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Volume 15 (3); May 2025 [Booklet]
Research Paper
Effects of sesame meal substitution on carcass parameters and meat quality of growing male lambs
Ata M and Obeidat BS.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 126-131, 2025; pii: S222877012500015-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.15
Abstract
This study was established to determine how Awassi male lamb carcass and meat quality features would change if soybean meal were substituted with sesame meal. Twenty-four lambs started with 15.7 ± 0.33 kg BW were chosen and allocated randomly to two dietary treatments; the 0% sesame meal (CON diet) or the 12.5% sesame meal (SM12.5 diet). Lambs were placed in experimental pens separately that equipped with plastic waterers feeders to allow free access to diets and water throughout the experiment. Lambs were slaughtered at day 84 for measuring carcass traits and meat quality. Fasted and carcass weights were measured as dressing percentage was calculated. Non-carcass parts were separated from the carcass and weighed. Carcass features examination included measuring carcass linear dimensions, leg cuts and longissimus dorsi muscle characteristics. Meat quality was evaluated after two weeks for color (L*a*b* co-ordinates), pH, water holding capacity, values of shear force and cooking loss. Lambs consumed SM12.5 had more (P < 0.05) fasting live weight (kg), and weights of hot and cold carcasses compared to CON group. Other carcass measurements were not affected by the SM inclusion (P > 0.05). Similarly, meat quality parameters did not differ between the two dietary treatments. Therefore, according to these findings, feeding SM to Awassi lambs would not have an adverse impact on the quality of their meat or carcass characteristics. However, performance was enhanced as the fasting weight, as well as hot and cold carcass weight was improved.
Keywords: Awassi lambs, Carcass Characteristics, Dietary treatments, Meat Quality, Sesame meal.
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Research Paper
Prevalence and economic consequences of umbilical lesions in livestock farming
Ayvazoğlu Demir P, Aydin E, Yildiz U, Aydin U, and Aksoy Ö.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 132-139, 2025; pii: S222877012500016-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.16
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of umbilical lesions in calves within livestock enterprises and to assess the economic losses they incur. The analysis is based on clinical data from 815 umbilical lesion cases recorded over a 17-year period, supplemented by findings from a Delphi survey conducted with expert veterinarians. The results indicated that umbilical lesions predominantly occur in March and April, and 53% of affected calves are younger than one month old. It was observed that 72.8% of umbilical lesions occurred in Simmental calves. Additionally, umbilical urachus fistula was more commonly diagnosed in females, while omphalitis was more prevalent in males. The incidence rate of umbilical lesions was calculated at 38.6%, with a surgical success rate of 73.9%. Postoperative complications were observed in 28.9% of cases, and 53.8% of the calves were culled due to growth retardation or further complications. The estimated cost of surgical intervention and postoperative treatment for umbilical lesions was determined to be $101.3 per calf. However, this cost increased to $245.6 in cases complicated by postoperative complications and developmental delays. Despite the fact that umbilical lesions can be largely prevented through simple postnatal hygiene measures, their incidence remains high, leading to substantial economic losses in Türkiye.
Keywords: Calves, Delphi survey, Economic losses, Hygiene measures, Postnatal infections, Surgical intervention.
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Research Paper
Response of heat stressed broilers to ameliorating effects of synthetic vitamin C and Citrus sinensis extract
Ayoola MO, Oladejo OA, Adeleye BE, Oguntunji AO, Alabi OM, Lawal TE and Aderemi FA.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 140-149, 2025; pii: S222877012500017-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.17
Abstract
Heat stress is a critical environmental factor in the poultry industry, negatively impacting performance and causing economic losses. High temperatures reduce productivity and increase mortality. This study used 120 Abor Acre broilers (28 days old, 1.050 ± 0.4 kg) fed standard commercial feed. At day 35, 30 birds were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: T1 (water as control), T2 (30 mg/L synthetic vitamin C based on manufacturers’ dosage), T3 (30 ml/L orange extract), and T4 (50 ml/L orange extract), each in three replicates. Birds were exposed to artificial heat stress (36 ± 2°C) for 15 days using an automated heater, with unrestricted access to feed and treatment solutions. Physiological data were recorded periodically, and blood samples were collected on days 0, 5, 10 and 15 for serum biochemical analysis. Data were analyzed using the SAS procedure for repeated and non-repeated measures. Results showed significantly higher final body weight (FBW) and average body weight gain (ABWG) in T4 compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was highest in T4 chickens, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lowest, indicating superior feed efficiency. Rectal temperature, body temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were significantly highest in T1 group (P < 0.05). Serum biochemical markers (AST, ALT, glucose, and creatinine) were highest in T1, whereas T4 recorded the lowest values. T1 broilers had the highest external and internal thermal gradients, while T4 had the lowest. Glycogen reserves were highest in T4 group. The study concludes that sweet orange extract, especially at a 50% concentration, is a viable organic alternative to synthetic vitamin C (30 mg/L) for mitigating heat stress in broilers. It enhances growth performance, feed efficiency, and physiological stability under heat stress, making it a sustainable solution for poultry production in tropical climates.
Keywords: Broiler, Heat stress, Serum, Sweet orange extract, Vitamin C.
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Research Paper
Effect of probiotic supplement on growing lambs of the lacon breed during the suckling period
Tsvihun A, Karatieievа O, Ponko L, Yakovchuk V, Yulevich O and Ponichtera P.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 150-158, 2025; pii: S222877012500018-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.18
Abstract
Dairy lambs are susceptible to many pathogens that can affect their subsequent performance. The use of probiotics in the rearing of Lacon lambs during the suckling period has been identified as a means of maintaining intestinal microbial balance. Studies have shown that probiotics can be used as an alternative therapy that prevents the use of antibiotics and, thus, can reduce the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as antibiotic residues in dairy products, meat and milk. In addition, it increases the growth rate of the animal and its stress resistance under various conditions. In this regard, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the impact using the therapeutic and probiotic supplement Immunobacterin-D on the growth and development of Lacon dairy lambs and their clinical parameters during the suckling period. It was found that the use of the probiotic supplement Immunobacterin-D during the suckling period of Lacon dairy lamb provided an increase in average daily gains by 16.1%, an increase in the content of total protein by 15.8% and an increase in the level of globulin proteins by 35.4%, which indicates a high resistance of the lambs' organism. Thus, the use of the probiotic Immunobacterin-D in feeding lambs had a positive effect on their growth rate, development, improved their health and adaptive capacity, as they showed greater resistance to elevated ambient temperatures compared to those that did not receive the supplement. The use of the probiotic increases the stress resistance of lambs, which can be used as one of the effective approaches in the breeding system of Lacon sheep.
Keywords: Breeding system, Gastrointestinal microbiota, Intestinal microbial balance, Sheep, Stress resistance.
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Research Paper
Determination of brewery yeast-treated crop residues as animal feed resource
Getachew M, Amare T, and Yimer E.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 159-167, 2025; pii: S222877012500019-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.19
Abstract
The study evaluates the effects of brewery yeast to improve the nutritional value and in vitro digestibility of selected crop residues in Dessie Town, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design (CRD) with a 3×5 factorial arrangement, i.e., three-selected crop residues (Teff straw, maize, and sorghum stover) with five levels of fermentation periods (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days). The mean crude protein (CP) values of brewery-spent yeast (BSY) treated Teff straw, maize stover, and sorghum stover treated crop residues were 7.85%, 14.3%, and 14.78%, respectively. Among proximate and detergent values of the interaction effect of fermentation period and crop residue type, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), estimated metabolizable energy (EME), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content were significantly (p < 0.01) varied at different fermentation periods. While ash, organic matter (OM), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content were highly significant (p < 0.001) variations between the interaction of crop residues and the fermentation period. The value of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of BSY treated crop residue was significantly (p < 0.001) varied for the interaction of crop residue type and fermentation period. The EME, IVDMD, and IVOMD of BSY treated crop residues were observed in the range of 7.54-10.64 MJ/kg, 54.44%-61.46%, and 47.14%-66.48%, respectively. Therefore, the study investigates how brewery yeast can enhance the nutritional quality and in vitro digestibility of certain crop residues in Dessie Town, Ethiopia. It followed a random design with three crop residues (Teff straw, maize stover, and sorghum stover) and six fermentation periods. Treated residues showed varying crude protein values and significant differences in in vitro digestibility and energy content. Therefore, utilizing brewery-spent yeast (BSY) presents a cost-effective and sustainable approach to enhancing the nutritional value and in vitro digestibility of crop residues. Further studies may explore the scalability of BSY treatments and their effects on livestock performance.
Keywords: Brewery spent yeast, Crop residue, In vitro digestibility, Nutritional value.
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Research Paper
The effect of nitrogen and sulfur in making oncom of cassava pulp by Neurospora sitophila and its impact on in vitro digestibility and fermentability in sheep diet
Hernaman I, Dhalika T, Tanuwiria UH, Ayuningsih B, Budiman A, Hidayat R, Rosani U, Mutaqin BK, Nugraha MR, and Ismiraj MR.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 168-174, 2025; pii: S222877012500020-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.20
Abstract
This study focused on the modification of oncom making based on cassava (Manihot esculenta) pulp to improve the nutritional profile through fermentation by Neurospora sitophila and enrichment with a mixture of urea (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% of dry matter) and a nitrogen:sulfur ratio of 15:1 (oncom cassava pulp= OCP). Hence an investigation was carried out on the in vitro digestibility and fermentability of OCP when included in sheep diets. In vitro evaluation (diet oncom cassava pulp; DOCP) was carried out on diets consisted of a mixture of 50% grass and 50% concentrate containing 2.5%OCP (which selected based on the highest analysed crude protein and crude fiber levels when compared to the nutrient contents of other enriched OCP levels, P < 0.001) with compositions of 0, 10, 20, and 30% of DOCP. Results showed that the higher use of urea and nitrogen:sulfur ratio caused a decrease in crude fiber and gross energy and an increase in nitrogen-free extract (NFE) levels (P < 0.001). Using 2.5%OCP in the diet resulted in significantly different N-ammonia (N-NH3), volatile fatty acid (VFA), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (P < 0.05), except for total gas and ruminal pH values. The highest IVDMD and IVOMD were obtained in 30% DOCP with a close N-NH3 and VFA and within the normal range. In summary, CP fermentation by Neurospora sitophila which is enriched with a mixture of 2.5% urea and nitrogen:sulfur at a 15:1 ratio can be used in sheep diet up to 30%.
Keywords: Chemical additives, Feed, Fermentation, Neurospora sitophila, Rumen.
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Review
Estimation of body weight from biometric traits of chickens using regression statistical method: a systematic review
Tsenane JA, Tyasi TL, and Tada O.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(3): 175-185, 2025; pii: S222877012500021-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.21
Abstract
Live body weight is a vital tool when placing price on the chickens for profit and to assess decisions to be made in selection of animals and other husbandry practices. However, the chicken farmers, especially the resource limited farmers, lack weighing scales to perform these animal husbandry practices. The objective of this study was to systematically review the articles published on the estimation of live body weight from biometric traits of chickens using regression statistical methods. Databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science, with the combination of the following keywords: “Body weight” or “body mass”, “biometric traits” “zoometric measurements” or “Morphological traits” or “linear body measurements” or “Morphometric traits” or “body parameters” or “growth traits” or “growth performance traits”, chicken or poultry or “Gallus gallus domesticus” or fowl, regression. There were limited articles that aimed to predict live body weight using regression statistical method across the world. A total of fourteen articles were published between the years 2009 and 2024. The results indicated that stepwise linear regression method was mostly used by 39% of the articles included, followed by multiple regression method and simple linear regression method by 22% of the included articles each. The results indicated that the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.970) was recorded on the model of combination of body length (BL) and breast length (BRL) using multiple linear regression method on chickens. The limitation is that some articles did not include either sex or age of the animals that can make it difficult to make conclusion for different sexes and ages. This systematic review concludes that the multiple linear regression statistical method is the best in estimating live body weight in chickens with combination of BL and BRL. As a practical suggestion, it would be best for breeders to select chickens with the highest measurements of BL and BRL to improve the live body weight of the chickens.
Keywords: Biometric traits, Body weight, Chicken, Linear body measurements, Regression.
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