The continuous use of antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production has resulted in increased rate of antibiotic resistance in humans which necessitates the search for suitable alternatives without adverse effect on humans. The effect of dietary olive-garlic extract oil (OGEO) supplementation on gut morphometry and morphology, carcass yield and relative organ weights of broilers was investigated in this study. The experiment lasted for 42 days and broilers were fed diets supplemented with varying levels of OGEO at two phases (starter (0-21 days) and finisher (22-42 days)) using two hundred and forty unsexed Ross broilers. Four experimental diets were formulated for the starter and finisher phases and the diets were designated as diet 1 which is the control (without OGEO supplementation) while diets 2, 3 and 4 were supplemented with OGEO at 1g/kg diet, 3g/kg diet and 5g/kg diet respectively. Individual treatment has four replicates containing fifteen birds per replicate (60 birds per treatment). Gut morphometry and morphology, carcass yield and relative organ weights, were determined on day 42. The data generated from the study were analysed in a one-way analysis of variance using SAS 2000 and significant differences among means were determined using Tukey’s test in the same software. Increased duodenal villi height (Q, p=0.049) (1786.78 µm) and villi height/crypt depth ratio (L, p=0.012; Q, p=0.006) (3.95) was significantly increased with dietary supplementation of 1% OGEO for broilers. Higher dressed percentage (DP) (Q, p=0.013) and breast meat weight (L, p=0.032; Q, p=0.012) was higher for broilers fed 1g/kg OGEO-supplemented diet than other treatments. The weight of the bursa, thymus and spleen weight were not significantly influenced by dietary supplementation of OGEO. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of OGEO at 1g/kg increased duodenal villi height and DP of broilers
The demand for high protein and low carbohydrate (sugar) diet has resulted into development of Greek-type yoghurt, which is reported to have an improved nutrient profile, texture and an extended shelf-life. Therefore, this study evaluated the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of Greek-type yoghurt differently formulated. Greek-type yoghurt was prepared from 45 litters of fresh milk, divided into three batches to differently formulate: TN (fortified with gelatine), ST (traditionally strained) and TS (increased total solid). The organoleptic, physicochemical and microbial populations of Greek yoghurt produced commercially (A, B and C) and in the laboratory (TN, ST and TS) were evaluated using the standard procedure on day 0, 14 and 28 in a completely randomized design. Data were subjected to ANOVA at α = 0.05. The results show that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the TBC of the three commercially available Greek-type yoghurts (A, B, C); product A contained high fungi (0.4 × 105) with no coliform recorded in the three products (A, B, C). Formulated samples revealed TN as a sample with highest number of microbes, while ST had the lowest. As the storage days progressed, microbial count increased; the highest microbial load was recorded on day 28. ST was significantly higher in CP, pH, WHC, fat, total solid and has the lowest value in lactose, syneresis and TTA, while TN was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in syneresis and TTA. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the CP of Greek-type yoghurt as the storage days increased; fat, total solid, pH and WHC declined with storage days, while TTA and syneresis increased with storage days. Significant changes in storage were observed during the early days (0 − 13) with no significant changes on latter days (14 − 28). The yoghurt was accepted and rated by the consumer in this sequence: TS>ST>TN.
Abstract This study investigated the impact of functional feed additives (dietary supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis) and prebiotics (mannose oligosaccharide and inulin)) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune response, gut morphology, and microbiota in broiler turkeys. A total of 135 broiler turkeys were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (G1) with no supplementation, a probiotic-supplemented group (G2), and a prebiotic-supplemented group (G3). The birds were fed these diets for 70 days Results showed that probiotics significantly improved body weight gain, feed intake, and white blood cell count (p < 0.05), while prebiotics enhanced gut morphology and nutrient absorption. Both treatments resulted in higher villus height and Lactobacillus spp. counts, contributing to improved gut health. No significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, or E. coli counts. The findings suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics positively affects turkey growth performance, immune function, and gut health, with probiotics showing the most pronounced impact on body weight gain and immune response. The inclusion of these functional additives enhances turkey production efficiency without compromising carcass quality. Thus, probiotics and prebiotics supplementation can be a valuable strategy to optimize broiler turkey performance and health. Keywords: Broiler Turkey, Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut health, Immune response.
This study investigates the effects of feeding Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) silage supplemented with farm residues on growth performance, digestibility, and nitrogen metabolism in West African Dwarf bucks. Sixteen bucks were fed varying levels of Napier grass (100%, 70%, 50%, and 30%) with cassava peel, maize stover, groundnut husk, and yam peel as supplementary feeds. The findings reveal that supplementation significantly improved growth rates, feed efficiency, and nutrient digestibility. Higher supplementation (T4: 70% supplement) resulted in the highest weight gain (11.57 kg), improved dry matter and protein digestibility, and enhanced nitrogen retention. Napier grass alone, with low dry matter and protein content, was insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the bucks, reinforcing the need for protein and energy-dense supplements. The study concludes that strategic supplementation of Napier grass-based diets with locally available farm residues can optimize goat growth and production efficiency. It recommends that smallholder farmers adopt diets with up to 70% supplementation to maximize growth, feed efficiency, and nitrogen retention, contributing to enhanced livestock productivity. Keyweords: Pennisetum purpureum, West African Dwarf bucks, supplementation, growth performance, nitrogen metabolism, feed efficiency.
Heat stress exerts a negative impact on the production indicators of animals and, can, threaten their lives. The aim of this study is to document and describe macroscopic, as well as microscopic findings in laying hens who died because of heat stress during the summer heat. This is a sample of 14 laying hens which were selected from mass mortality events in poultry farming businesses. The cause of death was cardiorespiratory failure caused by overheating. Characteristic macroscopic findings were scalp cyanosis, skeletal muscle anaemia with a cooked-meat-like appearance, petechiae and hyperaemia of internal organs. Microscopic examination revealed venostasis, with dilated blood vessels overfilled with erythrocytes. The diagnostic findings document hyperaemia, cyanosis, a cooked meat-like appearance, noticeable venostasis of internal organs and intravascular haemolysis. These findings resulted from pathological conditions that developed gradually in a warm environment and led to death. The pathophysiology and changes that develop as a consequence of high temperatures are discussed. This article could be useful for veterinary pathologists diagnosing deaths caused by prolonged exposure to extraneous environmental high temperatures.
Currently, two culture systems for in vitro embryo production (IVP) of mammals are used. Each of these systems has own pluses and minuses. Culture at atmospheric oxygen level (20 %) requires conventional CO2 incubator and co-culture with a feeder cells, which involves procedures for maintaining these cells in culture. Culture at reduced oxygen level (5 %) requires special incubating system making IVP procedures more expensive than using conventional technique. The aim of this study was to examine, which of these culture systems can provide higher blastocyst yield after in vitro fertilization of fresh or vitrified oocytes. Bovine oocytes derived from the ovaries of slaughterhoused cows were matured in vitro, then part of them were vitrified by an ultra-rapid vitrification technique. After warming, vitrified (n= 482) and fresh oocytes (n= 558; control) were fertilized in vitro using frozen bull semen. Following 20 hours, presumptive zygotes, developed from both vitrified and fresh oocytes, were divided into two groups and incubated either under atmospheric oxygen (AOC; 20 % O2) in a conventional SANYO CO2 incubator (MCO-15AC) at 38.5 °C and 5 % CO2, or under reduced oxygen content (ROC; 5 % O2) in a MIRI multiroom incubator (ESCO Medical) at 38.5 °C and 6.1 % CO2 until day 8. Experiments were performed in 5 replicates. Zygotes, obtained from fresh oocytes, reached higher cleavage (76.72 %) and blastocyst (39.34 %) rates, when cultured in ROC compared to AOC (65.6 % and 29.25 %, resp.). Similarly, in vitrified oocytes, cleavage (71.9 %) and blastocyst (22.8 %) rates were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ROC than in AOC (56.2 % and 14.0 %, resp.). Embryo cell number also was significantly higher in blastocysts of both fresh (165.5 ± 8.9) and vitrified (154.54 ± 7.8) groups cultured under ROC, when compared to the AOC level (108.67 ± 3.6 and 98.04 ± 5.82, resp.). In conclusion, the culture system with a reduced oxygen showed to be more efficient for bovine IVP than the system with an atmospheric oxygen in a conventional CO2 incubator. This finding is important when in vitro produced embryos are derived from cryopreserved oocytes.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of mid-lactating Holstein cows regarding their introduction at the automatic milking system (AMS) and its effect on behaviour and milk performance. From a herd of 400 milking cows, a group of twenty-eight mid-lactating Holstein cows were monitored in the transition from the conventional milking system (twice daily) to the free-traffic automatic milking system. After 37 days from the full transition to the AMS, cows were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the average number of milking visits during the first week of AMS: 1) milking visits < 2 (MV-LOW) and 2) milking visits < 2 (MV-HIGH). Number of milking visits, milk yield, milk quality and rumination and eating time were recorded. In the first week, MV-HIGH cows had an average of milking visits higher compared to the MV-LOW cows (2.44 vs. 1.67 ± 0.06 n°/d, respectively). Starting from the similar milk production in the pre-AMS period, milk yield after the introduction of AMS (from 0 to 37 days) was higher in the MV-HIGH than in the MV-LOW cows (36.91 vs. 30.94 ± 2.11 kg/d, respectively), but with lower fat, protein and lactose percentage. The first week of AMS was characterized by a marked increase in milk yield in the MV-HIGH cows (+30.98 %) and a decrease in the MV-LOW cows (-11.60 %) compared to the pre-AMS. The time spent for eating was also greater in the MV-HIGH compared to the MV-LOW cows. Even though MV-LOW cows increased the milk production over the first week of AMS, these cows had always a lower increase in milk yield compared with the MV-HIGH cows until 37 days of AMS. These results suggest that the adaptability of the cows to the automatic milking system may also depend on the individual behaviour of cows and not only on the environment around them. Therefore, it is necessary to apply new livestock management strategies, when AMS (as a free-traffic system) is going to displace the milking parlour in order to better fine-tune the adaptation of cows (especially for heifers) and also to select cows that respond best to the robotic milking system.
A 56-day feeding trial was performed to investigate the use of decorticated sandbox seeds (Hura crepitans) as a source of methionine in broiler production. One hundred and twenty (120) Ross 308 day-old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design study with four dietary treatments each replicated thrice. The four diets for each of starter and finisher phase were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with 0 %, 0.1 %, 0.2 % and 0.3 % inclusion of sandbox seeds (SBS) and designated as D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Data were collected on growth performance, nutrients retention, haematology and serum biochemistry. All data collected were subjected to one-way ANOVA and treatment means were separated. The D2 treatment (0. % DL-Methionine + 0.1 % SBS) was significantly better in terms of total feed intake and weight gain, while the D4 treatment (0.3 % SBS) was significantly worst (2.52) in its effect on FCR. There were no significant differences among the treatments in their effects on nutrient retention. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatments in their effects on haematological and serum biochemical parameters except the D4 treatment, which was significantly lowest (P < 0.05) in its effect on red blood cell counts and albumin value. It was concluded that the use of decorticated SBS, as a source of methionine in broiler production, has no detrimental effect on nutrient utilization and blood profile.
The effect of equi-energy replacement of native maize with extruded maize on the growth performance, energy utilization indices and post-prandial glucose response of broiler chicken was investigated in a 42-day trial. A commercial flock of broiler chickens (n = 20,000) were offered either a "native" maize or extruded maize-soybean diet and monitored for growth performance: daily liveweight gain (DLWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), flock uniformity and mortality during the pre-starter, starter, grower and finisher phases of production. One-day old chicks (n = 16) were slaughtered to obtain baseline data for the energy utilization study and another 32 chickens (16 chickens per treatment, 4 chickens per replicate) were slaughtered at 35-days post-hatch, and whole carcasses were processed. Another 80 chickens (40 chickens per treatment, 8 replicates per treatment and 5 chickens per replicate) were used for total tract excreta collection from 32 − 35 days post-hatch. At 42 days post-hatch, 32 fasted chickens (16 chickens per treatment) were sampled for blood 30 mins pre-prandial and 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 360 minutes postprandial, and plasma glucose was measured. Chickens fed extruded maize diets showed significantly improved FCR and flock uniformity across phases, while DLWG improvements were seen only in the pre-starter, grower and finisher phases. Metabolizable energy (ME) was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.03), but energy retention as fat and protein, net energy of production, heat of production and efficiencies of ME used for energy retention and protein retention were unaffected. The extruded maize diet improved the efficiency of ME used for fat retention (p = 0.03). Postprandial plasma glucose concentrations were higher after 15 mins (p = 0.00) and 360 mins (p = 0.00), indicating enhanced starch digestibility.
The first Editorial article of 2025 will focus on the challenges facing managers of agriculture and livestock production agribusinesses, from the large commercial scale down to the small scale, including subsistence production systems, and how these challenges can be overcome with changes to management through technology, innovative breeding genetic practices, or educational skill's intensive programs. The greatest challenges that contemporary agriculture is facing is a growing food need using fewer resources. It is therefore crucial to apply technical and scientific advancements systematically in feeding, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, animal health control, and general improvement of animal husbandry to fill the coming productivity gaps. One way to achieve these expected productivity requirements can be by improving the genetics, health, and more efficacy of animal husbandry. In this situation native breeds of rabbits are playing an important role. The choice of breed or strain of rabbits on a farm should account for the capacity of animals to adapt and thrive under local conditions as well as their potential to resist disease. In recent years, animal husbandry based on quantitative genetics has begun applied, which led to significantly increased and streamlined animal production. However, the implementation of genetic markers in breeding programs has been quite limited for technological reasons. Currently, at the NPPC in Luzianky, Department of Nutrition and Small Farm Animals is running a research project (APVV 20-0037), financed by the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV), that focus on genomic selection based on markers of single nucleotide polymorphism, that offers new opportunities to select the most suitable animals for breeding purposes, in relation to selected traits, performance characteristics, or natural disease resistance. The principle of this methodology is the use of the quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with a particular phenotypic trait and its subsequent use in selection. Genomic selection is a type of Marker-Assisted Selection in which breeding value of animals can be accurately estimated with the help of dense maker map of chromosomes without information about their phenotype or that of close relatives. The aims and originality of the project are given the complexity of looking at the possibility to find and using the polymorphism in selected membrane receptors genes and their use in balancing selection of native rabbits and chickens breed aimed on prediction and higher efficiency of production potential, quality, reproduction and viability. The running project is based on the latest global study of genetics and immunogenetics, focusing on their impact and possibility of use in animals' selection. The "management" in Agriculture is an essential piece of the business behind farms. Under the theme: "How Can Education Meet Agribusiness Challenges? Skills, Knowledge, and Practical Solutions for Agribusiness – Example of e-AgriMBA", an interactive seminar will take place at Faculty of Economics and Management, SUA in Nitra, Slovakia, on 28th March 2025, bringing together academics, industry representatives, and students to discuss how education can bridge the skills gap in agribusiness. The session will explore practical knowledge, digital competencies, and sustainability-driven solutions, showcasing the e-AgriMBA Learning System as a model for accessible, industry-aligned, and environmentally responsible higher education. The e-AgriMBA project is developing a pan-European electronic learning system to enhance sustainable MBA education in agribusiness. By expanding the portfolio of existing MBA programs and integrating digital learning tools, the initiative strengthens higher education institutions' capacity to meet evolving industry demands. Implemented by a consortium of six universities within the AgriMBA network, which has been accrediting MBA programs since 1990, the project also aims to establish a new MBA program at the Technical University of Moldova. A key focus is ensuring inclusivity by offering opportunities for students with fewer resources while promoting digital and language skills essential for the sustainable transformation of agribusiness education. A project meeting will also take place in Nitra alongside the seminar, allowing partners to assess progress and discuss the implementation of online teaching tools. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union; Project: Electronic Pan-European Learning System for Sustainable Agribusiness MBA Education (No. 2022-1-PL01-KA220-HED-00008608). In the first Editorial article of 2025, I am going to introduce the contents of the articles collected and published in the first issue of 2025 year. Akpan et al. designed a research to identify genotypic variants in pituitary specific transcription factor-1 (PIT-1) gene and determine the relationship between PIT-1 genotypic variants and growth rate indices, with non-linear growth model parameters in FUNAAB Alpha chickens. The study found an association between PIT-1 genotypic variants and growth curve parameters; the Gompertz model was found to be the most appropriate non-linear model for describing growth in FUNAAB alpha chickens. Jimoh et al. performed a feeding trial to investigate the use of decorticated sandbox seeds (SBS, Hura crepitans) as a source of methionine in broiler production. It was concluded that the use of decorticated SBS, as a source of methionine in broiler production, has no detrimental effect on nutrient utilization and blood profile. Cavallo et al. implemented a study with the objective to evaluate the adaptation of mid-lactating Holstein cows regarding their introduction at the automatic milking system (AMS) and its effect on behaviour and milk performance. Results suggest that the adaptability of the cows to the automatic milking system may also depend on the individual behaviour of cows and not only on the environment around them. Therefore, it is necessary to apply new livestock management strategies, when AMS (as a free-traffic system) is going to displace the milking parlour in order to better fine-tune the adaptation of cows (especially for heifers) and also to select cows that respond best to the robotic milking system. Adeleye et al. investigated the effect of equi-energy replacement of native maize with extruded maize on the growth performance, energy utilization indices and post-prandial glucose response of broiler chicken. This study suggests that extruded maize, as an equi-energy replacement for native maize, improves growth performance and flock uniformity in broiler chickens. Editorial Team looks forward to evaluating your submitted contributions and providing all necessary support to Authors in order to best serve animal science and the scientific community, with commitment to research integrity and the highest publishing ethics. Enjoy the reading!
This research was designed to identify genotypic variants in pituitary specific transcription factor-1 (PIT-1) gene and determine the relationship between PIT-1 genotypic variants and growth rate indices, with non-linear growth model parameters in FUNAAB Alpha chickens. Four non-linear growth models (Brody, Gompertz, Logistic and Bertalanffy) were fitted to measure the body weight of FUNAAB alpha chickens at 8 weeks of age. This analysis was conducted using the NLIN procedure of the SAS software (Version 9.2). The Akaike information criteria (AIC), Bayesian information criteria (BIC), Means Squared Error (MSE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were used to determine the most appropriate model. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to identify PIT-1 genotypic variants. The results revealed a significant effect of the PIT-1 genotypic variant on the relative growth rate (RGR). BB allele had the highest value (54.00), while AA and AB alleles had values of 44.13 and 52.11, respectively. A significant effect of chicken genotype was observed on body weight (BW), absolute growth rate (AGR) and RGR (relative growth rate). The mean values obtained for normal feather growth rate indices were higher than the mean values for frizzle feather (FF) and naked neck (NK). There was a high negative correlation between mature weight (A) and maturing index (k) in all the models for genotypic variants AA, AB and BB. AIC and BIC estimates were lowest in Gompertz for FF genotype and male sex of FUNAAB alpha chickens. This study found an association between PIT-1 genotypic variants and growth curve parameters; the Gompertz model was found to be the most appropriate non-linear model for describing growth in FUNAAB alpha chickens.
Dietary fibre (DF) is an indigestible carbohydrate in the form of a non-starch polysaccharide that is a major problem in the use of inexpensive agro-wastes by pigs such as brewer's dry grains, cassava peel, palm kernel cake, rice bran, sorghum spent grain and wheat offal. The DF in a pig's diet can be classified by its solubility as soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre, and chemically − as neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. High DF levels reduced nutrient utilization, growth rate, in terms of pork production and reproductive performance. Pigs' reproductive cycles at different stages and lactation were both greatly impacted by increased DF intake. High DF decreased the number of stillborn piglets at birth and the farrowing duration by sow, while improving colostrum intake in piglets and colostrum yield in sows. On the other hand, reducing the quantity of DF's hemicellulose in a sow's lactation diet can improve the low-birth-weight piglets' health, post-weaning performance and milk composition. While exogenous enzymes and the extrusion of fibrous feedstuffs enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilisation, other processing methods, including fermentation and extrusion, decreased the DF components and had a beneficial impact on the performance of the pigs. Agro-industrial residues have enormous potential to improve reproductive efficiency and serving as an economically viable DF feeding strategy in the pig industry.
This study describes the most common traffic systems in barns for lactating dairy cows milked in automatic milking systems (AMS). It outlines seven cow traffic designs, each featuring a basic floor plan, taking into account one robot or AMS per barn and considering a maximum system capacity (> 60 cows/AMS). The study describes the advantages and disadvantages of free, milk-first and feed-first traffic and the differences between forced and guided cow traffic designs. Some research data are also shown to emphasize the theoretical concepts included in this document. The main difference is that free cow traffic tends to milk a lesser number of cows than milk-first and feed-first cow traffic designs but warrants more freedom for the cows. However, free cow traffic design increases the number of refusals (cows visiting the AMS without milking permission), leading to system inefficiency. Guided traffic designs emerge as the most efficient, milking more cows throughout the day while reducing the need to fetch cows and overall labour. When operating at full cow capacity, guided cow traffic designs are recommended.
In 2010 Freeman suggested that "the globalization of scientific and engineering knowledge is the most potent aspect of modern globalization". International research collaboration is an activity that is widely pushed globally, at the level of research institutes and universities. Academic world is increasingly interconnected, fostering such international partnerships that represents the globalization of science from the scientific collaboration perspective. These collaborations extend beyond sharing resources. Main goal of those activities is exchanging ideas, cultures, and visions to address complex global challenges. It is evident that from partnering with institutions and researchers worldwide, National Agricultural and Food Centre (NPPC) can be exposed to diverse pools of knowledge and expertise that significantly enhance the academic quality and reputation of our NPPC. This global exchange of ideas leads to more innovative, comprehensive, and impactful research outcomes. Additionally, as the institute's reputation improves, the research centre will attract more funding, students and talented researchers, achieve globalization, creating a cycle of excellence and improvement. In conclusion, the importance and benefits of international co-research agreements are multiple and profound. Collaboration's activities are pivotal in enhancing academic quality, broadening research horizons, preparing young researcher for global challenges, addressing international issues and policy makers, and fostering cultural understanding and global networks. In the second Editorial article of 2024, I am going to introduce the contents of the articles collected and published in the second issue of 2024 year. Atteh reviewed the effects of fiber on nutrition and reproduction in pigs. Author concluded that the reduction of dietary fiber's hemicellulose in a sow's lactation diet can improve the low-birth-weight piglets' health, post-weaning performance and milk composition. While exogenous enzymes and the extrusion of fibrous feedstuffs enhanced nutrient digestibility and utilisation, other processing methods, including fermentation and extrusion, decreased the dietary fiber components and had a beneficial impact on the performance of the pigs. Agro-industrial residues have enormous potential to improve reproductive efficiency and serving as an economically viable dietary fiber feeding strategy in the pig industry. Awodoyin et al. investigated the dietary supplementation of coffee arabica seed powder on performance and meat quality of broiler chicken. Authors ended up that low pathogenic gut microorganisms and total volatile nitrogen base coupled with high sensory acceptability of meat confirm the antioxidant potential of black coffee in broiler chicken diet. Ngige et al. performed a study aimed at screening the internal and external bacteria found in farmed Nile tilapia and African Catfish. According to microbiological investigation, the presence of the microorganisms, some of which are pathogens (Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca) to humans, is an indication that undercooked fish may pose health risks to susceptible human and an impediment to the rapid intensification of aquaculture because of mortality of fingerings. Busanello reviewed the most common traffic systems in barns for lactating dairy cows milked in automatic milking systems. The study describes the advantages and disadvantages of free, milk-first and feed-first traffic and the differences between forced and guided cow traffic designs. Some research data are also shown to emphasize the theoretical concepts included in this document. Author concluded that guided traffic designs emerge as the most efficient, milking more cows throughout the day while reducing the need to fetch cows and overall labour. When operating at full cow capacity, guided cow traffic designs are recommended. Sudik conducted a study with the aim to determine the nutritional composition of roselle seed cake (Hibiscus sabdarica L.) and its effect on broiler chickens. Author concluded that roselle seed cake is rich in proteins and energy and it can be included up to 50 % in the diet of broilers without negative effects on growth rate and carcass performance. Rajsky et al. described the flexible duodenal monocannula of the National Agricultural and Food Centre design for the determination of intestinal nutrient digestibility in cattle. The innovativeness of the technical design of the NPPC cannula lies in the fact that the cannula is made of one piece of a straight tube with an inner diameter of 22 mm. As a result, the life of cannulated animals can be extended without age limitation. Editorial Team looks forward to evaluating your submitted contributions and providing all necessary support to Authors in order to best serve animal science and the scientific community, with commitment to research integrity and the highest publishing ethics. Enjoy reading!
Research in physiology of ruminant nutrition using the in sacco and mobile bag methods and developing and testing of a duodenal cannula of our own construction including our own surgical application in cattle, led to the intellectual property protection. The duodenal monocannula for determination of nutrient intestinal digestibility in cattle, designed by the National Agricultural and Food Centre (NPPC, Slovak Republic), has been registered by European Union intellectual property office, as a Registered Community Design. The innovativeness of the technical design of the "NPPC cannula" lies in the fact that the cannula is made of one piece of a straight tube with an inner diameter of 22 mm. The tube is smooth, with no additional extensions and glued parts. The operation does not require ligation of the bowel with an arterial prosthesis or a polyurethane felt. The dimensions of the cannula allow the use of the mobile bag method without any problems. The vinyl chloride emulsion was designed to polymerize at the lower temperature, than has been currently used in this procedure (130 °C), and the end used for fixation in the intestine could be shaped after immersion in warm water. During the growth of the animals, the tube length can be prolonged to adapt to the duodenal size. As a result, the life of cannulated animals can be extended without age limitation.
This study investigated the influence of in ovo administration of oyster mushroom aqueous extract on intestinal development of broiler chickens. A total of 600 hatching eggs of Arbor acre strain of broiler chickens were used in this experiment. The eggs were divided into three treatments; T1: Control (non-injected eggs), T2: in ovo administration of 0.1 ml of oyster mushroom aqueous extract and T3: in ovo administration of 0.2 ml of oyster mushroom aqueous extract. In ovo injection of eggs was carried out on the 18th day of incubation and hatched chicks were brooded for 2 weeks and the experiment lasted for six weeks. At the starter and finisher (7th and 56th days of age) phases, two birds per replicate were randomly selected for intestinal evaluation. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using General Linear Model. Results from the starter phase showed jejunal villus height significantly (p<0.05) ranged from 290.62 µm in birds in T1 to 415.60 µm in birds in the T3 group. Moreover, jejunal crypt depth ranged from 51.96 µm to 115.62 µm, while muscular wall thickness ranged from 53.94 µm to 139.23 µm with the highest recorded in the T2 birds. In finisher broilers, there was significant (p<0.05) difference among treatments for duodenum length, muscular wall thickness of the ileum and colon length. Histological plates taken in the starter phase indicated no visible lesion in the villi across treatments with crypts appearing normal. However, finisher broilers in the T2 group had preeminent villi representation showing intact enterocytes and slightly high and more prominent crypts. Therefore, to improve jejunal morphology in the starter phase as well as increased intestinal length and superior duodenal histology in the finisher phase of broiler chickens, in ovo administration of 0.1 ml oyster mushroom aqueous extract is recommended.
Aquaculture in Kenya is progressively developing as an alternative means of human food production and subsistence. An enormous loss in aquaculture has been accelerated by the mortality of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. This study aimed at screening the internal and external bacteria found in farmed Nile tilapia and African Catfish at Egerton University agro-science fish farm. The microbiology laboratory collected and processed fifteen healthy fish and fish feeds (formulated and commercial). The skin, gills, and intestines were processed and cultured in Salmonella Shigella and Blood agar. Commercial and formulated fish feeds were also processed and cultured in Salmonella Shigella and Blood agar. The resulting bacteria colonies were subjected to morphological examination and biochemical tests for identification. The findings of this study demonstrated the existence of Enterobacteriaceae. Escherichia, Salmonella, and Bacillus species were the most prevalent species identified on the skin, gills, and intestines. Formulated feeds were more contaminated with bacteria than commercial feeds. The presence of the above microorganisms, some of which are pathogens (Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca) to humans, is an indication that undercooked fish may pose health risks to susceptible human beings and an impediment to the rapid intensification of aquaculture as a result of mortality of fingerings.
Oxidative degradation is a deleterious condition that affects quality of meat, thereby poses a threat to poultry industry. However, this can be mitigated through feeding with antioxidants, therefore the need for inclusion of high antioxidant compound, such as coffee, in poultry diet. One-day old Ross 308 chicks (n = 200; r = 5) were randomly allotted to four diets containing black coffee seed powder (BCSP): 0.0 g/kg; 1.25 g/kg; 2.50 g/kg and 3.75 g/kg. Birds were fed ad libitum with free access to water for 6 weeks. Total weight gain (TWG) (g/b), total feed intake (TFI) (g), feed conversion ratio (FCR), haematology, oxidative markers, gut microbiology (x105cfu/mL) of birds, sensory characteristics (9-point hedonic scale) and total volatile nitrogen base (TVB-N) (mg/100 g) of broiler meats were assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at P = 0.05. No significant differences in TWG (1873.12 − 1927.58) and FCR (1.55 − 1.71) were observed. However, TFI at 3.75 g/kg of BCSP (3216) was higher (P < 0.05) than at 0 g/kg (3090), 1.25 g/kg 2967 and 2.50 g/kg of BCSP (3072) in the bird diet. Haemoglobin (12.60) at 1.25 g/kg BCSP was higher (P < 0.05) than at 0 g/kg BCSP (10.83), but similar to the groups of 2.50 g/kg (10.97) and 3.75 g/kg (12.13) BCSP in the diet. Creatinine (0.97mg/dL) in the 1.25 g/kg BCSP group was higher (P < 0.05) than those in the 0 g/kg (0.68 mg/dL) and 3.75 g/kg (0.60 mg/dL) groups but similar to the 2.50 g/kg group (0.88 mg/dL). No significant differences in almost all the oxidative markers were recorded. Gut microbiology showed that heterophilic (11.60), Coliform (8.30) and E.coli (13.70) contents in the 0/kg BCSP group were higher (P < 0.05) than those in the 1.25 g/kg group (9.00, 5.58 and 4.48), the 2.50 g/kg group (3.55, 1.83 and 1.28) and 3.75 g/kg group (3.30, 0.53 and 0.25) for heterophilic, coliform and E. coli respectively. Lactobacillus in the 3.75 g/kg group (7.53) was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the 2.50 g/kg (5.63), the 1.25 g/kg (5.70) and 0 g/kg (1.58) groups. With the increase of BCSP inclusion, the TVB-N decreased; aroma and taste of BCSP meat were best and well accepted. Low pathogenic gut microorganisms and total volatile nitrogen base coupled with high sensory acceptability of meat confirm the antioxidant potential of black coffee in broiler chicken diet.
The economic potential of beekeeping within rural communities is substantial. This research endeavors to explore the landscape of beekeeping practices, honey production trends and the associated challenges and opportunities within the Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Selected purposively for its beekeeping potential, the district was stratified into three agroecological zones. Seven representative kebeles were proportionally chosen based on their agroecological diversity, and 156 beekeepers were systematically sampled. Utilizing formal surveys, a cross-sectional analysis employing one-way ANOVA and cross-tabulations was conducted. Results underscored mixed crop-livestock farming as the prevailing livelihood strategy, accompanied by traditional beekeeping being the most practiced method, with 96.8 % of the beekeepers employing traditional techniques. The average honeybee stocks per household were 4.8 ± 1.78 and 5.2 ± 6.98 colonies for traditional and modern beehives, respectively. Correspondingly, the average honey yield was 5.8 ± 0.09 kg and 20.1 ± 0.31 kg per year for traditional and modern beehives, respectively. Over the last five years (2014 − 2018), there was a decreasing trend of total colony number and honey yield. While beekeepers face challenges such as a shortage of bee forage, absconding and honeybee enemies, there are ample opportunities such as numerous honeybee colonies, emphasis from the government and tourist attraction sites, all of which provide a lucrative market opportunity to sell honey at a premium price. To ensure the beekeeping industry thrives in the area and contributes to the growth and development of rural livelihoods, it is crucial to address the challenges faced by beekeepers.
