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The objective of the present study was to evaluate the preference for, interest in, and behavior of growing pigs provided with three different suspended enrichment toys in a four-compartment environmental preference chamber (EPC). Sixty pigs at 70±2 days of age were divided into two contemporary groups. There were two distinct areas in each compartment of the EPC: one isolated area where two control pigs were housed with access to one type of toy, and one area with free access to the other compartments where five test pigs were housed for 5 days (D-1, D0, D1, D2, D3). Each week, a new group of pigs was introduced into the EPC; this procedure was repeated four times with a different contemporary group. Three different suspended toys (PET bottle; sisal rope; chain) were offered from D1 to D3 and were removed and washed at the end of the day. The toys and a control were randomly arranged in each EPC compartment (control; test). Focal animal sampling with recording interval of 10 min was used to determine the occurrence of behaviors (agonistic, idle, eating, drinking, vocalizing, stereotypic, positive, use of toy, others) from 8:00 to 11:00 h and from 13:00 to 16:00 h. Only for test pigs, for the ‘use of toy’, we also recorded which toy was being used as well as the duration it was used for. Samples for the determination of salivary cortisol and respiratory rate were taken on alternate days (D0; D2) at 7:00 and 13:00 h. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with fixed effects of group (test, control), day (D1, D2, D3), and period (7:00, 13:00 h - cortisol), as well as their interaction. Means were compared by the Tukey-Kramer or t-test (P 0.05). Test pigs also exhibited fewer idle bouts compared to control pigs (P

This study was carried out to evaluation the effect of slaughter weights on carcass characteristics and meat sensory evaluation of Karadi male lambs. A total 20 male Karadi lambs, with an average initial body live weight of 23.27 ± 0.28 kg and 3 to 4 months old were used in this experiment. Lambs were randomly allocated to 4 groups (5 lambs for each group). The experimental diet was consisting of concentrate feed 75% and 25% of wheat straw and prepared based on Cornell net carbohydrate and protein system software for growing lambs. Lambs were slaughtered according to Islamic way when each lamb has reached its target slaughter weights of 28, 33, 38 and 43 kg for treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4), respectively, following fasting for 12 h, with free access to water. The slaughter weight (SW), empty body, hot and cold carcass weights were all significantly different (p≤0.05) among all treatments. The foreshank was significantly (p≤0.05) difference between T1 and T3, while T2 and T4 were not significant. The physical dissection of shoulder for (fat and bone) and foreshank for (meat, fat and bone) were significantly differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. The percentage of meat in neck were significantly differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. Fat thickness and sensory evaluation for (tenderness and juiciness) were significant differences (p≤0.05) among treatments. It was concluded that the Karadi male lambs slaughtered at weights between 38-43 kg improved carcass characteristics, physical dissection, carcass cuts and some sensory evaluation of their meat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of yeast cell wall (YCW) on the gastrointestinal development of weaned calves. Twenty healthy Holstein male calves (BW = 92 ± 8.29 kg and 60 ± 5 d of age) were randomly allocated into 2 groups: CON with no YCW, and YCW (accounted for 0.16% of the basal diet). The dietary concentrate-to-roughage ratio was 40:60. All the calves were fed regularly twice a day at 09:00 and 16:00 and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 60 d. The results showed that calves fed YCW showed higher (P

As a species of waterfowl, ducks rely on access to water to facilitate feeding behaviors. Further, wet preening behavior in ducks relies on access to water and is a key behavior for duck welfare. Traditionally, Chinese duck farms provide not only free access to drinking water in the duck house but also an open water pool outside of the house. However, recent restrictions prohibit the use of an open water pool for raising ducks in some areas of China. Little is known about the effects of not providing an open water pool on duck welfare, in particular, the development of the preen gland and wet preening behaviors. The preen gland secretes oil which is crucial for maintaining plumage conditions. A total of one hundred twenty 1-day-old Sanshui White ducks (SSWD) were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed for 6 wk with access to a water pool (WP) or without access to a water pool and provided drinking water only (LWP). The live body weights of ducks from the WP group were significantly increased compared with those of ducks in the LWP group starting from 3 wks of age (P < 0.05). Feed intake was increased in the WP group at 2 wk of age and from 4 to 6 wk of age (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly different only at 4 and 5 wks of age, when the FCR was increased by 5.7% and 9.5%, respectively, in the LWP group compared with the WP group (P < 0.05). Lack of access to an open water pool significantly inhibited the growth of the preen gland based on its weight, size, and quantity of oil secretions (P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of ducks exhibiting wet preening behavior was significantly reduced in the LWP group compared with the WP group (5.5 ± 0.2% vs. 24.8 ± 2.1%, P < 0.05). This study indicated that a lack of access to an open water source had negative impacts on the development of the preen gland and on the preening behavior of SSWD.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding frequency on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 28 to 70 D of age. In experiment 1, a total of 240 geese were distributed in a completely randomized design into 4 treatments and 6 replicates of 10 birds each. The treatments were free access to the feeder (ad libitum) and access to the feeder 3, 4, and 5 times daily. Geese fed 3 times daily had a lower (P < 0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI and a higher (P = 0.064) feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 28 to 41 D of age compared with the other groups. Geese fed 4 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and a lower (P < 0.05) FCR from 42 to 55 D of age compared with ad libitum fed geese. Geese fed 3 times daily had a higher (P < 0.05) ADG from 56 to 69 D of age than geese fed ad libitum and 4 times daily. No differences (P > 0.05) in BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR were observed between ad libitum and feeding frequency groups from 28 to 69 D of age. Carcass traits and gastrointestinal development were not affected (P > 0.05) by feeding frequency. In experiment 2, the apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 71 to 77 D of age fed using different feeding frequencies was determined using the total fecal collection method. Feeding frequency did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, crude ash, calcium, phosphorous, or ether extract in geese. Our study demonstrates for the first time that compensatory growth can be gained by enhancing feed intake when a lower feeding frequency is imposed on geese. Both ad libitum feeding and fixed feeding frequency for 3 to 5 times daily are suitable for geese from 28 to 70 D of age to achieve optimum production.

Objective Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary sucralose on diet preference and growth performance of weaned piglets, and a third experiment was a 28-d safety study to examine if high-dose sucralose could affect the health state of weaned piglets. Methods In experiment one, 48 piglets had free access to a corn-soybean based diet and the same diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg sucralose for 15 d. In experiment two, 180 piglets were blocked into 5 treatments with 6 replications. They were fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 mg/kg sucralose for 28 days. In experiment three, 108 piglets were randomly assigned to 3 treatments and fed diets supplemented with 0, 150 (suitable level), and 1,500 (ten-fold suitable level) mg/kg sucralose for 28 d. Results The experiment 1 showed that piglets preferred (p < 0.05) diets containing sucralose during experimental period. In experiment 2, piglets fed a diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg sucralose had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than pigs in the control group and other treatment groups during the experiment period. The concentrations of sucralose over 150 mg/kg may decrease feed intake. However, no difference in feed conversion ratio was observed. In experiment 3, piglets fed diet supplemented with 150 mg/kg sucralose had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than that of pigs in the control group and 1500 mg/kg treatment groups during the experiment period. Clinical blood metabolites, organ index and histological morphology were not significantly different between sucralose treatments. Conclusion Sucralose can promote feed intake and thereby improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Moreover, inclusion of 1,500 mg/kg sucralose was demonstrated to have no observed adverse effects. Supplementing 150 mg/kg sucralose for weaned piglets is recommended in this study.

Providing dairy cows access to pasture is desirable, given their strong motivation for pasture access, but this practice is hindered by several practical constraints, including lack of available pasture. An alternative to pasture is an outdoor area that is bedded with a soft material such as sand or wood chips that requires less space than pasture, given the absence of soil or grass that can otherwise be damaged by cow traffic. However, little is known about space requirements for alternative outdoor areas. This study investigated how space allowance affected cow preference to be outdoors as well as cow behavior on an outdoor pack. A total of 3 groups of 24 pregnant, lactating, healthy Holstein cows were used. Each group was given 3 d for social dynamics to stabilize; during this time cows were kept indoors in a freestall pen. A habituation phase of 5 d followed, where animals were given free access to the outdoor pack with a space allowance of 16 m2/cow. Cows were moved outside (if not already outdoors) at set times each day during the habituation phase (i.e., 5 times during the first 2 d and 2 times during the last 3 d). Cows were then given free access to the outdoor pack, but space allowance was changed every day. A total of 13 different space allowances were randomly applied, without replacement, ranging from 4 to 16 m2/cow in 1-m2 increments. Using continuous video recordings, the location of the cows (i.e., in the freestall barn or on the outdoor pack) as well as displacements from a lying position on the outdoor pack were scored. Standing and lying behaviors were automatically measured using HOBO data loggers (Onset, Cape Cod, MA). Over the 24-h period, cows spent more time outside with increasing space allowance, but this result was driven almost entirely by the increased time spent outdoors during the nighttime hours. During the night, space allowance did not influence the number of displacements from lying on the outdoor pack or the proportion of time on the outdoor pack that cows spent lying down. Our results indicate that cows use an outdoor bedded pack mostly at night and that the time spent outside at night increases with increasing space allowance. Providing an outdoor bedded pack should be considered when designing dairy cattle housing systems.

The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of social rank on the well-being of gestating sows housed in a free access stall-pen housing environment. At d 30 post-breeding, 32 multiparous crossbred sows in groups of 4 were allocated to a stall-pen housing environment. Blood samples were taken at gestational d 30 (before mixing) and d 31 (24-h post-mixing), and then again at d 89 and 110; whereas, sow behavior was recorded at gestational d 30, 66, 87, and 102. Social rank was determined based on aggressive encounters, dyadic fighting wins and losses, and displacements between sows by 48-h post-mixing. At d 31 (post-mixing), regardless of social rank, total WBC decreased and, lymphocyte counts increased, but % change was more significant among the subordinates than dominants. The same trend occurred with neutrophil chemotaxis increased more in subordinates, but ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation increased more in dominants, whereas LPS-induced lymphocyte proliferation was reduced among dominants. Sow behavior was differentially affected by social rank and time-periods or gestational day, with subordinates spending more time sitting and drinking, especially during time-periods 1, 3, and 4. Dominants displayed more oral-nasal-facial behaviors during mid-gestation but more sham-chew during time-period 2, which included feeding time. Social rank also influenced the percentage of time sows spent in either the stall or pen area, with subordinates in stalls and dominants in pen. These data imply that social rank differentially influences physiology and behavior of dry sows housed in a free access stall-pen environment. More specifically, the location of the dominant sow, time of day, and activity may influence when and where the subordinates spend their time within this housing system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different feed restriction regimens on performance, behavioral patterns, blood cortisol, and carcass parameters in Sasso broilers. Sixty healthy 1-day-old unsexed Sasso chicks were randomly assigned to three groups (20 chicks per group) and each group was divided into 4 replicates with 5 chicks each based on feed restriction program during the rearing period (60 days). The first group (G1) is control in which birds were fed ad libitum had free access to feed (no restriction). The second group (G2) was subjected to temporary feed restriction at the first 2 weeks as birds had access to feed for 12 h only after that they had free access to feed until the end of the experimental period. The third one (G3) was subjected to continuous feed restriction as birds had free access to feed for 12 h only throughout the rearing periods. During the study period, growth performance and behavioral patterns were estimated. At the end of the study, blood samples for cortisol testing were taken. Three birds from each group were slaughtered at the end of the study to see how the feed restriction affected carcass parameters. Feed restriction had a substantial impact (P ≤ 0.05) on final body weight and carcass parameters. Feed restriction elevated blood cortisol significantly (P = 0.004). Feed restriction showed a significant impact on some behaviors as feeding, stretching, preening, and aggression. Overall, different feed restriction programs had a wide effect on growth performance, behaviors, cortisol concentration, and carcass parameters of Sasso broilers.

The provision and quality of bedding materials affect the behaviour, welfare, and health of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the preference, behaviour, cleanliness, and physiological status of cows on three bedding materials, peanut shells, rice husks, and a combination of two-thirds peanut shells, one-third rice husk. In an initial experiment, 15 nonlactating, pregnant Holstein cows had free access to all 3 bedding treatments for 39 d. Cows spent more time lying down on rice husk (337 min/d) than on peanut–rice combination (212 min/d) and peanut shell (196 min/d) (p &lt, 0.05), and lay down most often on rice husk (4.35 bouts/d) than on peanut shell (2.55 bouts/d) (p &lt, 0.05) but did not differ between peanut shells and peanut–rice combinations in terms of lying time and lying bouts. In Experiment 2, 12 nonlactating cows were used to assess the effects of the 3 bedding materials on dairy cow behaviour, cleanliness, serum indicators, and productivity. The total duration of lying down (PS: 699.1 min/d, PRC: 645.6 min/d, RH: 852.5 min/d), the frequency of bouts of lying down (PS: 8.7 bouts/d, PRC: 7.6 bouts/d, RH: 11.1 bouts/d), and the mean duration of lying bouts (PS: 83.5 min/bouts, PRC: 91.8 min/bouts, RH: 81.4 min/bouts) did not differ between treatments. Similarly, no differences in eating or drinking behaviour of dairy cows were observed. In terms of hygiene, cleanliness scores did not differ between the three bedding materials, but udder and flank cleanliness decreased and improved, respectively. In addition, treatments did not affect serum metabolites or productivity of the cows. In summary, daily behaviour, serum metabolites, and productivity of dairy cows were all within the normal range, and no statistical differences occurred between the three bedding materials, although cows showed a preference for rice husk when given access to all three bedding materials at the same time. Finally, the results suggest that bedding comprised of peanut shells and peanut–rice combinations are all suitable for maintaining the health and comfort of dairy cows.

This study investigated the laying performance, egg quality, and egg yolk fatty acids (FAs) and cholesterol content in layer hens housed with free access to chicory- and/or white clover-vegetated areas. During a 16-week study, 400 Lohmann Brown hens (32 weeks old) housed with free outdoor access were allocated randomly into four groups, each with four replicates of 25 hens. Control hens were fed a conventional diet with free access to a soil area (C), whereas other hens were fed on a conventional diet with free access to a chicory (CI)- or white clover (TR)-vegetated area or a CI and TR mixture (MIX)-vegetated area. The C hens consumed more concentrate feed (p = 0.018) than the TR and MIX hens, which had a higher herbage intake than the CI birds (p &lt, 0.001). The C hens produced eggs with a thicker shell than those in the other treatment groups (p = 0.013). Compared with C, the saturated FAs of egg yolk decreased for MIX (p = 0.010). The polyunsaturated FAs were higher in the MIX eggs than in the C and TR eggs (p &lt, 0.001). Although FAs were distributed in all quadrants of the principal component analysis (PCA), three main FA profiles could be identified based on the loadings of natural groupings in the PC2 versus PC1 plot. The present study shows clear evidence for the contribution of herbage to the hen diet without affecting laying performance. In addition, the FA composition of the CI and MIX vegetation contributed to the production of eggs with preferred FA attributes, such as polyunsaturated FAs and a favourable n-6 to n-3 ratio.

The knowledge on dairy calves’ needs with regards to milk feeding and social housing is expanding but to be able to make improvements, knowledge is needed on how calves are managed at present in Norway. The aim of this study was to describe selected milk-feeding practices and social housing procedures for young (pre-weaning) dairy calves in Norwegian herds. A short questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 912 dairy producers. For each herd, we asked how much milk was fed to 3 week old dairy calves, number of daily milk feedings, usage of milk replacer, number of weeks calves were housed in single pens, and whether calves at 3 weeks had free access to drinking water. In total, 508 herd managers responded to the questionnaire (56% response rate). Descriptive statistics showed that median milk allowance for 3 week old calves was seven (IQR 6–8) L milk/d, ranging from 2 to 15 L/day. Consequently, 311 (61%) herds reportedly fed less than the current industry recommendation in Norway (8 L milk/d to young calves). Automatic milk feeders were used by 30 herds (6%). In herds feeding milk manually (n = 471), half of the herds (50%) fed milk twice daily. Median number of daily milk feedings was 3 (31%) while 13% fed four times/day or more frequent (6%). Of the 226 producers (46%) who reported to use milk replacer, this milk type was used from the calf age of (median) 2 weeks. Of all herds, 82 (16%) did not provide their 3 week old calves with free access to drinking water. In the surveyed herds, calves were housed in single pens for (median) 2 weeks (IQR 2–3), while legislation allows single housing until the age of 8 weeks. In conclusion, the milk allowances reported in this survey are low compared to industry recommendations which again are low compared to voluntary intakes of young dairy calves. Free access to drinking water is important to calf welfare but was not granted to all dairy calves. Most calves were reportedly group housed at an early age, which indicates an improved awareness with regards to the importance of social housing. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13028-021-00587-x.

Adequate provision of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) is essential for bone formation and high growth performance in pigs. Nevertheless, reliable serum biomarkers for pig’s Ca and P intake are still missing. Here, we used phytase supplementation to alter the dietary available P (aP) level in order to investigate the effect of differences in dietary aP levels on serum parameters related to the Ca and P homeostasis in pigs. Moreover, we assessed whether serum parameters can be used to predict the Ca, total P (tP), and aP intake in barrows and gilts throughout the fattening period. In total, 216 pigs (115 gilts and 101 barrows) were randomly allotted to one of the two diets in three replicate batches, each lasting 56 d (n = 108/diet). Pigs had free access to the diets without (Con) or with phytase (Phy; 650 phytase units/kg) via a transponder-based feeding system. Blood samples were collected on days 2, 23, and 52, and serum parameters were correlated with the daily Ca, tP, and aP intake. The intake of tP, aP, and Ca was overall 14.2%, 13.8%, and 14.2% higher in barrows compared with gilts, respectively (P < 0.001). Concurrently, phytase decreased the intake of tP and Ca by 8.4% and 6.7%, respectively, whereas it raised the intake of aP by 16.3% compared with the Con diet (P < 0.001). Serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vitamin D (VitD), and osteocalcin (OCN) decreased with age (P < 0.05). The higher aP intake of pigs fed the Phy diet increased serum P on days 2 and 23 but decreased it on day 52 compared with the Con diet (P = 0.004). Pigs fed the Phy diet had higher serum ALP compared with pigs fed the Con diet on days 23 and 52 (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis between serum parameters and Ca, tP, and aP intake showed age- and sex-related associations. With 12 wk of age, serum P in both sexes, serum VitD in barrows, and serum OCN and ALP in gilts correlated with aP intake (|r| > 0.38), whereas serum OCN correlated with Ca in both sexes’ intake (r > 0.50). At 20 wk, serum Ca and ALP in gilts correlated with aP intake, whereas serum P, Ca, and VitD correlated with Ca intake in both sexes (|r| > 0.39). In conclusion, the present results showed that the daily Ca and aP intake could be most reliably estimated from serum parameters for an approximate age of 12 and 20 wk. Serum P and the Ca:P ratio at 12 wk of age and serum VitD at 20 wk of age may be used to predict pig’s daily aP intake in both sexes.

Simple Summary Providing meat-type chickens free access to pasture is intended to improve their wellbeing by allowing them opportunities to express their natural behaviors and mitigate discomfort associated with indoor housing. However, there is limited information on how much pasture space is needed to improve the quality of life for these chickens. In a controlled experiment, chickens with a larger amount of pasture space had reduced feather damage and showed less aggression towards other chickens. Depending on age, chickens with a smaller amount of pasture space did more stretching, panting and sunbathing, which might be indicative displays of discomfort from being too hot. Regardless of the amount of pasture space that chickens had, they expressed an array of natural behaviors signifying that the small amount of pasture space provided for chickens did not hinder their welfare. Results of this study suggest that providing extra pasture space to chickens may improve their wellbeing. Abstract Access to pasture is a main benefit of free-range broiler housing systems, yet the level of outdoor stocking density on broiler animal welfare remains unsettled. The growth, feather damage, pasture ranging and behaviors were assessed for 150 mixed-sex, slow-growing Freedom Rangers from 5 to 11 weeks of age of with free access to either a high outdoor stocking density pasture (0.5 m2 per bird) or a low outdoor stocking density pasture (2.5 m2 per bird). The probability (mean, 95% CI) of tail feather damage was greater for the high-density (23.1%, 16.3 to 31.7%) compared to the low-density group (11.9%, 7.1 to 19.3%). The percent of observations resulting in sunbathing and aggressive attacks (i.e., pecking and fighting behaviors) were greater for the high-density (1.0%, 0.6 to 1.8% and 0.5%, 0.2 to 1.3%, respectively) compared to the low-density group (0.3%, 0.1 to 0.7% and 0.1%, 0.0 to 0.4%, respectively). Furthermore, an interaction between treatment and age indicated that birds in the high-density group displayed greater stretching (during weeks 7 to 10) and panting (during weeks 6 and 9). Results of this study suggest that additional outdoor pasture space may be positively associated with broiler welfare.

Research is needed on how technology can facilitate cow−calf contact (CCC). This research communication describes the behaviour of dairy cow−calf pairs in two cow-driven CCC-systems differing in cows' access to the calves through computer-controlled access gates (smart gates, SG). Specifically, cow traffic through SG when visiting their calves, allogrooming, suckling and cross-suckling, cows' eating and resting behaviour and finally vocal response to separation were assessed. After 3 d in an individual calving pen, pairs (n = 8) were moved to the CCC compartment with a cow area, a calf creep and a meeting area. During the next 31 d calves could suckle the cows whenever they visited the meeting area (suckling phase). Cows had free (group 1, n = 4 pairs) or restricted access to the calves based on previous activity in the automatic milking system (group 2, n = 4 pairs). SG's controlled cow traffic between the meeting area and the cow area, in which the cows could access resources such as feed, cubicles, and the automatic milking system. Following the suckling phase cow access into the meeting area was gradually decreased over 9 d (separation phase). During the suckling phase, cows paid frequent and short visits to their calves. Pairs spent in total approximately one h/d suckling and allogrooming. However, the duration and frequencies of these events varied among pairs and groups, as did the vocal response to separation. Restricted access − cows performed more (unrewarded) attempts to visit the calves who cross-suckled more. Collectively, free access to the calves may have been more intuitive and welfare friendly. Although a low sample size limits interpretation beyond description and enabling hypothesis formulation for future research, the results indicate that the cow is motivated to visit her calf, albeit through a SG, thus facilitating particular behaviours for which cow-calf pairs are highly motivated.

This study was conducted to provide commercial pig farms with information about group housing systems for sows in accordance with the amendment of the prohibition law for individual stalls for sows in South Korea. Therefore, this experiment was performed to compare the effects of individual stalls (IS) and group housing systems (GS) on the productivity of sows to investigate the feasibility of replacing individual stalls with group housing systems in commercial sow units. Forty primiparous sows (Landrace &times, Yorkshire, 210.67 &plusmn, 2.22 kg average initial body weight) were randomly assigned to four treatments with restricted feeding after 8 weeks from artificial insemination. The four treatments were (i) individual stalls (IS, housed in pen stalls), (ii) short stalls (SS, sows housed in pens with non-gated feeding stalls), (iii) free access stalls (FAS, a non-competitive housing system), and (iv) electronic sow feeders (ESF, used with radio frequency identification technology to allow individual sow management without individual confinement). All sows were transferred to farrowing crates at 110 days of gestation. There were no differences in sow productive performance, reproductive performance, and colostrum composition between IS and GS and among GS. The considered GS did not negatively affect any productivity parameters of primiparous sows compared with IS, the GS could replace IS in commercial sow units.

Continued genetic improvement necessitates the verification of nutrient requirements for newly developed pig genotypes. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) requirement of 7- to 15-kg weanling pigs (TN70 × TN Tempo; Topigs Norsvin) fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet. A total of 144 piglets with an initial BW of 6.51 ± 0.56 kg (mean ± SD) were assigned to one of six diets using a randomized complete block design based on BW to give eight replicate pens with three pigs per pen. The six diets contained 1.00, 1.16, 1.32, 1.48, 1.64, and 1.80% SID Lys, achieved by adding crystalline l-Lys·HCl at the expense of cornstarch. Other indispensable amino acids were provided to meet the requirements. Piglets had free access to diets and water for 21 days. Individual BW of pigs and feed disappearance were recorded weekly and blood samples were collected on day 1, 14, and 21. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake were not affected by dietary SID Lys content during the first 7 days. However, the addition of dietary SID Lys quadratically increased (P < 0.05) gain:feed (G:F) during the first 7 days of the experiment. A quadratic increase (P < 0.05) was found in both ADG and G:F when SID Lys content increased in the diets from day 14 to 21. During the overall experimental period, increasing dietary Lys content quadratically increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F, whereas plasma urea nitrogen quadratically decreased (P < 0.05) as SID Lys content increased. The SID Lys requirements were estimated for linear and quadratic broken-line models. In conclusion, the SID Lys requirement for optimal growth performance of 7- to 15-kg weanling pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diets based on linear and quadratic broken-line models were 1.27% (95% confidence interval (CI): [1.01, 1.53]) and 1.30% (95% CI: [0.94, 1.66]) for ADG and 1.27% (95% CI: [1.14, 1.40]) and 1.43% (95% CI: [1.11, 1.75]) for G:F, respectively, thus giving an overall average value of 1.32%.

Threshold temperatures for cold stress in sheep are not well understood, the available literature is somewhat dated and reports relate to winter temperatures that are relatively benign. Sheep&rsquo, s preferences for outdoor versus indoor environments, when given free access to both, were investigated in the winter period at temperatures as low as &minus, 23 &deg, C. Two sheep farms, one with access to a permanent uninsulated barn and one with a polytunnel shelter, both with free access to an outdoor area, were used. Observations were made with a camera positioned to register numbers of sheep outdoors and indoors, with one image taken hourly over twenty-four hours. The sheep clearly preferred to be outdoors, on all occasions the majority of the sheep were outdoors. There was, however, a significant decrease, albeit small, in the numbers of sheep choosing to be outdoors at lower temperatures (p &lt, 0.001), higher relative humidity (p &lt, 0.001) and greater wind chill (p &lt, 0.001). Therefore, even at cooler temperatures than reported previously, sheep are motivated to be outdoors rather than indoors. It is not implicitly good for their welfare, and may not be true for lambs and shorn sheep, but accessing an outdoor area appears to be what they choose to do when given the choice.

This experiment was conducted to growth curve models for leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and wild-type mice fed a meal-form High-Fat (HF) diet prepared in-house for over 120 weeks. Two hundred and twenty-four sets of Body Weight (BW) and age data were collected from ob/ob mice and 485 sets of data were collected from wild-type mice. All animals had free access to the HF diet (34.3% energy from fat) and water. Individual BW and survival rates of mice were measured. To develop growth curves of ob/ob mice and wild-type mice fed the HF diet, Gompertz and Logistic growth models were employed. The survival rates of ob/ob mice fed the HF diet were lower than those of wild-type mice. Models for estimating growth of ob/ob mice fed the HF diet were: BW, g = 61.36 × e-2.56×e^-0.13t in Gompertz model (Akaike’s Information Criterion, AIC = 1,694); and BW, g = 60.65 × (1 + 7.04 × e-0.18t)-1 in Logistic model (AIC = 1,719). Growth models for wild-type mice fed the HF diet were: BW, g = 28.94 × e-1.75×e^-0.13t in Gompertz model (AIC = 3,171); and BW, g = 28.23 × (1 + 4.85 × e-0.25t)-1 in Logistic model (AIC = 3,198). In conclusion, Gompertz models may be more appropriate to estimate the growth of ob/ob mouse fed the diet with high-fat concentration.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat and muscle fibre traits of growing-finishing gilts. 300 female PIC pigs were randomly divided (30.10 ± 2.94 kg) into 2 treatments with 6 replicates of 25 each for a 100-day trial. Two dietary treatments were comprised of a control diet and a control diet fortified with 450 mg/kg GAA. Growth performance was evaluated for each phase. Carcass characteristics and meat quality were determined at last phase. Gilts had free access to feed and water during the experiment. The result indicated that GAA did not affect growth performance (p > 0.05). GAA not only increased longissimus dorsi (LM) muscle weight but also decreased its shear force, b*value and drip loss (p < 0.05). Mandibular fat index was decreased by GAA (p < 0.05). GAA upregulated myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I mRNA expression with lower myofibre cross-sectional area and fibre diameter in LM muscle (p < .05). In conclusion, GAA can improve carcass characteristics and meat quality by changing muscle fibre characteristics and reducing mandibular fat index in finishing gilts.

The dynamics of body temperature was used to determine the food intake synchronization in starlings located at a distance of 105 km from each other. Thermal accumulators were implanted intraperitoneally to the birds; the birds had free access to food or were kept under the conditions of food deprivation. It was found that food intake moments significantly more often coincided with an accuracy of up to a minute even in the birds separated by a considerable distance. The difference in time of sunrise of a few minutes, as well as the conditions of constant lighting did not affect the synchronism of food intake. On the basis of the data obtained, it can be assumed that there is a certain external factor, probably of an electromagnetic nature, which synchronizes the functional activity of the body, including food intake.

The development of alternatives to antibiotics is crucial to limiting the incidence of antimicrobial resistance, especially in prophylactic and metaphylactic use to control post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). Feed additives, including bioactive compounds, could be a promising alternative. This study aimed to test two bioactive compounds, sodium salicylate (SA) and a chestnut extract (CE) containing hydrolysable tannins, on the occurrence of PWD. At weaning, 72 piglets were assigned to four treatments that combined two factors: CE supplementation (with 2% of CE (CE+) or without (CE-)) and SA supplementation (with 35 mg/kg BW of SA (SA+) or without (SA-)). Then, 4 days after weaning, all piglets were infected with a suspension at 108 CFU/ml of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC F4ac). Each piglet had free access to an electrolyte solution containing, or not, SA. This SA supplementation was administered for 5 days (i.e., from the day of infection (day 0) to 4 days post-infection (day 4). During the 2 weeks post-infection, supplementation with SA had no effect (P > 0.05) on growth performances nor on fecal scores. A significant SA × time interaction (P < 0.01) for fecal scores and the percentage of diarrhea indicated that piglets with SA did not recover faster and did have a second episode of diarrhea. In contrast to SA treatment, inclusion of CE increased (P < 0.05) growth performances and feed intake. In the first week post-infection, CE decreased (P < 0.001) the overall fecal scores, the percentage of piglets with diarrhea, the days in diarrhea, and ETEC shedding in the feces. There was a SA×CE interaction (P < 0.05) for ETEC shedding, suggesting a negative effect of combining SA with CE. This study highlighted that, in contrast to SA, CE could represent a promising alternative to antibiotics immediately after weaning for improving growth performance and reducing PWD.

Background and Objective: Feeding time restriction is an alternative lower-intensity feed restriction practice and could be less stressful than higher-intensity feed restriction practices. Feeding time restriction is more likely to provide the beneficial effects of feed restriction without adverse effects on growth. This study aimed to determine the effects of feeding time restriction on the growth performance of broiler chickens during the 35 days production period. Materials and Methods: Three hundred 1-day-old unsexed broiler chickens of the Lohmann commercial strain were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications.The treatments were as follows: broilers were fed ad libitum as a control group (P-0); broilers had free access to feed for 8 h day from 1 -21 days of age and then were fed ad libitum from 22-35 days of age (P-1); broilers had free access to feed for 8 h day from 1-21 days of age and then for 12 h day from 22-35 days of age (P-2); broilers had free access to feed for 12 h day from 1-21 days of age and then were fed ad libitum from 22-35 days of age (P-3); and broilers had free access to feed for 12 h day from 1-35 days of age (P-4). Body weight and feed intake values were recorded weekly and body weight gains and feed conversion ratios were calculated. Two broiler chickens from each pen were used to measure the size of the carcass, abdominal fat pad and internal organs at 35 days of age. Results: At 21 day of age, the body weight and body weight gain values of the broilers that had feeding time restrictions (P-1, P-2, P-3 and P-4) were significantly lower than those of the broilers fed ad libitum (P-0). No significant effects of the feeding time restriction treatments on body weight gains were found during the growing period from 22-35 days of age but at 35 day of age, the P-3 broilers had no significant differences in body weight compared to the weight of the broilers fed ad libitum (P-0). At 21 day of age, feed intake values and feed conversion ratios in the feeding time restriction treatments were significantly lower than those in P-0. However, the P-2 and P-4 broilers had lower feed intake values and feed conversion ratios during the growing period at 35 day of age. There were no differences among the treatments in the weights of the carcass, abdominal fat pad and gizzard; however, the weights of the internal organs, such as the liver, small intestine and pancreas, were significantly increased in broilers that experienced smaller feeding time restrictions. Conclusion: Program for restricting feed for 12 h day from 1-21 days of age could be applied as a useful rearing management technique, resulting in a lower feed intake and no detrimental effects on the performance of broiler chickens.

We examined egg production and quality responses of adding up to 7.5% defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in a corn–soybean meal diet fed to pullets (19 to 27 wk of age). The concentration of CP and crude fat in BSFLM sample was 59.3 and 7.0% DM, respectively. A corn–soybean meal diet was formulated with 0 or 5.0 or 7.5% BSFLM and fed (n = 6) to a total of 108, 19-wk-old Shaver White pullets placed in conventional cages (6 birds/cage). The birds had free access to feed and water. Hen-day egg production (HDEP) and average egg weight were monitored daily and feed intake (FI) weekly. Egg quality parameters were assessed on individual eggs collected on the 5th d of wk 22, 24, and 26 and included individual EW (IEW), albumen height (HU), yolk color (YC), egg shell-breaking strength (SBS) and thickness (ST). A quadratic response (P < 0.02) was observed for HDEP, EW and egg mass. Specifically, birds fed 0 and 7.5% BSFLM diets had similar (P > 0.05) values for these parameters with birds fed 5.0% BSFLM showing lower (P < 0.05) HDEP than 0 or 7.5% BSFLM fed birds. The HDEP was 89.4, 84.8, and 87.8 for 0, 5.0, and 7.5% BSFLM, respectively. Feeding BSFLM linearly (P < 0.01) increased FI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (FI/egg mass). There was no diet effect (P > 0.05) on IEW and HU, however, BSFLM linearly (P = 0.02) reduced CV of IEW. The IEW was 53.7, 52.3, and 53.0 g for 0, 5.0, and 7.5% BSFLM-fed birds, respectively and corresponding CV values of IEW were 7.9, 5.2, and 5.1%. Feeding BSFLM linearly (P < 0.01) increased YC, SBS, and ST. In conclusion, birds fed 7.5% BSFLM had similar HDEP and egg mass but poor FCR relative to corn–soybean meal diet without BSFLM. The effects of BSFLM on egg quality characteristics warrant further investigations.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la respuesta productiva de becerros lactantes alimentados con iniciador al cual se le adicionó cultivo de levaduras de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CLSC). Diez becerros ma-chos y seis hembras, con edades entre 5 y 27 días, se distribuyeron de manera aleatoria en dos tratamientos, T1: alimento iniciador y T2: alimento iniciador más CLSC bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar, con ocho repeticiones por tratamiento. Estuvieron en pastoreo continuo en praderas de pasto Estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus) y Guinea (Megathyrzus maximum), más iniciador a libre acceso. Del día 135 en adelante se ofrecieron 2 kg de alimento de crecimiento por becerro. Las variables evaluadas fueron ga-nancia diaria de peso (GDP), cambio de peso vivo (CPV), consumo de alimento iniciador (CI) y conversión alimenticia (CA). No hubo diferencias en las variables evaluadas (p > 0.05) entre tratamientos. Los resul-tados obtenidos indican que la respuesta productiva en becerros lactantes es similar al incluir cultivo de levaduras en la dieta

Providing continuously-housed dairy cows with a loafing area may allow them space to express behaviours that are affected by the housing environment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dairy cows had a preference for loafing area type and if loafing area type affected behaviour performed within it. Three groups of 12 and one group of 11 lactating cows (n=47) were housed in a cubicle shed with two nearby loafing areas 1) a concrete-floored roofed area and 2) a grassed paddock fenced to the same size as the concrete area. After 3d baseline period without access, cows were trained to access the loafing areas over 2 days. A 5d preference test followed, where cows had free access to the cubicle shed and both loafing areas from 08:45 until 12:45 and 15:30 to 18:30. Behaviour was observed via live observations (scan sampling) in the mornings and afternoons and activity sensors (IceTags) continuously recorded lying bouts 24 h/d until the end of the experiment. Results of the live observations showed that the cows were in the paddock area for more of the scans than the concrete area (P

This study was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) requirements for white commercial layers in peak egg production phase. A total of two hundred eighty-eight 24 week-old Hy-Line W-36 layers were randomly assigned to one of six treatments groups, with eight replicates of six hens each. A basal diet, SID Lys-deficient, was graded supplemented with L-Lysine HCl (78.4%) in order to produce experimental treatments (6.0, 6.6, 7.2, 7.8, 8.4 and 9.0 g SID Lys/kg diet). Throughout the 16-week-feeding trial (24 to 40 weeks of age) hens had free access to water and mash feed. Data were analyzed as one-way ANOVA and optimum SID Lys level for each dependent variable assessed were estimated using polynomial and linear broken-line regression model. Feed intake and SID Lys intake were both linearly enhanced by graded SID Lys levels. According to linear broken-line regression model, the breakpoint for egg production, egg weight, and egg mass occurred at 8.14, 8.56 and 8.35 g SID Lys/kg diet, respectively. The breakpoint for feed conversion per egg mass (kg/kg) and per dozen of eggs (kg/dozen) occurred at 8.48 and 7.80 g SID Lys/kg diet, respectively. Eggshell weight and albumen weight were unaffected by dietary SID Lys supply. Weight gain and yolk weight reached optimum values at 8.33 and 8.03 g SID Lys/kg diet, respectively, according to linear broken-line regression model. In conclusion, SID Lys requirement for white commercial layers in peak egg production phase is 8.48 g/kg diet, which corresponds to an average daily SID Lys intake of 813 mg/hen. Este estudo foi realizado para determinar a exigência de lisina digestível para galinhas poedeiras leves no pico de postura. Foram utilizadas 288 poedeiras Hy Line W-36 durante o período de 24 a 40 semanas de idade. As poedeiras foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis níveis de lisina digestível (6,0; 6,6; 7,2; 7,8; 8,4 e 9,0 g/kg de ração), oito repetições e seis aves por unidade experimental. Os níveis de lisina digestível na ração proporcionaram aumento linear do consumo de ração e de lisina digestível. O modelo Linear Response Plateau (LRP) foi o que melhor representou a distribuição dos dados para produção e peso dos ovos, ocorrendo os platôs nos níveis de lisina digestível de 8,14 e 8,56 g/kg, respectivamente. Para massa dos ovos e conversões alimentares por massa e por dúzia de ovos, os platôs ocorreram nos níveis de 8,35; 8,48 e 7,80 g/kg de lisina digestível, respectivamente. Os pesos de casca e dealbúmen não foram influenciados pelos níveis de lisina da ração. O ganho de peso das aves e o peso de gema atingiram, respectivamente, os platôs nos níveis de 8,33 e 8,03 g/kg de lisina digestível. A exigência de lisina digestível para galinhas poedeiras leves no pico de postura é de 8,48 g/kg de ração, que corresponde ao consumo diário de lisina digestível de 813 mg/ave.&nbsp

The objective of this study was to validate an electronic system for monitoring individual feeding and drinking behaviour and intake developed for young cattle housed in group. A total of 35 Holstein-Gyr crossbred heifers (BW: 180±52 kg; age: 121.5±32.5 days), fitted with an ear tag containing a unique passive transponder, were distributed in three groups of 12, 12 and 11 animals per period and had free access to 12 electronic feed bins and two electronic water bins (Intergado® Ltd). The dimensions of feed and water bins, as well as the sensors position were appropriate for young cattle. The system documented the visit frequency and duration, as well as the feed and water intakes, by recording the animal's identification tag, bin number, initial and final times of visits and the difference of feed/water weight at the start and end of each bin visit. Feed bins were monitored using time-lapse video recording over 4 days and the water bins were monitored over 6 days. For each feed bin, two feeding events were monitored using manual weighings with an external scale immediately before and after the animal's visit and the difference between them was assumed as feed intake (n=24 observations). For the water bins, 60 manual weighings were made. Video and manual weighing data were regressed on the electronic feeding and drinking behaviour and intake data to evaluate the system's precision and accuracy. The system showed high specificity (98.98% and 98.56% for the feed and water bins, respectively) and sensitivity (99.25% and 98.74%, respectively) for identifying an animal's presence or absence. Duration of feed and water bin visits as well as feed and water consumption per visit estimated by the system were highly correlated and precise compared with the observed video and manual weighing data (r 2=0.917, 0.963, 0.973 and 0.986, respectively). It was concluded that Intergado® system is a useful tool for monitoring feeding and drinking behaviour as well as water and feed intakes in young cattle housed in groups.

The effects of the age and the breed of chicks on the efficiency of the operation of ovariotomy were studied. The experiments were carried out on female chicks of two lines of the breed White Leghorn and also on 7 other breeds different in the productivity and body constitution types. In the first experiment the operation of ovariotomy was carried out on the chicks of one of two lines of White Leghorn which were grown up to the age of 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 weeks; in the second experiment the same operation was carried out on the chicks of other lines and breeds at 4-6 weeks of age. Before the operation of ovariotomy chicks were starved for 12-18 hours with free access to water. During the operation chicks were fixed on the special tables, and as the main surgical tools ophthalmic scissors and tweezers with straight and curved brunches were used. Muscle relaxant rometar was used for the immobilization of the chicks. The abdominal space was penetrated through the last intercostal space on the left. The operation of ovariotomy was performed according to advanced protocol developed earlier by the author. Meanwhile, the curretage of the most caudal part of the ovary is not usually seen behind the oval of the left iliac vein, it was carried out at first, in the direction from the tail to the head; then the curretage of the other parts of the ovary was carried out, observing the direction from the head to the tail. Survived after the operation chicks were grown up to the age of 20-25 weeks, thereafter they were killed by the decapitation and autopsy was performed. It was found that the incidence of the full removal of the ovary significantly increases from 1-2 weeks of age to 5-6 weeks and then tends to decline to 7-8 weeks of age. The highest efficiency of the operation (over 60.0%) was achieved exclusively in layer breeds of chicken where the chicks have more delicate body constitution. At the maturity age operated chicks with small ovarian remnants were as sterile as the chicks with the full removal of the ovary; the percentage of sterile individuals in different breeds and ages varied from 61.5 to 100%.

Flooring is an important component of indoor housing systems for livestock as it can impact animal hygiene and welfare. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the lying and elimination preferences of goats, as well as their relative udder cleanliness, when presented with four different flooring types. At 8 months of age, 32 non-lactating female Saanen cross does (45.4 ± 6.10 kg) were restricted to one of four different flooring types for 10 days (2.9 m2/goat), then restricted to the other three surfaces (10 days per surface) using a Latin square design (n = 8 replicates, 4 goats/replicate). The four flooring types included wood shavings (WS), metal mesh (MM), plastic slats (PS) and rubber matting (RM). After the restriction period, goats were given free access to all four flooring types simultaneously for 48 h. Lying behaviour was recorded using accelerometers. In addition, lying location and elimination (urination and defecation) behaviour were recorded from video for 24 h at the end of the free access period. To assess cleanliness, Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts were measured on the udder region of the goats and on each flooring type at the beginning of each restriction period. During the restriction period there was no difference in the time goats spent lying on any of the four flooring surfaces; however, goats on WS performed more lying bouts (P ≤ 0.005) of shorter duration (P ≤ 0.005) compared to goats on RM during day 2, 3, 4 and 5. During the free access period, goats spent more time on RM and PS and less time on MM and WS (% observations/24 h: RM: 46.3, PS: 30.4, MM: 11.6, WS: 11.5, SED: 6.19, P

The effects of confinement prior to farrowing on the performance of nest building behaviour and progress of parturition were investigated using hyper prolific sows. Forty first parity and 41 second/third parity sows were allocated to one of two treatments: loose housed (40) or confined (41). All sows had free access to a straw rack with long stemmed straw and were housed in a freedom farrowing pen with an option of confinement. Loose sows were loose housed throughout the observational period and confined sows were confined from 2 days before expected farrowing until the completion of parturition. Sows were video recorded from 2 days before expected farrowing until birth of the last piglet, and behaviours (biting/rooting pen fittings, straw directed and rooting/pawing floor) and postures (lying sternal, lying lateral, sitting and standing/walking) of the sows during the last 24 h before farrowing were recorded continuously. The time of birth of every piglet was recorded from the video recordings, and it was noted if the piglet was alive or stillborn. Treatments were compared by use of linear models with treatment and parity as fixed effects. Results showed that confinement did not influence duration of the nest building period, but affected the performance of nest building behaviour. Loose housed sows tended to perform more nest building behaviour during the nest building period than confined sows (817 (95% CI: 713–929) vs 686 (590–789) s/h/sow, P = 0.08). Loose housed sows had fewer bouts of nest building behaviours than confined sows (4.6 ± 0.48 vs 6.1 ± 0.48 bouts/sow/h, P = 0.03) but mean duration of bouts was longer (154 (95% CI: 136–173) vs 98 (83–114) s/bout, P

The problem of low-quality protein in the diet of animals leads to excessive formation of a by-product (ammonia) in the rumen, which is not involved in the synthesis of microbial protein. The aim of the study is to develop a method for the prevention of protein deficiency in dairy bull calves. Bull calves of Kholmogorsk breed were grown in the vivarium of Institute under the controlled feeding and keeping conditions from 40 days of age to 14 months. Milk replacer feeding was carried out up to 70 days of age with free access to mixed feed and hay.In order to study the effect of concentrated feeds on metabolic processes and digestibility of nutrients, rumenal digestion factors were studied. It was found that physiological and biochemical parameters fit into reference values. The use of concentrated feed together with strict proportional administration of roughage during intensive growing and fattening of bull calves of dairy breeds makes it possible to reach an average daily increase of up to 1420 g by the age of 14 months and effectively pay for the feed with the productsupon the normal course of enzymatic processes in the rumen and throughout the body.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of different dietary rosemary essential oil levels on growth performance, carcass traits and haematological values of breeder chukar partridge. Eighty (60 females and 20 males), 32-week-old breeder chukar partridge were randomly divided in five treatments, with four replicate pens with 4 birds each. Five experimental diets were formulated according to rosemary essential oil inclusion rates 0 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg, 48 mg/kg, 72 mg/kg and 96 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The chukar partridges had free access to ad libitum feed and water. At the end of the trial, 1 male and 1 female partridge were slaughtered for blood analysis. The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, body weight gain between the control and treatment groups. Dietary rosemary essential oil supplementation did not affect blood serum glucose, urea, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in breeder Chukar partridges. It could be concluded that supplementing rosemary essential oil into Chukar partridges diet show no negative effect on growth performance.

In modern pig production up to 50% of the sows are slaughtered each year. Typically, the period from the decision to cull and until a sow is slaughtered consists of a stay in an on-farm pick-up pen (hours to weeks), transport (eventually passing buying stations or similar) and lairage. However, even though cull sows are often mentioned as vulnerable toward challenges such as transport, the behaviour and welfare of these animals have received very limited scientific attention. The aim of this study was to examine clinical and behavioural consequences of keeping cull sows in on-farm pick-up pens before transport to slaughter. The observational study took place in a private Danish sow herd with loose-housed gestating and lactating sows. The study included 103 sows with a mean parity of 5 (range 1–9) and a BCS of 3 (range 2–3). On the day of weaning, the sows were examined clinically, and walked to pick-up pens in another part of the same building, each pen holding 3–4 sows. In the pens, the sows had free access to water from a water cup and were fed on the floor twice a day with a total 2.5 FU per sow. The mean room temperature was 21.0 °C (range 18–25.6 °C). After 24 h in the pick-up pens, the clinical condition of the sows showed signs of deterioration, as judged by an increased number of superficial skin lesions (median 0 (range 0−22) v. a median of 9 (range 0−75); P < 0.001) and increased gait score (median 0 (range 0−1) v. a median of 0 (range 0−2); P < 0.001). The median occurrence of aggressive interactions per pen during the initial 6 h post-mixing was 33, ranging from 11−55. Overall, the results suggest that a 24 h stay in a pick-up pen may be a challenge to the welfare of cull sows. Further studies are needed in order to understand effects of a stay in a pick-up pen, as well as other phases of the pre-slaughter logistic chain, on welfare during this period of the production cycle and to understand possible links to fitness for transport.

Impact of feeding n-3 fatty acids (FA) to ISA brown and Shaver white breeders and their progeny on bone development in pullets was investigated. Breeders were fed Control (CON); CON + 1% microalgae (DMA: Aurantiochytrium limacinum) as the source of docosahexaenoic acid; and CON + 2.6% of a co-extruded mixture of full-fat flaxseed (FFF) and pulses mixture as source of α-linolenic acid. Test diets (DMA and FFF) were balanced for total n-3 FA and n-6: n-3 FA ratio. Samples of day-old progeny were euthanized for bone mineral content (BMC) and tibia collagen type II. The remaining pullets were fed posthatch treatments as follows: from breeder CON: CON (CON-CON), DMA (CON-DMA), and FFF (CON-FFF), from breeder DMA: CON (DMA-CON) and DMA (DMA-DMA) and from breeder FFF: CON (FFF-CON) and FFF (FFF-FFF). A total of 60 pullets per posthatch diets were reared in cages (12 pullets/cage, n = 5) with free access to feed and water, bled at 6, 12, and 18 wk of age (WOA) for bone turnover markers and necropsied at 18 WOA for tibia and femur samples. Day-old pullets from breeder fed CON had greater BMC (P

International audience; In clinics, temperature is used as an indicator of health. Mostly rectal temperature is recorded, requiring handling and time. Temperature-sensitive identification microchips could be an alternative. Foals (26 males and 17 females), 4-12 months old, were housed in stalls over two winters (December-February). They were equipped with an identification and temperature sensor microchip implanted in the neckline. Temperature was recorded using an antenna located near the drinking trough. Animals were fed concentrated feed and forage twice daily, with free access to water. Rectal temperatures (79 measurements) were recorded simultaneously in 26 animals. Data were analyzed with a linear mixed model, using natural cubic splines for the mean curve and a random horse effect. All animals remained healthy throughout the study. More than 100,000 recordings were obtained. Mean temperature for all individuals at all times was 37.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Time of the day affected temperature with a daily amplitude of 0.96 degrees C (P < .001). Lowest temperatures were observed before dawn, the acrophase occurring around 18:00, with a smaller increase around midday. Mean temperature was 0.26 degrees C higher in males (P < .05). It was also 0.1 degrees C higher in light (

PICO questionIn Dairy Cows and Calves separated at birth vs. suckled with the mother, are there any behavioural and performance effects on both cow and/or calf?Clinical bottom lineCalves allowed to suckle from their mothers show stronger behavioural bonds at weaning and appear to gain more weight (at weaning) than separated and automatically fed calves. However, due to the milk yield loss and subsequent favourable weight gains after weaning from ad lib suckling, automatically fed groups make separation at birth a preferable economic decision.

To mitigate the impacts of heat exposure, animals can take some actions to maintain their core body temperature, such as heat acclimation; however, the effect of heat acclimation on anxiety-like behavior in an open field is still not understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the anxiety-like behavior of heat acclimated rats in a temperate or heated open field. After being raised in a 23 °C environment for one week, male Wistar rats were exposed to a heated environment (32 °C) for 3 h (3H), 14 days (14D), or 28 days (28D), with free access to food and water, and compared with rats reared in a temperate environment (23 °C; Cont). After heat exposure, behavioral changes were monitored using an open field test (OFT) in a heated (32 °C) or temperate environment (23 °C). Compared with those in the Cont group, the body weights of rats in the 14D and 28D groups were lower. The OFT in the heated environment showed that grooming time was longer in 3H and 14D rats. In the temperate environment, grooming time was longer in all the heated groups. Rats from the 3H and 28D groups spent longer time in the center square when tested in the temperate environment. Rearing activity increased in 28D rats in the temperate environment, while the number of line crossings did not differ significantly between the heated groups and the two open fields. These results suggest that heat acclimation affected not only the physiological index such as core body temperature but also the anxiety-like behavior, mainly in the temperate open field. These changes might be beneficial when rats are faced with an open field.

PICO questionIn adult cats, does feeding grain free maintenance diet reduce the risk of obesity compared to feeding a maintenance diet containing grains?Clinical bottom lineThere is no evidence showing feeding grain free maintenance diet reduces the risk of obesity compared to feeding a maintenance diet containing grains.

This study aimed to compare the estrus expression of postpartum Friesian Holstein (FH) dairy cows with and without the cooling system in Cendana, Enrekang. A total of 9 postpartum FH dairy cows were used in this study, 3 of them were placed in the cold house and the other 6 cows were placed without a cooling system. The feeding consisted of forage, rice bran, and water, which was free access; ad libitum. The parameters measured in this study were (1) the signs of secondary estrus signs, such as vulva condition, mating behavior, mucus secretions, and (2) the duration of estrus, which was counting from the first estrus to the last observation where the cows were no longer showing the estrus symptoms. These parameters were compared by using the t-test. The results showed that the cervical mucus of dairy cows with the cold house was clearer intensity than those without a cooling system (66.7 vs. 16.7%). The changing behavior of dairy cows with cold houses showed higher intensity than without cold houses (100 vs. 67%). The duration of estrus in dairy cows with cooling had significantly (P

The effect of Temperature Humidity Index (THI) on dairy cows’ willingness to be on pasture was examined. Information for 2 years regarding weather, milk production, and time for voluntarily passing a gate between the barn and pasture of cows milked with an automatic milking system was studied. When the THI exceeded 72 during the day, more cows spent time on pasture compared to when the THI was less than 72 (27.0% vs. 19.2% of cows on pasture, respectively). However, the time of day influenced the proportion of cows on pasture, and when the THI exceeded 72, more cows were on pasture at night and less during the afternoon compared to days when the THI was less than 72. In conclusion, even under Swedish conditions, THI might have an effect on cows’ behaviour. However, when the cows have free access to roughage and pasture, an increased THI does not affect milk production.

Two trials were conducted to study the effect of feeding barley silage on the behaviour and performance of beak-trimmed laying hens. In each trial, 20 hens and 2 roosters were housed in each of eight group-housed enriched cages, with four cages provided a laying hen diet and four cages additionally given free access to barley silage. Egg production and quality, and hen behaviour were assessed throughout the trials (Trial One 20–30 weeks; Trial Two 19–28 weeks). Data were analysed using Proc Mixed of SAS 9.4 and differences were significant when P ≤ 0.05. Silage-fed hens consumed 41 (13.9 g DM) and 50 (13.5 g DM) grams of silage per hen per day in Trials One and Two, respectively, while consuming less layer diet. Birds fed silage spent less time expressing aggressive and feather-pecking behaviours and in nest boxes, and more time feeding than control birds. Egg production, egg quality, and bird weight were not affected by treatment; yolk colour was darker for the silage treatment. Feathering quality was improved in silage-fed birds compared to control birds. It was concluded that providing hens with access to barley silage can improve welfare indicators without negatively affecting the egg production and egg quality.

Purpose Increased physical activity is well known to improve health and wellness by modifying the risks for many chronic diseases. Rodent wheel running behavior is a beneficial surrogate model to evaluate the biology of daily physical activity in humans. Upon initial exposure to a running wheel, individual mice differentially respond to the experience, which confounds the normal activity patterns exhibited in this otherwise repeatable phenotype. To promote phenotypic stability, a minimum seven-day (or greater) acclimation period is utilized. Although phenotypic stabilization is achieved during this 7-day period, data to support acclimation periods of this length are not currently available in the literature. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the wheel running response in C57BL/6j mice immediately following exposure to a running wheel. Methods Twenty-eight male and thirty female C57BL/6j mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) were acquired at eight weeks of age and were housed individually with free access to running wheels. Wheel running distance (km), duration (min), and speed (m ∙ min − 1 ) were measured daily for fourteen days following initial housing. One-way ANOVAs were used to evaluate day-to-day differences in each wheel running character. Limits of agreement and mean difference statistics were calculated between days 1–13 (acclimating) and day 14 (acclimated) to assess day-to-day agreement between each parameter. Results Wheel running distance (males: F = 5.653, p = 2.14 × 10 − 9 ; females: F = 8.217, p = 1.20 × 10 − 14 ), duration (males: F = 2.613, p = 0.001; females: F = 4.529, p = 3.28 × 10 − 7 ), and speed (males: F = 7.803, p = 1.22 × 10 − 13 ; females: F = 13.140, p = 2.00 × 10 − 16 ) exhibited day-to-day differences. Tukey's HSD post-hoc testing indicated differences between early (males: days 1–3; females: days 1–6) and later (males: days > 3; females: days > 6) wheel running periods in distance and speed. Duration only exhibited an anomalous difference between wheel running on day 13 and wheel running on days 1 through 4 in males. In females, duration exhibited anomalous differences due to abnormally depressed wheel running on day 6 and abnormally elevated wheel running on day 14. Limits of agreement and mean difference statistics indicated stable phenotypic variability with an up-trending daily mean for distance and speed that stabilized within the first three days in males and within eight days in females. Duration exhibited stable variability after nine days in males and after seven days in females. Conclusion Although it is common practice to allow a prolonged (≥ seven day) acclimation period prior to recording wheel running data, the current study suggests that phenotypic stabilization of all three indices is achieved at different times with distance and speed exhibiting stability by day three in males and day eight in females. Duration exhibits stability by day nine in males and day seven in females.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de tres niveles de selenio en la dieta de cuyes en crecimiento. Se utilizaron 33 cuyes destetados, de 12 días de edad y peso de 258 ± 35 g, distribuidos al azar en tres tratamientos cuya única diferencia fue el conteniendo de selenio en el alimento: 0.10, 0.17 y 0.24 mg Se/kg de alimento para T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente. Los animales recibieron una ración sin suministro de forraje, con suplementación de vitamina C y fueron alojados en jaulas individuales, provistas de comedero y bebedero individual, y con libre acceso al alimento. Se registró el consumo de alimento diario y el peso semanal de los cuyes. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos para ganancia de peso, consumo de alimento y conversión alimenticia.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coated cysteamine (CCS) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs (62.12 ± 1.43 kg body weight) were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 4 pens per group and 10 pigs (5 gilts and 5 barrows) per pen. Pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg CCS, corresponding to 0, 27, 54, or 108 mg/kg cysteamine, respectively. All pigs were given free access to feed and water for forty days. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio were not affected by the CCS treatment. Supplemental CCS increased carcass lean ratio linearly (P

The aim of our study was to test the preference of freestall-housed dairy cows to access an outdoor deep-bedded open pack (versus remaining inside the freestall barn) in the summer and winter. A secondary aim was to investigate how preference for outdoor access influenced feeding, lying, and stall perching behavior. Eight groups of pregnant, lactating cows were tested in the summer and 9 groups in the winter. During both experiments, groups were allowed to stabilize for 5 d, followed by 2 d of baseline observations (baseline phase). Habituation to the outdoor pack took place for the next 2 d. Cows were then provided free access to the outdoor pack continuously for 5 d (choice phase). During the choice phase, in addition to feeding and perching behavior (recorded while cows were inside the barn), cow location (i.e., in the freestall pen or on the outdoor pack) was also noted. We used HOBO data loggers (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) to automatically record lying behavior during baseline and choice phases. Cows spent a mean ± standard error (minimum to maximum in parentheses) of 25.3 ± 4.3% (8.0 to 44.5%) of the time outside in the summer and 1.8 ± 0.6% (0.1 to 4.1%) in the winter. In the summer, cows spent more time on the outdoor pack during night (50.0 ± 8.4% between 2000 and 0600 h) than during the day (3.3 ± 1.3% between 0600 and 2000 h). In the winter, we found no effect of time of day on time spent outside (day = 1.7 ± 0.7%; night = 2.1 ± 1.0%). Precipitation decreased the time cows spent outside during summer nights. During winter days, precipitation and increasing wind speeds decreased the time cows spent outside. In the summer, time spent feeding was higher during the baseline phase (18.7 ± 0.3%) than during the choice phase (17.4 ± 0.3%). During the winter, no difference in feeding time was found between the 2 phases (baseline = 18.7 ± 0.3%; choice = 18.4 ± 0.3%). During the summer, cows spent more time perching during the baseline phase (6.5 ± 0.5%) than during the choice phase (3.6 ± 0.5%) and this tended to be true during the winter (baseline = 5.5 ± 0.7%; choice = 4.5 ± 0.7%). Daily lying time did not differ between the baseline and choice phases in either the summer (baseline = 59.6 ± 0.9%; choice = 57.7 ± 0.9%) or winter (baseline = 63.0 ± 1.2%; choice = 62.6 ± 1.2%). When on the outdoor pack, cows spent 53.7% (±5.6) of the time lying during the summer and 4.7% (±2.5) during the winter. In conclusion, during the summer cows displayed a partial preference to be outside on a deep-bedded open pack when given the opportunity, especially during the night, but in the winter cows spent little time on the outdoor pack.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-03T17:31:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-09-01. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2019-10-04T16:20:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S1519-99402018000300315.pdf: 171475 bytes, checksum: 6fbf7af0781aef1d34784f03173e1565 (MD5) RESUMO Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o desempenho de frangos coloniais machos alimentados com ração suplementada com probiótico comercial (Calsporin ®). Foram utilizados 210 pintos de corte machos da linhagem Label Rouge, e foram criados em galpão experimental até os 30 dias de idade. Estas aves tiveram livre acesso aos piquetes de Tifton-85 (Cynodon spp.) dos 31 aos 90 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, dois tratamentos, um contendo ração suplementada com probiótico Bacillus subtillis (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) e outro sem suplementação, com dez repetições cada, constando 21 aves/repetição. Foram avaliados o peso corporal médio (PM), ganho de peso (GP), consumo de ração (CR), conversão alimentar (CA), mortalidade e viabilidade. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias dos tratamentos foram comparadas pelo teste F a 5% de significância. A adição do probiótico (300 g t-1 Bacillus subtillis 1×109 UFCg-1) na dieta de frangos Label Rouge não interferiu nas variáveis GP, PM, e CA no período total de 1 a 90 dias (P>0,05); a variável CMR diferiu (P0.05); the MFI variable differed (P

PICO questionIn adult dogs, does feeding a raw food diet alter urine composition compared to a kibble diet?Clinical bottom lineThe evidence provided by the single study identified is weak and the outcomes can neither support nor challenge the hypothesis that a raw food diet increases the risk of urinary calculi compared to a kibble diet. Therefore, professionals working within the veterinary science or nutrition field should proceed with caution when advising clients and rely on their professional experience until more evidence is generated.

Boer crossbred goats (n=48) single born kids, seven-day-old (live weight 4.4±0.09kg) were divided into 3 treatment groups, each having 8 females and 8 males. The kids from first treatment group had free access to creep feed with roughage (CFR), second group had free access to creep feed without roughage (CF) while last group (control) had access to their does’ milk (DM) only. All kids had access to their dam’s milk. The kids were weaned at day 84 and two kids from each treatment group were sacrificed. The results showed that the rumen morphological characteristics, papillary surface area and keratinized layer of CFR (4.15mm2, 50.54µm), were not significantly different from CF (3.81mm2, 49.26µm) (P>0.05) but it was significantly different from kids in DM group (1.17mm2, 26.36µm) (P 0.05), while total surface area of rumen of both creep fed groups was significantly greater than DM group. The rumen tissue weight of creep-fed kids was 17% greater than those of milk fed kids. Overall, the present study showed that the creep feed supplementation to nursing goat kids improve rumen morphology. Read more at http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Creep-Feeding-Supplemented-with-Roughages/20/1/1134/html#lyAKjwLAfprvXT3I.99.

This study assessed iron bioavailability in rats from diets enriched with desiccated tambaqui gill and liver powders using the hemoglobin depletion-repletion method. Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) liver and gills were bought at Manaus. After processing the livers and gills were placed on trays and desiccated in a ventilated incubator at 60°C. The rats were given free access to chow and water. The moisture, protein, fat, and iron contents of the chow were determined three times. Iron bioavailability was measured by the hemoglobin depletion-repletion method. We used 24 anemic animals, which were randomly selected and distributed into three groups of eight animals each: 1) Control Group – anemic rats fed a casein-based diet (AIN 93); 2) Experimental Group – anemic rats fed AIN 93 and desiccated tambaqui liver; 2A) Experimental Group – anemic rats fed AIN 93 and desiccated tambaqui gill; and 3) Pair-feeding Group – anemic rats, distributed in random blocks according to hemoglobin concentration and weight, fed the average amount of AIN 93 consumed by the Control group. Gills are high in lipids. In addition to high lipid content, gill powder had considerable levels of protein and iron. The baseline hemoglobin of Groups 2 (liver) and 2A (gills) did not differ. After seven days, only Group 2 (liver) reached appropriate hemoglobin levels. In conclusion, iron in desiccated tambaqui liver powder is highly bioavailable. The iron in desiccated tambaqui gill powder is not as bioavailable as rats consuming this powder did not reach appropriate hemoglobin levels within the experimental period. Key words: Bioavailability, iron, powder, liver, gills, tambaqui.