South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Incorporation of full-fat flaxseed, and to a lesser extent, canola seed in diets to produce n-3-enriched products has attracted interest in the poultry industry. However, high amounts of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) in oilseeds compromise their nutritive value. The objectives of the current research were to develop enzyme supplements effective in cell wall depolymerization and viscosity reduction, particularly in flaxseed; to evaluate the effects of enzyme addition and feed processing on oil utilization and egg n-3 fatty acid deposition in broiler chickens and laying hens fed oilseed-containing diets; to characterize the NSP hydrolysis products and to investigate the effects of diet type and enzyme addition on growth performance and the incidence of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Results showed that diets containing high levels of flaxseed reduced egg production and shell quality in laying hens, and impaired final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens. Reducing flaxseed particle size via grinding did not improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, whereas diet pelleting showed more pronounced and beneficial effects in improving the nutritive value of flaxseed, particularly when intact seeds were used. Multicarbohydrase supplementation resulted in a significant depolymerization of cell wall polysaccharides in soybean, canola and flaxseed meals, which was followed by the production of water-soluble NSP hydrolysis products, and the reduction of flax mucilage viscosity in vitro was also evident. Enzyme addition to flaxseed-containing diets improved FCR of broiler chickens and egg production performance of laying hens, and facilitated egg n-3 fatty acid deposition. The C. perfringens challenge caused intestinal NE lesions and increased the mortality of broiler chickens with the highest NE mortality and intestinal C. perfringens counts observed in those fed flaxseed-containing diets. Enzyme supplementation to diets containing high levels of water-soluble NSP (wheat/barley- or wheat/barley/flaxseed-based) facilitated post-disease compensatory growth in pathogen challenged birds. This was accompanied by a numerical reduction of intestinal C. perfringens by 1.4 log10 cfu/g in birds fed the flaxseed-containing diets. Such findings indicated that enzyme addition may be used as a nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of NE development in broiler chickens.

Darbo tikslas: Ištirti skirtingų miežių, kviečių ir kvietrugių genotipų maistinę vertę bei skirtingo nesmulkintų miežių ir kvietrugių kiekio įtaką broilerių produktyvumui, virškinimo procesams, paukštienos morfologinei sudėčiai bei kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti skirtingų miežių, kviečių ir kvietrugių genotipų maistinę vertę konkrečiai definuotomis jų auginimo sąlygomis. 2. Nustatyti skirtingų miežių ir kvietrugių genotipų įtaką, naudojant NKP skaldančius fermentus, viščiukų broilerių virškinamosios masės tranzitui, klampumui, amoniakinio azoto koncentracijai aklųjų žarnų turinyje. 3. Ištirti skirtingų nesmulkintų miežių kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui, virškinimo procesams ir paukštienos kokybei. 4. Ištirti skirtingų nesmulkintų kvietrugių kiekių įtaką viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui, virškinimo procesams ir paukštienos kokybei. Darbo aktualumas ir naujumas: Viščiukų broilerių lesinimui dažniausiai naudojami nesmulkinti kviečiai. Jie sąlygoja geresnį virškinamojo trakto išsivystymą, mažina paukštienos gamybos kaštus. Nesmulkintų miežių ir kvietrugių panaudojimas viščiukų broilerių mityboje yra menkai ištirtas, o šių grūdų pardavimo kaina dažnai esti mažesnė už kviečių. Nėra galutinai ištirta miežių ir kvietrugių maistinė vertė, nėra publikuotų duomenų apie įvairiais kiekiais ir skirtingais broilerių auginimo periodais panaudotų nesmulkintų šių javų grūdų įtaką viščiukų broilerių virškinimo fiziologiniams procesams bei paukštienos kokybei. Taigi šie... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: To investigate nutritive value of a variety of barley, wheat and triticale genotypes and influence of whole barley and triticale used in various amounts on broilers’ productivity, digestive processes and morphological composition and quality of poultry meat. Objectives of the study: 1. To investigate nutritive value of a variety of barley, wheat and triticale genotypes under concretely defined conditions of their growth. 2. To determine impact of various genotypes of barley and triticale on transit, viscosity of broiler chickens’ digesta and ammonia nitrogen concentration in the content of cecum. 3. To examine impact of various whole barley amounts on broilers’ productivity, digestive processes and quality of poultry meat. 4. To examine impact of various whole triticale amounts on broilers’ productivity, digestive processes and quality of poultry meat. Actuality and novelty of the work: Whole triticale is most frequently used for broiler chickens’ feeding. Their usage preconditions a better development of digestive system and decreases the cost of poultry meat production. The use of whole barley and triticale for broilers’ nutrition is scarcely investigated, whereas the price of aforesaid grains is frequently lower comparing with that of wheat. Besides, nutritive value of barley and triticale has not been completely investigated; there is no published data on the in-fluence of whole barley and triticale (used in various amounts at different growth... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas – įvertinti fitobiotikų Sangrovit® ir prebiotikų Agrimos® poveikį viščiukų broilerių augimo rodikliams ir mėsos savybėms. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių augimo intensyvumui, lesalų sąnaudoms ir gaištamumui; 2. Nustatyti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių mėsos (krūtinės ir kojų raumenų) pH po0, 24, 48, 72 val.; 3. Ištirti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių mėsos (krūtinės ir kojų raumenų) sausųjų medžiagų kiekiui; 4. Ištirti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių krūtinės raumenų riebalų rūgščių sudėčiai; 5. Ištirti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių mėsos morfologinei sudėčiai; 6. Nustatyti prebiotikų ir fitobiotikų įtaką viščiukų broilerių mėsos (krūtinės ir kojų raumenų) juslinėms savybėms. Darbo pobūdis ir darbo objektas: Bandymas buvo atliekamas su 800 vienadieniais viščiukais broileriais suskirstytais į 4 grupes, po 200 viščiukų kiekvienoje grupėje su keturiais kiekvienos grupės pakartojimais. Paukščiai buvo lesinami iki soties 5 savaites (iki 35 dienų amžiaus) kombinuotais lesalais (pirma grupė – kontrolė), antrą grupę sudarė lesalai, į kuriuos įmaišyta fitobiotikų Sangrovit® (Macleaya cordata) (30g/t lesalų), į trečios grupės – prebiotikai mananooligosacharidai Agrimos® (2 kg/t lesalų), į ketvirtą – Sangrovit® (30g/t lesalų) ir Agrimos® (2 kg/t lesalų) kombinacija. Fitobiotikai Sangrovit® yra sudaryti iš augalo Macleaya cordata, priklausančio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim: Evaluation the effect of prebiotics Agrimos® and phytobiotics Sangrovit® on productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens. Objectives of the study: 1. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on growth performances, feed conversion ratio and mortality of broiler chickens; 2. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on pH of breast and thighs meat after 0, 24, 48, 72 hours of storage; 3. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on quantity of dry matter of breast and thighs meat; 4. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on quantity of fatty acids of breast meat; 5. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on morphological composition of the meat of broiler chickens; 6. Evaluation the effect of prebiotics and phytobiotics on the sensory attributes of breast and thighs meat of broiler chickens. The character and object of the work: Experiment was made with 800 broiler chickens, they were divided into 4 group with 200 chickens at each group. Each group had four replications. Broilers were fed ad libitum 5 weeks (35 days) with compound. First group – control group, the diet of second group was supplemented with phytobiotics Sangrovit® (Macleaya cardata) (30 g/t of feed), the diet of third group supplemented with prebiotics mannanoligosaccharides Agrimos® (2 kg/t of feed), diet of group four supplemented with a combination of Sangrovit® (30 g/t of feed) and Agrimos® (2 kg/t of feed). Phytobiotics Sangrovit®... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas: ištirti lesalų, papildytų dideliu nesmulkintų kvietrugių kiekiu, įtaką viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui bei mėsos kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai: nustatyti skirtingų kvietrugių veislių maistinę vertę; ištirti lesalų, papildytų dideliu nesmulkintų kvietrugių kiekiu, įtaką viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui; ištirti lesalų, papildytų dideliu nesmulkintų kvietrugių kiekiu, įtaką viščiukų broilerių mėsos kokybei, skerdenos morfologinei, bei cheminei sudėčiai, riebalų rūgščių kiekiui krūtinės raumenyse, paukštienos juslinėms ir tekstūrinėms savybėms. Rezultatai: lesalai papildyti nesmulkintais kvietrugiais nuo 4 proc. iki 25 proc., sumažino viščiukų broilerių produktyvumą lyginant su kontroline grupe. Tiriamųjų grupių lesalų sąnaudos buvo didesnės lyginant su kontroline grupe. Skirtingas kvietrugių kiekio įterpimas į lesalus viščiukų broilerių išsaugojimui įtakos neturėjo. Skirtingas kvietrugių kiekio įterpimas į lesalus mėsos kokybei įtakos neturėjo lyginant su kontroline grupe. Kvietrugių įterpimas į lesalus neturėjo įtakos mėsos juslinėms ir tekstūrinėms savybėms. / The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of high amount of whole triticale for productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens. The tasks of the work were to set nutritional value of different triticale varieties; to investigate the effect of high amount of whole triticale for productivity of broiler chickens; to investigate the effect of high amount of whole triticale influence for broiler meat quality, carcass lean, and chemical composition of fatty acids in breast muscles, meat sensory and textual properties. Results: The whole triticale inserted to the feed from 4% to 25%, decreased the body weight of broiler chickens, than compare to control group. The feed ratio was bigger than in control group. Different quantity of whole triticale in feed, did not influence for saving of broilers chicken. Additonal quantity in food of whole triticale did not have significant influence for meat quality than compare to control group. The whole triticale inserted to the feed did not have significant influence for meat sensory and textual properties.

Lesinimo bandymas buvo atliktas su 1–35 dienų amžiaus Ross 308 linijų derinio viščiukais broileriais. 600 viščiukų broilerių buvo suskirstyti į 3 grupes po 200 viščiukų kiekvienoje grupėje su 4-iais kiekvienos grupės pakartojimais. Pirmoji grupė kontrolinė, likusios – tiriamosios. I grupės viščiukai broileriai buvo lesinami su standartiniais kombinuotaisiais lesalais. Į II grupės standartinius kombinuotuosius lesalus buvo įterpta 70 mg geležies sulfato ir 72 mg geležies glicinato. Į III grupės standartinius kombinuotuosius lesalus – 144 mg geležies glicinato. Analizuojant broilerių skerdenos morfologinę sudėtį, nustatėme, kad didžiausią įtaką turėjo geležies sulfatų ir glicinatų kiekiai, to pasekoje išeigos atitinkamai padidėjo 9,43 proc. ir 4,56 proc. Geležies sulfato ir glicinato priedai sumažino 0,4 proc. abdominalinių riebalų išeigą. Geležies sulfatai ir glicinatai, geležies susikaupimai viščiukų broilerių krūtinės raumenyse esminės įtakos neturėjo. Tiriamųjų grupių šlaunelių raumenyse geležies koncentracija padidėjo 0,59 -3,07 mg/kg palyginus su kontroline grupe. MDA koncentracija tiek kontrolinės, tiek tiriamųjų grupių šviežiuose krūtinės raumenyse buvo beveik vienoda. Naudojant viščiukams geležies sulfatų ir glicinatų mišinį šviežiuose šlaunelių raumenyse MDA padidėjo 0,688 µmol/kg, o naudojant tik glicinatus – 0,576 µmol/kg (p<0,01). Po 3 mėn sandėliavimo tiriamųjų grupių krūtinėlėse MDA koncentracija buvo 0,014-0,096 µmol/kg didesnė, lyginant su kontroline grupe... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The feeding test was carried out with broiler chickens, aged 1-35 days old combination of lines Ross 308. 600 broiler chickens were divided into 3 groups of 200 chickens in each group with 4 repeats of each group. The first group was control, the rest groups were tested. Group I chickens were fed with the standard combined diet. In group II, the standard combined feeds were added 70 mg of iron sulphate and 72 mg of iron glycinate. In Group III standard combined feeds were added with 144 mg iron glycinate. Analysing the morphology of broiler carcass composition, we found that the greatest impact was made by the quantities of iron sulphate and glycinate. As a consequence yield rose by 9.43 per cent and 4.56 per cent. Iron sulphate and glycinate accessories decreased abdominal fat yield by 0.4 percent. Iron sulphate and glycinate have no impact for iron accumulation in broiler chicken breast muscle. In tested groups in thigh muscle iron concentration increased 0.59 -3.07 mg /kg as compared with the control group. MDA levels in both the control and tested groups in fresh breast muscle were almost identical. For chickens using ferrous sulphate and glycinate mixture of fresh thigh muscle MDA increased by 0.688 µmol/kg, while using only glycinate - 0.576 µmol/kg/ kg (p <0.01). After 3 months of storage tested groups breasts were found with MDA concentration 0.014 - 0.096 µmol/kg higher compared with the control group. Using for chickens feeding iron sulphate and glycinate mixture... [to full text]

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Zugl.: Giessen, Univ., Diss., 2004.