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Volume 16 (2); March 2026

Research Paper

The effects of pen design for farrowing and boar breed on reproductive traits of sows

Hlukhenkyi S, Lykhach V, Lykhach A, Barkar Y, Izhboldina O, and Mylostyvyi R.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 59-71, 2026; pii: S222877012600008-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.8 

Abstract

Modern pig production increasingly requires compliance with welfare-oriented housing standards, prompting farms to modernize farrowing systems while maintaining productive performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of farrowing pen design during the suckling period and boar line on the reproductive performance of sows, piglet growth, and survival under industrial conditions aligned with contemporary animal welfare requirements. The experiment was conducted using a 2 × 2 factorial design involving 192 sows (Large White × Landrace) of second to fourth parity and 2,443 piglets obtained through terminal crossbreeding with Maxter and PIC 337 boars. Animals were fed complete diets and housed under controlled microclimate conditions. Reproductive traits, piglet survival, and sow backfat thickness were assessed using standardized methods and subjected to statistical analysis. Sows housed in fixed traditional farrowing pens exhibited superior reproductive performance compared with those kept in improved welfare-oriented pens. The boar line significantly affected the total number of piglets born and the number born alive, with the highest total number of piglets born (14.1 piglets) recorded in sows inseminated with PIC 337 semen. Farrowing pen design had a significant effect on litter size, litter uniformity, stillbirth rate, litter weight at weaning, sow backfat thickness, and piglet weaning weight. The highest average daily gain and piglet live weight at weaning were observed in Group 1, whereas the lowest values were recorded in Group 4. Piglet survival to weaning was the highest in Group 3 (97.3%). A combined effect of farrowing pen design and boar line was identified for milk performance (defined as total milk output estimated from litter weight gain), litter uniformity index (reflecting within-litter variation in piglet body weight), and piglet survival. The practical significance of these findings lies in providing science-based recommendations for selecting farrowing pen configurations and boar lines that support welfare-compliant and efficient pig production systems in Ukraine. The study demonstrates a performance–welfare trade-off, whereby traditional pens improved piglet growth parameters, while welfare-oriented improved pens enhanced sow mobility. This balance should be considered when implementing welfare-compliant farrowing systems. 
Keywords: Breeding systems, Fertility, Performance, Pig, Welfare.

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Research Paper

Physical properties and nutritional quality of wafer made from sugarcane bagasse-indigofera mixture as feed for ruminant

Ali A, Rodiallah M, Misrianti R, Harahap AE, Juliantoni J, and Lase DHMS.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 72-81, 2026; pii: S222877012600009-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.9 

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the best composition of sugarcane bagasse and Indigofera (legume plant) as main ingredients for wafer formulation for ruminant feed based on physical properties, nutritional quality and palatability. The research was conducted using a complete randomized design (CRD) consisting of 3 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatment was a ration formulation consisting of 6 feed ingredients arranged by the trials and error method with estimated crude protein content (CP) of 12.1-14.2%. The use of Indigofera from 30% to 40% was significantly (P<0.05) improved wafer color score. The use of 35% and 40% Indigofera was significantly (P<0.05) increased the wafer texture score from 3.06 to 3.35. An increase in Indigofera used from 30% to 40% was significantly (P<0.05) improved wafer odor scores. It was found that the difference in the composition of bagasse and Indigofera in wafer formulation gave a significant (P<0.05) difference to the value of wafer density. The difference in the percentage of bagasse and Indigofera in the formulation was not significantly (P>0.05) affecting the water absorption of wafers. The increase in the percentage of Indigofera was significantly (P<0.05) increased the CP and ash content and decreased crude fibre (CF) content of wafer. The increasing in the percentage of Indigofera from 30% to 35% and 40% was significantly (P<0.05) increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) total of wafer. The increase in the use of Indigofera from 30% to 35% and 40% in wafer formulations was significantly (P<0.05) lowering wafer palatability in goats. Based on data from physical properties, nutrient content, and in vitro digestibility, it can be concluded that the best wafer formulation was 25% bagasse + 40% Indigofera.  
Keywords: Legume, Nutritional quality, Physical treatment, Physical quality, Sugarcane by-product, Wafer formulation.

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Research Paper

In situ degradation of heat-treated plant protein leaf meals to extrapolate rumen bypass potential in rumen - fistulated Brahman cattle

Cortez CN, Bestil LC, Patiga EM, Gacutan MD, and Leorna M.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 82-89, 2026; pii: S222877012600010-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.10 

Abstract

Many plant protein leaf meals (LM) remain unassessed for their rumen bypass potential following heat treatment. This study aimed to evaluate whether heat treatment could reduce ruminal degradability and improve bypass protein availability in five LMs—ipil-ipil (ILM), kakawate (KaLM), moringa (MLM), kudzu (KuLM), and gumamela (GLM). A total of 60 nylon bags (3 replicates per treatment) containing untreated or heat-treated LMs were incubated for 24 h in a rumen-fistulated Brahman bull using a completely randomized design. Heat treatment reduced mean crude protein degradability (CPD) by 7.6% (81.41% untreated vs. 73.77% treated; P = 0.006), with the largest reductions recorded in ILM (−23.9%), KuLM (−14.7%), and GLM (−6.8%). In contrast, dry matter degradability (DMD: 69.76% vs. 68.65%) and organic matter degradability (OMD: 74.44% vs. 70.56%) were not significantly affected. Among the LMs, moringa consistently exhibited the highest degradability (CPD = 98.27%, DMD = 94.98%, OMD = 97.00%), whereas kudzu had the lowest (CPD = 68.69%, DMD = 48.52%, OMD = 54.21%). Degradability trends were influenced by drought-resistance, botanical classification (legume vs. non-legume), and growth form (tree, shrub, creeping). Legume LMs were 16% less digestible in protein content than non-legumes, and creeping types were 19% less digestible than non-creeping types. Heat treatment further lowered CPD in both categories, indicating its capacity to enhance bypass protein potential. These findings suggest that targeted application of heat treatment, especially for ipil-ipil, kudzu, and gumamela, offers a practical strategy to improve protein utilization efficiency in ruminant feeding systems by increasing post-ruminal protein supply.
Keywords: Brahman cattle, Heat-treatment, In situ degradation, Leaf meal, Rumen.

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Research Paper

Influence of different levels of rumen content as a replacement for grass meal in compound feed on the productivity of Kazakh fine-wool sheep

Kenenbay G, Chomanov U, and Idayatova M.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 90-97, 2026; pii: S222877012600011-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.11 

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of replacing grass meal with different inclusion levels of dried rumen content on the growth performance of Kazakh fine-wool sheep. Twenty five-month-old intact male sheep (initial body weight 32.1 ± 0.20 kg) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups for 60 days following a fifteen-day adaptation period. The control diet contained no rumen content, while experimental diets included 10%, 20%, and 30% dried rumen content (a mixture of cattle and sheep rumen content at a ratio of 60:40). Inclusion of rumen content at 10–20% significantly improved average daily gain and feed conversion ratio compared to the control diet (P < 0.05), whereas a 30% inclusion level reduced feed palatability and productive performance. No adverse effects on animal health were observed during the experiment. The results indicate that dried rumen content can be safely used as a partial replacement for grass meal in sheep diets at inclusion levels up to 20%.
Keywords: Alternative feedstuffs; Feed palatability; Sheep; Rumen content; Ruminant nutrition

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Research Paper

Bioconversion of cereal by-products through Pleurotus ostreatus mediated solid-state fermentation of three agro by-products

Afram D, Gyamfi EET, Van-Ess J, Williams N, Attoh-Kotoku V, Aboagye AF, Owusu KG, Sasu P, Adjei-Mensah B, Donkoh  A.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 98-108, 2026; pii: S222877012600012-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.12 

Abstract

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a promising approach to enhance the nutritional value of abundant but underutilized agro-industrial by-products in sub-Saharan Africa. The study investigated the effect of SSF using Pleurotus ostreatus on rice bran (RB), rice husk (RH) and maize cob (MC). The design used was a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The factors were three substrates (RB: rice bran, RH: rice husk, and MC: maize cob) and three fermentation periods (0, 30, 45 days). Unfermented and fermented samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). In vitro gas production (3-96 h) was measured using rumen liquor. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and microbial protein (MP) were estimated using established models. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in CP and EE contents were observed among RB, RH, and MC within fermentation periods. The CP contents at days 30 and 45 were 9.44%, 8.10% for RB, 3.07%, 4.69% for RH, and 5.32%, 12.19% for MC, respectively. Fibre fractions varied among substrates at each fermentation period, with NDF differing among RB, RH, and MC, and ADL showing significant differences among substrates at day 30. Potential gas production (b) rose in MC (52.7 ml) and RH (53.9 ml) after 45 days. The rate of gas production (c) ranged from 0.03-0.08 h⁻¹ at day 0 and 30, but after 45 days, RH reached 0.08 h⁻¹, while RB and MC slowed to 0.01 h⁻¹. IVOMD, ME, NE, SCFA and MP were all higher in fermented RH and MC, with peak improvements at day 30. The study results indicated that SSF for 30-45 days could improve the nutritional value of agro-industrial by-products.
Keywords: Chemical composition, In vitro gas production, Maize cob, Rice bran, Rice husk, Oyster mushroom, Solid-state fermentation.

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Research Paper

Effect of Nigella sativa oil on liver function and lipid profile in brown, albino and local rabbits: a comparative study

Hasan WI, Hidayet HM, Azeez OH, Sefdeen SM, Yateem CA, Mustafa KN.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 109-117, 2026; pii: S222877012600013-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.13 

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the metabolism of three rabbit breeds: Albino, Brown, and Local. A total of 48 rabbits were assigned to six groups and fed either a control diet or an NSO-supplemented diet (5 g/kg DM). Diets were alternated between groups every 15 days. Blood samples were analyzed for liver enzymes, kidney function parameters, lipid profile, thyroid hormones, and blood proteins. The results showed that NSO had no significant effect (P>0.05) on blood glucose, liver enzymes, or lipid profile. However, numerical differences were observed among breeds. Albino rabbits showed higher total cholesterol 83.6% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (177.6%) compared with the Local breed (P≤0.01). Brown rabbits exhibited higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (60-64%) than Albino rabbits (P≤0.02). Additionally, brown rabbits showed higher (51.2%) creatinine levels compared with Albinos (P≤0.0001). Uric acid levels slightly increased (15-18%) during the second treatment period. Protein levels remained relatively constant among groups; however, the brown breed had higher (P≤0.02) albumin levels (9%) than other breeds. In conclusion, rabbit breed had a greater influence on the measured parameters than dietary treatments which indicates that breed-specific genetic variations play an important role in such studies.
Keywords: Breeds, Liver function, Lipid profile, Neglia sativa, Rabbits.

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Research Paper

Effect of emulsified high-PUFA oils enriched with natural antioxidants on in vitro goat rumen fermentation parameters and nutrient degradability

Fassah DM, Alfiyyah MN, Azka SM, Damayanti SP, Pujiawati Y, Khotijah L, and Sholeha NA.

Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 16(2): 118-124, 2026; pii: S222877012600014-16

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2026.14 

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of emulsified high-PUFA oil enriched with natural antioxidants derived from jackfruit leaf extract on in vitro goat rumen fermentability and degradability. The study used a completely randomized design with two treatments and 5 replications. The treatments were supplementation with high-PUFA oil + natural antioxidants separately (P1, as the control), and supplementation with emulsified high-PUFA oil + natural antioxidants (P2). The parameters observed were rumen pH, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, NH₃ concentration, bacterial population, protozoa population, dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD). The results showed that supplementing goat feed ration with emulsified high-PUFA oil enriched with natural antioxidants did not alter (P>0.05) rumen pH, total VFA, NH3 concentration, bacterial and protozoal population, DMD, or OMD. Overall, emulsified high-PUFA oil with natural antioxidants did not alter the examined rumen fermentation parameters and degradability. Thus, emulsified high-PUFA oil with natural antioxidants can be potentially used as an effective feed supplement to support goats' performance.
Keywords: Emulsification, Feed supplement, Fermentation characteristics, Jackfruit leaves, Polyunsaturated fatty acid.

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