Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the effects of incorporating the by-products complex of date and apricot on the fattening performance of the New Zealand breed of rabbits, to reduce the economic costs of the food formula.Materials and Methods:A total of 288 young New Zealand rabbits aged 35 days were divided into four equal groups each containing 72 animals and into sub-groups of 6 rabbits per cage, depending on the rate of substitution of corn by date rebus and of soybean meal by apricot kernel meal (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%).Results:The change in weight from day 35 to 77 and the average daily gain are not significantly different, regardless of the diet. The pH and water content are proportional to the substitution rates (6.4-6.6% and 66.5-68.8%). Meat protein levels increased significantly, in particular for the 10% and 30% groups (+8.1% and 6%) while the fat and mineral content levels decreased significantly, in particular for the 30% group displaying −16% and −17%, respectively. Incorporation of dates and apricot kernel meal into the ration of rabbits reduces the cost of the kilogram of food produced of −9%, with an opportunity cost of 165 Algerian dinars (DZD).Conclusion:The date rebus/apricot kernel meal complex can be used as an alternative to the corn/soybean meal complex at substitution rates of up to 30% without adverse effects on growth rates, feed contribution, or slaughter yield. It improves the chemical composition of the meat and reduces the cost price of the quintal of feed produced.

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Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the effects of incorporating three local oasis by-products [cull dates (CDs), date pedicels (DPs) treated with urea, and juice from rumen content] into the food ration of Ouled Djellal lambs on fattening performance and carcass characteristics.Materials and Methods:The experiment was carried out over 105 days, with an adaptation period of 15 days, on four groups each consisting of 10 male Ouled Djellal lambs aged 7-8 months with an average live body weight of 32±1.5 kg, randomly distributed, and raised in tie stalls. The basic rations were formulated at a rate of 0% (control), 50%, 80%, and 100% substitution of barley straw by DPs treated with urea. The additional rations intended for the experimental groups consisted of 100% substitution of corn by CDs. Before distributed, they were sprayed with rumen content extract (RCE) at a rate of 250 ml/kg.Results:The 100% group displayed a highly significant difference compared to the other groups, with a live body weight of 43 kg (p<0.05), an average daily gain of 191 g, and feed efficiency of 5.08. These three parameters developed in proportion to the rates of incorporation of CDs and pedicels treated with urea. The carcass yield of the 100% group (48.7%) is significantly higher than the other groups while the thickness of back fat is significantly lower. Economically speaking, the profit margin of the 100% group is 30.93 Algerian dinars (DZD) per day per animal.Conclusion:The use of by-products of the date palm (CDs and pedicels) combined with RCE in animal feed with a view to fattening sheep, in particular in oasis zones, represents an alternative in enhancing growth performances and carcass characteristics and offers a relatively cheap prospect for the availability of red meat for populations with low purchasing power.

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The economic value of animal production depends on the price of raw materials used in feed formulas and the level of incorporation of agroindustrial by-products of low-added value. The study aimed to determine the effects of incorporating dehydrated tomato pulp (DTP) at rates of 30, 40 and 60% instead of dehydrated alfalfa in the diet of fattening rabbits on growth and slaughter performances, meat quality and economic efficiency. One hundred and twenty local rabbits, called the 'white population,' weaned at 33 day of age, were randomly divided into 4 groups of 30 animals, identified and distributed in cages, 6 rabbits/cage, i.e. 5 replicates per group. There were no statistically significant differences among groups concerning growth performance for the whole study period (days 33-77). The liver weight of the 60% DTP group was positively influenced (on average +20 g) in comparison to the control, while the perirenal fat weight took values inversely proportional to the DTP incorporation rate for the experimental groups. The middle part (loin) was heavier in 30% DTP group (on average +68 g) in comparison to the control group. The partial substitution of dehydrated alfalfa by DTP improved the economic efficiency of the 60% DTP group (on average +0.38%). So, DTP might remain an alternative to the substitution of alfalfa at rates of 60% without negative effects on the growth performance, slaughter performance, carcasses characteristics and at the same time it may assure cost-effectiveness.

Background and Aim: The rearing of quails can have a stronger attraction for the breeders if we lower the cost prices by introducing by-products in their feed formulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of soybean meal by apricot kernel cake (AKC) in the diet of quails, applied either sequentially or during all phases of rearing, on their growth performances, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical composition. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 one-day-old quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with equal sex ratio and weighing on average 7±0.2 g, were randomly distributed in one control group and three experimental groups, the latter being designed according to the rate of application of AKC in either sequential or non-sequential mode in different rearing phases. Each group was divided into five replicates of 30 quails, randomly distributed according to either substitution rate of soybean meal by the AKC (0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%) or farming phase. Results: The average daily gain from the 1st to 45th days (average daily gain1–45d) was found to be the highest (4.24 g/d/subject, p=0.021) for the 30% AKC-supplemented feed lot in either starter or finish incorporation (DFTAA), having an optimum final live weight of 193.4 g (p=0.028), a lowest feed conversion ratio of 3.08 (p=0.001), and a daily feed intake of 860 g (p=0.01). Carcass yield was recorded the highest (74.4%, p=0.02) with an optimum meat protein level (30.6%, p=0.024) and the lowest fat content (2.26%, p=0.001) for the same group as well. Conclusion: The partial substitution of soybean meal by AKC in the quails' fattening feeding, during the finishing phase and for all rearing phases, led to a better growth performance, a better carcass yield, and an improved chemical composition of meat.

Background and Aim: The potential solution is to use agro-industrial by-products as an unconventional source of raw materials for broiler feed. This study aims to determine the effects of substituting prickly pear (FB; Opuntia ficus-indica) husks for corn and FB seed cake for soybean meal on the production performance, slaughter characteristics, and chemical composition of broiler meat. Materials and Methods: Two hundred day-old chicks of equal sex ratio (1:1) of Big Fast strain, weighing on average 37±2g, were randomly divided into four homogeneous groups of 50 subjects each. Each group was subdivided into 10 packs of five animals, which were banded and numbered. Rations with substitution rates of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of corn and soybean meal by dehydrated husks and FB cake were randomly distributed among the groups. Results: Average daily gains and body weights on 48 days were improved (p<0.05) in 10% and 20% groups, while the 30% group performed identically to the control. Cold carcass yield was optimal in 10% and 20% groups. The liver weight of the experimental groups decreased significantly (p<0.05), while their gizzard weight increased significantly (+24 points). The meat protein rate evolved proportionally to the substitution rate, whereas the fat rate depreciated by up to –1.08 points for the 30% group compared to the control. Conclusion: Incorporating FB processing by-products into broiler feed at rates of 10% and 20% improves zootechnical performance, carcass yields, and the chemical composition of the meat.