Effect of Hydroponic Maize Fodder Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutritive Ratio and Intake of Digestible Nutrient in Gir Calves

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of addition of hydroponic maize fodder in concentrate mixture on growth performance of gir calves. A feeding trial of 120 days was undertaken on 16 gir calves divided in four groups of four calves. The animals in control group were fed 1.5 kg concentrate mixture, 2.5 kg groundnut straw and wheat straw ad lib. In group second, 75% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and rest through hydroponic maize fodder along with 2.5 kg groundnut straw and ad lib. wheat straw was given. While, in third group, 50% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and rest through hydroponic maize fodder and 2.5 kg of groundnut straw was given along with ad lib. wheat straw. In group fourth, 25% of CP was met through concentrate mixture and remaining by hydroponic maize fodder and 2.5 kg groundnut straw with ad lib. wheat straw was offered. Significantly higher daily weight gain, digestible crude protein percent, total digestible nutrient percent and intake of digestible dry matter and organic matter in respect of g D-1 was observed in the group in which up to 75% of crude protein of concentrate mixture was replaced by hydroponic maize fodder. Highest (p<0.01) digestible crude protein intake and total digestible nutrient intake g D-1, Kg 100 kg BW-1 and g 100 kg-1 MBS (Metabolic body size) was observed in group provided with 75% crude protein through hydroponic fodder. Hydroponics maize fodder has beneficial effect on growth performance and intake of digestible nutrients in gir calves and it can replace up to 75% of crude protein of concentrate mixture.

Effects of feed with different protein digestion kinetic profiles on intestinal health of growing pigs

This study evaluated the effects of feed ingredients with different protein digestion kinetic profiles on the intestinal health of growing pigs. Two protein sources were selected, namely casein (CAS) as a rapid release source of amino acids (AAs), and corn gluten meal (CGM) as a slow-release source. Twenty-four crossbred barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with similar bodyweight (43.27 ± 3.51 kg) were selected and randomly assigned to four treatments with six barrows. These consisted of T1: 13.2% digestible crude protein (CP) with supplemental CAS; T2: 13.2% digestible CP with supplemental CGM; T3: 11.2% digestible CP with supplemental CAS (T3); and T4: 11.2% digestible CP with supplemental CGM. Diets with CGM had increased crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and reduced villi height in the jejunum in comparison with CAS. They also had increased intestinal permeability, as seen by the high level of serum diamine oxidase (DAO) compared with CAS. The diets with CAS increased health-promoting Lactobacillus and decreased health-threatening Treponema compared with those fed CGM diets. The CAS diets had a positive effect on gut functions with increased villi height, decreased crypt depth and high villi height/crypt depth. Thus, use of CAS in diets for pigs is favoured over CGM.

Feed protein utilization and nitrogen emission of young and mature Kejobong goats fed different ratios of concentrate and forage

This study aimed to evaluate feed protein utilization and nitrogen emission of young and mature Kejobong goats fed different concentrations of concentrate and forage. Sixteen heads of male Kejobong goats consisted of eight heads young goats (5 months old) and eight heads mature goats (9 months old) with initial body weight (BW) of 14 ± 1.46 kg, and 22.3 ± 1.99 kg, respectively were arranged in a nested design. All goats were fed with two different rations of concentrate and forage (C30 = 30% concentrate: 70% forage and C70 = 70% concentrate: 30% forage). The data were analyzed using ANOVA procedure. This study showed that the average daily gain (ADG) did not differ (p>0.05) in both ages, but it differed (p<0.05) in concentrate levels. The ADG of goats fed C70 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of goats fed C30 in both ages. The digestible crude protein (DCP) of young and mature goats was similar (p>0.05), while there was a significantly difference (p<0.05) between the treatments. There were no effects of different ages of goats and concentrate levels on feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p>0.05). The different ages of goats and concentrate levels affected N retention (g/day) and total N2O emission (g/day). It was concluded that ADG, DCP and FCR did not differ in mature and young Kejobong goats, while young goats had less N2O emissions than mature goats. Goats fed 70% of concentrate improved their ADG, DCP, N retention (g/day) and produced less N2O emission.

STUDIES ON PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS OF STEERS

Comparative studies lasting between 59 - 63 days were carried out using the N-balance method to investigate the effect of groundnut cake supplementation on N-metabolism and digestible crude protein (DCP)requirements of three breeds of steers maintained on all-roughage rations of hay and fresh dry of Cynodon rulenfuensis var robustus The results indicated that N intake (/day) Increased ed appreciably with supplementation. The percentage Increases li the intake were 16.4.40.0 and 18.0 for the White Fulani, crossbred and German Brown Steer respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficients for N also increased by 10%0.6.8% and 7.1% for these steers respectively. Faucal nitrogen output (/day) Increased slightly with supplementation with all breedy of steen, while urinary nitrogen loss decreased with the White Fulani, increased with the German Brown and showed no difference with the crossbreed. Absorbed nitrogen (g/day), N-balance (g/day) und N-retention (%) all increased with supplementations Mean values for both metabolic f al ultrogen (MEN) (N/kgDM consumed und endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN) (/day/wkg 0.75) decreased with supplementation while the mean Hological value (BV) (197) Increased. The values were 2.4 6N/kg DM consumed, 0.11/dm/wg 0.75 and 75.87 respectively. Digestible crude protein requirements (DCP) decreed with supplementation in all the breeds of steen. The values were 1.06, 0.38 and 0.81 (0.75 + 0.20)/day/wkg 0.75) by the N-balance methods and 1.08, 0.51 und 1.20 (0.93 = 0.21) 2DCP/day/wkg 0.75 by the Nuctoriul methody. The DCP requirements therefore range from 0.75 - 0.93 /day/weg 0.75 for these breeds of steers, While there were decreases of approximately 13.14%. 1.99 and 6.4% In the mean DM Intake.

Nutritional evaluation of varying proportions of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii leaves in the diet of young West African dwarf goats.

Sixteen (16) male of West African dwarf goats, aged 6 to 8 months and weighing 4.85 to 6.80kg were used in protein utilization study to monitor performance. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group was fed foliages of Gliricidia sepium and Ficus thonningii mixed in varying proportions such that 0% (diet 1), 25% (diet 2), 50% (diet 3) and 75% (diet 4) of Gliricidia were replaced with Ficus. The feeding lasted 70 days during which dry matter intake, DM1, and changes in body weight were monitored. At the beginning of the last 10days of the trial animals were trans­ferred to individual metabolic cages for daily collection of faeces and urine for 7 days after the 3 days set aside for adjustment to the cages. Results showed that the mean DM1 was 185.15g day', which amounted to about 2.9% of body weight while digestibility coefficient was 65%. The daily weight gains observed for animals on diets containing 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of Gliricidia replaced with Ficus leaves were 34.30, 34.29, 37.10 and 36.79g day' respectively. The metabolic faecal nitrogen, MFN, and endogenous urinary nitrogen, ELTN, values were 9.42g kg' DM and 0.85g day­'Kg BW0.745 respectively. Regression model that described the relationship between nitrogen, N, balance and corresponding absorbed N values indicated that the combination of Gliricidia and Ficus leaves could furnish nutrient (3.68g day' kg' BW0..75 digestible crude protein, DCP) which might support young WAD goat requirement for maintenance. Data obtained suggested that all the three combinations of diets could be fed to goats but the inclusion of Gliricidiaand Ficus at equal level of 50%p produced highest weight gain (37.10g day-1) and supported better performance

Protein and energy partitioning for growth by rabbits fed soybean cheese waste diet and lablab hay

Thirty crossbred rabbits were randomly allocated to five treatment combinations of soybean waste meal and lablab forage hay in a completely randomized design. The treatments comprised graded levels of soybean cheese waste meal diet (SCW) and lablab hay (LH) on a gram: gram basis: 1) 100g SCW: 60g LH (100:60S), 2) 75g SCW: 85g LH (75:85S), 3) 50g SCW: 110g LH (50:110S), 4) 25g SCW: 135g LH (25:135S), 5) 100g rabbit diet: 60g LH (100:60R,control). This gives a total feed supply of 160g/rabbit/day. Metabolic weight gain, empty body gain and composition of gain were significantly (p<0.001) higher for rabbits on 100:60S than 100:60R (control) and decreases with decrease in level of soybean cheese waste diet. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intake was higher (p<0.05) for the control (100:60R) than the SCW levels. DCP maintenance (DCPm) was significantly (p<0.05) lower for rabbits on 50:110S than 100:60S but similar for all other treatments. DCP content of gain, total DCP required for protein synthesis decreased significantly (p<0.001) as level of SCW decreased and LH increased and was higher for 100:60S than the control and other levels. Efficiency of DCP utilization for growth decreased as SCW level decreased and ranged between 0.41-0.85. Digestible energy (DE) intake of rabbits was significantly higher (p<0.001) on 25:135S and lower for 100:60S. More DE was retained as protein, fat and for growth by rabbits on 100:60S than the control and other SCW levels. DE. DE requirement for protein, fat, growth and total energy required for growth also decreased with decrease in level of SCW. The control and 75:85S rabbits significantly had higher DE requirement than 25:135S. Efficiency of DE utilization for growth was similar for the control, 100:60S and 75:85S than 25:135S. Efficiency of DE utilization ranged between 0.21-0.24 and was lowest on 25:135S.

A NOTE ON PROTEIN REQUIREMENT OF FRIESIAN COWS FOR MAINTENANCE IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Four dry non pregnant Friesian cows averagely weighing 376 +19.2kg were in a 4x4 Latin square design, assigned to four dietary treatments: (A) hay (Digitaria ezilis), (B) hay plus brewers dried grains, (C) brewers dried grains plus 5% molasses and (D) brewers dried grains plus 10% molasses, to assess the protein requirement for maintenance. The mean metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN) values were 0.361 0.022g/1003 DM intake and 0.079 0.024g/day /w0.75 kg respectively. The mean biological values (BV) were 53.5 72.4, 58.4 and 58.1 for treatinents A, B, C and D. These MFN EUN and BV values facilitated the use of factorial equation, which gave average daily digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement for maintenance as 1.45g/W0.75 kg (0.94 -- 2.85).

EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION AND REALIMENTATION ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF ZEBU BULLS

Forty-eight Sokoto Gudali bulls were used to study carcass compositional changes and nutrient efficiency following feed restriction (25% ad libitum feeding, L., and 54% ad. libitum feeding, M) and realimentation (ad. libitum feeding, H). The treatments were designated as LLH, LMH and LHH according to the level of feeding for each of three periods within each treatment group. Representative bulls were slaughtered at the beginning of the study and at the end of each feeding period. At the end of the mid period, animals on the LLH and LMH feeding regimes had higher percentages of water, similar percentages of protein and ash but lower proportions of fat and energy compared to animals on the LHH feeding regime. Following realimentation in the final period carcass gains contained approximately 21.0, 15.0, 18.5% protein and 22.0, 31,0 and 29.6% fat for LLH, LMH and LHH bulls respectively. The LHH animals were more efficient in utilizing metabolizable energy for carcass energy gain than the LLH and LMH animals. Digestible crude protein (DCP) efficience for carcass protein gain averaged 17.6, 26.2 and 35.4 g DCP/g protein gain for LLH, LMH and LHH bulls respectively. The results suggest that improved efficiency of protein utilization is largely responsible for compensatory carcass growth in zebu bulls.