In this study we propose an electronic system for linear positioning of a magnet independent of its modulus, which could vary because of aging, different fabrication process, etc. The system comprises a linear array of 24 Hall Effect sensors of proportional response. The data from all sensors are subject to a pretreatment (normalization) by row (position) making them independent on the temporary variation of its magnetic field strength. We analyze the particular case of the individual flow in milking of goats. The multiple regression analysis allowed us to calibrate the electronic system with a percentage of explanation R2 = 99.96%. In our case, the uncertainty in the linear position of the magnet is 0.51 mm that represents 0.019 L of goat milk. The test in farm compared the results obtained by direct reading of the volume with those obtained by the proposed electronic calibrated system, achieving a percentage of explanation of 99.05%.

<p>La presente investigación se realizó en la Granja Santa Inés, perteneciente a la Universidad Técnica de Machala, utilizando para ello 160 pollos acriollados (<em>Gallus gallus</em> domesticus) mejorados, los mismos que se alojaron tratando de cumplir las mejores condiciones de manejo y sanidad, sin embargo para provocar desafíos no se administró vacunas, ni antibiótico en la granja. El objetivo fue determinar la eficacia del vinagre e infusión de oreganón Plectranthus amboinicus en la crianza de pollos acriollados. La investigación duró 42 días, se distribuyeron 16 grupos al azar de 10 pollos cada uno, considerando 4 tratamientos (T1= vinagre, T2= vinagre + infusión de oreganón, T3= infusión de oreganón, T4= testigo) con 4 repeticiones cada uno. Se administró balanceado libre de antibióticos, se tomaron datos de consumo de alimento y de agua tratada diariamente, los pesos de las aves semanalmente; las muestras de heces se colectaron al inicio, mitad y final de la investigación. Como conclusión, las variables de campo no obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los tratamientos, pero sí en la parte microbiológica, el T1, T2 y T3 mostraron eficiencias de disminución al compararlos con el T4, aunque el T3 al final de la investigación se diferenció del T1, T2, T4. Asumiendo que la infusión de oreganón Plectranthus amboinicus, induce a una reducción en la cantidad de UFC tanto en la Flora total y Coliformes.</p>

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the Mentha spicata L. infusion on the performance and organoleptic characteristics of Cobb 500 broilers. The management, biosecurity and welfare of birds for open houses systems were followed, using a completely random design (CRD). Were used 200 1-day-old mixed chickens, in order to evaluate treatments effects during 35 days. Those were distributed in five treatments, with four réplicas, of 10 birds each to the following the groups: T1 (control), T2 (M. spicata infusion at 10%), T3 (M. spicata infusion at 20%), T4 (M. spicata infusion at 30%) and T5 (M. spicata infusion at 40%). The variables studied were broilers performance, carcass weight and organoleptic characteristics. The data was processed using with the statistical program Statgraphics Centurión XV.I, performing a multivariate analysis of variance and determining the factors with effect, and an ANOVA per week for the productive variables; contingency tables were prepared with organoleptic indicators data to determine differences (Chi-square test). Results show that the administration of M. spicata L. to drinkable water has no effect on broilers performance, with the exception of the feed intake, which decreases, reflecting a similar effect on visceral weight. The presence of flavonoids in the plant diminished the thickness of the abdominal fat because it favors the lipid metabolism of the birds. There was no difference in the smell of the meat, however, there were significant differences in the parameters of flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

The present research was carried out at the Santa Ines farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (FCA) of the Universidad Técnica de Machala (UTMACH), in the Province of El Oro (Ecuador), which objective was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of Medicago sativa meal (alfarina) in broiler chicken Cobb 500 feed on productive parameters, carcass and sensory analysis. Poultry biosecurity standards established for open house systems were applied, trying to maintain comfort and well-being for the birds; a basic vaccination plan was used that consisted of the use of Gumboro “Intermediate strain” and New Castle “La Sota”. A Completely Random Design (CRD) was used, distributed in 5 treatments, with 4 replicates of 10 chickens, for a total of 40 birds per treatment (T). The T1 or control received a commercial diet (without inclusion of alfarine), while in T2, T3, T4 and T5, alfarine was included in the feed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 %, respectively. The variables studied were: accumulated feed and water consumption, feed conversion, mortality, live weight gain, carcass assessment parameters, abdominal fat thickness and organoleptic indicators. The data obtained were processed in the statistical program Statgraphics Centurión XV.I, performing an ANOVA analysis on all the quantitative variables studied, after complying with the assumptions of normality and homogeneity. To discriminate between means, Tukey’s significant difference procedure was used, with a confidence level of 95 %. The results show that alfalfa meal in the diet has no effect on the parameters evaluated, so this raw material can be used without problems in the feeding of broilers without exceeding 4 % inclusion.

No abstract

This research was carried out in the bird´s experimental area of the Santa Inés Farm (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Técnica de Machala), El Oro Province, Ecuador. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in the feed of Cobb 500 chickens on carcass and visceral parameters. To guarantee the welfare of the chickens, all the suggestions for open-shed systems was followed, as well as a basic vaccination schedule applied in the area. The variables evaluated were: antemortem weight; blood, feathers, viscera, thighs, counter-thighs, breast, shoulder, wings, neck, legs, head, heart, liver, gizzard, spleen, intestines and gizzard fat expressed as a percentage, and finally abdominal fat was expressed in millimeters. A Completely Randomized Design was applied, consisting of 5 treatments (T) with 4 experimental units, containing 10 chickens each one. The T1 or control without M. oleifera meal, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 incorporated Moringa leaf meal at a rate of 1, 2, 3 and 4%, respectively. An ANOVA analysis was used prior to observing the assumptions of normality and homogeneity, and to discriminate among the means, the Bonferroni multiple comparison procedure was applied, with a 95% confidence level. All calculations were obtained through the statistical program Statgraphics Centurión XV.I. The results showed that there is no negative effect on the variables evaluated, which allows to assume that up to 4% Moringa meal can be used in feed for chickens without any restrictions since it does not affect the weight of the carcass.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of zeolite on the feeding of Cobb 500 chickens in the productive parameters. The work was carried out in an integral farm of Ecuador, adopting the standards of biosafety and animal welfare for the breeding of poultry; no vaccines or drugs were administered. 200 chickens (1-day old) were studied for 42 days and distributed in 5 treatments, each one with 4 replicates (10 chickens per replicate, randomly selected); the treatments were: T1(control), T2(zeolite 2%), T3(zeolite 3%), T4(zeolite 4%) and T5(zeolite 5%). All of the groups were fed with BALMAR, a commercial feed (Pre-initial: 22.56% CP, 3150 Kcal/kg ME; initial: 21% CP, 3200 Kcal/kg ME; grow-out: 19.5% CP, 3250 Kcal/Kg ME), T1 included a commercial toxin trapper, for all other groups zeolite was added as a substitute for the commercial toxin trap. The variables studied were: feed and water consumption, feed conversion ratio, live weight and mortality. The data were processed with the statistical program Stat graphics Centurion XV.I, by means of ANOVA analysis. The results of this experiment showed that there were no significant statistical differences in water consumption, food intake and feed conversion when comparing the treatments with the control, although, the final weight showed statistical difference (p<0.05). The highest mortality was recorded in T1 (12.5%). It is concluded that at higher zeolite increase, better effects, thus the live weight of T5 (1638.9±46.7) was statistically similar to the control (1734.3±49.3); water and feed consumption and feed conversion rate were not affected; possibly the reduction in mortality was due to the toxins trapping action of zeolite.

The research was developed at the Santa Inés Farm, of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Universidad Técnica de Machala, the objective was to evaluate the effect of the infusion of Ocimum basilicum in Cobb 500 chickens on the productive parameters and bacterial control. For the experiment, a Completely Random Design was applied to evaluate five treatments each with four experimental units of 10 chickens (200 birds). The treatments were: T1, T2, T3, and T4, to which 2 ml of infusion of O. basilicum was added at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% respectively for each liter of drinking water and T5 normal water. For the welfare of the birds, management was used for open buildings, administering a balanced feed free of Antibiotic Growth Promoters. The variables evaluated were: live weight of the bird, consumption of feed and accumulated water, feed conversion, mortality, total bacterial microbiota and colimetry. For data analysis, the statistical program Statgraphics Centurión XV.I.® was used, subjecting the variables to an ANOVA, prior assumptions of normality and homogeneity, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for those that did not present a normal distribution. To establish the difference between the means, the Bonferroni multiple comparison procedure was used with a 95.0% confidence level. The results conclude that there is no effect on the parameters evaluated, it does not present a health risk and that due to its biopharmaceutical properties it could be used as an alternative to synthetic antibiotics.