectively. Pigs in two experimental groupswere fed with low-protein diets supplemented with amino acids and normal diets respectively,and the initial weight,final weight,feed consumption and carcass index of the tested pigs were measured.[Results]The average final weight of fattening pigs in test group was 2. 4 kg lower than that in control group,while the difference was not significant( P > 0. 05). The average daily gain of fattening pigs in test group was 60 g lower than that in control group,indicating that low protein diets had a tendency to decrease the growth rate( P > 0. 05),and reduction of daily weight gain in low protein diet pigs reached 7. 6%. The development of pigs in low protein diet group was poor,however,the difference was not significant. Carcass backfat thickness in low-protein diet group was slightly higher than that in control group,the difference was significant( P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference in input-output ratio between low-protein diet group and control group.Finalweight of growing-finishing pigs in low-protein diet group was 3. 22 % lower than that in control group,the average daily weight gainwas 6. 91% lower than that in control group,feed intake in test group was 5. 48% lower than that in control group,and difference between the two treatments was significant( P < 0. 05). Feed meat ratio in low-protein diet group improved,however,the difference was not significant( P > 0. 05).[Conclusions]Production performance of the pigs would be decreasedand the input-output ratio could not be improvedwhen the adding contents of crude protein in diets was reduced 3%-4%. Therefore,it is recommended that the crude protein level should be enough when pigs were fed with low-protein diets.

Effect of Natural Phytogenic Extract Herbs on Physiological Status and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chickens

This paper was conducted to monitor the effect of mixed essential oils (AROMIX&#64;) as phytogenic extract herbs administration in drinking water on growth performance, hematological, biochemical, immunological statuses and carcass traits of broiler chickens. A total number of 240 unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb-500) strain, were randomly divided to four equal groups, 60 chicks each at seven days of age. The first group drank tap water (control), the second, third and fourth group were drank the same water, adding 1 ml AROMIX&#64;per 5, 10 and 15 liter tap water, respectively for 5 week of age. It was cleared from the results that there was a significant improve in feed conversion ratio, red and white blood cell counts, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and a relative reduction in the liver enzymes but in the normal range. However, it was observed that mix essential oils have no significant impact on carcass organs. High levels of the vital parameters, low levels of hepatic enzymes showed that birds health was good and relative improvement in immune system. The relative improvement of the absorption of minerals such as calcium and inorganic phosphorus to the positive role of essential oils. Administration in drank water was occasion, a regular activity of hepatic enzymes which can evidence safety and hepato-protective nature of these oils. Therefore, it is cleared from the results that the addition of these extract herbs in drinking water enhances the health meat, performance and physiological status of broiler chicks, which helps to obtain healthy meat and suitable for human consumption.

Effect of Age and Breeds of Cattle on Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Arsi, Boran, and Harar Cattle in Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and breed of cattle on carcass and meat characteristics in Ethiopia. A total of 39 (Arsi 11, Boran 14 and Harar 14) cattle breeds with age categories of <3, 4 - 6, and 7 - 9 years were used for the study. The bulls were purchased from their respective production system of mixed crop livestock system (Arsi and Harar) and Ranch (Boran). Parameters such as live and carcass weight, meat yield percent, fat characteristics, and primal beef cuts were evaluated. Complete randomized design was used for the study. The live weight of bulls at <3, 4 - 6 and 7 - 9 years ranged 135 - 183, 167 - 181, and 155 - 433 kg, respectively. The carcass weight, dressing percentage, meat yield percent, forequarter, hindquarter, rib eye area, and fat thickness ranged 57 - 209.73 kg, 41.8% - 51.6%, 32% - 58%, 11.7 - 56.42 kg, 14.04 - 45.34 kg, 4.78 - 10.25 square inches and 0.18 - 0.38 inches, respectively. At an early age category (<3 years) meat yield percentage of Arsi, Boran and Harar breeds were 50.86, 30 and 18.72, respectively, and as age category shifted from one age category to the next Harar increased by 13× and Boran by 2.9× and Arsi decreased by -0.93×. The mean rib percentage of Arsi, Boran and Harar were in the range of 7.98 - 9.57, 8.62 - 10.44 and 7.08 - 8.83, respectively. Breed and age of bulls had significantly affected primal meat cuts. Meat yield was predicted from live and hot carcass weight with coefficient determination (R2) of 70.66% and 74.75%, respectively. From the study, it was concluded that age and breeds of cattle had significantly influence on carcass and meat characteristics. Therefore, to determine whether variations were due to genetic or environmental cause’s evaluation of the three breeds under similar feeding condition was recommended.

Rate of carcass and offal condemnation in animals slaughtered at Yazd slaughterhouse,central Iran

Objective:To determine the rate of carcass and offal condemnation in the animals slaughtered at Yazd slaughterhouse,Yazd,Iran.Methods:In a nine-month retrospective survey from June 2011 to March 2012,all the carcasses and offal condemnations for large animals(cattle and camels) and small animals(sheep and goats)in Yazd Slaughterhouse were carefully recorded daily.Results:In total,2741 large animals(cattle and camels) and 77515 small animals(sheep and goats) were slaughtered during the period of this survey.Six carcasses(0.21%) of the large animals and 18 carcasses(0.02%) of the small animals were condemned.For large animals,condemnations in summer and autumn were significantly greater than winter(P<0.05).Condemnation rate of liver,lungs and kidneys for the large animals were 5.36%,21.23%and 3.68%respectively and for the small animals were 4.37%,5.46%and 0.51%respectively.The main recorded reasons for carcass condemnations in both large and small animals were icterus and cachexia.The most prevalent lesion resulting in offal condemnation was due to parasitic infection specially metacestods.Conclusions:This study aimed to show the efficiency of documentation records during meal inspection at slaughterhouses to monitor the amount of condemnation and possible approaches to better awareness about the future preventive programs.Considering the percentage of condemnation of carcass and offal in the present study and their price in Iranian markets,the overall economic losses seems to be notable at Yazd slaughterhouse.

Effects of early energy and protein restriction on growth performance, clinical blood parameters, carcass yield, and tibia parameters of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy and protein dilution from age 8 to 14 d on growth performance,clinical blood parameters,carcass yield,and tibia parameters of broilers.Treatments were assigned in a completely randomized manner with factorial arrangement(4x4) including 4 levels of energy dilution and 4 levels of protein dilution.All birds were fed the same diet during the remaining period of time.The feeds were weighed every week,and the birds were weighed at 7,14,and 42 d.At 14 d,blood samples were taken for clinical chemistry measurements,and 4birds from each replicate were sacrificed to measure carcass yield and tibia parameters at 42 d.From 8 to 14 d,average daily feed intake(ADFI) of the 20%protein dilution group increased significantly compared with that of the 10%protein dilution group(P<0.05).The feed conversion ratio(FCR) of the group with 30%protein dilution and 15%energy dilution creased the most among all treatment groups.From 15 to 42 d,the ADFI and FCR of the 20%protein dilution group were greater than those of the 0 and 10%protein dilution groups(P<0.05),and the FCR of the 15%energy dilution group increased significantly(P<0.05).At 42 d,body weight(BW) of the 15%energy dilution group was less than that of the other groups(P<0.05).Significant interactions were observed in ADFI,FCR,and BW at 42 d of age between energy dilution and protein dilution(P<0.05).At 14 d,serum total protein levels of birds in the 20 and 30%protein dilution groups decreased significantly compared to that of the 10%protein dilution group(P<0.05).Blood urea nitrogen concentration of birds in the 20 and 30%protein dilution groups decreased significantly compared with those in 0 and 10%protein dilution groups(P<0.05).Triacylglycerol concentration of birds in the 20%protein and 10%energy dilution groups decreased significantly compared with that of the 0 dilution group(P<0.05).The carcass yields were unaffected by dilution of energy and protein(P>0.05).The bone breaking strength of the 15%energy dilution group decreased significantly compared with that of the5%energy dilution group(P<0.05).This study suggested that dietary protein and energy reduced 10%from 8 to 14 d of age can not affect the growth performance and other indexes in broilers.

Effect of N-methyl-aspartate and Betaine on Growth Perfor-mance and Correlation Between Growth Hormone,Growth Performance and Carcass Composition in Finishing Pigs

Ninety finishing pigs were selected to study the effect of N-methyl-aspartate and betaine on the internal growth hormone level in the serum and the correlation between the growth hormone level, growth performance and carcass characteristic of finishing pig. The study showed that the two matters could improve pig growth and carcass composition significantly. The correlation analyses indicated that the growth hormone and IGF-I have a positive correlation with the growth rate. Carcass lean ratio, longissimus dorsi area, serum free fatty acid and lipase activity have a negative correlation with the feed conversion ratio, carcass fat ratio and urine nitrogen. But the growth hormone is more effective than IGF-I (P＜ 0.01 ). The results implicated that both the two matters may act through growth hormone axis(growth hormone - IGF-I) to manipulate pig growth.

Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Visceral Organs and Intestinal Histology in Broilers Fed Dietary Dried Fermented Ginger and/or Fermented Corncob Powder

To determine whether dried fermented ginger (DFG), fermented with Japanese mugwort silage juice, could be replaced by fermented corncob powder (FCP) as a of feed ingredient source without significant body weight decrease or damage to visceral organs (using gross anatomical observation), to intestinal villi (using light microscopy), or to the epithelial cells on the villus apical surface (using scanning electron microscopy) the following investigation was performed. Sixty-four male broilers were allotted to 4 groups: a basal diet group (control group), and basal diet groups with DFG at a level of 50 ppm;with DFG at 50 ppm and FCP at 250 ppm (50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group);and with FCP at a level of 500 ppm (500 ppm FCP group). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass quality, small intestinal length and weight, and visceral organ weight were not different among groups. Furthermore, regarding intestinal villus height, villus area and crypt depth, a significant difference was not found among the groups. When these values of the control were expressed as an index of 100, the duodenal villus height of the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group and the 500 ppm FCP group were 114 and 119, respectively. The duodenal villus area of the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group and the 500 ppm FCP group were 125 and 158, respectively. These villus heights and areas are thought to be activated. On the epithelial cells on the villus apical surface in the duodenum and jejunum, the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group had protuberated cells into the intestinal lumen and deeper cells at the sites of recently exfoliated cells, suggesting that these cells are activated. The present results indicate that small amounts of fermented corncob powder can be used as a feed supplement when mixed with fermented ginger powder, due to the synergy between the two ingredients, resulting in a 6% increase in body weight gain。

Effects of replacement of soya bean meal by bambara nut sievate on the carcass and organ parameters of finisher broiler chicks

Eighty 4-weeks old broiler chicks (Anak 2000 strain) were used in a 28 days feeding trial to determine the effects of replacement of soya bean meal (SBM) by bambara nut sievate (BNS) on the carcass and organ characteristics of fin- isher broiler chicks. BNS replaced soya bean meal by weight for weight at levels 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% for treatments 1,2, 3 and 4;respectively which were replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Feed and potable water were supplied ad libitum to the birds. Also, ap- propriate medication, sanitation and other stan- dard management practices were strictly adopt- ed. At the 28th day, one bird was randomly picked from each replicate, starved of food for 24 hours and then slaughtered and eviscerated for carcass and organ evaluation. Weights were measured with digital weighing scale. Results of analysis of variance of carcass parameters showed significant (P 0.05) in the values above but only varied with birds on 10% and 15% BNS. Other carcass parameters were simi- lar (P > 0.05) in value between treatments. The liver, heart, gizzard and intestine significantly varied (P < 0.05) between their treatments. How- ever, kidney values did not differ significantly. From the results, it appeared that 5% BNS in- clusion is optimal for carcass and organ char- acteristics of finisher broilers.

Level of Bruising and DFD Carcasses from Bulls of Arsi, Boran and Harar Cattle Breeds in Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to determine the level of Bruising and Dark Firm Dry on Arsi, Boran and Harar cattle breeds in Ethiopia. A total of 39 beef bulls from three different breeds (14 Boran, 14 Harar, and 11 Arsi cattle breeds) were used in this study. Based on the present finding, from 39 slaughtered beef bulls 66.7% was bruised and 30.77% produced DFD meat. Harar breed had the highest (39.1%) overall level of bruising while Boran and Arsi had the lowest level. However, Harar breed had the lowest level of DFD (14.29%). Age groups 3 - 6 and 6 - 9 years had the highest level of a bruise (29.70% and 28.10%, respectively) compared to age groups 2 - 3 years. The mean number of bruises per carcass was 1.96 ± 0.25 while the bruise score per carcass was 3.58 ± 0.68. A linear bruise was the most observed (33.33%) shape of a bruise. It was concluded that the level of bruising and DFD was higher compared to some other abattoir studies in other countries which indicated the possible presence of poor handling practice of cattle from farm to abattoir gates. To minimize the incidence of DFD and bruising, it was recommended that proper handling of cattle during loading, transport, unloading, at lairriage and during slaughter need to be practiced.