Effects of different dietary energy and protein levels and sex on growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality of F1 Angus x Chinese Xiangxi yellow cattle

Background：The experiment evaluated the effect of nutrition levels and sex on the growth performance,carcass characteristics and meat quality of F1 Angus × Chinese Xiangxi yellow cattle.Methods：During the background period of 184 d,23 steers and 24 heifers were fed the same ration,then put into a2×2×2 factorial arrangement under two levels of- dietary energy（TON：70/80%DM）,protein（CP：11.9/14.3%DM）and sex（S：male/female） during the finishing phase of 146 d.The treatments were-（1） high energy/low protein（HELP）,（2） high energy/high protein（HEHP）,（3） low energy/low protein（LELP） and（4） low energy/high protein（LEHP）.Each treatment used 6 steers and 6 heifers,except for HELP- 5 steers and 6 heifers.Results：Growth rate and final carcass weight were unaffected by dietary energy and protein levels or by sex.Compared with the LE diet group,the HE group had significantly lower dry matter intake（DMI,6.76 vs.7.48 kg DM/d）,greater chest girth increments（46.1 vs.36.8 cm）,higher carcass fat（19.9 vs.16.3%） and intramuscular fat content（29.9 vs.22.8%DM）.The HE group also had improved yields of top and medium top grade commercial meat cuts（39.9 vs.36.5%）.The dressing percentage was higher for the HP group than the LP group（53.4 vs.54.9%）.Steers had a greater length increment（9.0 vs.8.3 cm）,but lower carcass fat content（16.8 vs.19.4%） than heifers.The meat quality traits（shear force value,drip loss,cooking loss and water holding capacity） were not affected by treatments or sex,averaging 3.14 kg,2.5,31.5 and 52.9%,respectively.The nutritive profiles（both fatty and amino acid composition） were not influenced by the energy or protein levels or by sex.Conclusions：The dietary energy and protein levels and sex significantly influenced the carcass characteristics and chemical composition of meat but not thegrowth performance,meat quality traits and nutritive profiles.

Effects of the standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy ratio on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

A total of 2,121 growing-finishing pigs （Duroc × Landrace ×Large White） were utilized in six experiments conducted to determine the effects of different ratios of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID-Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） on the performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. Exps. 1 （30 to 50 kg）, 2 （52 to 70 kg） and 3 （81 to 104 kg） were conducted to find an optimum ME level and then this level was used in Exps. 4 （29 to 47 kg）, 5 （54 to 76 kg） and 6 （84 to 109 kg） to test the response of pigs to different ratios of SID-Lys：ME. In Exps.1 to 3, four treatments were used consisting of diets with a formulated ME content of 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 in Exps. I and 2 while Exp. 3 used 3.05, 3.1 S, 3.25 or 3.35 Mcal/kg. A constant SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.6, 2.3 or 2.0 g/Mcal was used in Exps. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Weight gain was significantly increased with increasing energy level in Exp.1 while weight gain was unaltered in Exps. 2 and 3. For all three experiments, feed intake was decreased （P 〈 0.05） and feed efficiency was improved （P 〈 0.05） with increasing energy level. Tenth rib back fat thickness linearly increased （P 〈 0.05） with increasing energy level, in Exps. 4 to 6, five treatments were used consisting of diets with a SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0 or 3.2 in Exp. 1, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9 or 3.2 in Exp. 2 and 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, or 2.6 in Exp. 3. A constant ME level 3.2, 3.2 and 3.05 Mcal/kg was used in Exps. 1, 2 and 3, respectively （selected based on the results of weight gain）. For all three experiments, weight gain increased （P 〈 0.05） and feed efficiency improved linearly （P 〈 0.05） as the SID-Lys：ME ratio increased. Tenth rib back fat thickness linearly decreased （P 〈 0.0,5） as the SID-Lys：ME ratio increased. Based on a straight broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys：ME ratio to maximize weight gain was 3.0, 2.43 and 2.2 for 29 to 47, 54 to76 and 84 to 109 kg of pigs, respectively.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Cysteamine on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality and Antioxidant Status in Finishing Pigs

The current study was to investigate the effects of cysteamine （CS） on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and antioxidant status in finishing pigs. A total of 24 crossbred （PIC variety） finishing pigs （60.05±1.24 kg, 12 gilts and 12 barrows） were assigned randomly to one of the three dietary groups, with four pens/group （one gilt and one barrow per pen）. Pigs were fed with a basal diet containing 0 （control）, 70, or 140 mg/kg CS for 47 days. The results indicated that dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） the average daily gain and feed intake with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. Dietary supplementation of CS increased （P〈0.05） the dressing percentage and lean percentage of finishing pigs with optimal responses occurring at 140 mg/kg. The CS supplementation, however, had no effect （P〉0.05） on meat quality. Dietary CS supplementation increased （P〈0.05） total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC） and decreased malondialdehyde （MDA） with optimal responses occurring at 70 mg/kg. CS supplementation at both 70 mg/kg and 140 mg/kg doses improved （P〈0.05） the muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Collectively, the results suggest dietary supplementation of 70 mg/kg CS could significantly improve growth performance and antioxidant status without adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tracts in finishing pigs while the 140 mg/kg CS supplementation improved the carcass quality. However, meat quality was not affected by CS supplementation.

Effects of Diet Dilution during the Finishing Period on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the response of broiler to diet dilution during the finishing period. Sixty 29-day-old commercial Avian male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups randomly, with 30 broilers each. Birds were offered a conventional finishing diet or with 10% dilution diet with ground rice hulls from 29 to 49 days of age. The result showed that there were no significant differences between the effects of diet dilution and the control on final body weight, growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. Diet dilution led to a reduction in abdominal fat weight, whereas carcass and breast muscle weight were not affected.

Influence of Early Quantitative Feed Restriction on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to study the influence of eady quantitative feed restriction on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Two hundred 8-day-old commercial Avian male broiler chicks were assigned to four groups randomly, with 50 broilers each. At the age of 8 days the broilers were restricted to 90%, 80% or 70% of the ad libitum intake for 7 days. When the restricion was finished, all birds received feed ad libitum again. The results showed that diet restriction resulted in a reduction in body weight and daily gain during the restriction period （P 〈0.05）. The birds restricted to 90% of the ad libitum intake showed the occurring of growth compensation in the 3rd week. The birds restricted to 80% and 70% of the ad libitum intake had growth compensation in the 4th week. No significant differences between the effects of the restriction and the control on final body weight, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and carcass characteristics （P 〈0.05）.

Comparative Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Local Horro and Exotic Cockerels of Tropical Origin Fed Growers Diet

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of male chickens were evaluated using eight-week-old 360 cockerels from three exotic (Koekoek, Kuroiler and Sasso-R) and one Ethiopian indigenous (Horro) genotypes. Cockerels in each breed (90) were randomly allocated into three replications of 30 birds each and housed in deep litter pens for the experiment that lasted for 8 to 16 weeks. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. Seven birds per breed were slaughtered at the end to determine carcass yield, chemical composition and quality attributes of meat. The Kuroiler breed has higher body weight, body weight change (1621.8 g), average daily gain (28.9 g/day), daily feed consumption (127.4 g/day) and better feed conversion ratio (4.40) than other breeds. The Kuroiler breed has heavier slaughter weight (2716.3 g), dressed carcass weight (2201.0 g), eviscerated carcass weight (1905.1 g), breast weight (537.7 g), thigh weight (303.1 g) and drumstick weight (274.8 g) than other breeds. Total edible offal was higher for Kuroiler (324.2 g) and Sasso-R (306.1 g), intermediate in Koekoek (204.4 g) and low in Horro (152.4 g) breed. The relative proportion of breast and drumstick (% slaughter weight) were lower in Koekoek and Sasso-R (17.3 and 8.9) breeds, respectively. Abdominal fat weight (13.7 g and 1.02%) was lowest in Horro. Sasso-R showed higher percent edible offal weight (13.4%) than Horro breed (11.4%). The DM content in breast and thigh meat was higher for Horro breed than the rest. The CP content in the breast and thigh meat was lower for the Kuroiler and Koekoek breeds, respectively. Higher EE in the thigh meat was recorded for Sasso-R (8.9%), whereas, EE content in the breast meat was similar (3.4% - 3.7%) among the breeds. Flavor, tenderness, juiciness and general acceptability of breast and thigh meat were not affected by breed. The highest net return was observed in the Kuroiler breed. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested that the Kuroiler breed can be used for cockerel meat production in Ethiopia where intensive broiler production is not well developed.

Effect of Different Levels of Chicory and Satureja Hortensis Root Powders on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers

Inulin and oligofructose that are used in animal nutrition originate from chicory roots. Chicory fructans were shown to be prebiotic （selectively interacting with intestinal bacterial ecosystem） in humans and in animals, including livestock and pets. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of chicory and satureja hortensis root powders, which are commonly used as alternative to antibiotics, on performance and carcass characteristic of broilers. The study included 280 Ross 308 male broiler chicks （1-day old at the beginning of the study）. There were 7 treatment groups, each consisting of 4 replicates （10 chicks in each replicate）. Chicory root powder （CRP） were added in 2%, 4% and 6% doses and satureja hortensis root powder （SHRP） were added in 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% doses to starter and grower diets. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results showed that adding 2% of chicory root powder to the diet rather than control group, had significant effect on body weight gain （BWG）, feed intake （FI） and feed conversion rate （FCR）. All treatments of SHRP rather than control group significantly decreased FCR and feed intake. Treating with 6% CRP in days 1 to 21 in contrast to control group significantly decreased feed intake, but hadn＇t significant effect on FCR. Consequently we concluded that, using 2% CRP and different levels of SHRP had significant effect on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers.

Effect of Different Levels of Flax Seed Powder as a Source of Omega-3 on the Carcass Characteristics of Karadi Lambs

This experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, University of Sulaimany to study the effect of different levels of Flax seed powder （FP） as a source of omega-3 on the carcass characteristics of Karadi Iambs. It used 20 male Karadi lambs, with an average live-weight of 28 ± 0.398 kg and 4-5 months. They were randomly distributed to 4 treatments. FP was supplemented at the levels of 3%, 6% and 9% compared with the control group for 88 days. At the end of the experiment 12 lambs were slaughtered after overnight fasting of feed. Carcasses were chilled for 24 h at 4 ℃. Then, several measurements of carcass characteristics were taken. The results showed： no significant differences have been shown in relation to daily feed intake, live weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The treatment 9% recorded the highest in hot carcass weight （HCW） and cold carcass weight （CCW）, rib eye area （REA） and the lowest fat thickness of subcutaneous fat as compared to other treatments. While, no significant differences in dressing percentage （DP） were seen between treatments. Generally percentage of tail fat related to carcass weight and subcutaneous fat to intermuscular fat ratio decreased with FP supplementation. About carcass cuts, significant （P 〈 0.05） differences were seen in percentage of major carcass cuts （leg, rack, loin and shoulder） and secondary cuts （neck, foreshank, flank and breast cuts） relative to cold carcass weight. It can be concluded that using Flax seed powder （FP） as a source of omega-3 supplementation improved carcass characteristics and efficiency of meat production.

Effect of Calcium Source in Supplemental Diets on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of the Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

To contribute to the diversification of protein sources, the conservation and preservation of the Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata), a study was carried out between March and July 2019 at the Helvy Farms-WVED Cameroon located at Station Bamenda to investigate the effect of three calcium sources on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. 180 juvenile snails aged 4 months initially weighing between 24.2 and 28.5 g, shell length ranging between 40.25 - 48.35 mm, and shell diameter of between 14.08 - 18.44 mm were randomly allotted to 3 treatments containing each a different calcium source (crushed snail shell, eggshell and agricultural limestone) and a control treatment constituted of natural plant feeding materials of the snail. There were 45 snails per treatment, constituted of three replicates with 15 snails per replicate. Each replicate was housed in well-constructed surface trench pens equipped with drinking and feeding troughs. The basal diet made up of feedstuffs like pawpaw leaves and watermelons was provided ad libitum. The initial weights of the snails were recorded at the start of the experiment followed by weekly weight measurements, while the snail length and width were measured with a digital caliper of 0.05 mm accuracy. The snails were monitored for a period of 21 weeks and data was collected for 20 weeks after a 1 week adaptation period. The results showed that the weight gain (g) of snails for diets containing calcium sources in the supplemental diets were all significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the corresponding values recorded for the control diet with natural plant material. It was observed that the shell length (0.34 ± 0.02), shell width (0.16 ± 0.02), weight gain (13.13 ± 0.03) and feed conversion efficiency (1.977 ± 0.11) were highest in snails fed snail shell diet as calcium source compared with snails from other treatments. These values were however not significantly higher than corresponding values for the other two supplemental diets containing eggshell or agricultural limestone. It can be deduced that the snail shell is an important calcium source for growing snails and can be adopted and used in the diets of snails. This will amount to some good methods of recycling in snail production.

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.

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.

Evaluation of thyme and ajwain as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on growth performance,carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry in Japanese quails(Coturnix japonica)

The present study was to evaluate thyme and ajwain as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions on growth performance,carcass characteristics and serum biochemistry in Japanese quails(Coturnix japonica).A feeding trial was conducted over 28 d with 4 groups of Japanese quails fed experimental diets formulated to provide no supplementation(control),or control t 55 mg zinc bacitracin/kg,2 g thyme/kg,and 2 g ajwain/kg.At 35 d of age,2 quails from each replicate were sacrificed and eviscerated.Liver,empty small intestine and heart were weighed and calculated as a percentage of live body weight.The carcasses were weighed and the cuts were performed to evaluate the yield of legs and breast.At 35 d of age,2 quails per replicate were chosen and approximately 1-m L blood samples were collected through brachial vein,and concentrations of albumin,total protein,triglyceride,total cholesterol,and high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol were determined.Final body weight were not affected by the dietary treatment whereas,it tended to increase in quails supplemented with antibiotic.Overall feed conversation ratio values were similar though it tended to improve in quails supplemented with thyme compared with other groups.Daily feed intake,internal organ weights and carcass traits were not influenced by the dietary treatments.Serum total cholesterol contents were lower(P < 0.05) in quails supplemented with ajwain compared with control and quails supplemented with antibiotic and thyme.The highest serum HDL-cholesterol was seen in the group supplemented with thyme compared with other groups.It was concluded that the addition of 2 g/kg thyme can improve serum biochemistry in quails,although its effects on performance criteria was negligible.

Effects of Dietary Net Energy Density and Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine: Net Energy Ratio on the Performance and Carcass Characteristic of Growing-Finishing Pigs Fed Low Crude Protein Supplemented with Crystalline Amino Acids Diets

Two 3×3 factorial design trials with 1 080 of Yorkshire×Landrace×Duroc barrows were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary net energy （NE） density and standardized ileal digestible （SID） lysine：NE ratio on the performance of growing- finishing pigs and carcass characteristic of finishing pigs fed low crude protein （CP） supplemented with crystalline amino acids （CAA） diets. Low CP corn-soybean meal basal diets （14% for Exp. 1 and 11% for Exp. 2） supplemented with crystalline lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan were formulated. Nine treatments with increasing NE density and SID lysine：NE ratio were used in each trial （Exp. 1： 9.66, 9.87, and 10.08 MJ kg-1 NE, 0.89, 0.96, and 1.03 g MJ-1 SID lysine： NE; Exp. 2： 9.83, 10.04, and 10.25 MJ kg-1 NE, 0.69, 0.76, and 0.83 g MJ-1 SID lysine：NE）. In Exp. 1, we observed that the average daily gain （ADG） for barrows that received the diet containing 9.87 MJ kg-1 NE was significantly higher than that of barrows fed a 9.66 MJ kg-1 NE diet （P0.05）, but no difference was observed when compared with barrows that received a diet containing 10.08 MJ kg-1 NE （P0.05）. The ADG was affected both linearly （P0.05） and quadratically （P0.05） as the SID lysine：NE ratio increased. The NE density or SID lysine：NE ratio and their interaction had no effect on the average daily feed intake （ADFI） and serum urea nitrogen （SUN） （P0.05）. The feed to gain ratio （F：G） decreased （linearly, P0.05; quadratically, P0.05） as the NE density or SID lysine：NE ratio increased, but no interaction of NE density and SID lysine： NE ratio on the F：G. In Exp. 2, the dietary NE density both linearly （P0.05） and quadratically （P0.05） affected the ADG and F：G. Barrows that received a diet containing 10.04 MJ kg-1 NE had a greater ADG （P0.05） than barrows that received a 9.83 MJ kg-1 diet, but there was no difference （P0.05） as compared with barrows that received a diet containing 10.25 MJ kg-1 NE. F：G was significantly higher （P0.05） for barrows that received a 9.83 MJ kg-1 diet when compared with barrows that received the other two diets. The ADG was significantly decreased （P0.05） for pigs that received a diet containing 0.69 g MJ-1 SID lysine：NE ratio when compared with pigs fed a diet containing 0.76 or 0.83 g MJ-1 SID lysine：NE ratio. The NE density or SID lysine：NE ratio and their interaction had no effect on the average daily feed intake, SUN, and carcass characteristic for finishing barrows （P0.05）. The overall results of the two experiments indicated that barrows that received the diet with the dietary CP level reduced 4 percentage units compared the NRC （1998） recommendations. Maximized the best performance with NE density and SID lysine：NE ratio were 9.87 MJ kg-1, 1.03 g MJ-1 NE for 20-50 kg pigs, and 10.04 MJ kg-1, 0.76 g MJ-1 NE for 60-100 kg pigs, respectively.

Growth Performance of Butcher’s Pigs Fed on Diets Made from the Ruminal Contents of Bovine Animals

Both quantitatively and qualitatively, underfeeding materialized by underconsumption of meat remains one of the things most felt in Africa. To make up for this deficit, emphasis is placed on the production of short-cycle animals such as poultry, rabbits and pork. Among these animals, pig plays a very important socio-economic role in the life of local populations. Its meat is required in various ceremonies such as the dowry and funerals. For this purpose, twenty four males cross piglets with Large White × Landrace × Duroc × Pietrain phenotypic traits, aged between 58 and 62 days and having an average weight of 9.978 ± 1.11 kg were used to evaluate the influence of graded levels of bovine rumen content on the growth performances of grower finisher pigs. The piglets were submitted to 4 treatments, housed in pairs and fed ad libitum with a diet containing 0, 5%, 10% and 20% bovine rumen content. The trial which lasted for 18 weeks was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Dschang. The results showed that drying process destroyed most microbes found in the rumen content. These results also showed that the incorporation of bovine rumen content in diets had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on feed conversion ratio efficiency. However, feed intake, body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in pigs fed with a diet (R5) containing 5% of bovine rumen content. Feed cost per kg of live body weight was significantly (p 20 diet compared to the animals receiving the control diet which was lower than that of the other two diets (R0) and (R5) but comparable with animals fed diet R10. The analysis of the carcass showed that increasing incorporation level of bovine rumen content in the diet reduces abdominal fat and back fat thickness. For offal, the lowest weight was recorded in animals fed the control diet (R0) and the highest weight with animals fed a diet containing 5% bovine rumen content. Carcass length of animals fed the control diet (R0) was significantly greater compared with the carcass of animals fed diet R10 and comparable to that of the other two treatments. The pH of the pork was comparable (p > 0.05) in all the treatments. In conclusion, a diet containing 5% bovine rumen content induced the best growth performances compared to all the other groups, while diet R20 produced lean pork with the higher production cost.

Response of Broiler Birds to Choline Chloride in Semi Arid Sokoto,Nigeria

A study was carried out to evaluate growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler birds fed with varying level of choline inclusion in their diets;T1(control),T2(10g/10kg)and T3(20g/10kg).A total of 225 marshall broiler chicks were randomly divided into three(3)treatment group of 75 birds each.Each group was divided into five(5)replicates of fifteen(15)birds each laid in a completely randomized design.Feed and water was supplied ad-libitum and the experiment lasted for 49 days.The total feed intake(1316.75-14442.18)(24437.13-31999.76)for starter and finisher respectively,body weight gain(6227.30-8241.20)(10956.64-14182.96)for starter and finisher respectively,feed conversion ratio(1.73-2.26)(2.21-2.48)for starter and finisher respectively.Many(thigh,wings,back)of the carcass parameters measured were not significantly(p>0.05)affected by the treatments but significant difference(p<0.05)was observed in drum stick,breast and neck.However,significant difference(p<0.05)was also observed in gizzard,liver and bile,heart,lungs,legs and head.There was significant difference(p<0.05)in primal cuts per live weight,primal cuts per dressed weight,organs per live weight and organs per dressed weight.In view of the results obtained,it can be concluded that treatment two(10g/10kg)performed better in terms of total body weight(TBW)and feed conversion ratio(FCR).Also in the carcass characteristics,treatment two performed better in terms of breast yield,drumstick,percentage of primal cuts from live weight(P/LW)and percentage of primal cuts from dressed weight.

Post-weaning and whole-of-life performance of pigs is determined by live weight at weaning and the complexity of the diet fed after weaning

The production performance and financial outcomes associated with weaner diet complexity for pigs of different weight classes at weaning were examined in this experiment. A total of 720 weaner pigs(360 entire males and 360 females) were selected at weaning(27 ± 3 d) and allocated to pens of 10 based on individual weaning weight(light weaning weight: pigs below 6.5 kg; medium weaning weight: 6.5 to8 kg; heavy weaning weight: above 8.5 kg). Pens were then allocated in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with the respective factors being weaning weight(heavy, medium and light; H, M and L,respectively), weaner diet complexity(high complexity/cost, HC; low complexity/cost, LC), and gender(male and female). Common diets were fed to both treatment groups during the final 4 weeks of the weaner period(a period of 39 days). In the first 6 d after weaning, pigs offered the HC diets gained weight faster and used feed more efficiently than those offered the LC diets(P = 0.031). Pigs fed a HC diet after weaning tended to be heavier at the sale live weight of 123 d of age compared with pigs fed the LC diet(P = 0.056). There were no other main effects of the feeding program on growth performance through to slaughter. Weaning weight had a profound influence on lifetime growth performance and weight at 123 d of age, with H pigs at weaning increasing their weight advantage over the M and L pigs(101.3,97.1, 89.6 kg respectively, P < 0.001). Cost-benefit analyses suggested there was a minimal benefit in terms of cost per unit live weight gain over lifetime when pigs were offered a HC feeding program to L,with a lower feed cost/kg gain. The results from this investigation confirm the impact of weaning weight on lifetime growth performance, and suggest that a HC feeding program should be focused on L weaner pigs(i.e., weaning weight less than 6.5 kg at 27 d of age) in order to maximise financial returns.