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The present study was planned to explore the effect of isoleucine to lysine ratio on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler birds. Day-old broiler chicks (n=288; Ross 308®) were assigned randomly to six treatments with four replicates per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. Experimental treatments were as negative control group with low isoleucine to lysine ratio (Ile:Lys) than Ross 308®’s recommendation i.e. 60% (0.77:1.28, 0.70:1.15 and 0.64:1.05) positive control group that had Ross 308® recommended Ile:Lys i.e., 67% (0.86:1.28, 0.78:1.15 and 0.71:1.05) while the other four treatments also had I:L ratios of 74% (0.95:1.28, 0.86:1.15 and 0.78:1.05) in treatment 1 (T1), 80% (1.03:1.28, 0.93:1.15 and 0.84:1.05) in treatment 2 (T2), 87% (1.12:1.28, 1.01:1.15 and 0.92:1.05) in treatment 3 (T3) and 94% (1.2:1.28, 1.09:1.15 and 0.99:1.05) in treatment 4 (T4) for starter, grower and finisher diets respectively. Results showed that feed intake was remained unaffected (P>0.05) by I:L in all phases of life. Higher weight gain was observed in T3 than other treatments. Better feed conversion ratio was found in T3. Carcass characteristics and meat proximate remained unaffected (P>0.05) across the experimental treatments except ether extract that was comparatively higher (P<0.05) in T3. Based on the findings of the current study, it is concluded that isoleucine to lysine ratio as 87 % should always be considered when formulating practical broiler diets in terms of growth performance especially during the finishing phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was planned to evaluate the effects of different dietary levels of concentrate and roughage supplementation on feed intake, growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Thalli lambs. Twenty-one male lambs, weighing an average of 16.15 ± 2.33 kg, were allotted to three treatments in such a way that each treatment had seven lambs. Experimental lambs were arranged in a randomized complete block design and blocking was done on the basis of initial body weight. Lambs were confined in individual cages and stall-fed experimental diets twice daily. One week was given as adaptation period to experimental diets. The duration of trial was 12 weeks. Experimental treatments were: T1 = 100% hay; T2 = 80% hay + 20% concentrate and T3 = 60% hay + 40% concentrate. Growth performance parameters were analyzed by ANOVA using GLM procedure of Minitab and mean values were compared using Tukey's test. Results indicated that body weight gain and daily dry matter intake increased linearly (P<0.05) with an increase in concentrate percentage from 0 to 40% in the rations. Similarly, feed conversion ratio was significant among the treatments (P<0.05). Lambs fed hay supplemented with concentrate @ 20% had better feed conversion ratio as compared to other treatments. Experimental treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on feed intake, water intake and body condition score. The digestibility of dry matter and acid detergent fiber were increased as the level of concentrate was increased in the diet (P<0.05) whereas crude protein, crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). Based on the findings of the current study it is concluded that increasing concentrate ratio @ 40% in the diet of lambs containing Lucerne hay as forage source increased body weight gain, daily dry matter intake, dry matter and acid detergent fiber digestibility. However, concentrate ratio @ 20% in the diet of lambs showed better feed conversion ratio in Thalli lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to check the effect of photoperiod (lightning duration) on dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, average daily gain (ADG) and body condition score of Sahiwal heifers. For this purpose, a total of nine yearling Sahiwal heifers having similar age, body weight and height were selected and divided into three groups (A, B and C) in such a way that each group had three heifers. Group A was allotted short day photoperiod (8 h Light: 16 h Dark), Group B was maintained on natural photoperiod and Group C was kept on long day photoperiod (16 h Light: 8 h Dark). The duration of experimental trial was from December to February (90 days) and during these months the duration of natural photoperiod varies from 8 to 12 hours. Results of this study showed that the photoperiod manipulation had a significant (p<0.05) effect on DMI, water intake and weight gain. The DMI in heifers of Group A, Group B and Group C were4.86, 4.76 and 5.33 kg day-1, respectively. Water intake in heifers of Group A, Group B and Group C was 2.68, 2.49 and 3.06 Lday-1, respectively. Average daily weight gain in Group A, Group B and Group C was 372.5, 338.1 and 435.4 g day-1, respectively. Body measurements were not statistically different (p >0.10) however, body measurements were numerically greater in heifers exposed to long-day photoperiod than those on short-day photoperiod. Based on results, it is concluded that supplemental lighting had a significant effect on the growth performance of Sahiwal cattle heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of calf rearing methods in Sahiwal cows on milk and feed intake, weight gain, body condition score, and locomotion score. We randomly selected the eight Sahiwal cows just before their calving and divided into two groups. After parturition, claves from both groups were reared under natural restricted suckling (RS) and artificial rearing system (AR) at Livestock Experimental Station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Restricted suckling calves were allowed to suckle from cow's udder just before milking in the morning and evening (twice milking arrangement) up to weaning. In an artificial rearing system, calves were fed milk through bucket feeders @ 10% of their body weight up to weaning. Post-weaning data for two months were also conceded to complete the trial. The results for weight gain kg week-1 was significantly(P<0.05) higher in RS group (3.35± 0.15) than AR group (2.88 ± 0.31) calves. The average daily weight gain in RS (465 g) group was higher (P<0.05) as compared to AR group (332 g) in the pre-weaning phase (90 days). The average weekly weight gain was also higher (P<0.05) in RS group (3.26 ± 0.24) as compared to AR group (2.33 ± 0.36) up to weaning. There was no significant difference in weight gain of calves in RS group (3.64 ± 0.16) as compared to AR (3.23 ± 0.15) group in post-weaning. The results of milk composition did not show any difference (P>0.05), but the effect of the suckling method had demonstrated a positive impact on the performance of calves. A higher (P<0.05) level of cortisol concentration was found in AR group as compared to RS group. Based on results, it is concluded that natural milk feeding had a positive effect in preweaning on the growth and stress of Sahiwal calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]