Background and Aim: In broiler production, the poor quality litter not only may lead to a deterioration of the welfare status but also negatively affect carcass quality, overall health and growth performance, which may result in economic losses. The effects of litter types on the welfare of broilers are known but the effects of their characteristics have been little studied. This study aimed to evaluate correlations between welfare parameters of broilers and physicochemical characteristics of five common litter types. Materials and Methods: Over 42 days, 600 (Cobb 700) male broiler chicks were placed within 30 pens (each 2 m2) at a density of 10 birds/m2. The experiment included five treatments with six replicates per treatment. The following litter (or bedding) materials were examined: Standard quality straw, low-quality straw, wood shavings (WS), sawdust, and crop residues. Footpad condition, hock burns, and plumage cleanliness, as well as litter condition, were scored according to previously developed point scale systems. Litter quality was evaluated according to pH level, moisture, water-holding capacity, and ammonia content. Results: No significant differences were found among litter types in terms of pH, moisture content, or ammonia levels. WS had a significant positive effect on footpad health and plumage cleanliness. However, hock burn was not affected by different bedding types. The severity of pododermatitis was negatively correlated with litter type (r = –0.78; p < 0.001) and positively correlated with the litter scores (r = 0.67; p < 0.001). However, contact dermatitis observed (pododermatitis and hock burn) was not correlated with any of the physicochemical parameters we studied. Meanwhile, we observed a correlation between footpad lesions and hock burn (r = 0.45; p < 0.05), and between footpad lesions and plumage cleanliness (r = 0.59; p < 0.01). Conclusion: For all litter types examined, contact dermatitis was not correlated with any of the physicochemical components we studied. There were, however, significant correlations between litter type and footpad lesions, as well as between footpad dermatitis and hock burns.

Background: This study was conducted to determine the effect of particles size of starter diet on growth performance of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 384 Arbor Acres broiler chicks were usedin a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replicates of 32 birds each.Birds were fed diets with 3 particles sizes of starter diet (T1: 1.0 mm; T2: 0.8 mm; T3: 0.7 mm) during the first week of life. At 7 d, the same starter diet was offered in a crumbled form until 10 d of age. Then, common grower and finisher diets were provided in a pelleted form. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rate were evaluated at 7, 14 and 42 days of age. Result: The results showed thatchicks receiving diet with intermediate particles size (0.8 mm) had the higher BW at 7 and 14 d. The FCR was also improved (-6.25%; P less than 0.01) with the same diet at 7 days of age. No feed particle size effect for FIand mortality was observed throughout the 42 d trial. In conclusion, birds fed intermediate particles size (0.8 mm) diet showed better FCR and BW at starter phase. However, no significant effect was observed at slaughter age.

Background: This study aims to determine the effects of supplementary diets with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on biochemical parameters in Ouled Djellel ewes at early and late lactation. Methods: Thirty pregnant ewes, were divided into 5 groups. All ewes received wheat straw (1Kg),in addition to wheat straw, the control group (33CON) received 500 g of concentrate. The other groups (8.33REB,25REB, 16REB,16REBsc) were fed with a mixture of date waste and concentrate in different proportions,and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a rate of 2 gr/ewe for the 5th group. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of lactation to determine biochemical profile by spectrophotometry.Feed analyses were performed according to AOAC standards. Results: Ewes fed the 8.33REB,25REB,16.6REB,16.6REBsc rations had lower serum levels for the majority of biochemical parameters compared to the 33CON control group.The results indicated that serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and urea decreased slightly in the groups supplemented with date waste and Saccharomyces cervicea (P and lt;0.05)whereas,albumin and cholesterol were marginally significant.Therefore,date waste could be distributed, partially to ewes as an alternative to concentrate.

Background: In Algeria, COVID-19 containment procedures 2020-2021 have put the livestock sector in a critical situation, particularly in the Saharan regions where animal feed is based on supplies from other regions. Indeed, a famine has threatened the herds, but the breeders have been able to save their animals by an unconventional diet. The knowledge of these nutritional measures and know-how makes it possibleto evaluate local products andto guide Algerian decision-makers towards a safer food strategy that is well adapted to the Sahara region. Methods: We used the “12MO method”, which is a retrospective survey based on the declarations of the breeders for the last twelve months. 12MO served as a basic tool for a systemic analysis conducted in 110 farms in different areas of Oued Souf (Sahara of Algeria). Result: The results highlighted changes in animal feed, under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic through unconventional feeding. 6 feeds were distinguished, including 4 crop residues (PoCR; PeCR; CCR ; TCR) and 2 by-products (PD By-P; PD By-P). During a year of containment, it was not only the interrelationship (agriculture/livestock) that has secured the feeding herds in the Saharan environment, but the breeder’s solidarity has significantly contributed in that also.

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