Effects of Different Levels of Garlic Powder Incorporated in the Feed Enriched with Stylosanthes guianensis on Reproduction and Pre-Weaning Growth Performances of Cavies (Cavia porcellus)

In order to increase the productivity of the local cavies as a meat animal, a study was carried out between November 2021 and March 2022 at the Research and Experimental Farm, Animal Nutrition and Production Research Unit of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FAAS) and the Microbiology and Anti-Microbial Research Unite of the University of Dschang on 72 cavies aged between 4 and 5 months and weighing an average of 450 ± 50 g produced on the farm, including 60 females and 12 males. The females were distributed according to a completely randomized factorial design in twelve (12) rearing boxes numbered G1 to G12, with 15 females per group distributed in 03 boxes and receiving iso-nitrogenated experimental diet (18% protein) R0 enriched with 20% of Stylosanthes guianensis (0% garlic powder), R0.25 (0.25% garlic powder), R0.50 (0.50% garlic powder) and R0.75 (0.75% garlic powder). Females were identified by numbered ear tags and mated with a sex ratio of 5 females for 1 male. Drinking water enriched with vitamin C (01 tablet of 240 mg in 1.5 liters of water) was served ad libitum and renewed daily. The males were removed after 31 days. A form was established to record the weight of each pregnant female, any abortions during gestation, the date of parturition and the date of birth of each newborn, as well as the number of live-born or stillborn pups. After parturition, the weights of female and newborn cavies were recorded weekly until the 3rd week. The number of cavies that died before weaning and the number of live weaned cavies were also recorded. Reproductive performance significantly increased (p 0.05) fertility rate and net fertility rate, litter size, birth viability rate, and pre-weaning viability rate with rations containing garlic powder, compared to the control ration, especially with the R0.50 ration. In addition, birth mortality and pre-weaning mortality were significantly lower (p 0.05) with rations containing the additive, compared to those of the control ration (R0). However, the R0.50 ration showed the lowest rates, followed by the R0.25 ration, and finally the R0.75 ration. Weight development of young cavies increased with all rations but was more marked with the R0.50 ration. Only total weight gain (TG) and average daily weight gain (ADG) in the pre-weaning phase were significantly increased (p < 0.05) with rations R0.25 and R0.50.

Optimizing the growth and immune system of dairy calves by subdividing the pre-weaning period and providing different milk volumes for each stage

In systematically considering the advantages and disadvantages of complementarity in high or low milk feeding,novel milk feeding schemes involving altering the volume of supplied milk in different stages of the pre-weaning period but maintaining the total milk feeding volume were tested.Twenty-seven newborn male Holstein calves were selected and randomly assigned to 3 treatments.Calves in the control(CON)group were fed 7 L of milk daily from 4 to 66 d of age.Calves in the low-high(LH)group were fed 6 L of milk daily at the beginning,and then the daily feeding volume was later increased to 7 to 8 L of milk,which served as the early-period low-volume feeding group.The calves in the high-low(HL)group were fed 7 to 8 L daily at the beginning,and then the daily feeding volume was decreased to 6 L of milk,which served as the early-period high-volume feeding group.Then all calves were fed 3 L of milk daily from 67 to 70 d of age,weaned at 70 d of age,and then fed starter feed to 100 d of age.All calves had access to the starter feed from 15 to 100 d of age.The diarrheal condition of calves was recorded daily and the growth performance including the starter feed intake and body weight of calves was recorded at 70 and 100 d of age.Then,five 100-d-old calves from each treatment were sampled for measurement of plasma indices,ruminal morphology,and volatile fatty acids.When compared with the CON and LH groups,calves in the HL group exhibited a significantly increased body weight and lower diarrhoeal rate.When compared with the CON group,calves in the HL group exhibited a significantly increased average daily feed intake,ruminal epithelium papillae length,total volatile fatty acids,and percentages of propionate and butyrate.Moreover,the significantly increased plasma immunoglobulin G(IgG)content and a trend of decreased tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)content(P=0.083)were also identified in the HL group when compared with the CON group.Overall,the early-period high-volume feeding for calves produced greater body weight gain and a lower incidence of diarrhea.

Effects of different planes of milk feeding and milk total solids concentration on growth,ruminal fermentation,health,and behavior of late weaned dairy calves during summer

Background:In recent years,there has been an increasing interest in using high quantities of milk or milk replacer(MR)in heat-stressed calves to alleviate the negative effects of high environmental temperatures on their performance.However,observations have indicated a decline in growth performance in the weaning and postweaning period,which might be optimized with increasing total solids(TS)in milk and weaning age.This study aims to optimize the effects of higher quantities of milk on late weaned calves'performance by increasing TS concentration or delivery route in summer conditions.Method:Forty-eight newborn Holstein calves were used in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with the factors of preweaning total plane of milk(PM)intake(low vs.high)and milk TS content(12%vs.17%).The treatments were(1)low PM(LPM)intake with 12%TS(TS intake=45.9 kg),(2)LPM intake with 17%TS(TS intake=65.1 kg),(3)high PM(HPM)intake with 12%TS(TS intake=63.7 kg);and(4)HPM intake with 17%TS(TS intake=90.3 kg).Calves were weaned at d 83,and the study was terminated at d 103 of age.Performance data(every 10 day),skeletal growth(d 80 and 100),ruminal fermentation parameters(d 48 and 91),and behavioral measurements(d 69,70,93 and 94)were analyzed as repeated measurements with PROC MIXED of SAS 9.4(SAS Institute Inc.,Cary,NC).Results:Calves receiving HPM consumed less PMR from d 44 to 83 of age,but they had higher ADG from d 24 to 53 of age compared to those fed LPM(PM×age,P<0.001).In addition,calves receiving milk with 17%TS had lower PMR intake from d 14 to 83 of age,but greater ADG from d 34 to 53 compared to those receiving milk with 12%TS(TS×age,P<0.001).Calves that received HPM had greater skeletal growth parameters compared to LPMfed calves,with a similar effect evident for calves fed milk with 17%TS compared with those fed milk with 12%TS.Calves receiving milk with 17%TS had greater fecal scores and diarrhea occurrence than those fed milk with 12%TS in HPM,but not LPM.Conclusions:Increasing PM and milk TS concentration improved growth in summer-exposed calves as demonstrated by increased pre-weaning ADG,pre-and post-weaning BW,and structural growth.

Mineral Composition and Effect of Biochar on Preweaning Reproductive and Growth Performance in Cavy (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>)

In order to contribute to the improvement of the knowledge on the valorization of biochar as a feed additive in livestock, three biochar made from cassava peelings, bean tops and cocoa pods were manufactured. After analyzing their mineral composition, they were incorporated into rations at a rate of 0.8% in order to evaluate their effects on the performance of reproduction and pre-weaning growth in cavy (Cavia porcellus). The trials were conducted in the Research Unit of Animal Production and Nutrition (URPRONAN) of the University of Dschang, on 96 adult local breed cavy (from the first generation), including 80 females and 16 males aged 4 months and with an average weight of 400 ± 0.25 g. After 2 weeks of adaptation in the rearing boxes at the farm, the females were put in reproduction for a period of 31 days, the animals were divided into 04 batches of 20 females and 4 males. The animals in the control lot were fed a compound feed without biochar (T) while the others were fed the compound feed containing 0.8% of cassava peel biochar (EM), 0.8% of bean tops biochar (FH) and 0.8% of cocoa pod husks biochar (CC) respectively. The results of this study showed that the ash content (26%) and macro-element concentration were higher in the bean husk charcoal compared to the other charcoals and the trace elements were more concentrated in the cassava peel charcoal. The best fertility rate (87.5%) was obtained in animals receiving the ration containing organic cocoa pod charcoal. The highest abortion rate (63.16%) was obtained in the batch of animals receiving the ration containing organic bean husk charcoal. Pre-weaning mortality rates were comparable between the different rations. Piglet weights at birth were comparable between the different rations. At weaning, the highest average weight of the kids was recorded with the ration containing the organic bean charcoal (197.25 ± 46.9 g). The highest ADG (4.82 ± 0.74 g/d) and TG (101.25 g) were recorded in the batch of animals receiving the FH ration. Thus, the incorporation of 0.8% of the powder of organic coals seems to have adverse effects on reproductive performance. On the other hand, these coals significantly improve the pre-weaning growth performance in cavy.