To determine the level of application and the effectiveness of the use of plant feed additives from sweet chestnut wood extract (Castanea Sativa Mill) in the diet of Cobb-500 cross broiler chickens, four groups were formed via the balanced groups method. The chickens in the experimental groups were supplemented with sweet chestnut wood extract in the main diet rather than a feed antibiotic at an amount of 500 g per ton of compound starter feed and 250 g per ton of grower and finisher in the second experimental group; 650 g per ton of compound starter feed and 325 g per ton of grower and finisher in the third experimental group; and 800 g per ton of compound starter feed and 400 g per ton of grower and finisher in the fourth experimental group. Supplementation with phytobiotics led to an increase in the digestibility of the dry matter in the second and third groups compared to the first experimental group. Furthermore, broiler chickens supplemented with a medium dose of phytobiotics revealed a significant difference in both crude protein and fiber when compared to the second experimental group (91.95% and 12.11% vs. 88.98% and 10.07%, respectively). The preslaughter weight of the birds in the phytobiotics supplemented groups was higher than in those fed with the lowest dosage of phytobiotic by 5.47%, and the difference was significant. There were no significant differences in terms of the blood biochemical parameters between the groups. In summary, the inclusion of plant feed additives from sweet chestnut wood extract as a substitute for an antibacterial drug in the diet of broiler chickens did not deteriorate the blood biochemical parameters and improved the intensity of the nutrient digestion process. As a result, it enhanced the quality indicators of the broiler carcass during the entire growth period.

Research has been carried out on the use of the symbiotic “Rumimaster” in balanced diets of highly productive cows in the conditions of the breeding plant “Kirovskaya meadow-bog experimental station”. The experiment was carried out on two groups of animals in the middle of lactation with a duration of 90 days. The inclusion of the feed additive “Rumimaster” in the diet of experienced cows contributed to an increase in the gross production of natural and 4% fat milk by 124.5 kg and 128.4 kg, the yield of milk fat and milk protein by 5.2 and 4.1 kg, respectively. … The differences between the groups for these parameters were in the range of 5.1-5.7%. The productivity of cows for 305 days of lactation in the experimental group was higher than in the control by 7.5%. The symbiotic “Rumimaster” promoted the activation of digestion processes, which was reflected in the increase in the time of feed consumption and the duration of the chewing gum. The cows of the experimental group showed an increase in the level of digestibility of the main nutrients. In terms of the digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber, the experimental group of cows significantly exceeded the indicators of the control group by 3.3 and 3 absolute percent, respectively. The blood biochemical parameters of the animals of the experimental and control groups were within the physiological norm. The economic evaluation of the research results showed the effectiveness of the use of the symbiotic “Rumimaster” in the diets of lactating cows, which was expressed in the receipt of additional profit from one cow in the amount of 1,344.79 rubles for the period of experience and an increase in the profitability of milk production by 2.1 absolute percent.

Animal feeding research has revealed a close relationship between the chemical composition and nutritional value of cow rations, the number of rumen bacterial communities and animal productivity. Our present research aimed to investigate the outcome of inclusion of different levels of protein concentrate in rations of Ayrshire dairy cows in relation to the rumen microbiome, reproductive traits and economic value. Forty-five Ayrshire cows were divided into three groups (15 in each). The first control group 0 AM was fed the basal ration, while the second 1 AM and third 2 AM groups were fed the basic ration with the sunflower cake replaced by different levels of protein concentrate Agro-Matic (1 and 1.5 kg/head/day, respectively). Ruminal fluid samples, reproductive parameters and economic value were studied. During the early lactation period, 120 days in milk (DIM), the number of pathogenic microorganisms decreased in both the 1 AM and 2 AM groups when compared with the control group 0 AM; moreover, a significant decrease in Peptococcus bacteria was recorded in the 1 AM group, while Fusobacterium decreased in the 2 AM group. At the end of lactation, the total number of cellulolytic bacteria increased with the use of protein concentrate in animals of the 1 AM group when compared with the control group. Regarding undesirable bacteria, the 2 AM group recorded the highest value for Lactobacilli and Actinobacteria when compared with the 0 AM group (0.18 and 8.90 vs. 0.04 and 4.24), and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The insemination index and the duration of the days open period decreased in the 2 AM group, while the differences were p > 0.05. The profitability of milk production increased by 2.76% and 6.28% in both supplemented groups, and the differences compared to the 0 AM group were significant. We conclude that the supplementation of Agro-Matic caused no deviations from the normal standards of cellulolytic, amylolytic, transit and pathogenic bacteria, no impact on reproductive functions and significantly improved the profitability of the milk production process of Ayrshire dairy cows.

The article presents experimental data on the use of different levels of protein concentrate supplement in the diets of lactating cows with a high proportion of indigestible protein in the rumen. During the course of the research it was observed that the inclusion of Agro-Matic protein concentrate in the amount of 1.0 and 1.5 kg per head per day in the diet instead of other protein feeds increased the level of indigestible (by-pass) protein by 6.3 % and 9.1 %, respectively. The introduction of the maximum amount of Agro-Matic protein concentrate into the diet has contributed to the change in the amino acid composition of milk. It was established that the yield of milk protein during the period of milking was significantly higher in animals receiving different levels of protein concentrate compared to those of the control group. Feeding lactating cows diets with different levels of protein concentrate did not have a negative impact on biochemical parameters of animal blood. All measured blood of experimental animals were within the physiological norms. The maximum content of essential amino acids in the milk of cows from 3 experimental groups was significantly higher and reached up to 1560.9 mg% versus 1480.17 mg% in the control group.