Background: Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber), is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub/tree species found abundantly across Chhattisgarh. Tribal and rural communities in Chhattisgarh have long used ber as a supplemental livestock feed, especially for goats and sheep. As a naturally available, low-cost resource, ber contributes significantly to sustainable and traditional animal husbandry in Chhattisgarh. Its use reduces dependence on commercial feed inputs, thereby lowering the cost of livestock production. India the research on the use of Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber) in animal feed is very scarce with this in view the present study was conducted. Methods: An in vivo experiment was conducted on 24 Osmanabadi goat kids (4-5 months old), randomly divided into four groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) with six animals each, to evaluate the effects of replacing maize with ground whole ber fruit (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%) in concentrate mixtures on growth performance, blood biochemistry and oxidative stress indices. All goats were dewormed, housed under intensive management and fed according to specifications, with uniform crude protein (18.5%) across diets. The 90-day trial involved feeding 200 g/day of respective concentrate mixtures (C0, C2, C3 and C4) along with green fodder (Berseem hay). Body weight, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded fortnightly. Blood samples were collected for serum biochemical and oxidative stress markers using standard protocols and diagnostic kits. Result: The results of the 90-day feeding trial demonstrated that partial replacement of maize with ground whole ber fruit in the concentrate mixture positively influenced growth performance, serum biochemistry and oxidative stress indices in Osmanabadi goat kids. Results revealed that dietary replacement of maize with ber fruit powder up to 40% had no significant effect on fortnightly body weight, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). All animals exhibited normal growth patterns throughout the 90-day experimental period. Although numerically higher body weight gain and better FCR were observed in the 40% replacement group (T3), these differences were not statistically significant, indicating that ber fruit powder did not compromise growth performance. Biochemically, T3 exhibited significantly higher serum glucose and total protein levels (P less than 0.05), along with reduced blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and triglyceride levels by day 90, suggesting improved energy metabolism, protein utilization and lipid profile. Importantly, oxidative stress indices revealed a significant increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and a marked decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) in T2 and T3, reflecting enhanced antioxidant status and reduced lipid peroxidation. Overall, these findings suggest that replacing maize with ground whole ber fruit up to 40% in the diet can be a beneficial strategy for improving growth, health and oxidative stability in growing goats.

AbstractA study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber, Jujube) fruit as a substitute for maize grain in goats. In an in vitro study, maize was replaced with Z. mauritiana fruit in concentrate feed viz., 0% (C1), 10 (C2), 20 (C3), 30 (C4), 40 (C5), 50 (C6), 60 (C7), 70 (C8), 80 (C9), 90 (C10) and 100% (C11). Z. mauritiana fruit contains dry matter (79.53%), crude protein (7.45%), ether extract (0.17%), crude fibre (10%), nitrogen-free extract (77.92%), calcium (0.14%) and phosphorus (0.05%). In vitro degradability of concentrate mixtures showed significant (P<0.01) decline in dry matter (IVDMD) and crude protein degradability (IVCPD) with increasing replacement levels. Control diet (C1) had the highest IVDMD (83.33%) and IVCPD (86.13%), followed by C2-C5 (IVDMD 76.67-79.33% and IVCPD 78.66-82.73%), which progressively decreased to 70.33% IVDMD and 70.79% IVCPD at 100% replacement (C11). The findings suggest that partial replacement of maize up to 40% is feasible with minimal impact on degradability, while higher inclusion levels substantially reduce nutrient degradability.

This study analysed the effect of dietary supplementation of dried bael fruit pulp powder (DBFP) on the performance of broiler chicken. A total of 150-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups (T1-T5). The birds of T1 were fed with basal diet without bacitracin. The birds of T2 group were supplemented with bacitracin at 150 mg/kg feed. The birds of T3, T4 and T5 groups were supplemented with DBFP at 1, 1.5 and 2% respectively. Growth parameters were studied at weekly intervals and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to study serum biochemical and oxidative stress indices of birds. The results revealed significantly better growth promoting activities in terms of weight gain and feed conversion ratio were exhibited by birds fed with 2% DBFP. Including 2% DBFP significantly reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol, ALT, glucose, creatinine and MDA in birds of the supplemented group. The inclusion of DFBP in the diet significantly increased the dry matter and crude protein digestibility in birds fed the higher level of DBFP; incorporation of DFBP also resulted in significantly improved villus height and villus-crypt ratio of jejunum. All these parameters are indications of the growth promoting efficiency of 2% DBFP in broiler chicken. Bael fruit powder has promising potential to be used economically as a herbal additive in commercial broiler chicken at the level of 2%.

Lactating Osmanabadi goats (n = 12) were randomly divided into three groups: T0, T1 and T2. The control group (T0) was offered a regular concentrate mixture, whereas in the treatment groups, Jackfruit peel (JFP) was included at 10% (T1) and 20% (T2) levels in a concentrated mixture on a dry matter (DM) basis. For the nutrient utilization study, 350 g of concentrate mixture was offered in the morning and evening, and green forage (hybrid napier fodder) was given adlib throughout the day. Inclusion of JFP did not show any significant effect (p >0.05) on the intake, outgo (g/d) and digestibility (%) of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE). The effect of the inclusion of jackfruit peel was non-significant on the apparent absorption of Ca and P. No significant change was observed on hemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (%) and serum biochemical parameters, viz., total protein, albumin, globulin (g/dl) and A:G ratio (p >0.05) due to the inclusion of JFP. Serum ALT level was not affected, whereas AST level was significantly lower in T2 (64.72 IU/L) compared to T0 (90.34 IU/L). Thus, JFP could be safely included up to 20% level in a concentrated mixture of Osmanabadi goats.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary supplementation of Azolla on the performance of Japanese quail broilers. Day old Japanese quails (135) were divided into three treatment groups with three replicates per treatment and 15 quails in each replicate. The feeding of birds was done in two phases from 1-3 weeks and 4-5 weeks. Azolla was included at 0%, 5% and 10% levels in T0 (control), T1 and T2 groups, respectively. Azolla inclusion did not show any significant effect on the feed intake up to 5 weeks of age. Body weight gain and PCV%, total protein and albumin were significantly higher at 5% level whereas no significant difference was observed at 10% level of Azolla inclusion. Azolla at both 5% and 10% level significantly reduced serum cholesterol concentration and the highest net profit was in 10% Azolla supplemented group. So, Azolla can be included effectively at 10% level in diet of Japanese quail broiler.

The effect of feeder design on the growth performance of the Osmanabadi goat kids was investigated at the Seed Centre for Osmanabadi Goats-DRS Farm, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, (CG, India) for a period of 60 days during the winter season. A total of 18 Osmanabadi weaned kids were randomly divided into three groups with six kids (3 males and 3 females) in each group viz T1, T2 and T3. T1 group kids (control) were kept on conventional feeder, T2 on circular feeder and T3 on linear feeder. The maximum (P>0.05) mean body weight was observed on the 60th day in T3 (13.23±0.33), as compared to T2 followed by T1. Similarly, a significantly higher mean body length was observed in T3 as compared to T1 and T2 groups on 45th and 60th day of the study. The maximum mean heart girth was observed on the 60th day in T3 (57.5±0.67) followed by T2 (55.3±1.4). Furthermore, the maximum mean height at wither was observed on the 60th day in T3 (58.1 ± 0.7) than T2 (57.1 ± 0.7) and T1 (55.8 ± 1.7). Our results revealed that modified linear feeder design positively influenced the growth performance of goat kids.

An experiment was conducted to analyse the effect of replacing commercially available concentrate mixture with dried Moringa oleifera leaves on the nutrient utilization pattern of diet in non-descript goat breeds of Chhattisgarh. Eight non-descript yearling goats allotted randomly into 2 groups (group1 and group2) based on their BW (13.48±1.07 kg). Animals in group 1 were offered concentrate @ 1.5% of body weight and hybrid Napiergrass ad lib. In the group 2, 50% of concentrate was replaced by Moringa leaves on dry matter basis. Dried leaves were analyzed for their chemical composition. The CP content was 27.52% and Fe and Zn were 125.4 ppm and 29.8 ppm, respectively. There was no significant effect on palatability of feed that was evident from similar DM intake in both the groups. Intake of individual nutrients also did not differ significantly among the groups. There was no effect of moringa leaves inclusion on the nutrient utilization. However significantly higher N retention was observed in Moringa supplemented group compared to commercial concentrate supplemented group. Thus, Moringa supplementation was helpful in reducing the quantity of commercial concentrate mixture inclusion in the diet of non-descript goats.

Butyric acid, a short- chain fatty acid is considered as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in poultry feed. The present study investigated the effect of feeding graded levels of butyric acid on the performance of broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks (n=180) were divided into 6 groups with 3 replicates of 10 chicks in each. The diets were formulated using conventional feed ingredients. Six diets were formulated for pre starter, starter and finisher phases. Diet I was NC (T0), diet II contained antibiotic bacitracin @ 50 mg/kg (T1) and diets III,IV,V and VI contained butyric acid at graded levels i.e. 0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8% in groups T2 to T5 respectively. The average body weight during the 4th and 5th weeks of study increased significantly (P<0.01) in T3 as compared to other groups. The weekly feed intake at 4th week was significantly (P<0.01) lower in birds of supplemented groups (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) as compared to NC(T0). The cumulative feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.01) better in T3 as compared to T1, T2 and T5,however no significant difference was observed between T3 and T4. The dry matter and crude protein metabolizability were significantly (P<0.01) higher in all the treatment groups as compared to negative control(T0).Among the treatment groups the per cent retention of phosphorus was significantly higher in supplemented groups as compared to NC. It is concluded that butyric acid @ 0.4% could be a better alternative to antibiotic bacitracin, which is widely used in commercial broiler feed regimens to improve performance.

Singh, N., Dubey, M., Doneria, R., Deshmukh, S., Nety, S., Kumari, K., Prusty, S. and Krishnan, K. 2022. Influence of dietary inclusion of rice dried distillers grain with solubles on oxidative stress and histomorphology of gut in broiler chicken. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 22: 503–511.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) on the oxidative stress indices, immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. Day old broiler chicks (n=180) were randomly allocated to six dietary groups. Control group (T0) was fed basal diet without antibiotic growth promoter (AGP), Group 2 basal diet with AGP (T1) while basal diet containing graded level of CEO (200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg) was fed to Groups T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Significantly lower concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) was reported in birds fed CEO supplemented diet as compared to control. Significantly increased villi height was observed in histological section of duodenum and jejunum due to increase in concentration of CEO in T3, T4 and T5 as compared to control. No significant change in the histo-morphology of liver was observed due to supplementation of CEO at different levels in the diet of broiler chicken. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of cinnamon essential oil @ 400 mg/kg improved the immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens without any adverse effect.

A study on 15 Osmanabadi kids (4-5 months old) was conducted for 90 days to find out the effect of dietary inclusion of rice dried distillers grain with solubles (RDGS) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and blood biochemical parameters. They were divided randomly into 3 groups T1, T2 and T3. In the concentrate mixture, RDGS was included at 0% (T1), 10% (T2) and 20% (T3) levels replacing soybean meal. There was higher average daily gain in T3 compared to control (T1), however, the variation was non-significant up to 75 days. During last fortnight (75-90 d) the ADG was significantly higher in group T3 than T1. There was no significant effect of dietary inclusion of RDGS on percentage DMI and digestibility of nutrients, however from 75 to 90 days, DMI (kg/W0.75) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3 compared to T1 and T2. The effect of dietary RDGS on serum biochemical parameters, viz. total protein, albumin, globulin (g/dl) and A: G ratio was non-significant. Inclusion of RDGS reduced the cholesterol content, however, the difference was nonsignificant. The feed cost per kg BW weight gain (`) was low in T3 (` 141.06) compared to T1 (````` 161.78) and T2 (` 160.34). RDGS inclusion up to 20% of DM in the concentrate feed replacing soybean meal improved the economy of goat rearing without affecting growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical parameters of Osmanabadi goats.

Rice distillers dried grains with solubles (RDDGS) is a co-product of rice-based ethanol production that can be a valuable source of energy, digestible amino acids, and available phosphorus in poultry feeds. The present study was conducted for 5 weeks to study the effect of different dietary inclusion levels of rice DDGS on performance of broiler chickens. The diets were prepared using conventional feed ingredients: maize, deoiled soybean cakes, soy oil, rice DDGS and premixes containing trace minerals and vitamins. The average body weight of chicks at the end of pre-starter and starter phase was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diet with 10 and 15% rice DDGS as compared to control, however, at 35 d the difference in body weight was not significant amongst the group. No significant effect of rice DDGS inclusion on weekly and cumulative feed intake was observed. The cumulative FCR up to 3 weeks was significantly (P<0.05) better in all the treatment groups irrespective of level of rice DDGS, however, at the end of experiment the difference amongst the group was not significant. No significant effect of different dietary inclusion levels of rice DDGS on metabolizability of DM was observed. The N and Ca balance also did not vary significantly among the groups, however, the P balance was significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the treatment groups irrespective of level of rice DDGS. Birds fed diet with 10% DDGS gave best response in terms of net profit per kilogram of body weight. It is therefore concluded that rice DDGS can be incorporated at 10% level in broiler feed.

In the intensive livestock production systems, with decrease in grazing land and intensification of agriculture, the animal feeds are supplemented with by-product of animal origin which are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides, dioxins, radionuclide, heavy metals, bacterial, fungal /mycotoxin contaminants etc., which may, market, it is the need of the hour to produce the livestock products free from contaminants. The feeds and fodders are to be cultivated in lands, which are devoid of heavy metals, radionuclide, industrial wastes, dioxins and other contaminants. The feeds are to be safeguarded from bacterial and fungal contamination from the time of harvest till the animals consume them otherwise chances of heavy health hazard to the human population through consumption of livestock products. As the contaminants can enter the food chain at any stage of livestock production system, a collective and concerted effort is required from agriculture, animal husbandry, feed Industry, animal production industry and food industry experts to give quality and safe foods to the consumers.

The escalating concern over the antibiotic residues in animal and poultry products among the consumers made the hour a prime time to find an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and it have increased a lot over the past decade. New alternatives of antibiotics are essential oils and organic acids. Essential oil usage in animal feeding has been practiced for their role as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, digestive stimulant, immune-modulator, hypolipidemic agent and also heat stress alleviator. Organic acids have gained significant attention due to their high nutritional value and antimicrobial benefits. Organic acids and their salts are generally regarded as safe and have been approved by most member states of the EU to be used as feed additives. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to review the potential of using essential oils and organic acids as feed additives in broiler chickens.

A total of 180-day-old broiler chickens (Ross AP strain) were allocated to 4 dietary treatments to evaluate the effects of two sources and levels of selenium and their interaction on carcass characteristics and meat quality in broiler chicken reared under deep litter system in a well-ventilated house with standard management practices.The experiment consisted of 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 sources of dietary Se [Sodium selenite (SS), and Selenium enriched yeast (SY)] and 2 levels of supplemental Se (low: 0.15 mg/kg, and high: 0.50 mg/kg).Each treatment had 3 replicates of 15 broiler chickens per replicate.Two birds from each replicate were sacrificed to study carcass characteristics (dressed, liver, heart, intestine, breast, thigh, wing, neck, back and giblet weight %) and meat quality (WHC, ERV and TBA value) at 35 th day of age.Findings suggested that adding of 0.5 ppm of selenium enriched yeast supplementation showed significant (p<0.01)difference in WHC percentage, breast weight percentage and dressing percentage, however, TBA value supplemented with sodium selenite was significantly (p<0.01)higher than selenium enriched yeast supplementation. K e y w o r d s

In India, though the poultry industry is exploited to its maximum potential, today facing series of problems like disease outbreaks, climatic stress including high feed cost. In the present scenario there is continuous increase in rampant use of antibiotics in the poultry industry to overcome such disease problem and to increase disease resistance as well as optimum growth (Marshall and Levy, 2011). However, this preventive health management practice in food animals and birds has resulted antibioticresistant in the human populations (Phillips et al., 2004). Thus appropriate alternatives for International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 04 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

An experiment on 120 day old Ross 308 broiler chicken was conducted to study effect of dietary supplementation of minerals (Se + Zn + Cr) on growth performance and carcass yield. Chicks were divided into three groups of 40 chicks in each and dietary treatments consisted of minerals (Sodium selenite, Chromium picolinate, Zinc-methionine) in three levels. Group T1 was without additional supplementation minerals, group T2 was supplemented with minerals Se + Zn + Cr @ 0.15 + 25 + 0.30 ppm and group T3 was supplemented with minerals Se + Zn + Cr @ 0.20 + 50 + 0.50 ppm, respectively. In T3 group, cumulative feed intake was significantly (p < 0.05) low compared to T1 during 42 days of experiment. However, cumulative intake was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in T3 compared to T2 upto 28 days, but later the value remained similar. Weight gain in T3 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on day 28th and 42nd as compared to other groups. The T3 group had best feed: gain ratio as compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Weight of dressed meat, wing piece, thigh and breast were significantly p < 0.05) higher compared to other groups. Thus, minerals supplementation improved growth performance, dressing percentage and total carcass yield in T3 group as compared to T1 and T2.