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Introduction: The present study evaluated the effect of preslaughter stress intensities on the behavioral, physiological, blood biochemicals, and hormonal responses in goats. Methods: Twenty-seven intact male goats (Ardi breed, 10 months of age, 27 kg liveweight) were divided into three treatment groups viz., the control (C) group, ear pulling (EP) group, and leg pulling (LP) group. Various behavioral, physiological, blood biochemical and hormonal responses were recorded before and after handling. Results and Discussion: The EP and LP goats had a higher frequency and intensity of vocalization as compared to control goats. The preslaughter handling stress intensities had a significant effect on the before and after handling values of heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature, and ear temperature. Further, among groups, the glucose value increased significantly upon preslaughter handling as compared to the baseline value. The LP goats had significantly higher after-handling value for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as compared to the before-handling value. The catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) and β-endorphin concentrations increased significantly upon preslaughter handling. The higher physiological, behavioral, blood biochemical, and hormonal response indicated higher preslaughter stress in EP and LP goats. Both levels of intensity revealed unfavorable responses in goats that may adversely affect animal welfare and meat quality. Thus, to ensure minimal adverse effects on behavior, physiology, blood enzymes, and hormonal responses, it is recommended to follow animal welfare principles when implementing preslaughter handling practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multivariate technique analysis was utilized for assigning and discriminating three Saudi sheep breeds, Naemi, Najdi and Hari based on live body and carcass traits. The traits were body height at wither and rump, body length, heart girth, body depth, head length, ear length, body weight at slaughtering, empty body, dressing percentage, hot carcass, cold carcass, and head weight which had a significant effect on breed. The phenotypic associations between the traits were also studied and strong associations between economically important traits were reported. The analyses of principal components were efficient in showing the total variation of 13 traits accumulated in linear combinations of four traits of most discriminant power body depth, ear length, body height at the rump, and head length. About 77% of the total variation between the breeds. Overall, the analysis of canonical discriminant was very successful in verifying the carcass of each breed considering thus previously mentioned 13 traits. It is recommended to disseminate the findings of this study as a guideline to assign slaughtered sheep and its carcass to its own breed when other means impossible to take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Feed additives that increase nutrient availability in feeds have gained a lot of interest. Aim: An experiment was conducted to determine whether amylase, protease, and their combined supplementation affected broiler performance. Methods: Two hundred eighty broiler chicks were selected and distributed randomly into 28 replicate pens with four treatment groups and seven replicates under a completely randomized design. A total of four diets were developed, having 0, 100, 100, and 100 + 100 g of control (AP0), amylase (A1), protease (P1), and amylase + protease (AP1)/ton of feed, respectively. Four replicates of each treatment were fed each diet. Each diet was randomly allotted to each group. Ad-libitum feeding was provided to the birds. The feeding program had starter and finisher diets. Upon completion of the experiment, three birds from each pen were slaughtered to analyze the carcass characteristics and organ weight. Results: Differences were insignificant between 100 g/ton of amylase supplementation and FI, body weight gain (BWG), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p > 0.05). Supplementation with 10 0g/ton of protease did not significantly affect FI, BWG, and FCR (p > 0.05). Similarly, 100 + 100 g/ton of amylase + protease addition had no significant effect on FI, BWG, and FCR (p > 0.05). None of the treatments significantly affected carcass weight, abdominal fat percentage, dressing percentage, drumstick, wings, breast, and thigh weights (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant effects (p > 0.05) on the weight of the heart, liver, gizzard, and spleen. Conclusion: In conclusion, amylase, protease, and their combined supplementation at a rate of 100 g/ton of feed did not influence BWG, FI, FCR, carcass characteristics, or organ weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water-added betaine (BET) and Magic oil, (MAGO) on growth performance and blood biochemistry of broilers exposed to constant heat stress (32 ± 1 °C) during 21–35 d. On day 21, 320 chicks (Ross 308) were straight run to one of four groups based supplements with drinking water (DW): control, BET (1 g/L DW), and/or MAGO (1 ml/L DW), respectively). Each treatment consisted of eight replicates with ten birds each. The performance data were obtained at 21, 28, and 35 d. Serum biochemical data of the birds were estimated at day 35. The results showed that body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake did not differ significantly (p >.05) between the treatments. However, Bet alone or in combination with MAGO has improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the 28–35 d and 21–35 d periods; also, BET lowered (p <.05) creatinine compared to control. The addition of MAGO alone or in combination with BET increased (p <.05) total protein, albumin, globulin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In addition, MAGO decreased total lipids, and creatinine, whereas it increased (p <.05) cholesterol, especially good cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with the control. In conclusion, water-BET-supplements alone or in combination with MAGO has improved the FCR under heat stress conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to use Bet alone or both supplements under high-temperature conditions in broiler houses. However, further studies on the use of MAGO and/or BET at different doses are needed to maximise BWG and maintain the productivity of the birds. Water-enriched magic oil and betaine had higher added value than feeding alone by improving the feed conversion ratio during 21–35 d. Compared with the other groups, water-supplemented magic oil produced some benefits, such as lower serum glucose, higher serum high-density lipoprotein 'good cholesterol' and lower creatinine levels. The added value of the combination of magic oil and betaine for growth performance and serum health biomarkers needs further investigation at various levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Using natural zeolites as a food additive in poultry diets offers an intriguing perspective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of zeolite addition and particle size on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, moisture of excreta and litter, and intestinal measurements during 35 days. Methods: A total of 560 1-day-old female Ross-308 broilers were divided into five treatment levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g zeolite/kg diet) (n = 16 replicates/treatment, n = 8 replicates /particle size of each treatment). Performance was calculated weekly. Carcass characteristics, meat quality, small intestine (SI) measurements, litter pH, and moisture content were determined on day 35. Results: Litter pH, breast redness, cooking loss, chewiness, total weight, and SI length were all affected by zeolite treatments (p < 0.05). Particle size had an impact on the gastric pH and texture analysis. Their interaction had an effect on color redness, litter pH, and cooking loss. Performance was unaffected by either the main or interaction effects. Conclusion: Zeolite as a feed additive may be useful in broiler diets, particularly large particles. The performance and production efficiency factor improved numerically (p > 0.05) with increasing zeolite doses up to 10 g zeolite/kg diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]