Animal Nutrition

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL FEEDS ON PERFORMANCES OF HARARGHE HIGHLAND SHEEP FED GRASS HAY BASAL DIET

2024-09-01T00:00:00Z

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL FEEDS ON PERFORMANCES OF HARARGHE HIGHLAND SHEEP FED GRASS HAY BASAL DIET Juhar Abdurahman; (PhD) Hirut Yirga; (PhD) Silashi Gadisa; (Prof) Mengistu Urge This study was aimed to carry out comparative evaluation of 3 commercial and 1home formulated feeds on the feed intake, digestibility, live weight gain and carcass parameters of yearling Hararghe highland sheep (HHS) with average initial body weight of 16.5 ± 2.5 kg. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments,each with six replications. The dietary treatments were grass hay basal diet plus supplemented with home-formulated concentrate (T1) and three commercial diets (T2,T3 and T4). The animals under all treatment fed grass hay basal diet and 350g/day of concentrate and commercial feeds. The home- formulated concentrate mixture was composed of wheat bran (WB) and noug seed cake (NSC) in the ratio of 3:1 respectively. The digestibility trial was carried out for 7 days followed by feeding trial of 90 days and carcass evaluation. Feed offered and refusals were recorded for each animal during both digestion and feeding trials whereas feces voided during digestiblity trial were recorded daily. The body weight changes of animals during the feeding trial were determined in ten days interval. This study results indicated that animals under T2 and T3 consume greater (P<0.01) amount of grass hay of (432 and 449 g/day), and total dry matter intake (DMI) of (782 and 799 g/day) respectively). Where as grass hay and total DMI of animals under T4 was the least (343 and 693 g/day), respectively while intake of animals under T1 was intermediate. The OM and CP intake of animals fed T4 was the lowest (P<0.01) as compared with animals fed the rest dietary treatment groups. The DM digestibility of animals fed on T1 was the highest (P<0.05) as compared with those fed on commercial feeds. Where as CP and OM digestibility were higher (P<0.05) for animals fed on all commercial feeds than those fed on own formulated diet. In this experiment, all types of commercial feeds had no significant effect (p>0.05) on NDF and ADF digestibility. Animals fed on T3 diets had shown better performance in ADG (80.5g/day) and FCE (0.095) than T2 fed animals (ADG: 65.7g/day and FCE: 0.079) respectively. Rams fed on control diet (T1) had shown intermediate performance in ADG and FCE whereas animals fed on T4 commercial diet had shown least performance in ADG and FCE (30.2g/day vs 0.040) respectively).On the other hand, the slaughter body weight of animals under T3 was higher (P<0.001) than T2 fed animals while those fed on T1 had intermediate SBW where as animals fed on T4 had least SBW. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) differences in total edible and non edible offal components yields for animals under all dietary treatments. Even though, all commercial feeds supplementation had significant effects (p<0.05) on feed intake, body weight change, digestibility and carcass yields, animals fed on T3 had shown the best performancess in all parameters. Therefore, from this study, T3 and T2 diets are recommended as supplementation diets for HHS with all measured parameters except NDF and ADF intake. 74p.

EFFECT OF LOCALLY EXTRACTED PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS AND LAYERS PhD DISSERTATION

2024-06-01T00:00:00Z

EFFECT OF LOCALLY EXTRACTED PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS AND LAYERS PhD DISSERTATION Mengistu Lemma Lebena; Dr.Negassi Ameha (PhD); Dr.Meseret Girma (PhD); Dr.Ali Beker (PhD) The present study evaluated the two experiments with phytase supplementation for layers and broilers; Experiment I used white leghorn layers (paper I and paper II) whereas experiment II used Cobb 500 broilers (paper III and paper IV). Experiment I was conducted to study effect of extracted phytase supplementation on performance of white leghorn hens (paper I) and the effect of phytase on haematological, serum metabolites, phosphorus in faeces and phytase activities for evaluating animal’s health status and economics of phytase supplementation (paper II). Experiment II studied effect of phytase supplementation in diets on broiler feed intake, growth performance and carcass quality parameters (paper III) and effect of phytase supplementation in blood hematological and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens (paper IV). Experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated three times. A total of 168 white leghorn chickens and 180-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly distributed to the treatments and fed with the diets for 90 days (Experiment I) and 42 days (Experiment II). Body weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, body weight change, body weight gain were not affected by inclusion of phytase (p>0.05) but feed intake, hen day egg production and egg weight affected by phytase supplementation (Paper I). Phytase supplementation has impact on egg weight, albumin height, and albumin weight (p<0.05) but had no added advantage on haugh unit, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk diameter, yolk index, yolk color, shell thickness and shell weight (Paper I). Fertility, hatchability of total eggs set, hatchability of fertile eggs, chick length, chick weight, late dead embryos, pipped embryos, early dead embryos were not affected by inclusion of phytase (Paper I). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in total serum, albumin, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein among phytase supplementation and control diet, but HDLP there was a significant difference (p<0.01) among treatments (Paper II). Among the treatments, maximum net income was recorded at T4 (1200 FTU / Kg), followed by chickens raised at T3, T2, and T1. Phytase supplementation of diet has significant reduction on excreta of Ca and P (Paper II). It was observed that inclusion of phytase had significant effect on total feed intake, final body weight and body weight change during starter, finisher and entire phase among treatments (p<0.05). Higher (P<0.05) starter phase feed intake, final body weight and body weight change was recorded for T4 and T3 compared to T1 and xv T2. In addition, better-feed conversion was recorded in starter phase among treatments with inclusion of phytase compared with control group. The birds fed on the diet T1and T2 attained the lowest feed consumption than phytase supplementation recorded in T3 and T4. The highest (P<0.05) final body weight in finisher phase recorded in T2, T3 and T4 compared to T1. Also highest (P<0.05) body weight change was recorded in T2, T3, and T4 compared with T1. The highest (p<0.001) feed intake in entire phase were recorded in diets containing 600 (T3) and 1200 FTU/kg (T4) compared with T1 and T2. Final body weight, body weight change and average gain among treatment with phytase inclusion shown similarly significant effect (p<0.001) compared with control group. The weight of most carcasses were similar (P>0.05) among treatment except the dressed weight and breast weigh were significant effects (p<0.05) compared control group (Paper III). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among all groups for packed cell volume (PCV), total red blood cells (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb). Total protein, albumin and globulin values did not significantly (P>0.05) increased in supplemented groups as compared to the T1 control (group) at whole growth period (Paper IV). The calcium concentration ranged from 1-1.49% and 0.75-0.89% whereas phosphorus ranged from 0.37-0.52% and 0.28-0.44% in starter and finisher diets, respectively and it is within the range recommended in broiler ration (NRC, 1994). According to the present result of partial budget analysis, broiler chicken in T4 returned a higher profit than those grouped to T2, T3 and T1 respectively (Paper IV). It was concluded that the inclusion level of extracted phytase 600 and 1200 FTU/kg had a considerable impact on feed intake in layers. But in broilers diet (paper IV) had a considerable impact on feed intake, final body weight, body weight change, and carcass yield characteristics, Packed cell volume (PCV), Hb and WBC, reduce feed costs and improve the efficiency of utilization of phosphate in plant-based feed ingredients, resulting in economic and environmental benefits. Supplementation with 300, 600 and 1200 ftu/kg phytase in diets recommended improving broilers and hen day egg production performance with control level. 125

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITY AND GAS PRODUCTION OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) STOVER AND COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) STRAW ENSILED WITH ACTIVATED EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS AND UREA

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN-VITRO DIGESTIBILITY AND GAS PRODUCTION OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) STOVER AND COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) STRAW ENSILED WITH ACTIVATED EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS AND UREA Zekeriya Hussen Habib; Yesihak Yusuf Mummed (PhD); Sileshi Gadissa (PhD); Meseret Girma (PhD) This study was conducted in Haramaya University compound with the aim to evaluate chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility, in-vitro gas and methane production of activated Effective microorganisms( EM) plus urea treated maize (Zea mays L.) stover and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) straw mixed at different proportions. The experiment was conducted using completely randomized design (CRD) and each treatment replicated 3 times. The dried and chopped maize stover (MS) and common bean straw (CBS) were combined in different proportions to form five experimental treatment groups: T1 (75% MS + 25% CBS), T2 (50% MS + 50% CBS), T3 (25% MS + 75% CBS) were treated by the EM-Urea solution which was prepared by combining 2 liters of EM solution and 2 liters of Urea solution for each 4kg of stover and straw combination treatments and T4 (100 % untreated MS) and T5 (100 % untreated CBS) were ensiled in airtight plastic bags for 21 days. Representative samples of silages were collected and analyzed in the laboratory of animal nutrition at Hawassa University for nutritional composition, in- vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro gas and methane production. Sensory evaluation and visual appraisal indicated that there was no fungus development. In all types of silages, treatment affected the chemical composition through decreasing the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (72.25, 70.27 and 69.20 %) as compared to the two controls (T4 and T5) and methane (CH4) production (22.47, 21.93 and 21.97ml) as compared to the one control (T4) where as crude protein (CP) (8.37, 10.48 and 10.52%) and Ash (13.07, 13.63 and 13.84%) increased as compared to one control (T4) for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) among experimental treatments in which, T2 and T3 showed the highest IVDMD value (62.97 and 63.72%) respectively. The CP and IVDMD contents increased with increasing proportions of CBS across T1 to T2. The gas production parameters increased by the additive treatment as compared to the two controls. The in vitro gas production increased with increasing the incubation time across all treatments. The metabolisable energy and rate of gas production (c) decreased in the order of T2 > T3 > T1 > T5 > T4. Gas production from insoluble but fermentable fractions (b) and potential gas production (a + b) had positive correlation with ash and CP and negative correlation with fiber (NDF and ADF). This indicated that treating both crop residues combined in different proportion by activated EM and urea had improved the nutritive value. However, T2 (50% MS + 50% CBS) was the most effective treatment in most of nutritional quality parameters included in this study. Thus, the T2 fermentation products are recommended for ruminant animals feeding during dry season. 79p.

EFFECT OF VETCH INTERCROPPING AND HARVESTING STAGES ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DRY MATTER YIELD, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA GRASS (Urochloa)

2023-03-01T00:00:00Z

EFFECT OF VETCH INTERCROPPING AND HARVESTING STAGES ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS, DRY MATTER YIELD, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRACHIARIA GRASS (Urochloa) Sultan Mohammed Abdella; Yesihak Yusuf (PhD); Takele Wolkaro (PhD); Sileshi Gadissa (PhD) This study was conducted at Haramaya University ‘Rare’ research site with an objective to determining the effects of intercropping vetch and harvesting stages on morphological characteristics, dry matter yield and chemical composition of brachiaria grass using a three factor factorial in RCBD with three replications. The three factors were 1) harvesting stages (HS) with five levels: 60, 90 and 120 day, 60 and 90 day of regrowth, 2) five-levels of intercropping: sole basilisk, sole xaraes, and sole vetch, basilisk with vetch, and xaraes with vetch; and 3) grass varieties (two brachiaria). The plot size was 4 m * 3 m (12 m2 ) with a total land area of 59 m * 15 m (885 m2 ). Prior to planting, 150 kg/ha combinations of nitrogen, phosphate and sulfur (NPS) fertilizers were applied to all plots. Root split brachiaria grass and seed of vetch were sown based on the recommended seed rate. Morphological data including plant height (PH), number leaf par plant (NLPP), number of tiller (TN), number of node (NN), leaf length (LL), internode length (INL), plot cover (PC), leaf to stem ratio (LSR), dry matter yield (DMY) and chemical composition (CP, Ash, DM, ADF, NDF, and ADL), were collected by taking five plants from the middle two rows of each plot. Soil samples were collected and analyzed before planting and after harvesting. Soil samples and brachiaria grass samples were analysed for chemical composition at Haramaya University Animal Nutrition and Soil Chemistry Laboratory, respectively. All data were subjected to the GLM ANOVA procedures of SAS JMP® pro 17. The result revealed that harvesting stages and cultivars had significant effect (P<0.0001) on NT, NN, and LL, whereas, NT, INL,and NLPP,had significant (P<0.05) interaction effect. HS and cultivars had significant effect (P<0.05) on LSR. HS and vetch intercropping had significant effect (P<0.05) on NN, LL and NT. The highest NN (81), PH (92.70cm) and NTPP (54.94) at 120 days of HS were recorded for vetch intercropping with Basilisk. The highest LSR (1.78%) and INL (14.92) at 120 days of HS, were recorded for vetch intercropping with Xaraes. The highest LL (33.40cm) was recorded for Brachiaria cultivars with intercropping at 120 days of HS. The highest NLPP (458.03), and NT (71.25)at 120 days of HS, were recorded from Basilisk. HS, and cultivars had significant effect (P<0.0001) on CP content, ADF and ADL and their interaction had also significantl (p<0.05) effect on DM content, ASH, and NDF. HS and intercropping had significant effect (P<0.0001) on CPY, and CP content, respectively. Highest DM (93.36%), ash (14.14%), NDF (77.75%), ADF (40.80%), ADL (18.64%), was obtained at 120 days of HS. The highest DMY were recorded from sole Brachiaria (4.02t/ha-1 ) and sole basilisk (9.71t/ha-1 ) at 120 days of HS. The highest CP (20.22%) content where recorded from Xaraes intercropping at 60 days of HS. Optimum CP content and DM yield were recorded for Basilisk and Xaraes intercropping with vetch at 60 days of HS, and regrowth from 60 days of HS. The current study suggested that there is a need for further studies on different combinations of HS and plant spacing over years and locations so as to arrive at a more dependable conclusion. Besides, in sacco DM and OM degradability and livestock feeding trial on both forages in combination to see their effects on animal performance 110p.