In this study, the risk factors associated with stillbirth in sows were identified and their odds ratio assessed. For this purpose, 587 farrowings on Farm A and 929 on Farm B were monitored, and the sow parity, body condition score, farrowing duration, total number of piglets born, numbers of live births, stillbirths, and mummified piglets, obstetric interventions, and piglet sex and weight were recorded. At the end of farrowing, piglets classified as stillborn were necropsied to confirm the diagnosis. Consequently, 5.49% of the piglets on Farm A and 5.10% of those on Farm B were stillborn. On both farms, sows with a high parity, prolonged farrowing, and a large litter size had the highest odds ratio of stillbirths. On Farm B, farrowing intervention through the use of vaginal palpation and oxytocin increased the odds of stillbirth by 1.7 and 2.5 times, respectively. Heavy litters increased the odds of stillbirth by 1.4 times. Additionally, low-birth-weight piglets were 2.3 and 3.1 times more likely than their medium-birth-weight and high-birth-weight counterparts, respectively, to be stillborn. In conclusion, on both farms, the risk factors associated with stillbirth were a high parity, a large litter size, and prolonged farrowing.
The aim of this article is to encourage debate and sharing of studies and research on the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) in poultry feed. It is observed that in Brazilian poultry, feeds are mainly based on cereals, which must be supplemented with high quality animal protein and essential amino acids. Among the alternative ingredients for monogastric diets, the use of insects has stood out and among the insects used, black soldier fly flour or BSF (Hermetia illucens) is an attractive candidate, as it contains excellent nutritional characteristics and high production of biomass, in addition to its ability to promote the degradation of a series of materials of organic origin, converting them into an important source for animal feed. It is concluded that, although promising as a food component in the diet of poultry, the current cost to produce these insects in the country is still high and a relevant factor when compared to sources such as fish meal and soybean meal. Other challenges, such as the standardization of the bromatological compositions of flours derived from these insects, increased production, as well as a cultural change in the Western way of seeing these organisms, are issues to be addressed.
The objective was to evaluate the best method for the calculation of electrolyte balance for Japanese quails using the EB and TEB calculation. 240 Japanese quails were used, during the 25 to 85 days of life, with 5 treatments, where these with the same value of BE 250 μeq kg-1 and TEB having 750, 1000, 1250, 1500 and 1750 μeq kg-1, 8 replicates and 6 birds per experimental unit. Performance parameters and egg quality were analyzed. The different TEB were able to influence the performance and quality of japanese quail eggs.
This study was done to determine the best value of the total electrolyte balance (BET) concerning the variables of performance and egg quality of the laying hens. We investigated 240 Hy-Line Brown laying hens, of 30 to 46 weeks of age, adopting the completely randomized experimental design, which included five treatments (1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000 μeq / kg), 8 repetitions and 6 birds per unit. The performance and quality of the birds’ eggs were evaluated in the different treatments. The results were subjected to the analysis of variance and, wherever significant effect was noted, the regression equations were estimated, taking into account the electrolyte balance (μeq / kg) as a concomitant variable, applying the SAS statistical program (2001). The consumption, production, and feed conversion variables by dozen eggs, final bird weight, egg density, yolk color, Haugh Unit, albumen weight, shell weight, and egg weight, were found to be unaffected by the experimental BET values. The values of the feed conversion per egg mass, yolk weight and uniformity were affected by the different BETs. The electrolyte balance values showing minimum feed conversion, higher yolk weight, and better uniformity were, respectively, BET = 1400, 1330, and 1250 in μeq / kg of loads at the different temperatures. From the regression equations, the value indicated was BET=1390 for the 30- to 46-week-old laying hens. The electrolyte balance of the diet was found to affect the laying hens in terms of performance and egg quality.
Weaning is a critical time for the young pig. The nutrient requirements of nursery pigs are affected by many factors such as weaning age, antigen exposure, and sex of the pig. Also, since feed intake is influenced by the learning abilities of the animal, any negative post-ingestive experiences with digestion may be linked to the feed and decrease feed intake. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the supplementation of different feed flavours for piglets during nursery phase on their performance and analyze the correlation between nursery performance and grower/ finisher performance and carcass traits. The use of flavored feed in nursery pens had a positive effect on voluntary feed intake and consequently overall nursery phase performance, which also impacted positively on piglet growth rates. Our results also indicated that there is a direct impact of the nursery end BW and finisher performance traits. Pigs that ate more gained more weight and were heavier at the end of nursery, also grew faster and were heavier at slaughter than the control pigs. This higher BW at slaughter also reflected on improved carcass performance traits. We can conclude that the use of feed flavours is an important tool to reduce post-weaning stress and enhance piglet performance during nursery which impacts positively on finisher output performance and carcass traits.
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