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Volume 15 (4); July 2025
Research Paper
Availability, utilization practices and farmers' perception of phytogenic feed additives for chicken production in northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia
Yegrem M, Animut G, and Mekuriaw Y.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 186-197, 2025; pii: S222877012500022-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.22
Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the availability, utilization practices, and farmers' perceptions of phytogenic feed additives for chicken production in Bahir Dar city and North Gojjam zone of Amhara region. The study included three areas (Bahir Dar city, North Achefer, and Bahir Dar Zuria districts), from which 320 respondents were selected from eight Kebeles. Data were collected from farm observations, individual interviews, and focus group discussions, supplemented by secondary information from agricultural offices records, and research publications. The study revealed a total of 1625.6 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) of chickens in the study areas, and the average chicken holding per household (HH) was 5.08 TLU. Phytogenics were used as chicken feed additives by farmers in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, with utilization rates of 58.3, 56.3, and 52.5%, respectively. Phytogenic feed additives such as Neem (Azadirachta indica), Girawa (Vernonia amygdalina), and Nech shinkurt (Allium sativum) ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their availability and 1st, 3rd, and 2nd in their utilization practices, respectively. The large majority of urban and peri-urban chicken producers (70.9 and 73.8%, respectively) had awareness of phytogenic feed additive utilization practices for chicken production. Phytogenic feed additives support sustainable poultry production in Ethiopia by improving food security, public health, environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Their use supports with national development goals and key sustainable development goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, good health and well-being and climate action. This finding suggests that phytogenic feed additives are readily available and utilized in the study area for chicken production at the farmer's level, albeit with no defined doses. Further research is needed to verify the effects of these phytogenic feed additives on chicken performance, and a nationwide assessment should be conducted to quantify their potential.
Keywords: Farmer's awareness, Girawa plant, Neem, Phytogenic feed additives, Poultry nutrition.
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Research Paper
Effect of dietary Spirulina platensis supplementation on growth, carcass composition, and haematological parameters of pabda (Ompok pabda)
Akter T, Das M, Noman S, Islam R, and Bristy FS.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 198-209, 2025; pii: S222877012500023-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.23
Abstract
The study was conducted to find out the effects and optimum level of dietary Spirulina platensis (Spirulina) supplementation on growth and haematological parameters of pabda (Ompok pabda). Five experimental diets were prepared containing 33% protein. Different levels of Spirulina (0% as control or S0, S2.5%, S5%, S7.5% and S10%) were supplemented at the expense of fish meal (FM), respectively. Up to 10% of the total dietary protein (33%) in the control diet was replaced by Spirulina protein in the experimental diets. The feeding experiment was carried out in five treatments with three replications for 10 weeks. The water quality parameters viz. ammonia, dissolve oxygen, pH, and temperature were within the suitable range for pabda culture. The best growth performance was observed in the fish fed with 10% Spirulina supplemented feed followed by 7.5%, 5% and 2.5% Spirulina supplemented diet (P ˂ 0.05). Maximum survival rate (98%) and hepatosomatic index (1.37) of pabda was also found in S10% Spirulina group. But the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing level of Spirulina supplementation which indicated better feed utilization. In case of carcass composition of pabda, the highest percentage of crude protein and ash were observed in fish fed with 10% followed by 7.5%, 5%, 2.5% S. platensis supplemented diet (P ˂ 0.05). Likewise, haematological condition in fish fed with 10% Spirulina supplemented diet resulted better in this study. Therefore, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of 10% S. platensis protein with FM protein may significantly improve the growth and the haematological parameters of O. pabda.
Keywords: Feed supplement, Fish meal, Growth, Haematology, Ompok pabda, Spirulina platensis.
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Research Paper
Effect of temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) powder in reducing proteolysis in fermented total mixed ration with okara for ruminants
Sujarnoko TUP, Lim MS, Budiono D, Sholeha NA, Alifian MD, Ujilestari T, and Sholikin MM.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 210-219, 2025; pii: S222877012500024-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.24
Abstract
High protein content in silage feed often triggered excessive proteolysis caused by proteases derived from both plants and spoilage bacteria, which reduced the nutritional quality for ruminants. Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) is an herbal plant with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which have been reported to reduce proteolysis in previous studies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of temulawak powder (TP) as an anti-proteolysis additive in the fermentation of total mixed ration-based okara silage (TMRO-silage) and its impact on silage characteristics. Additionally, the study examined the effects of drying temperature on temulawak extract optimization. Temulawak was dried at 50, 65, and 80°C, followed by the measurement of phenol, flavonoid, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) content. The TMRO-silage was composed of commercial feed and okaras (1:1 w/w), supplemented with 0-1% temulawak in increments of 0.25% (5 treatments and 4 replications). Fermentation lasted for 14 days. Proximate and in vitro analyses (control vs. temulawak treatments) were conducted to assess silage quality. Drying temulawak at 65°C significantly (P < 0.01) increased phenol (16.9 µg quercetin equivalent, QE), flavonoid (23.3 µg QE), and FRAP (30.1 µg QE) content per dry weight. Temulawak supplementation significantly reduced ammonia levels and increased the crude protein content of TMRO-silage (P < 0.01). Moreover, it decreased ammonia concentration in the rumen (P < 0.01), improved dry matter and organic matter digestibility (P < 0.05), and notably reduced methane production per total gas volume (P < 0.05). In conclusion, temulawak effectively preserves the quality of complete feed silage, enhances rumen metabolism, and mitigates methane emissions.
Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Antioxidant properties, Fermentation, Proteolysis, Silage quality.
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Research Paper
Evaluation of surface lipids of sheep wool following dietary inclusion of emulsified fatty acid complex
Tkachuk V, Kyryliv B, Ohorodnyk N, and Motko N.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 220-227, 2025; pii: S222877012500025-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.25
Abstract
Fatty acids, particularly ω-3, ω-6, and ω-9 play vital roles in sheep nutrition, but their influence on the protective properties of wool grease remained unclear. This study assessed the effects of dietary supplementation with an emulsified fatty acid complex on both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of wool surface lipids in adult Prekos ewes and their lambs. The experimental group received a water soluble emulsion containing linoleic, oleic, palmitic, arachidonic, stearic, and α linolenic acids incorporated into the basal diet. Wax content was determined via Soxhlet extraction, and sweat salts were measured by aqueous extraction. Lipid classes were separated by thin layer chromatography, and fatty acid profiles were quantified using gas liquid chromatography. Results indicate a significant increase in wax secretion in ewes (P < 0.01) and lambs (P < 0.05), along with a decrease in sweat pH among lambs (P < 0.05). In ewe wax, levels of lanosterol (P < 0.01) and esterified cholesterol (P < 0.05) were elevated; lamb wax exhibited increases in lanosterol (P < 0.05) and dehydrocholesterol (P < 0.05). Both ewes and lambs showed a reduction in polar lipid content (P < 0.05), suggesting diminished accumulation of oxidative products. Analysis of fatty acid composition in the ewe group revealed significant increases in cerotic (C26:0; P < 0.001), lauric (C12:0; P < 0.01), and oleic (C18:1; P < 0.01) acids. Therefore, dietary inclusion of an emulsified fatty acid complex enhances the protective properties of wool grease by modulating wax and fatty acid composition, with potential benefits for fiber integrity and resilience.
Keywords: Emulsified fatty acids; Fleece lipids; Hexacosanoic acid; Sweat secretion; Wool wax.
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Research Paper
Degradation characteristics of crude protein and crude fiber of legume forages in the rumen of goat
Yahya M, Ismartoyo I, Islamiyati R.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 228-236, 2025; pii: S222877012500026-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.26
Abstract
The nutritional value of a feedstuff depends not only on its chemical composition but also on the capacity of rumenal microbes to colonize and degrade it. This study compared the in sacco degradation kinetics of four legume forages (Moringa oleifera, Leucaena leucocephala, Indigofera and Gliricidia sepium) using three rumen fistulated goats in a 4×3 completely randomized design (CRD). Seventy-two nylon bags (10 × 5 cm, 40–50 μm pore size) containing 5 g of each forage (ground to 2 mm) were incubated for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours (12 bags per time point). The study determined the soluble fraction (a), potentially degradable fraction (b), total degradable fraction (a+b), degradation rate constant of fraction b (c), lag time (Lt), degradation effectiveness (DE), and rumen undegradable protein (RUP). The results of CP degradation revealed no significant differences among forages in fractions a, b, or a + b, but fraction c, Lt, DE, and RUP differed significantly. The degradation rate (c, h⁻¹) of crude protein ranked as Moringa (0.17) > Leucaena (0.09) = Indigofera (0.09) > Gliricidia (0.03), while Lt was shortest for Moringa (3.60 h) and longest for Gliricidia (11.96 h). Moringa and Indigofera exhibited the highest DE and lowest RUP of all treatments. Similar trends were observed for crude fiber: Moringa showed the greatest DE (26.72% Lt) compared to Leucaena (18.76 h Lt). In conclusion, all four legumes were efficiently degraded in the goat rumen, through the rate and extent of degradation varied markedly among species, reflecting differences in their biochemical composition and structural carbohydrates.
Keywords: Crude Fiber, Crude Protein, Degradation Characteristics, Goat, Legumes
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Review
Types and applications of innovative artificial intelligence in poultry farms
Abd El-Ghany WA.
Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 15(4): 237-245, 2025; pii: S222877012500027-15
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2025.27
Abstract
The poultry farming world-wide face many challenges that adversely affects the production proficiency. Finding the optimal balance humans and the automation efficiency is crucial to obtain a maximum profit. Besides, improving of poultry welfare and production efficiencies necessitate some advanced modern technologies. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven systems is regarded as an innovative solution to address many farm management problems. By the integration of AI, the industry has the opportunity to grow in terms of production quantity and poultry care quality with minimal added expense. Types of AI technology in poultry farms include machine learning techniques and robots. The machine learning technique decreases the need for big labeled data for training and helps in the transfer of knowledge, fast training, and better generalization on new tasks to enhance the performance parameters. This technique has different approaches such as Support Vector Machine, Single Shot MultiBox Detector, and Convolutional Neural Network that have a potential to reduce the labor and time and offer promising solutions for the rapid warning and accurate identification and differentiation of problems associated with poultry health. Moreover, innovative robots have been applied in poultry farms for monitoring, management, and environmental control as well as exploring of social dynamics. They are used in poultry farms for collections of eggs carcasses and eggs and transportation and slaughtering. Collectively, AI programs could be applied in poultry production for controlling environmental conditions, monitoring some behavioral conditions such as feeding, preventing some diseases, and correction of the hazardous usage of antibiotics with combating the increased incidence of antimicrobial resistance, and finally aiding in the rapid treatment. Therefore, this review highlights the types of AI models and their potential applications in poultry production.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, behavior, diseases, environment, machine learning technique, poultry, robots
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