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15 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Diet Composition on Excreta Composition and Ammonia Emissions from Growing-Finishing Pigs

by Phung Le Dinh, Carola M. C. van der Peet-Schwering, Nico W. M. Ogink and André J. A. Aarnink

Animals 2022, 12(3), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030229 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4253 | Correction

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of decreased crude protein (CP) levels (by 2% units) or acidifying diets (by adding 10 g benzoic acid/kg diet in combination with replacing a part of CaCO₃ by about 10 g Ca-formate/kg diet) on urine, [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of decreased crude protein (CP) levels (by 2% units) or acidifying diets (by adding 10 g benzoic acid/kg diet in combination with replacing a part of CaCO₃ by about 10 g Ca-formate/kg diet) on urine, feces and manure composition and ammonia emissions from growing and finishing pig houses. Yorkshire x F1(Landrace x Yorkshire) pigs (n = 576) with an initial body weight of 24.9 ± 3.4 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments of (i) a control diet with normal protein content and no acidifying components added; (ii) a diet with 2% units CP reduction; (iii) a diet with an acidifying effect on the manure; (iv) or a diet consisting of a combination of diet (ii) and (iii). Pigs were housed in four mechanically ventilated and temperature-controlled rooms. Results showed that decreasing the dietary CP levels by 2% units reduced the ammonia emission from the floor by 46% (p = 0.06) and from the pig house by 31% (p = 0.08). Decreased CP diets reduced the total N in feces and in manure and NH₄-N in the manure, as well as the ammonia concentration at 1 cm and 10 cm above the manure surface (p < 0.05). However, acidifying diets failed to reduce ammonia emissions from the floor and the pig house (p > 0.05). Reducing dietary crude protein is, therefore, a solution to reducing ammonia emissions from pig houses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

18 pages, 3259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Phosphorus Digestibility from Monocalcium and Dicalcium Phosphate Sources and Comparison between Total Tract and Prececal Digestibility Standard Methods in Broilers

by María Cambra-López, Verónica Moset, María del Carmen López, Juan Sebastián Mesa, Laura Carpintero, Andrés Donadeu, Javier Dupuy, Judit Macías-Vidal, Alba Cerisuelo, Pablo Ferrer and Juan José Pascual

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123427 - 1 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3419

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the total tract (total excreta and marker) and prececal methodologies to determine phosphorus (P) digestibility and to evaluate its variation as a function of the physicochemical characteristics of the inorganic phosphate used (monocalcium, MCP and [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to compare the total tract (total excreta and marker) and prececal methodologies to determine phosphorus (P) digestibility and to evaluate its variation as a function of the physicochemical characteristics of the inorganic phosphate used (monocalcium, MCP and dicalcium, DCP) from different commercial sources. A total of 176 1-day-old male broilers were used in two digestibility experiments. In Experiment 1, one MCP and one DCP were incorporated in the basal diet at two levels. In Experiment 2, MCP and DCP from three commercial sources were incorporated to the basal diet at one level. Physicochemical characteristics of inorganic phosphates were examined, as well. Additionally, bone mineralization and growth performance traits were investigated in both trials. The digestibility of MCP ranged from 75.2 to 87.4% and from 80.5 to 86.6% for DCP amongst methodologies, but differences between total tract and preceal methodologies were not statistically significant. Particle size, surface area, degree of crystallinity and impurities varied amongst commercial sources. The P digestibility of the three tested commercial sources of MCP was 79.6% (MCP1), 70.2% (MCP2) and 65.6% (MCP3); p > 0.05. The P digestibility of the 3 tested commercial sources of DCP was 80.1% (DCP1), 77.4% (DCP2) and 71.4% (DCP3); p > 0.05. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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15 pages, 1223 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Estimating Amino Acid Requirements in Real-Time for Precision-Fed Pigs: The Challenge of Variability among Individuals

by Aline Remus, Luciano Hauschild, Marie-Pierre Létourneau-Montminy and Candido Pomar

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123354 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3561

Abstract

This study aimed to measure protein deposition (PD) in pigs fed with daily tailored diets where either dietary lysine (Lys) or threonine (Thr) were provided at independent levels (ignoring an ideal ratio). A total of 95 growing pigs (35 kg body weight (BW)) [...] Read more.

This study aimed to measure protein deposition (PD) in pigs fed with daily tailored diets where either dietary lysine (Lys) or threonine (Thr) were provided at independent levels (ignoring an ideal ratio). A total of 95 growing pigs (35 kg body weight (BW)) with electronic ear tags granting them access to automatic feeders were randomly assigned to treatments. The setup was an unbalanced 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with Lys and Thr provided at five levels (i.e., 60%, 80%, 100%, 120%, and 140% of the estimated individual requirements of Lys and Thr), resulting in 25 treatments for 21 days. The observed PD variation to Lys and Thr provisions was large, with Lys and Thr intake explaining only 11% of the variation. Cluster analysis discriminated pigs with low (167 g/d, n = 16), medium (191 g/d, n = 38), and high (213 g/d, n = 37) PD, but with a similar amino acid intake. Differences in PD were associated with differences in nutrient efficiency of utilization. Providing Lys and Thr in a factorial mode, ignoring an ideal ratio, did not decrease the variability in PD. Future research efforts should focus on identifying and investigating the sources of interindividual variability—a necessary step before final recommendations can be made for AA in precision-fed pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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14 pages, 1492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Classic and Non-Classic Effects of the Duration of Supplementation of 25-Hydroxicholecalciferol in Broiler Chicken Diets

by Karen Prokoski, Leticia C. Bittencourt, Levy V. Teixeira, Cristiano Bortoluzzi, Elisangela Vanroo, Sabrina Palma and Jovanir I. M. Fernandes

Animals 2021, 11(10), 2971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102971 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1843

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effect of different times of supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D₃) in broiler chickens on the performance, carcass and cuts yield, bone resistance, plasma concentration of 25(OH)D₃, and expression of the mTOR gene. The [...] Read more.

The present study aimed to determine the effect of different times of supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D₃) in broiler chickens on the performance, carcass and cuts yield, bone resistance, plasma concentration of 25(OH)D₃, and expression of the mTOR gene. The treatments were a control diet (CD) supplemented with 3000 IU vitamin D₃/kg of feed from 1 to 46 d, or the CD + 2760 IU (69 mcg) of 25(OH)D₃/kg of feed from 1 to 21 d, from 1 to 35 d, or from 1 to 46 d. The period of supplementation of 25(OH)D₃ did not affect the growth performance of broilers, but the breast meat yield was linearly increased in response to increasing days of supplementation (p < 0.05). Birds supplemented with 25(OH)D₃ at the time of the analysis showed an increase (p < 0.05) in the plasma concentration of 25(OH)D₃ when compared to non-supplemented birds. The mTOR gene expression (p < 0.05), and breast protein deposition (p < 0.05) presented a quadratic response related to the supplementation period of 25(OH)D₃. The fat content of the breast linearly decreased (p < 0.05) as the period of supplementation was extended. The results also showed a positive linear correlation between mTOR expression and 25(OH)D₃ plasma levels (r = 0.593; p < 0.05). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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13 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interaction of Soybean Varieties and Heat Treatments and Its Effect on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility in Broiler Chickens

by Florian Hemetsberger, Thomas Hauser, Konrad J. Domig, Wolfgang Kneifel and Karl Schedle

Animals 2021, 11(9), 2668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092668 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3404

Abstract

As production of European soybeans is expected to grow, optimal processing conditions need to be ensured for small and heterogeneous batches of soybeans. The effect of different soybean varieties, as well as heat treatments, on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler [...] Read more.

As production of European soybeans is expected to grow, optimal processing conditions need to be ensured for small and heterogeneous batches of soybeans. The effect of different soybean varieties, as well as heat treatments, on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens was investigated. Two varieties, regarded as heat stable and heat labile after preliminary experiments, were partially de-oiled and thermally processed at 110 °C for 20 min and 120 °C for 20 min. The resulting soybean cakes were integrated into a mash diet and subjected to a 36-day long feeding experiment. A total of 336 one-day-old broiler chickens were divided into 24 pens, resulting in 6 replicates per treatment. With application of the 110 °C treatment, analysis of soybean cakes showed that the commonly required reduction in trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) was only reached with one soybean variety. The higher processing temperature of 120 °C ensured sufficient TIA reductions in both soybean varieties. Elevated TIA concentrations resulted in decreased growth performances (p < 0.05) of the chickens, whereas no negative effect from overheating on growth performance appeared. Total-tract nitrogen retention (p < 0.05) and pre-caecal digestibility of several amino acids (p < 0.10) decreased with higher processing temperatures but had no negative effects on growth performance. In conclusion, the results indicate that processing conditions adjusted to the different varieties are essential to ensure optimal product quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

14 pages, 442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Dietary Mineral Content and Phytase Dose on Nutrient Utilization, Performance, Egg Traits and Bone Mineralization in Laying Hens from 22 to 31 Weeks of Age

by Mehran Javadi, Juan José Pascual, María Cambra-López, Judit Macías-Vidal, Andrés Donadeu, Javier Dupuy, Laura Carpintero, Pablo Ferrer and Alba Cerisuelo

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061495 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3287

Abstract

A total of 192 laying hens were used to evaluate the effect of dietary mineral content and phytase dose on nutrient utilization, egg production and quality and bone mineralization of young laying hens. Four dietary treatments were studied: PC, positive control with no [...] Read more.

A total of 192 laying hens were used to evaluate the effect of dietary mineral content and phytase dose on nutrient utilization, egg production and quality and bone mineralization of young laying hens. Four dietary treatments were studied: PC, positive control with no added phytase, 4.07% Ca and 0.61% P; NC, negative control with no added phytase, 2.97% Ca and 0.37% P; and P500 and P1000, where NC diet was supplemented with phytase at 500 and 1000 FTU/kg, respectively. Hens’ performance and egg traits were controlled from 22 to 31 weeks of age. Coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients were determined at 25 and 31 weeks of age. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and blood content of Ca and P, as well as bone traits, were determined at 31 weeks of age. Ca and P retention was higher in birds on PC diet at 25 weeks, but not at 31 weeks of age compared to those on NC diet (p < 0.05). P1000 birds had the highest CTTAD values for dry and organic matter at both ages (p < 0.001). CTTAD of Ca was significantly higher in P1000 diet than in NC diet at 31 weeks of age (p < 0.001). Birds fed with P500 diet at 25 weeks of age and P1000 at 31 weeks of age showed higher CTTAD and retention of P, but lower excretion of P than those fed NC diet (p < 0.05). Phytase inclusion linearly increased AID of dry matter and P (p < 0.001). P500 hens fed had the greatest body weight at the end of the trial (p < 0.05) and P1000 birds had the best feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Fowl fed a PC diet produced eggs with higher shell thickness and yolk color than those fed on NC diet (p < 0.05). Phytase inclusion linearly increased the yolk color (p < 0.05). Tibia of laying hens fed with PC had significantly higher ash content than those on NC diet (p < 0.05), and birds fed with P1000 presented intermediate values. It can be concluded that it would be advisable to increase the dose of phytase in the feed of laying hens to obtain long-term benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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13 pages, 640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Growing Rabbits with a High Growth Rate Require Diets with High Levels of Essential Amino Acids? A Choice-Feeding Trial

by Pablo Jesús Marín-García, Mari Carmen López-Luján, Luís Ródenas, Eugenio Martínez-Paredes, María Cambra-López, Enrique Blas and Juan José Pascual

Animals 2021, 11(3), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030824 - 15 Mar 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3848

Abstract

As a consequence of the genetic selection process in growing rabbits, there are currently fast-growing animals exhibiting an average daily gain that may exceed 45 g/d. The protein requirements of these animals, namely amino acid requirements, may differ from animals with low growth [...] Read more.

As a consequence of the genetic selection process in growing rabbits, there are currently fast-growing animals exhibiting an average daily gain that may exceed 45 g/d. The protein requirements of these animals, namely amino acid requirements, may differ from animals with low growth rates. The objective of this work was to evaluate growth performance, the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids and nutrient retention of fast-growing rabbits when they had access to a diet with high levels of amino acids and/or a diet formulated with current nutritional recommendations in a choice-feeding trial. To this end, two diets were formulated: the M diet following current nutritional recommendations for growing rabbits (including 8.1, 5.8 and 6.9 g/kg dry matter (DM) of total lysine, sulphur amino acids and threonine, respectively) and the H diet with higher levels of total lysine, sulphur amino acids and threonine (9.4, 6.6 and 7.8 g/kg DM, respectively). A total of 220 weaned rabbits, from a paternal line selected for the growth rate, had free access to the M diet, the H diet or both (MH) diets from 28 to 63 days of age. The CTTAD of DM, crude protein and gross energy from 49 to 53 days of age as well as the AID of amino acids of the diets at 63 days of age were determined. Protein, amino acids and energy retained in the empty body from 28 to 63 days of age were also registered. No significant differences in growth performance, CTTAD, AID and nutrient retention between dietary treatments were observed. However, animals fed the H diet showed a higher AID of cysteine (p < 0.05) and higher threonine retention (p < 0.05) compared to the M diet. As regards the choice-feeding trial, MH animals showed a higher feed intake of the M diet compared to the H diet (+8.61%; p < 0.001), and furthermore, more than 50% of the animals preferred the M diet throughout the experimental period (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that animals with high growth rates do not show significantly higher productive traits when fed the H diet compared to the M diet. As regards choice feeding, MH animals were capable of choosing their preferred diet, showing high intra-individual repeatability in preference for the M diet. It would be interesting to continue studying this behaviour of choice based on amino acid levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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21 pages, 761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytate Degradation, Transcellular Mineral Transporters, and Mineral Utilization by Two Strains of Laying Hens as Affected by Dietary Phosphorus and Calcium

by Vera Sommerfeld, Adewunmi Omolade Omotoso, Michael Oster, Henry Reyer, Amélia Camarinha-Silva, Martin Hasselmann, Korinna Huber, Siriluck Ponsuksili, Jana Seifert, Volker Stefanski, Klaus Wimmers and Markus Rodehutscord

Animals 2020, 10(10), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101736 - 24 Sep 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4669

Abstract

Laying hens require less phosphorus (P) but markedly more calcium (Ca) in their diet than broilers. These differences may cause more distinct interactions with phytate degradation and utilization of minerals in laying hens than those in broilers. The objective of the study was [...] Read more.

Laying hens require less phosphorus (P) but markedly more calcium (Ca) in their diet than broilers. These differences may cause more distinct interactions with phytate degradation and utilization of minerals in laying hens than those in broilers. The objective of the study was to characterize intestinal phytate degradation, ileal transcript copy numbers of transcellular Ca and P transporters, and mineral utilization by two laying hen strains fed with standard or reduced levels of dietary Ca and P at the laying peak. The strains showed differences regarding several traits driving Ca and P metabolism along the digestive tract. Thus, the two strains may use different mechanisms to meet their respective P demand, i.e., via effective phytate degradation and transcellular transport. Clear effects of the Ca level on myo-inositol concentrations and mineral utilization revealed the significance of this element for the measured traits. The absence of P-mediated effects confirmed the findings of several studies recommending that P concentrations used in laying hen feeds are too high. Differences were noted between individuals within one treatment. The next step would be to evaluate the data in individual birds to identify birds that better cope with a challenging diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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2 pages, 172 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Le Dinh et al. Effect of Diet Composition on Excreta Composition and Ammonia Emissions from Growing-Finishing Pigs. Animals 2022, 12, 229

by Phung Le Dinh, Carola M. C. van der Peet-Schwering, Nico W. M. Ogink and André J. A. Aarnink

Animals 2022, 12(7), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070902 - 1 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Error in Table [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Feed Efficiency in Monogastric Animals towards Environmental Sustainability)

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