Effects of supplementation of high-dosing Trichoderma reesei phytase in the corn-wheat-soybean meal-based diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, faecal gas emission, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs

Beet pulp as soluble fiber source and dietary energy levels for growing pigs under heat stress

The study evaluated the effects of dietary fiber and energy levels administered during two growing periods (d 0-28 and d 29-56) for pigs exposed to a high temperature. A total of 96 growing pigs were used in six treatments as: Two treatments in thermoneutral temperature (21°C-24°C) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, two treatments in heat stress (30°C-34°C) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, and two treatments in heat stress with dietary energy of 3,450 and the inclusion of high or low fiber. Among standard energy level treatments, heat-stressed pigs showed lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fiber in phases 1 and 2. Moreover, higher concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in feces were shown in pigs fed high fiber diets. There was a negative interaction between dietary fiber and energy for the fecal concentration of isobutyrate in phase 1 and valerate in phase 2. Pigs in heat stress treatments showed a higher rectal temperature, respiratory rate, hair cortisol, plasma zonulin, and fecal lipocalin-2. Among heat stress treatments, the overall ADG was increased in pigs fed high fiber. Pigs fed high dietary fiber showed a greater concentration of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA. High fiber treatments decreased plasma zonulin. In conclusion, the inclusion of beet pulp, soluble fiber, at the level of 4% looks necessary in pigs diet during heat stress.

Phytase expressed from Saccharomyces pombe ameliorates footpad lesions in cage-reared broiler chicks

BACKGROUND/AIM

The condition of footpad is an important aspect of poultry welfare. This is a problem that plagues the poultry industry because it occurs whether birds are reared in the cage or on the floor. It is reported that feeding phytase to floor-reared broiler chicks could ameliorate footpad lesions, which is related to the reduction of litter moisture. However, some studies reported that phytase supplementation could ameliorate footpad lesions, but did not affect litter quality. Therefore, phytase supplementation may have other potential mechanisms to improve the footpad lesions. Cage-reared broiler chicks were used in this study because they had no access to litter.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 234 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three groups based on the initial body weight (42.22 ± 0.18 g) with six replicate cages and 13 birds (mixed sex) per cage. The experimental period was 45 days. Dietary treatments were based on a corn-soybean meal-basal diet and supplemented with 500 and 750 FTU/kg Saccharomyces pombe expressed phytase. The unit of phytase (FTU) was defined as the amount of enzyme that catalyzes the release of one micromole phosphate from phytate per minute at 37°C and pH 5.5.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

We found that dietary supplementation of S. pombe expressed phytase could improve calcium and phosphorus digestibility and subsequent improvement in toe ash, thus ameliorating footpad lesions in broiler chicks with no access to litter.

Supplemental effect of coated refined fish oil on the performance of finishing pigs fed diets containing soybean-meal as a partial alternative to barley or wheat feed ingredient

A total of 195 finishing pigs with an average body weight of 78.65 ± 0.09 kg were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments in a 28 days trial. The designated nutritional diets were as follows: CON; TRT1- CON + 0.2% coated refined fish oil; TRT2- CON + 10% barley + 0.2% coated refined fish oil. The inclusion of coated refined fish oil with the barley-based diet significantly increased body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of finishing pigs throughout the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, pigs fed coated refined fish oil with the barley-based diet showed a significant improvement on nutrient digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen. Moreover, gas emission of NH3 and H2S concentration were significantly reduced. Also, drip loss during days 5 and 7 was significantly decreased in meat quality analysis of pigs fed coated refined fish oil supplemented to a barley-based diet. Furthermore, dietary coated refined fish oil with barley-based diet had significantly increased fatty acid profile of belly meat and reduced belly fat. In summary, the inclusion of coated refined fish oil with barley diet positively impacts on growth performance and nutritional values of meat quality in finishing pigs