V. Ravinder Reddy

Utilisation of squilla meal (a novel animal protein source) by broilers.

1. The nutritive value of squilla meal, which contained 339 g crude protein, 18.6 g ether extract, 72.8 g calcium, 17.2 g phosphorus and 7.13 MJ of apparent metabolisable energy/kg, was examined in 5 experiments with broilers. 2. Squilla meal contained less lysine (3.45 vs 6.74 g/16g nitrogen) and methionine (1.02 vs 1.86/16 g nitrogen) than fish meal, had a lower protein digestibility coefficient (0.66 vs 0.72) and a lower gross protein value (68% vs 74%). 3. By gradually replacing the fish meal with squilla meal in isocaloric, isonitrogenous broiler diets it was shown that there was a linear decrease in broiler weight gain; efficiencies of food utilisation were also lower at all squilla meal substitution rates. Inclusion of squilla meal in the diets increased intestinal lengths. 4. Addition of a proteolytic enzyme to the diets containing squilla meal restored broiler weight gain and efficiency of food utilisation to that of birds fed on the control diet. 5. Diets containing autoclaved squilla meal resulted in reduced weight gain although efficiency of food utilisation was not affected.

Effect of Unsaturated to Saturated Fatty Acids Ratio of Supplemental Fat in the Diet with or without L-Carnitine on Performance of Broiler Chicken

The present trial was conducted to study the effect of ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids with or without L-carnitine supplementation on the performance male broiler chicks. A total of 320 day old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 8 treatments with eight replicate and five birds each. T1, T2, T3 and T4 diets were formulated to contain ratio of UFA: SFA fatty acids as 60: 40, 65: 35, 70: 30 and 75: 25, respectively. Diets T5, T6, T7 and T8 were formulated to contain same ratio of fatty acids to that of T1 to T4 but with supplementation of L-carnitine at 100 mg/kg diet level. Before the feed formulation, the lipid profile of the tallow and crude soybean oil were analyzed. The unsaturated fatty acids (UFA): saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio were found to be 5.37 and 0.77, respectively for crude soybean oil and tallow. The results indicated that 70: 30 ratio without L-carnitine had significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain during starter, finisher and overall period compared to other ratios. However, carnitine supplementation to these ratios did not have significant effect on weight gain during the finisher and the overall period. Significantly (P<0.05) lowest feed intake was noticed at 75: 25 ratio with L-carnitine supplementation. The FCR was better (P<0.05) at 60: 40 ratio diets without carnitine supplementation compared to others. The interaction effect was significant (P<0.05) only during starter phase.

Performance and antioxidant status as affected by supplementing graded levels of organic and inorganic chromium in commercial broiler chicken

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of graded levels of organic (chromium picolinate) and inorganic (chromium chloride) chromium (Cr) at 0, 300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 μg/kg of diet, separately in a 5×2 factorial manner on the performance and antioxidant status of broilers. A total of 440 day-old commercial broiler male chicks were divided into 11 dietary treatments with 8 replicates (5 broilers in each replicate) and fed test diets ad lib. from day-one to 42 days of age (pre-starter: 0–14 d; starter: 15–28 d and finisher: 29–42 d). Feed intake (FI) was more (P<0.05) in organic Cr fed group and at a level of 600 μg broilers consumed more (P<0.05) feed compared to other levels. The interaction (source and level) increased (P<0.05) FI compared to control. Body weight gain (BWG) of broilers was not influenced by the source of Cr. However, no significant difference was observed in BWG with levels above 600 μg. The interaction effect improved (P<0.05) the BWG than control group. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in Cr supplemented diets, however, supplementation of Cr at 1500 μg/kg level improved (P<0.05) FCR. Supplementation of Cr at graded levels reduced (P<0.05) malondialdehyde levels, decreased the glutathione peroxidase activity and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. It could be concluded that supplementation of either organic or inorganic Cr at 600 μg/kg diet was found sufficient in terms of better growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers.

Effect of dietary inclusion of graded levels of toasted guar meal on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and serum parameters in commercial broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to explore the replacement value of toasted guar meal (TGM) for soybean meal (SBM) in commercial broiler diets. Hypothesis was tested by including graded levels (0, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18% of diet) of TGM to replace maize-SBM on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and serum parameters. A total of six iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared, and each diet was fed ad libitum to 12 replicates of five chicks each from 1 to 42xa0days of age. Results showed that inclusion of TGM up to 12% in broiler diets did not affect the body weight gain, feed efficiency, and energy digestibility. Feed intake, dry matter, nitrogen digestibility, and relative weights of ready-to-cook yields, breast muscle, abdominal fat, liver, and pancreas were not affected (Pxa0>xa00.05) by incorporating TGM even up to 18% in broiler diets. Concentration of glucose, total protein, and triglyceride in serum was also not affected (Pxa0>xa00.05), while serum total cholesterol concentration was found to be higher (Pxa0<xa00.05) in broilers fed diets containing TGM as compared to those fed on 0% TGM diet. From the results, it was evident that TGM may be incorporated up to 12% in commercial broiler diets for better growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass traits.An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to explore the replacement value of toasted guar meal (TGM) for soybean meal (SBM) in commercial broiler diets. Hypothesis was tested by including graded levels (0, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18% of diet) of TGM to replace maize-SBM on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and serum parameters. A total of six iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were prepared, and each diet was fed ad libitum to 12 replicates of five chicks each from 1 to 42xa0days of age. Results showed that inclusion of TGM up to 12% in broiler diets did not affect the body weight gain, feed efficiency, and energy digestibility. Feed intake, dry matter, nitrogen digestibility, and relative weights of ready-to-cook yields, breast muscle, abdominal fat, liver, and pancreas were not affected (Pxa0>xa00.05) by incorporating TGM even up to 18% in broiler diets. Concentration of glucose, total protein, and triglyceride in serum was also not affected (Pxa0>xa00.05), while serum total cholesterol concentration was found to be higher (Pxa0<xa00.05) in broilers fed diets containing TGM as compared to those fed on 0% TGM diet. From the results, it was evident that TGM may be incorporated up to 12% in commercial broiler diets for better growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass traits.

Effect of feeding different levels of lysine and protein on the performance of WLH layers

A trial was conducted to evaluate the requirement of digestible lysine at various protein levels in the diet of WLH layers (BV-300) from 25-44 weeks of age. Layers (528) were fed with diets containing two protein levels i.e. 13.36 and 15.78 % each with 5 % concentration variations of lysine (0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, and 0.70) and a control with 17 % CP and 0.70 % lysine. Each diet was fed to six replicates of eight birds. Egg production, feed intake, body weight were not influenced either by the concentration of lysine or by level of protein in diet. Increased (P d” 0.05) egg weight and egg mass were observed with increasing lysine in diets. Better feed efficiency was observed with increasing lysine concentration. It can be concluded that WLH layers require approximately 0.65% lysine with 13.36% CP or 0.63% lysine with 15.78% CP (i.e. 598.80 vs 570 mg/h/day) in diet.

Supplementation of lactic and citric acid in antibiotic free diets and their influence on performance, meat yield and immune response of broiler chickens

The present study aimed at evaluating two organic acids, lactic acid (LA) and citric acid (CA), each at 1.0 and 2.0% levels for replacing antibiotic (AB-Virginiamycin 11 mg/kg) in diets. In a feeding trial with 270 broiler chicks (Vencobb) LA and CA were tested in 2 x 2 factorial design, and compared with AB and control diets from day-one to 42 d of age in battery cages. Each of the 6 test diets was offered to 9 replicates of 5 chicks, and their growth performance, carcass attributes, bone morphology and immune response were recorded. Supplemental LA or CA at 2% level in diets significantly (p 3.1%) and breast meat yield (>9.7%) with desirable decline in abdominal fat. LA even at 1% level supported higher tibia weight (5.96 g), length (8.11 cm) and low leg scores (1.08), indicating better bone condition. LA and CA at 2% level improved immune competence in broilers measured as humoral and cell mediated response, compared to the AB and control diets. It is concluded that LA and CA supplementation at 2% level improved the broiler performance, meat yields, bone conformation and immune response over AB and control diets, implying that organic acids could replace antibiotic from broiler diets effectively and beneficially.

Effect of supplementation of concentrate to sweet sorghum bagasse with leaf residue silage on nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in native sheep

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of concentrate at different levels to sweet sorghum bagasse leaf residue (SSBLR) silage on nutrient utilization in growing lambs in a metabolism trial conducted after 120days of feeding. Sixteen growing Nellore ram lambs (18.3±0.8) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary groups (4 in each group) and were inducted into metabolic cages five days prior to collection for acclimatization followed by a seven day collection period. The four dietary groups were SSBLR silage fed ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate mixture (CP 17% and ME 2.53 Mcal/kg DM) at 0.0 (R-I), 0.75 (R-II), 1.0 (R-III) and 1.25 (R-IV) per cent of their live Weight. Significantly (P 0.0) with increase in level of concentrate in the diet. Negative and lower (P<0.01) nitrogen balance (g/d) was noticed in R-I ration. The N balance linearly increased with increase in level of concentrate supplementation. The study indicated feeding of sole SSBLR silage couldn’t meet the nutrient requirements and Supplementation of concentrate mixture (0.75-1.25%) to SSBLR silage improved the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in growing lambs.