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Open Access
Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, Mathen
An experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.
Open Access
Energy supplementation on production performance of cows under field condition
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Ruby, Augustian; KAU; Mercy, A D
A study was conducted to assess the effect of energy supplementation in the form of maize and rumen protected fat in early lactating cows under the field condition. Thirty, early lactating cross bred cows were selected and divided into three groups uniformly with regard to days in milk, the average days in milk being 40 days. The animals were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3. The concentrate mix made in the semi liquid form and paddy straw formed the T1 ration. The animals of T2 and T3 were supplemented with 1 kg ground maize and 100 g of rumen protected fat respectively, over and above the control ration. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 showed an average milk production of 15.38, 14.58 and 13.01 kg respectively during the 90 day period of the experiment. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in milk yield between the three treatment groups. The average daily DMI and DMI/100 kg body weight remained similar for all the three groups. The TDN intake was up to the requirement in animals maintained on T3 ration while T1 and T2 rations could not meet the requirements of the animals of the respective groups. The DCP intake was optimum from the three rations. The energy supplementation did not affect milk composition such as percentage of total solids, milk fat, solids not fat (SNF) and milk protein, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The 4 per cent FCM yield, total yield of milk fat and protein remained unaffected by energy supplementation. Animals in all the three groups showed similar blood parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen and plasma Ca and P. The digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF was higher for the T3 ration than that of T1 and T2. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was higher for T2 than T1 and T3 rations. Animals maintained on T3 ration showed earlier post partum heat. The cost of feed for producing 1 kg milk was higher for the dietary treatments T2 and T3. An overall assessment of the results obtained in the present study showed that energy supplementation in the form of either maize or rumen protected fat could not influence dry matter intake, milk yield and 4 per cent FCM yield. There was no change in the composition of milk and blood parameters studied, among the experimental animals. However, energy supplementation in the form of protected fat could meet the energy requirement of early lactating animals, improved the digestibility of EE, DM, NDF and ADF and positively influenced the first post partum heat.
Open Access
Organic chromium supplementation on growth of cross bred pigs
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Ann Nisa, Thomas; KAU; Mercy, A D
An investigation was carried out with the objective to determine the effect of chromium as chromium propionate on the growth of cross bred pigs and to evaluate the economics of organic chromium supplementation in the ration of cross bred pigs. Twenty four weaned piglets (12 male and 12 female) with an average body weight of 18 kg were used as experimental animals. The piglets were randomly divided into two groups with six replicates of two piglets in each group and were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments T1 (control diet) and T2 (control + 200 ppb chromium). The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and later on at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of the experiment for the analysis of various biochemical parameters. Digestion trial was conducted at the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility coefficient of the nutrients of the experimental diets. Animals in the two dietary treatments showed similar (p>0.05) body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. There was a numerical increase in dry matter and crude protein digestibility of Cr supplemented ration. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the animals in the two groups for all the blood parameters studied except phosphorus and cholesterol, which were significantly lower (p<0.05) for T2 group. There was non-significant decrease in triglycerides and increase in HDL cholesterol level. The overall critical evaluation of the results obtained in the present study indicate that though supplementation of chromium propionate did not affect the growth or feed conversion efficiency of growing (Large White Yorkshire X Desi) cross bred pigs, it can be beneficially used to improve the lipid profile of the cross bred pigs.
Open Access
Effect of dietary potassium diformate on growth performance in large white yorkshire pigs
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2003) Suresh, M; KAU; Viswanathan, T V
A study was carried out to assess the influence of potassium diformate on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and carcass quality in Large White Yorkshire pigs. Thirty weaned male piglings with an average live weight of 13.0 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniform as possible with regard to age and body weight. Pigs were maintained on three experimental diets viz., T j - control standard grower (18 per cent crude protein and 3150 kcal/kg ME) and finisher ration (15.5 per cent crude protein and 3100 kcal/kg ME), T2 - control diet supplemented with 0.75 per cent potassium diformate and T3 - control diet supplemented with 1.5 per cent potassium diformate. The average daily gain of 465,494 and 519 g were recorded for the groups Tj , T2 and T3, respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the supplemented group and the group fed control diet. However, there was a trend for a higher growth rate of 6.2 per cent and 11.7 per cent, reported for T2 and T 3 over those fed control diet. The average cumulative feed conversion efficiency were 3.97, 3.74 and 3.55 for the groups Tj, T2 and T3, respectively. Addition of potassium diformate at 0.75 and 1.5 per cent level in the diet of growing-finishing pigs had a higher (Pthose fed control diet. Ther,e was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the supplemented groups. However, there was a trend for a higher feed efficiency for those fed 1.5 per cent potassium diformate supplemented diet. The digestibility coefficients for dry matter, ether extract, crude protein and nitrogen free extract were significantly higher (Ppotassium diformate at both the levels (0.75 and 1.5 per cent). There was no significant difference between the supplemented groups. Dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness, loin eye area and others were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the inclusion of potassium diformate at different levels. The costs of feed per kg live weight gain of pigs were Rs.32.82, 32.05 and 31.50, respectively for T1, T2 and T3. The above results indicate that potassium diformate can be economically incorporated at l.5 per cent level in the diet of Large White Yorkshire pigs.
Open Access
Effect of citric acid and microbial phytase on phosphorus utilization and growth in broiler chicken
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2003) Hariharan, T; KAU; Gangadevi, P
An investigation spread over a period of eight weeks was carried out to study the effect of citric acid and microbial phytase (Natuphos®-SOOOG) on nutrient utilization and growth performance in broiler chicken. One hundred and ninety two day-old broiler chicks (Ven cob) were divided into four identical groups having four replicates in each group with 12 birds in each replicate and allotted randomly into four dietary treatments viz., T1, T2, T3 and T4. The treatments consisted of a standard broiler ration (SBR) with O.S per cent available P (T1), low available P broiler ration having 0.3 per cent available P (LAPBR) and 3.0 per cent citric acid (T2), LAPBR supplemented with 700 U of phytase/kg feed (T3) and LAPBR with 1.5 per cent citric acid and 3S0 U of phytase/kg feed (T4). All the rations were formulated as per BIS specifications except in the level of available P. Effect on body weight, weight gain, feed efficiency, protein efficiency, DM retention, nitrogen balance, mineral availability, serum and tibial mineral contents, processing yields and livability of birds were the criteria employed for evaluation. Body weight and weight gain of the experimental birds were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. Maximum weight and weight gain were recorded in T4 followed by T2, T3 and Tl in the descending order, indicating the positive and synergistic effects of citric acid and phytase on phosphorus utilization and growth. Cumulative feed intake of experimental birds was significantly (Pgroups over the control, the highest feed intake being noticed in T4 followed by T2, T3 and T1. Cumulative FCR did not differ significantly (P>O.OS) between treatments. However, comparatively better feed efficiency was recorded in citric acid and phytase groups (T2, T3 and T4) at sixth week and comparable values at eighth week with the control group (Tl). Cumulative PER also showed similar trend in eight week with significantly high (Psignificantly, better DM retention, nitrogen balance, per cent retention and reduced nitrogen excretion were noticed in T2, T3 and T4 than Tl. Availability of P, Mg, Zn and Mn were enhanced (P>0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 by citric acid and phytase addition compared to Tl group on SBR. Mg and Mn availability were significantly influenced by dietary treatments with highest availability of Mg and Mn noticed in T3 (P<0.05) followed by T4, T2 and Tl. The excretion of P was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 on citric acid and for phytase supplementation. Weight of dried tibia was significantly high (P<0.05) in T4 followed by T2, T3 and Tl at sixth week. Per cent tibial ash at sixth and eighth week were also high (P>0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 compared to Tl on SBR which could indicate that citric acid and/or phytase favour P utilization and bone development. No significant difference \ could be noticed in tibial and serum Ca, P, Mg, Zn and Mn except for a significantly high . tibial Mg (P<0.05) in T4 and serum Zn (P<0.05) in T3 at sixth week. Serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly reduced (P . ., by T3, T2 and Tl. Birds of citric acid, phytase and combination group though maintained on low P diet registered no significant difference in per cent dressed yield, ready-to-cook yield, gib let yield, abdominal fat yield and livability, when compared to Tl fed on SBR. Regarding the cost of production as feed cost/kg gain, phytase group (T3) recorded the lowest due to high cost citric acid. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study revealed that inclusion of either 3.0 per cent citric acid or phytase (700U/kg feed) or its combination (1.5 per cent .citric acid + 350 U phytase/kg feed) in low available P diet (0.3 per cent) resulted in better nutrient utilization and growth performance in chicks than chicks maintained on SBR with 0,5 per cent available P; tending to suggest that available P level in the feed could be reduced by 40 per cent without affecting the performance and health of broiler chicks by dietary inclusion of citric acid and/or phytase.
Open Access
Phytase supplementation on the availability of different minerals and their interactions in pigs
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Shyama, K; KAU; Mercy, A D
Two feeding experiments were conducted using 100 weaned piglets to study the effect of dietary supplementation of calcium, phosphorus and phytase in different levels and their interactions on growth, nutrient digestibility, mineral availability and blood and bone mineral profile. In experiment one, sixty four weaned Large White Yorkshire x Desi piglets (32 castrated male and 32 female) belonging to the Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy were used as experimental animals. All animals were dewormed before the start of the experiment. The piglets were divided into eight groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and weight. Piglets of each group were allotted randomly into four pens with two piglets in each pen. Piglets in each replicate were maintained under identical management conditions throughout the experimental period of 88 days. Restricted feeding was followed throughout the experimental period and daily feed intake was recorded. Clean drinking water was provided ad libitum in all the pens throughout the experimental period. The animals were fed with standard grower ration with 18 per cent CP and 3200 kcal of ME/kg of feed up to 50 kg body weight and finisher ration with 16 per cent CP and 3200 kcal of ME /kg of feed from 50 kg body weight. Eight dietary treatments with two levels of calcium (0.6 and 1 per cent) and two levels of phosphorus (0.3 and 0.6 per cent) were used with phytase (750 units /kg) and without phytase in a 2x2x2 factorial completely randomized design. The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and later on at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and on 85th day of the experiment and a digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility of nutrients and percentage availability of minerals of the experimental diets by total collection method. The results of the first experiment indicated that the levels of Ca, P and phytase had no effect on average daily gain, feed efficiency and DM intake among pigs reared under the eight dietary treatments, while there was significant interaction between Ca x P (P<0.05) and Ca x phytase (P<0.01) on DM intake. The level of Ca and P and Ca x P x phytase interactions were significant for DM digestibility which resulted in lower DM digestibility for rations T3, T5 and T7 than that of other rations. Dietary levels of P and interaction between Ca x P (P<0.01) and Ca x phytase (P<0.05) were significant for EE digestibility. Hence rations T7 and T8 had lower (P<0.01) EE digestibility than the rest of the experimental rations. Crude fibre digestibility was affected by phytase and P x phytase interaction. Calcium availability was higher (P<0.01) in all phytase supplemented rations. Significant interactions between dietary Ca x phytase (P<0.01) and dietary P x phytase (P<0.05) were observed for Ca availability. Interactions between dietary levels of Ca x P (P<0.05) and Ca x phytase (P< 0.05) were found significant for availability of Cu and Mn respectively. Data on blood samples collected on 85th day revealed that phytase supplementation had significant effect (P< 0.01) on the plasma Ca levels of the animals fed the eight dietary treatments. The interaction between dietary Ca x P levels was also found significant (P< 0.01) for plasma Ca. Dietary levels of both Ca (P< 0.01) and P and interaction between Ca x P (P< 0.01), Ca x phytase and P x phytase (P<0.01) were found to affect plasma P significantly. In case of plasma Zn dietary Ca was having significant (P< 0.01) effect and the interactions between dietary Ca x P (P<0.01), Ca x phytase (P<0.05) and P x phytase (P<0.01) were also found significant. Dietary Ca, P and phytase levels had significant (P<0.05) effect on the plasma ALP activity. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain of pigs was lowest for ration T1. Ration T1 with low Ca, low P and without phytase gave similar growth and feed efficiency with lowest cost of production compared to the other rations and thus T1 was taken as the control ration for the second experiment. The second feeding experiment was conducted for 114 days using 36 weaned Large White Yorkshire x Desi weaned piglets (18 castrated males and 18 females) belonging to the Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy and the animals were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments, T1- Control ration containing 0.6 per cent calcium and 0.3 per cent phosphorus, T2 -Control ration without any mineral supplements and with 750 units of phytase/kg feed and T3 - Control ration without phytase and mineral supplementation. A digestibility experiment was conducted to determine the digestibility of nutrients and availability of minerals. Blood samples were collected before the start of the experiment and on 16th week. Radiological examination of femur and mandibles of the representative animals of three groups at the end of the study were done. All the male animals were slaughtered on attaining slaughter weight of 70 kg and the data on dressing percentage, loin eye area, back fat thickness, weight of internal organs were collected. Photograph of rib bone was taken during slaughter and bone ash percentage, bone calcium and bone phosphorus were estimated. Kidney samples were examined histologically to assess pathological changes, if any, due to the experimental rations. Body weight of pigs belonging to T2 (phytase supplemented ration) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of T3 in fortnights 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, while the difference between that of T1 and T2 were non significant in all the fortnights. There was no difference in feed efficiency and digestibility of nutrients among pigs reared under the three dietary treatments. The availability of Ca, P and Mn for T2 ration was higher than that of the control ration while the Mg availability was lower for T2 and T3 than that of T1. Zinc availability was lower for T3 than that of T1 ration. Dressing percentage was lower (P<0.01) for T2 and T3 than that of control and loin eye area was lower (P<0.05) for T3 than that of T1 and T2. There was no gross abnormality of femur and mandible on x-ray examination of pigs reared on three experimental rations. Histopathological examinations of kidney samples also were normal for pigs of T1 and T2 and T3. However ricketty beads were seen on ends of ribs on carcass evaluation, in pigs reared under T3. The bone ash content was also lower (P<0.01) for animals fed ration T3 than that of T1 and T2. Thus feeding ration without any mineral supplementation showed deleterious effects on growth, mineral availability and bone ash content, but supplementation of phytase improved utilization of nutrients and minerals than that of T3 during the period of 114 days of the experiment. Feed cost /kg gain of T1 pigs was higher than that of T2 (P< 0.01) and T3 (P< 0.05). But the difference in the cost of production between T2 and T3 were non significant (P>0.05). It can be concluded that phytase supplementation of rations resulted in decreased feed cost / kg gain.
Open Access
Effect of dietary Cation-Anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Mary Juliet Francis; KAU; Viswanathan, T V
An investigation over a period of six weeks was carried out to study the effect of dietary cation-anion balance on growth performance of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty commercial day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments viz., Tl, T2, T3 and 14 having four replicates each. The experimental diets were standard broiler ration with varying DCAB of 260 meq/kg (Tl, control), 210 meq/kg (T2), 310 meq/kg (T3) and 360 meq/kg (T4). Cation-anion balance was varied using sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Results indicated that the dietary treatments did not differ significantly in body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, water consumption and processing yields. Body weight at the end of six weeks was 2069, 2031, 2047 and 2020 g and the cumulative mean body weight gain was 2023, 1984, 2000 and 1973 g for Tl, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Average daily feed intake was 159.39, 164.46, 166.65 atid 169.81 g and mean cumulative PGR were 2.04, 2.02, 2.04 and 2.09, respectively, for Tl, T2, T3 and T4. No significant difference was observed in serum minerals or biochemical parameters such as serum uric acid, cholesterol and glucose. Birds in T3 and T4 showed significantly higher (P<0.05) intake and balance of sodium than Tl and T2. Retention of chloride was significantly higher (P<0.05) for T3 and T4 whereas chloride intake was significantly lower (P<0.05) for T3 and T4. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study reveals that dietary cation-anion balance does not have a significant influence on growth performance of broiler chicken.
Open Access
Growth performance of broiler chicken fed on fermented fish waste silage ration
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Smitha, N F; KAU; Mercy, A D
An investigation spread over a period of six weeks was carried out to study the effect of replacing unsalted dried fish with fermented fish waste silage on nutrient utilization and growth performance in broiler chicken. One hundred and eighty day-old broiler chicks (Vencob) were divided into three identical groups having five replicates in each group with 12 birds in each replicate and allotted randomly into three dietary treatments viz., T1, T2 and T3. The three groups of birds were maintained on isonitrogenous and isocaloric rations in which protein of unsalted dried fish was replaced by protein from fermented fish waste silage at 0, 50 and 100 per cent levels. Birds were fed broiler starter rations up to four weeks of age and then they were switched to broiler finisher rations till the end of the experiment. The birds maintained on the three dietary treatments T1, T2 and T3 had almost similar growth rate (P>0.05) with a cumulative mean body weight gain of 1401.45, 1434.48 and 1491.31 g, respectively. The cumulative feed intake and cumulative feed conversion efficiency did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between treatments, the cumulative feed conversion efficiency being 2.12, 2.08 and 2.09, respectively for the birds of T1, T2 and T3. Nitrogen retention and balance were similar for the diets T1, T2 and T3. The retention and balance of calcium and phosphorus were also similar. Serum calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, glucose, creatinine and uric acid contents were not significantly influenced by the inclusion of fermented fish waste silage. Serum triglyceride was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 when compared to that of T1. Birds maintained on T3 registered significantly lower (P<0.05) ready-to-cook yield when compared to T1 fed on control diet. The cost of feed per kg gain of birds in the three dietary treatments was Rs. 20.15, 19.83 and 19.73, respectively. Overall evaluation of the results of the present study revealed that fermented fish waste silage could be used economically as a substitute for unsalted dried fish in the ration of broilers on protein basis, without any adverse effect on growth rate and feed conversion efficiency, while, the ready-to-cook yield tended to be lower in birds receiving diets with 100 per cent fermented fish silage.
Open Access
Influence of rendered fat in the diet of large white yorkshire sows on litter performance
(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Thiruveni, S; KAU; Viswanathan, T V
A study was conducted to assess the influence of rendered fat in the diet of Large White Yorkshire sows on their litter performance. Thirty-two Large White Yorkshire gestating sows at late gestation (100 days of gestation) formed the experimental animals. Four groups with eight replicates each were maintained under four experimental diets, viz., Tl (standard ration - containing 18% crude protein and 3300 kcal DE/kg), T2 (standard ration + 5 per cent rendered animal fat), T3 (standard ration + lO per cent rendered animal fat) and T4 (standard ration + 15 per cent rendered animal fat) from late gestation (100 days of gestation) to weaning (56 days of lactation). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) observed between the four dietary treatments for the parameters observed such as litter size and piglet weight at birth and at weaning, average daily gain of piglets, body weight loss of sows during lacta~ion and piglet mortality. But there was a trend for reduction in lactational body weight loss of sows fed T2, T3 and T 4 experimental diets. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients such as ether extract (Pcrude fibre was found to be decreased (Pcrude protein were not affected (P>0.05) with the increasing energy density of the experimental diets. ii The cost benefit ratios showed an increasing trend in the economics of gain from the sows fed rendered animal fat added gestation and lactation diets than that of the control sows. The above results indicate that the rendered animal fat, as an energy source for Large White Yorkshire sows, can be added extra at 15 per cent level of the standard ration (containing 3300 kcal DE/kg and 18% crude protein) during late gestation and lactation, to improve the performance of sows and the litter and to have a better economics of gain.

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