Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar influência de diferentes modelos de instalações de frango de corte e ambiência de luz pré-abate sobre o bem-estar animal e qualidade de carne. A presente Dissertação foi dividida em 3 etapas: Etapa 1. Nesta objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes modelos de instalações de frangos de corte perante o desempenho e bem estar animal sobre o desenvolvimento das carnes PSE. Frangos de corte oriundos das granjas em alojamento no escuro (dark house) (T3) tendo como comparativos os aviários T1= convencional com cortina amarela e T2= com cortina azul. Os 27 lotes foram divididos em três tratamentos (n=9) na avaliação do desempenho zootécnico para os seguintes parâmetros: conversão alimentar, ganho médio diário, peso médio final, viabilidade e % de calos podais. Dentre destes 27 lotes, foram escolhidos 9 aviários para avaliação do bem-estar e qualidade final do produto, medido pela incidência de carnes PSE, sendo esta etapa realizada em uma planta comercial de abate. As aves (n=630) foram divididas em três tratamentos (n=210), sendo 70 aves por aviários, escolhidas aletoriamente, os filés foram coletados 24h post mortem e analisados quanto ao pH e cor (Sistema CIELab). O programa Statistica for Windows 7.0 foi utilizado para análise dos resultados. O teste Tukey de probabilidade (p≤0,05) foi aplicado para comparar o desempenho dos animais. Os valores obtidos na avaliação de bem-estar animal e qualidade de carne foram analisados pela técnica multivariada de Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP). Os resultados obtidos para desempenho zootécnico mostraram que o sistema dark house apresentou melhor conversão alimentar (1,75) (p≤0,05) quando comparados aos tratamentos T1 e T2, que não apresentaram diferença entre si (p≥0,05) nos valores de 1,82 e 1,80, respectivamente. Aves criadas em sistema dark house apresentam maior ganho médio diário (63,14g) e consequentemente tenderam a ter um maior peso médio final (2904,8g) diferindo dos demais tratamentos T1 e T2 (p≤0,05) que não apresentaram diferença significativa entre si (p≥0,05), onde as aves apresentaram ganho médio diário de 56,68 e 57,79 gramas, respectivamente e consequentemente menor peso médio final de 2,607 e 2,658kg, respectivamente. Entretanto, as porcentagens de calos podais diferiram em todos os tratamentos (p≤0,05), T1 apresentou menor percentagem de pés com calos (4,55) em comparação com T2 (8,98) e T3 (20,98). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p≥0,05) na viabilidade para aves produzidas em aviários convencionais e dark house. Os valores obtidos na avaliação de bem-estar animal e qualidade de carne, ao contrario do esperado, apresentou-se com maior incidência de carnes PSE. A razão se deve pelas condições estressantes que as aves sofrem durante o manejo para o transporte quando pela primeira vez, essas aves são expostas à luz do dia e posteriormente, transporte e as condições de tratamentos no recinto do frigorifico até o seu abate. Conclui-se que o sistema dark house apresentou maior potencial para produção, com desempenho zootécnico superior aos sistemas convencionais exceto no aspecto de condenações dos calos podais e a maior incidência de carnes PSE. 2. Na segunda etapa, o objetivo foi investigar o efeito da iluminância do ambiente, nos momentos que antecedem o abate, no estresse dos frangos medido através da incidência de carnes PSE de frangos. O experimento foi realizado em uma planta comercial na estação da primavera na região sul do país. As aves (n=200) foram divididas em 2 grupos antes do abate, no momento da pendura em nóreas: Tratamento com maior (290 lux) e menor iluminância (160 lux). Os frangos foram abatidos e os filés (Pectoralis major m.) foram coletados 24h post mortem e analisados quanto ao pH e cor. As amostras originadas do grupo com tratamento de maior iluminância apresentaram a qualidade comprometida com menor valor de pH, evidenciando que a maior iluminância durante a pendura das aves gerou uma zona de desconforto com consequente aumento do estresse. A diminuição da iluminância teve papel relevante na redução do estresse ante-mortem e promoveu a diminuição em 7% da incidência de filés PSE. 3. Na terceira etapa, o objetivo foi investigar o efeito das cores iluminantes e a distribuição espectral das cores no momento que antecede o abate através da interferência no bem-estar dos frangos medida através da incidência de carnes PSE. O experimento foi realizado em uma planta comercial na estação de primavera na região sul. As aves (n=400) foram divididas em 4 tratamentos de ambiência antes do abate, no momento da pendura em nóreas: luz azul, verde, vermelha e branca. Amostras de filés (Pectoralis major m.) foram coletados 24h post mortem e analisados quanto ao pH e cor e classificados como carnes PSE e normal. Os filés de frango do tratamento com luz branca apresentaram a qualidade comprometida com menor valor de pH, evidenciando que a ausência de uma fonte de luz tênue durante a pendura das aves gerou uma zona de desconforto com consequente aumento do estresse. O uso das cores azul, verde e vermelha nos momentos que antecedem o abate tem papel relevante na redução do estresse ante-mortem, diminuendo em 19%, 21% e 16% respectivamente a incidência de carnes PSE. / The objective of this work was to evaluate the animal welfare under broilers chickens different raising installations models at the farm and also the effect of light ambience at the moments just before birds slaughtering and their consequences on the meat quality. This Dissertation was divided into 3 phases using Cobb lineage at 46 days old: 1.Birds grown in dark house (T3) in comparison to broilers conventional housing covered by yellow (T1) and blue courtains (T2). The 27 lots were divided into three treatments (n = 9) in the evaluation of production performance for the following parameters: feed conversion, average daily gain, final weight, viability and podal callus. Among these 27 lots, 9 were chosen for poultry welfare evaluation related to the final meat quality, as measured by the incidence of PSE meat and this step being performed in a commercial slaughter plant. The animals (n = 630) were divided into three treatments (n = 210), 70 birds per aviary, randomly chosen, the fillets were collected 24 h post mortem and analyzed for pH and color (CIELab system). The program Statistica for Windows 7.0 was used to analyze the results. The Tukey test probability (p ≤0.05) was applied for comparing the animals performance. The values obtained in the assessment of animal welfare and meat quality were analyzed by multivariate Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The obtained results for the chickens production performance showed that the dark house system showed better feed conversion (1.75) (p ≤0.05) compared to T1 and T2, which did not differ to each other (p≥ 0.05) in values of 1.82 and 1.80, respectively. Broilers raised in the dark house systems have a higher average daily gain (63.14g) and consequently tended to have higher mean final weight (2904.8g) differing from other treatments T1 and T2 (p≤0.05). They showed no significant difference (p 0.05) to each other and the average daily gain of 56.68g and 57.79g, respectively consequently lower final body weights of 2.607 and 2.658 kg, respectively. However, the percentages of podal callus differed in all treatments (p ≤0.05), T1 showed the lowest % of callus (4.55) compared to T2 (8.98) and T3 (20.98). There were no significant differences (p≥0.05) on the viability for poultry produced in conventional and dark house aviaries. The values obtained in the assessment of animal welfare and meat quality contrary to the expectations, presented a higher incidence of PSE meat. The reason is probably because of the stressful conditions that birds suffered during handling for transportation when for the first time these birds were exposed to light and subsequently to transport and treatment conditions at the commercial plant. In conclusion, the dark house systems had higher potential for production with superior performance in relation to conventional systems except in relation to callus podal and a higher incidence of PSE meat. 2. In the second phase, the objective was to investigate the effect of the ambience illuminance at the moment before slaughter on the chickens stress measured by the incidence of PSE meat. The experiment was conducted in a commercial plant in the springtime season in the southern region of the country. The birds (n = 200) were divided into two groups before slaughter at the time of hanging: Treatment with higher (290 lux) and lower illuminance (160 lux). Fillet (Pectoralis major m.) samples were collected 24 h post mortem and analyzed for pH and color. Samples from the group with higher illuminance had lower meat quality with lower pH value, showing that higher illuminance during hanging generated a discomfort zone with the consequent increase in birds stress. The decrease of illuminance at the moment before slaughter had an important role in reducing the stress ante-mortem and promoted a decrease of 7% incidence of PSE meat. 3. In the third phase, the objective was to investigate the effect of illuminating colors and the colors spectral distribution just before slaughter on the broiler chickens welfare measured by the incidence of PSE meat. The experiment was conducted in a commercial plant in the spring season in the southern region. The birds (n = 400) were divided into four treatments before slaughter at the time of hanging as: blue, green, red and white lights ambience. Fillet (Pectoralis major m.) samples were collected 24 h post mortem and analyzed for pH and color and classified as normal and PSE meat. Samples from chickens under white light treatment presented lower pH values indicating that the absence of a faint source of light at the step of birds hanging generated a discomfort zone with consequent increase in stress. The use of blue, green and red lights at the moments before slaughter had important role in reducing the ante-mortem stress and decreased by 19%, 21% and 16%, respectively, the incidence of PSE meat.

A betaína vem sendo utilizada como uma fonte poupadora de metionina na dieta de frangos de corte, tendo em vista o seu menor custo, o que reduz o custo final da dieta. Outro fator de interesse na utilização da betaína é sua função osmoprotetora, que auxilia na regulação do funcionamento celular, principalmente em períodos de estresse. Foram estudadas neste trabalho duas fontes de metionina (DL-Metionina e MHA-Metionina) em diferentes níveis de metionina+cistina, e dois percentuais de inclusão de betaína na dieta, em diferentes fases de criação. No período de 1 a 7 e de 8 a 21 dias, as aves que receberam dietas com níveis reduzidos de metionina+cistina sem a suplementação com betaína apresentaram um desempenho inferior. Quando as dietas deficientes foram suplementadas, o desempenho equiparou-se aos tratamentos positivos. Não houve diferença quanto às fontes de metionina. No período de 22 a 42 dias, a matéria seca da carcaça e os rendimentos de carcaça, peito, perna, gordura abdominal e asa não diferiram. As fontes de metionina diferiram significativamente para as variáveis consumo de ração, taxa de deposição de proteína e peso relativo do fígado. O ganho de peso apresentou resultado satisfatório quanto à utilização de betaína, sendo que a redução de 7% com suplementação apresentou desempenho igual ao controle. Quando utilizada DL-Metionina, maiores taxas de deposição de proteína foram observadas com 7% de redução da quantidade de metionina+cistina com suplementação de 500 g ton-1 de betaína. Para MHA-Metionina, o mesmo foi observado com 7% de redução de metionina+cistina e suplementação de 1000 g ton-1 de betaína. A taxa de deposição de gordura foi estatisticamente superior nos tratamentos com suplementação de betaína, porém a gordura abdominal não diferiu. / Betaine has been used as a source of sparing methionine in the diet of broilers, once its cheaper than methionine, which reduces the final cost of diet. Another factor of interest in the use of betaine is over its osmo-protector function, that assists in the regulation of cell function, especially in stress phases. In this study two sources of methionine (DL-Methionine and Methionine-MHA) were studied at different levels of methionine + cystine, and two inclusion percentage of betaine in the diet at different raising stages. From 1 to 7 and 8 to 21 days, the birds fed diets with reduced levels of methionine and cystine without betaine supplementation underperformed. When deficient diets were supplemented performance equated to the positive treatments. There was no difference as to sources of methionine. In the 22-42 days period, dry matter of carcass and carcass yield, breast, leg, wing and abdominal fat did not differ. Methionine sources differed significantly for feed intake, protein deposition rate and relative weight of liver. Weight gain showed satisfactory result considering the use of betaine, and the 7% reduction with supplementation showed equal performance to the control. When DL-Methionine was used, higher protein deposition rates were observed with 7% reduction in the amount of methionine + cystine supplementation with 500 g ton-1 Betaine. For Methionine-MHA the same was observed with 7% reduction methionine + cystine and supplementation of 1000 g ton-1. The fat deposition rate was statistically higher in treatments supplemented with betaine, but abdominal fat did not differ.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-06-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:40:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gottmann_r_me_botfmvz.pdf: 189836 bytes, checksum: 9ae3a96cb969fc7eb53befa91ed28f81 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a inclusão de farelo de trigo (T) e levedura de cana-de-açúcar (L) pode interferir na detecção da farinha de carne e ossos bovina (C) e da farinha de vísceras de aves (V), na alimentação de frangos de corte, utilizando a técnica de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio no músculo peitoral (Pectoralis major). Foram utilizados 480 pintos machos (Cobb), com um dia de idade, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dezesseis tratamentos, com 30 aves cada, sendo uma dieta controle à base de milho e soja e os demais tratamentos, possíveis combinações da inclusão C, V, L e T. As dietas foram padronizadas para serem equivalentes em proteína bruta ao tratamento com 6% de C. Para análise da razão isotópica, expressa em delta per mil, aos 42 dias de idade foram separadas ao acaso quatro aves (n = 4) por tratamento e coletado o músculo peitoral. Os tratamentos com adição de C + T e o tratamento com inclusão de V + T não diferiram do tratamento controle. A levedura ou a levedura com farelo de trigo em rações a base de milho e farelo de soja, pode atrapalhar a rastreabilidade das farinhas de origem animal na alimentação de frangos de corte. / This paper aims to verify if wheat meal (W) and sugar cane yeast (Y) inclusion in broilers diet can interfere on the detection of meat and bones meal (M) and visceral meal (V) using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes technique in breast muscle (Pectoralis major). Four hundred and eighty one-day-old male chicks (Cobb), were randomly distributed on sixteen treatments (30 birds each), using a control diet (corn and soybean meal basically) and all the others where composed by the possible combinations of M, V, Y and W inclusion. Diets were standardized to be equivalent to 6% M treatment in crude protein. To isotopic ratio analysis in delta per mil, at 42 days of age were randomly sampled 4 broilers (n = 4) per treatment to collect breast muscle (Pectoralis major). The treatments with addition of M + W and the treatment with inclusion of V + W didn't differ of the control treatment. The yeast or the yeast with wheat middling in diets with maize and soybean meal, can interfere in the animal meal traceability of broiler feeding.

Orientadores: Nelson Luis Capelli, Claudio Kiyoshi Umezu / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T21:54:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nunes_EduardoFernandes_M.pdf: 1877327 bytes, checksum: 0386a0cb37c4c14e116d36877c6613f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Nota-se cada vez mais necessária a otimização da produção agropecuária devido às pressões econômicas ou ambientais impostas por mercados globais. Com a finalidade de aumentar a eficiência dos processos de produção agrícola tem-se a necessidade de exercer um maior controle nos procedimentos adotados, em especial, nas granjas de engorda de frango. O desenvolvimento de sistemas de controle e monitoramento baseados em Rede de Sensores Sem Fio (RSSF) constitui uma alternativa de comunicação para granjas, devido as características de mobilidade destas redes. O desenvolvimento do sistema de monitoramento para produção avícola baseado em RSSF realizado neste trabalho procurou estabelecer uma relação de compromisso entre a demanda de aplicações nacionais, a compatibilidade com padronizações internacionais já existentes e preços acessíveis ao setor agropecuário brasileiro. Metodologicamente, realizou-se a predição de sinais de radiofreqüência em uma granja de frango de corte, assim como planejou-se a alocação de canais. A tecnologia utilizada foi a Zigbee, com IEEE 802.15.4 compondo a camada física e de enlace. Para automatizar a leitura de potências foi desenvolvido um software em linguagem Delphi e, para a predição de sinais de RF (Radiofreqüência), foi utilizado o modelo Shadowing adaptado. Todos os testes foram realizados na Granja Moretto, no Município de Tuiuti, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados deste trabalho indicam que a tecnologia Zigbee é apropriada, sob a perspectiva de propagação de sinais, para implementar RSSF em granjas de frango de corte / Abstract: It is increasingly necessary to optimize the agricultural production due to environmental or economic pressures imposed by global markets. Aiming at increasing the efficiency of agricultural production come the need to exert greater control in the procedures adopted, especially in poultry barns. The development of control and monitoring systems based on Wireless Sensors Network Sensors (WSN) is an alternative form of communication for barns, due to the mobile characteristics of these networks. The development of the monitoring system for poultry production based on WSN performed on this work sought to establish a compromise relationship among the demands of national applications, compatibility with the existing international standardizations and affordable prices to the Brazilian agricultural sector. Methodologically, was made a radiofrequency site survey in a poultry barn, as well as channels allocation planning. The wireless technology used was Zigbee, with standard IEEE 802.15.4 setting up the physical layer and link layer. To automate the powers measurement a Delphi language software was developed and, for the site survey, was used an adjusted model of the Shadowing. All tests were performed in the Moretto's poultry Barn, in the city of Tuiuti, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The results of this study indicate that Zigbee technology is appropriate, from the perspective of signals propagation, to implement WSN in poultry barn / Mestrado / Maquinas Agricolas / Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of Aloe ferox inclusion in drinking water on growth performance, blood biochemistry, physico-chemical characteristics, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of broiler meat. The importance of A. ferox as a medicinal plant and factors that influence its utilization by communal poultry farmers were also investigated by use of a questionnaire survey. The survey revealed that the majority of respondents (84.6%) faced health challenges in their chickens and many relied (96.2%) on A. ferox to treat diseases and control parasites. The study also revealed that the choice of medicine (traditional or conventional) was influenced (P<0.05) by level of education and income. In the second phase of the research, a total of 600 Ross 308 day-old broilers, were randomly put in 6 treatment groups with 4 replicates, each having 25 birds. Fresh aqueous A. ferox leaf juice (ALJ) was administered in drinking water at a dosage of 20ml/litre to T1, T2 and T3 from day one to day 35, day one to day 14 and day 15 to day 28, respectively. Birds in T4 and T5 (positive controls) were treated with terramycin at the recommended dosage of 14g/litre of drinking water from day one to day 6 and from day 15 to 20, respectively; and birds in T6 (negative control) received distilled water from day 1 to 35. Feed Intake (FI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated for the 5 week trial. After slaughter, carcass characteristics particularly dressing percentage (DP) and relative organ weight (ROW) were calculated. Serum biochemistry was also determined. For meat quality, pH and color were recorded 45 minutes and 24 hours after slaughter from the breast muscle. Fatty acid profiling and oxidative stability were determined using meat samples from the breast and thigh muscles. The results for growth performance showed that thebirds which were given A. ferox for the first two weeks (T2) consumed significantly (P>0.05) more feed (189.4g) than those in the negative control (159.6g) at the beginning of the starter phase. Subsequently, their ADG recorded on day 7 (27.1g) and day 14 (43.1g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the negative control (22.8g and 36.2g, respectively). Significant treatment effects (P<0.05) for FCR were reported in the 4th week for the birds that received A. ferox throughout (T1: 3.5). Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by A. ferox inclusion in drinking water. The highest high density lipoprotein (HDL) values (2.78 mmol/L) were yielded in T2and T3 had the lowest values (0.61mmol/L) for low density lipoprotein (LDL). For physico-chemical properties, no significant effects (P>0.05) of treatment on pH, colour, cooking loss and tenderness were observed. However, the group treated with A.ferox throughout the production cycle, had the highest pH (6.2), lowest lightness (38.5), highest redness (4.1), highest tenderness (13.86N) and the lowest cooking loss (12.6%). Significant treatment effects (P<0.05) were observed on the composition of the PUFA eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3c8, 11, 14(n-6)) of the breast muscle which was significantly lower in the A. ferox treatment groups than the positive controls. For the thigh muscle, there were significant (P<0.05) treatment effects on composition of palmitoleic acid (C16:1c9) and g-linolenic acid (C18:3c6, 9, 12 (n-3)). No significant (P>0.05) effects were found on oxidative stability of both thigh and breast muscles. In conclusion, the wide use of A. ferox by communal chicken farmers showed its importance as a medicinal plant. Apart from it being an effective medicinal plant, A. ferox inclusion in drinking water results in improved FI, ADG, reduced in LDLC and better g-linolenic and palmitoleic acid composition in the meat.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / A study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary crude (CF) levels of (3, 4, 5 and 7 %) on feed intake, digestibility, growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and live weight of male Ross 308 broiler and indigenous Venda chickens aged 1 to 42 days. The study, also, determined the effect of dietary CF level on the gastrointestinal morphology and digesta pH of gut organs of male Ross 308 broiler and indigenous Venda chickens aged 42 days. Dietary CF levels affected (P<0.05) feed intake, growth rate and live weight of male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens aged 1 to 21 days. A dietary CF level of 3.9 % optimized feed intake, while 4.5 % dietary CF optimized growth rate and live weight in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, dietary CF levels of 4.4, 4.8, 5.9 and 4.7 % optimized feed intake, growth rate, FCR and live weight, respectively, of male Venda chickens aged 1 to 21 days. Therefore, dietary CF level for optimal productivity depended on the breed of the chicken and production parameter of interest. Higher dietary CF levels decreased (P<0.05) crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility values in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Dietary CF levels of 3.8, 3.7 and 4.1 % optimized dry matter (DM) digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME) intake and nitrogen retention, respectively, in male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 14 to 21 days. Increased dietary CF level, also, decreased (P<0.05) NDF and ADF digestibility values in male Venda chickens aged 14 to 21 days. Dry matter and CP digestibility values, ME intake and nitrogen retention of Venda chickens were optimized at dietary CF levels of 3.5, 3.7, 3.3 and 4.1 %, respectively. Feed intake of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 42 days were affected (P<0.05) by dietary CF level; and it was optimized at a dietary CF level of 6.4 %. Increased dietary CF level resulted in poorer growth rate, FCR and live weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, dietary CF levels of 4.5, 5.8, 6.4 and 5.7 %, optimized feed intake, growth rate, FCR and live weight, respectively, of male Venda chickens aged 22 to 42 days. Dietary CF levels of 3.4, 4.4, 3.7 and 4.4 %, optimized DM, CP and NDF digestibility values, and nitrogen retention, respectively, in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, dietary CF levels of 5.1, 5.3, 4.9, 10.1 and 5.1 % optimized DM, CP, NDF and ADF digestibility values, and nitrogen retention, respectively, of male Venda chickens. Therefore, dietary CF level for v optimal response in the chickens depended on breed, age and production variable of interest. The GIT weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens was optimized at a dietary CF level of 4.1 %. In increased dietary CF level in male Ross 308 broiler chickens increased gizzard weights and decreased small intestine weights (P<0.05). Dietary CF levels of 6.3, 5.9 and 8.0 % optimized GIT, gizzard and caecum weights, respectively, in male Venda chickens. The small intestine weight of male Venda chickens was not affected (P<0.05) by dietary CF level. Caecum weight of male Venda chickens increased (P<0.05) with higher dietary CF level. However, caecum weights of male Ross 308 broiler chickens were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary CF level. The GIT and small intestine lengths were affected (P<0.05) by dietary CF level in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Dietary CF levels of 5.6 and 5.5 % optimized GIT and small intestine lengths, respectively. However, in male Venda chickens, GIT and small intestine lengths were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary CF level. Digesta pH of the proventriculus and gizzard were affected (P<0.05) by dietary CF level in male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Different dietary CF levels of 5.5 and 7.4 % optimized the proventriculus and gizzard digesta pH in male Ross 308 broiler chickens, respectively. However, dietary CF levels of 4.2 and 4.3 % optimized the proventriculus and gizzard digesta pH values, respectively, in male Venda chickens. The two breeds of chickens had similar digesta pH values of the crop, proventriculus, gizzard and large intestines. However, male Venda chickens had higher (P<0.05) small intestine digesta pH values than male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days. Caecum digesta pH values of Ross 308 broiler chickens were higher (P<0.05) than those of Venda chickens aged 42 days. The second study was conducted to determine the effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation level in the drinking water on feed intake, digestibility, FCR, growth rate, gut organ weight, length and digesta pH of male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens aged 22 to 42 days. The study, also, determined the effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation level in drinking water on types of bacterial species in crop and gizzard digesta, as well as its effect on meat quality of male Ross 308 broiler and indigenous Venda chickens. Increased sodium bicarbonate vi supplementation level increased (P<0.05) water pH. Supplementation levels of 8.9, 2.04, 2.97 and 2.97 g of sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized water intake, feed intake, growth rate and live weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens, respectively. In male Venda chickens, there was a strong and positive relationship between sodium bicarbonate supplementation level and water intake of Venda chickens. A single supplementation level of 3.8 g of sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized growth and live weight of male Venda chickens. There was a negative relationship between sodium bicarbonate supplementation level in the drinking water and NDF digestibility of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Supplementation levels of 2.63, 6.67 and 7.0 g of sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized DM and CP digestibility values, and nitrogen retention, respectively, in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, supplementation levels of 3.2 and 4.52 g of sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized DM and NDF digestibility values, respectively, in male Venda chickens. There were negative relationships between sodium bicarbonate supplementation level in the drinking water and CP digestibility and nitrogen retention of male Venda chickens. Supplementation levels of 5.7, 2.2, 3.8, 7.6 and 7.2 g of sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized proventriculus, gizzard and small intestinal weights, and GIT and small intestines lengths, respectively, in male Ross 308 broiler chickens. However, a sodium bicarbonate supplementation level of 2.8 % optimized proventriculus weights of male Venda chickens; the other digestive organ weights and lengths of Venda chickens were not affected (P>0.05) by sodium bicarbonate supplementation level. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation in the drinking water affected bacterial species found in the crops and gizzards of the chickens. There were different bacterial species found in the crop and gizzard digesta of male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Meat colour (L*, a* and b*) of the breasts and thighs of both breeds of chickens were not affected (P>0.05) by sodium bicarbonate supplementation. However, the redness (a*) values of the breast meat of male indigenous Venda chickens were higher (P<0.05) than those of breast meat from male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation level did not affect (P>0.05) breast meat tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall acceptability values and meat pH of Ross 308 broiler chickens. Supplementation levels of 3.6, 3.2 and 4.7 g of vii sodium bicarbonate per litre of drinking water optimized meat juiciness, flavour and shear force of male Venda chickens, respectively. It was concluded that sodium bicarbonate supplementation in the drinking water affected growth, NDF digestibility and bacterial species composition of male Ross and Venda chickens. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation level for optimal response in chickens depended on the breed and production variables of interest. / VLIROUS

Three experiments were conducted to study the nutritional value of poultry litter in ruminants and poultry. In the first experiment, eight yearling wethers were used in a series of three metabolism trials to study the utilization of the nitrogen in autoclaved peanut hull broiler litter containing 32.6% crude protein (dry matter basis). Poultry litter nitrogen replaced 25, 50 and 100% of the nitrogen of a purified diet containing isolated soybean protein as the nitrogen source. Apparent digestibility of crude protein in the rations decreased significantly at each increase of litter nitrogen level beyond 25%. However, the depression of crude protein digestibility at 50% litter nitrogen level was small. Digestibility of the litter nitrogen, calculated by difference, was 67 and 64%, respectively at 25 and 50% level of the nitrogen, which were not much lower than 71% when only soy protein was used. Nitrogen retention and percent utilization of absorbed nitrogen were significantly lower at the 100% litter-N level than when no litter was used. There were no consistent differences in the nitrogen fractions of the rumen fluid and blood plasma among the rations. In the second experiment, three digestion and metabolism trials were conducted with 10 yearling wethers to study the protein and energy utilization of autoclaved peanut hull and woodshaving broiler litters when each was incorporated in corn-hay natural ration at levels of 25 and 50 percent. Apparent digestibility of crude protein did not show any significant difference among the rations. Crude fiber digestibility of the litter rations was higher than that of the control ration. Dry matter, NFE and energy digestibility were lower (P<.01) for the litter rat:ons and decreased significantly when the litter level in the ration was increased from 25 to 50%. No significant difference was observed in nitrogen retention, due to kind or level of litter in the rations. Crude fiber digestibility, calculated by difference, was significantly depressed when the level of litter was increased from 25 to 50%. There were no other significant differences in digestibility between kind or level of litter. The apparent digestibility of crude protein was 71.7%. Digestible protein content (on dry matter basis) for peanut hull and wood shaving litter were 23 and 22%, respectively. The average TDN value for ooth kinds of litter was 60% (dry basis). Average digestible energy values (kcal./kg. on dry matter basis) were 2472 and 2407 respectively for peanut hull and wood shaving litter. The corresponding values for metabolizable energy were 2212 and 2150 kcal./kg. There was no significant difference in digestible protein, TDN, digestible energy, and metabolizable energy values due to kind or level of litter. The third experiment was conducted to study the value of different levels of processed peanut hull litter as a partial protein supplement in a practical type broiler ration. When 1/6 or 1/5 of the protein in the basal diet was replaced with litter crude protein by the inclusion of 13.9 or 16.7% litter in the diet, there was no significant difference in rate of gain, compared to the control. When 1/4 of protein in the basal diet was replaced by litter crude protein (20.8% litter in the diet), a significant growth depression resulted. Feed efficiency of the litter fed groups was significantly lower than that of groups on the basal diet. / Ph. D.

Using ruminally, abomasally and ileally cannulated wethers, an in vivo experiment was conducted to compare supplementing ensiled, deepstacked and composted broiler litter as N sources with soybean meal. Sheep were fed isonitrogenous (10.3% CP) and isocaloric (56% TDN) corn cob-based diets. Apparent digestibility of CP was somewhat depressed by feeding deepstacked and composted litters; however, N retention was affected by N sources. Nitrogen source did not alter flow and partial digestion of DM, OM and ADF through the digestive tract of sheep, with the exception of higher OM digestion in the large intestine of sheep fed deepstacked and composted litters than ensiled litter. Diets containing soybean meal, and ensiled, deepstacked and composted litter had 12.2, 25.2, 29.1, and 25.5% protein undegradability, respectively. Feeding litter increased dietary undegraded N flow and decreased microbial N flOw, compared to feeding soybean meal. Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was not affected by N source. Available N (g/d) in the small intestine was similar among all diets. An in situ bag experiment showed that CP of ensiled, deepstacked and composted litter consisted of 80 to 89% of soluble A fraction, 8 to 13% of degradable B fraction, and 3 to 6% of undegradable C fraction. The ruminal degradability of CP was approximately 89 to 94% for processed litters, and 75% for soybean meal. Nitrogen solubilities of ensiled, deepstacked and composted broiler litter, determined in autoclaved ruminal fluid, were 62, 59, and 41%, respectively, when that of soybean meal was 12%. Another in situ experiment was conducted to determine ruminal DM and CP characteristics of broiler litter from surface and charred areas in the deepstacks. The low DM content in charred litter reflected more susceptibility of the locally high moisture litter for charring. Surface litter contained less CP than normal litter. Charred litter had higher undegradable protein fractions and lower CP degradability than normal litter. These studies illustrated that broiler litter processed by ensiling, deepstacking and composting could be efficiently utilized as a protein source for ruminants. / Ph. D.

This study was undertaken to determine the influence or seasonality on marketings, farm price and cash production cost of broilers in the 10-County Shenandoah Valley Area, The association between the seasonal pattern of broiler marketings and the seasonal variation in broiler prices and the relationship of seasonal variations in cash production cost to the seasonal movement of broiler marketings were also determined. Weekly, rather than monthly data were used in the construction of various seasonal indexes. / Master of Science

A study was conducted using commercial broiler breeders with the males fed a diet containing, either 120/0 or 140/0 protein and body weight maintained at either 900/0 or 1000/0 of that recommended by the primary breeder (fed separately), or allowed to eat from the female feeders (controls). Female feeders in the separately fed pens were equipped with especially designed grills, which denied access to the males. The male feeder in these pens was elevated so that females were denied access. Males fed separately (body weight 90% or 1000/0, and dietary protein 120/0 or 140/0) had a significantly higher percentage fertility (4.20/0) than males allowed to eat with the females. No differences in percentage fertility were found among the four separately fed groups. No differences were noted in percentage hatch of fertile eggs among any of the treatment groups. Males eating from the female feeders had significantly heavier body weights and testes weights at 65 weeks of age than breeder males in the separately fed, groups. Mean body weights were 3819g and 4773g at 35 weeks of age, and 4192g and 5443g at 65 weeks of age for males eating separately and eating with the females, respectively. Furthermore, males in the control group had significantly larger breast angle measurements when compared with the separately fed males. No differences were observed in foot scores and semen concentration among males in the various treatment groups. / Master of Science