Sang-Jip Ohh

Comparison of Aviary, Barn and Conventional Cage Raising of Chickens on Laying Performance and Egg Quality

This study intended to compare the productive performance of three different layer raising systems; conventional cage (CC), barn (BR) and aviary (AV). The AV is welfare bestowed housing that allows free locomotion for birds within the BR. The BR allows bird’s free locomotion inside BR but without multilevel structures. Both pullets and cockerels were housed together in both AV and BR, but only pullets in CC. Seventeen weeks old Lohmann Brown Lite (n = 800) pullets were housed in AV during this study. The same age layer pullets were simultaneously assigned to either at CC or BR to compare egg production performance with AV. The duration of experiment was 40 weeks (from 21st to 60th week). There were no remarkable differences in egg production, hen day egg production (HDEP) and average egg weight among three rearing systems. First 20 weeks (phase-1) average HDEP (%) of AV, CC, and BR were 85.9, 88.8, 87.1 and average egg weights (g) were 57.5, 59.9, and 56.9 respectively. Those of the remaining 20 weeks (phase-2) were 87.1, 87.9, 85.5 and 64.2, 63.0 62.1, respectively. Daily feed intakes (122 g, 110 g, 125 g); feed conversion ratio (2.4, 2.1, 2.5) and daily egg mass (53.9 g, 54.4 g, 52.8 g) data from AV, CC, and BR were not influenced significantly by the respective raising systems. Daily feed intake of layers in both AV (124 g) and BR (127 g) tended to be higher than that in CC (113 g) during phase-2. Overall, exterior egg quality (dirty and cracked eggs) in both phases was superior in BR compared with AV and CC, whereas CC generated intermediate results. This study indicated that the HDEP per se in AV and BR were not significantly different from that in CC. The study implied that the facility depreciation cost for AV and cost for increased feed intake in AV compared to CC are believed to be critical to evaluate the cost effectiveness of egg production in AV.

Effects of forage level and chromium-methionine chelate supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites in Korean native (Hanwoo) steers

A feeding trial was carried out to determine the effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) chelate and forage level over two years, 1st fattening and 2nd fattening period on growth parameters, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites of 46 Korean native (Hanwoo, Bos Taurus, BW = 183 ± 44 kg) steers. Treatments were: 1) Steers in the low forage (LF) group were fed diets that consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage; 2) Steers in the high forage (HF) group were fed diets that consisted of 40% concentrate and 60% forage. Following the 1st fattening period, steers (BW = 480 ± 37.6 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: LF (40 F plus no Cr-Met supplementation in the 2nd fattening period), LFCM (40LF plus added 400 ppb of Cr-Met during the 2nd fattening period), HF (60 F plus no added Cr-Met during the 2nd fattening period) and HFCM (60 F plus added 400 ppb of Cr-Met in the 2nd fattening period). Dry matter intake of the treatment diets did not differ during the raising and 1th fattening period (P > 0.05). The ADG in the raising period showed no difference between the 40 F and 60 F groups (P > 0.05). Carcass characteristics including rib-eye area and meat yield index were higher in HF than the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). The HF group tended to show a higher (P = 0.08) marbling score than the LF group whereas the HFCM group showed a higher marbling score than the LFCM group (P < 0.05). HDL was higher and LDL lower in groups fed with Cr-Met than in other groups whereas glucose showed the lowest value in HF group (P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol, PUN and total protein (TP) were the same among all treatment groups (P > 0.05). The Insulin concentration in the blood was significantly higher for the HFCM group than for the LF, LFCM and HF groups (P < 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of chromium-methionine chelate could improve meat quality in beef steers.

Effects of Different Sources of Dietary Chromium and Copper on Growth Performances, Nutrients Digestibility, Fecal Cr, Cu and Zn Excretion in Growing Pigs

This study was carried out to evaluate effects of either organic or inorganic sources of both chromium and copper on growth performances, nutrients digestibility and fecal Cr, Cu, and Zn excretion in growing pigs. A total of 36 growing pigs((Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc, weighing 61.2kg in average) were allotted to 4 treatments with 3 replicates and 3 pigs per replicate. Four treatments were designated by supplemental sources of both chromium and copper as follows: ①200ppb Cr as Cr-methionine chelate(CrMet) and 200ppm Cuas copper methionine chelate(CuMet), ②200ppb Cr as CrMet and 200ppm Cu as copper sulfate(CuSO4), ③200ppb Cr as chromium chloride(CrCl3) and 200ppm Cu as CuMet, ④200ppb Cr as CrCl3 and 200ppm Cu as CuSO4. Growth performance was highest(p

Effects of Chromium Methionine Supplementation on Blood Metabolites and Fatty Acid Profile of Beef during Late Fattening Period in Holstein Steers

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) chelate supplementation on blood metabolites and fatty acid profile of beef from Holstein steers during late fattening period. Fifteen Holstein steers were allotted randomly into two groups including the control (non Cr-Met feeding, NCM, ave. body weight [BW] = 483±25.7 kg) and the treatment (Cr-Met feeding for 4 months, 4CM, ave. BW = 486±27.5 kg) group. The feeding amount of Cr-Met to animals was limited to 400 ppb/cow/d and was supplemented to total mixed ration. No difference in blood albumin, alkaline phosphatase, urea-nitrogen, calcium, creatine, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol were observed between the treatment groups (p>0.05). The level of high density lipoprotein was higher in the 4CM group than the NCM group, whereas low density lipoprotein was lower in the 4CM group (p<0.05). The fatty acid composition (caprate, laurate, myristate, pentadecanoate, palmitate, palmitoleate, margarate, cis-11 heptadodecanoate, stearate, oleate, trans-vaccenate, linoleate, cis-11 eicosenoate, docosa hexaenoic acid, and docosa pentaenoic acid) of the beef showed no difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The arachidonic acid level tended to be higher in the 4CM than the NCM group (p = 0.07). Cr-Met had no influence (p>0.05) on the ratio of saturated, unsaturated, unsaturated/saturated, monounsaturated/saturated and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the 4CM group was comparatively higher than the NCM group (p<0.05). This study concluded that feeding Cr-Met supplementation in 400 ppb/d to Holstein steers for 4 months during late fattening period can improve some blood metabolites and beef quality by increasing PUFA and gamma-linoleate compositions of beef.

The Effects of Gilts Housed Either in Group with the Electronic Sow Feeding System or Conventional Stall

This experiment was conducted to assess the welfare and productivity of gestating gilts in groups with the electronic sow feeding (ESF) system compared to conventional stalls. A total of 83 gilts (Yorkshire×Landrace) were housed into individual stalls to be artificially inseminated. Gilts confirmed pregnant were introduced to their treatment, conventional stalls (ST) or groups with the ESF system. All gilts were taken to the farrowing crates one week prior to their expected farrowing date. In the gestation period, there were no significant differences between gilts allocated to ST and ESF on growth performance. However, backfat thickness gain (p = 0.08) and body condition score (BCS) at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.10) tended to be higher in ESF gilts than ST. Likewise, gilts housed in group showed significantly higher estimated body muscle contents at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.02) and body muscle change during gestation (p = 0.01). There was a trend for a shorter parturition time in ESF gilts (p = 0.07). In the lactation period, group housed gilts showed a tendency to increased BCS changes (p = 0.06). Reproductive performance did not differ with the exception of piglet mortality (ST = 0.2 no. of piglets vs ESF = 0.4 no. of piglets; p = 0.01). In blood profiles, ST gilts showed a higher cortisol level at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Weaning to estrus interval was shorter in gilts housed in ESF than ST (p = 0.01). In locomotory behaviors, ESF gilts recorded a tendency to elevate locomotion score at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.07, p = 0.06, and p = 0.06, respectively). Similarly, ESF gilts showed significantly higher incidence of scratches at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Moreover, farrowing rates were higher in stall treatment (97.6%) compare to group housing treatment (95.2%). In conclusion, while group housed gilts with ESF system positively affected welfare status in combination with less physiologically stressful environments and activity, it negatively effects piglet mortality, farrowing rates and injuries of gilts.

Fatty acid profile of meat, diurnal changes in volatile fatty acids, rumen fluid parameters, and growth performance in Korean native (Hanwoo) steers fed high- and low-forage diets supplemented with chromium-methionine

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forage level in diets supplemented with chromium-methionine (Cr-Met) on rumen fluid parameters, meat fatty acid composition, and performance of Korean beef (Hanwoo) steers. Twenty-three Hanwoo steers were used in this experiment. A completely randomized design and repeated measurements were used to analyze the data set. Beef steers were fed diets containing high (10 head; average body weight (BW) = 525.1±27.5; forage:concentrate (F:C) = 60:40) (60F) and low (13 head; average BW = 531.8±32.4; F:C = 40:60 ratio) (40F) forage diets supplemented with Cr-Met for 60 d. Dry matter intake, BW, and feed efficiency were not different between the two treatment groups. Fatty acid composition of meat including myristate, stearate, and gamma linoleate was not different between the two groups; however, palmitate, palimtoleate, and linoleate were higher in 60F group than 40F group. Ammonia-N showed a higher trend in 40F group, whereas pH demonstrated higher values in 60F group. Ruminal acetate was higher in 60F group than 40F group and maintained a high trend throughout the sampling time, whereas no differences were found in ruminal propionate, butyrate, and valerate between two groups. A high-forage diet (60%) improves meat quality and has no adverse effects on performance of Hanwoo steers.

Supplementation of grape pomace (Vitis vinifera) in broiler diets and its effect on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, blood profile, and meat quality

This experiment was conducted to explore the efficacy of grape pomace (Vitis vinifera) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, blood profile, and meat quality in commercial broilers. Four hundred broiler chicks (3-d-old) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments for 28 d. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 20 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments were 1) control, 2) 5 g/kg grape pomace (GP), 3) 7.5 g/kg GP, and 4) 10 g/kg GP supplemented in diets after drying. Supplementation of GP did not show linear effects (P > 0.05) on body weight (BW) gain, however, quadratic effects (P < 0.05) on BW gain were observed during d 0 to 7 and d 8 to 14. Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio remained unaffected during d 22 to 28 and overall period. The nutrient digestibility studies conducted at the end of the feeding trial did not show (P > 0.05) any effect due to GP supplementation, except a quadratic trend (P = 0.07) for digestibility of ash was observed. Serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not affected (P > 0.05), however, total cholesterol and serum immunoglobulin G levels showed quadratic effects (P < 0.05) due to GP supplementation. The thio-barbituric acid reactive substances values in breast meat linearly decreased (P < 0.01) in supplemented groups at 0, 5, and 10 d of storage showing linear effects due to GP supplementation, and quadratic effects were also observed at 5 and 10 d of storage. The meat color value such as redness was also decreased (P < 0.05) in supplemented groups showing both linear and quadratic effects. Overall, it could be concluded that GP supplementation showed quadratic effects on BW gain during early growth stages and was effective in reducing serum cholesterol level and improving meat quality parameters in broilers.

Effect of Molasses Addition Level to the Mixture of Calf Starter and Corn Fodder on Pellet Quality, Rumen Development and Performance of Holstein-Friesian Calves in Indonesia

Effect of molasses addition to complete calf starter (CCS) and the following pellet processing was evaluated with 12 Holstein- Friesian (HF) calves (7-14 d old with 42 ± 5.5 kg average BW), with 6 calves (replicate) per treatment. The CCS was formulated with 65% concentrate calf starter and 35% local corn fodder. On the CCS, molasses was added either 5% (M5) or 10% (M10), then the mixture was pelleted and fed to the calves for 7 weeks. Molasses addition, regardless of addition level, improved (p 0.05) in blood glucose level between M5 and M10. Length and number of papillae were not different (p>0.05) by the addition levels of molasses. However, there was one exception in number of papillae at caudo-dorsal sac which were higher (p<0.05) number in M5 than M10 calves. Considering the quality of CCS pellet, calf performance and rumen development, there was no additional benefit of 10% molasses addition compared to 5%. From the results of this study, 5% molasses addition could be recommended for local farmer when they utilize local corn fodder to make CCS for HF calves in Indonesia.