Feeding whole-plant ensiled corn stover affects growth performance, blood parameters, and Cecal microbiota of Holdobagy goose

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding whole-plant ensiled corn stalks (WECS) to the diet of Holdorbagy geese on their growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. Geese farming is an important agricultural practice, and optimizing their diet can contribute to better growth and health outcomes. However, there is limited research on the utilization of WECS as a feed source for geese. Understanding the potential effects of WECS on growth, blood parameters, and cecal microbiota can provide valuable insights into its feasibility and impact on geese farming practices.

Methods

A total of 144 six-week-old Holdorbagy geese were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (0% WECS), a group fed 15% WECS and 85% concentrated feed (15% WECS), and a group fed 30% WECS and 70% concentrated feed (30% WECS). The trial period lasted for three weeks, during which the growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota were assessed.

Results

The results revealed significant findings in different aspects. Firstly, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G ratio) of the 15% WECS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), indicating potential challenges in feed efficiency. Additionally, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of both the 15% and 30% WECS groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), suggesting increased appetite or palatability of the diet containing WECS. In terms of serum parameters, the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the 30% WECS group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a tendency for increasing Fe levels and decreasing Zn levels with higher levels of WECS supplementation, although the differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, the principal coordinate analysis showed significant differences in the composition of cecal microbiota among the three groups (p < 0.01). The observed_species, Shannon, and Pielou_e indices of the 30% WECS group were significantly higher than those of the 0% and 15% WECS groups (p<0.05), while the Simpson index of the 15% WECS group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05).

Discussion

The results indicate that the addition of WECS to the geese diet has both positive and negative effects. The study suggests that WECS can be a long-term stable feed source for geese, which can contribute to reducing feeding costs. However, it is important to monitor the amount of WECS added as it can affect the absorption of Zn by geese. Supplementation of Zn in the diet might be necessary to meet the needs of geese. Notably, adding 30% WECS to the diet can increase the richness, evenness, and diversity of the cecal microbiota, indicating potential benefits to gut health. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of WECS as a feed source for geese. It provides valuable insights into the effects of WECS on growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. These findings contribute to optimizing geese farming practices, improving feed utilization, and enhancing overall productivity and well-being of geese. Further research is needed to determine the optimal inclusion level of WECS and to explore strategies for mitigating any negative effects.

The integrated analysis of digestive physiology and gastrointestinal microbiota structure in Changle goose

Changle goose in Fujian, China is a rare genetic resource and in urgent need to be protected. Understanding the characteristics of digestive physiology and spatial variation of gastrointestinal microbiota is crucial for developing nutritional intervention strategies to improve intestinal health and production performance of goose. Hence, histomorphological assay was used for observing development status of proventriculus, jejunum, and cecum in 70-day-old Changle geese, whereas digesta from 6 alimentary canal locations (crop, proventriculus, gizzard, jejunum, cecum, and rectum) were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) quantitative analysis. The histomorphological observation indicated that the jejunum and cecum of Changle goose were well developed. The alpha diversity analysis revealed that, except rectum, microbiota in other noncecum sections were in high diversity as cecum. The Nonmetric MultiDimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis showed that microbial community of proventriculus, gizzard, and jejunum formed a cluster, which distinctly discrete with the microbiota of the other gastrointestinal locations. Additionally, the proportions of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Campilobacterota at the phylum level and Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter, and Subdoligranulum at the genus level exhibited tremendous alternations among different gastrointestinal locations. The characteristic bacterial composition in each section was further disclosed by analyzing the core and feature Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) and SCFAs pattern. Importantly, 7 body-weight-associated ASVs and 2 cecum-development-related ASVs were identified via correlation analysis. In a whole, our findings provided the first insights into the specialized digestive physiology of Changle geese and distinctive regional distribution of gastrointestinal microbiota, which laid the important foundation for improving growth performance through microbiota manipulation in geese.

Poultry nutrition

Nutrition is the most important environmental factor affecting development, health status, growth performance and profitability of poultry production. Feeds for poultry constitute up to 70–75% of total production costs. Poultry nutrition differs considerably from that of other livestock, which is determined by the specific anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract. Protein, energy, fat, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and water are of basic importance for poultry nutrition and their content in feeds must cover the requirement that differ depending on the bird’s age and species. In general, feed protein must be of good value including the content of essential amino acids. Among them lysine, methionine, cysteine, threonine and tryptophan are the limiting ones. The main ingredient of poultry feeds are cereal grains, i.e. wheat and maize, which predominantly constitute an energy source because their protein content is insufficient for birds. Because of that cereals cannot be the only feed for poultry and must be combined with protein sources such as soybean or rapeseed meal, legume seeds or protein concentrates. Despite birds’ requirement for nutrients and chemical composition of feeds are well known, nutrition must face many problems. One of the most important issues is to find alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters.

Effects of maize silage feeding on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive system length, chemical composition, and meat quality of domestic geese

This study aimed to explore the effects of corn silage (CS) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive system length, and some meat quality traits of geese. A total of 35 19-week-old Turkish indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into five groups with individual pens of seven geese per group and fed for 84 D. The treatments were composed of a basal diet (100% concentrate feed) without corn silage (0CS), 10% CS + 90% concentrate feed (10CS), 20% corn silage + 80% concentrate feed (20CS), 30% corn silage + 70% concentrate feed (30CS), and 40% corn silage + 60% concentrate feed (40CS). Dietary CS supplementation did not affect growth performance, dressing percentage, liver and gizzard weights, digestive system length of geese, and the organoleptic quality characteristics of meat. The 0CS and 20CS geese had a higher instrumental hardness value than other treatment geese (p < 0.05). Also, the 40CS group had the lowest hardness value (p < 0.05). Adhesiveness value was lower in the 0CS group compared to all silage treatments (p < 0.05). Gumminess value was lower in the 40CS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The 10CS treatment reduced the L value of thigh and breast meat compared with those of the other treatments (p < 0.05). The a and b color values and pH values of breast and thigh meats were not affected by dietary CS supplementation (p > 0.05). Fat content of the meat decreased in the 30CS treatment compared to 0CS (p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that corn silage could be used up to 40% in the Turkish goose variety diet, without affecting the performance and meat quality, and thus, geese can be produced more economically.

Effects of betaine supplementation on reproductive performance of breeding geese

1. An experiment feeding three concentrations of betaine was conducted using breeding geese to analyse the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality and intestinal immunity.2. A total of 450 female and 90 male Jiangnan White breeding geese were divided into three treatments, with five pen replicates each containing 30 female geese and 6 male geese.3. The results showed that there was no significant effect on the reproductive performance, serum biochemical indexes or jejunal villi goblet cells of geese with different levels of betaine in the diet (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the addition of 2.5 g/kg betaine to the diet showed a tendency to increase egg mass (P>0.05) the betaine content in the yolk (P<0.05). Feeding betaine significantly increased the height of jejunal villi and egg yolk total cholesterol content in female geese (P<0.05).4. In conclusion, adding betaine to the goose diet was effective in its ability to improve intestinal structures and increase egg production. Adding 2.5 g/kg betaine to feed significantly increased the content of TCHOL and betaine in goose eggs.

Effect of Heating Time of Cottonseed Meal on Nutrient and Mineral Element Digestibility in Chicken (Based on Cottonseed Meal Replaced with All Soybean Meal)

A digestibility test was conducted to estimate the effects of the heating time of cottonseed meal on nutrient digestibility and mineral element absorption in chicken. A total of 36, 45-week-old healthy New Yangzhou chickens with similar body weight were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates per group and one chicken per replicate. The chickens in Group A (control group) were fed the corn-soybean meal diet. The chickens in Groups B, C, D, E, and F (experimental groups) were fed the cottonseed meal to replace all soybean meal. The cottonseed meal in the experimental groups was treated with wet heating. The heating temperature was set at 120 °C, and the humidity was set at 50%. The heating time was set to 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min successively. The trial period was 4 day. The digestibility of crude protein, metabolic energy, and dry matter was highest using wet-heat treating for 15 min (p < 0.05). The digestibility of Fe increased significantly from 66.78% to 70.39% when the heating time of cottonseed meal was prolonged from 10 min to 30 min (p < 0.05). Compared with Group A, the digestibility of Zn was increased in Groups B and C, and then there was a decrease in Group D. Finally, the digestibility was increased again in Group F. The opposite pattern was shown in the digestibility of Cu and Zn. There was no significant effect of wet heat treatment time on the digestibility of calcium, phosphorus, and manganese (p > 0.05). When cottonseed meal is considered as feed for 45-week-old chickens, processing conditions of 120 °C and 50% humidity for 15 min are recommended.

Effects of Dietary Rapeseed Meal on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Parameters, and Intestinal Development of Geese

The use of inexpensive nonconventional feed materials, such as rapeseed meal (RSM), could help alleviate the shortage of feed materials in the poultry industry. This study was to investigate the effects of dietary double-low RSM on growth performance, carcass traits, serum parameters, and intestinal development of geese. A total of 270 healthy 35-day-old male Jiangnan White geese were randomly divided into five treatments, with six replicate pens of nine geese each. The geese were fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% RSM replacing dietary soybean meal for 35 days. At 35, 49, and 70 d, the BW and feed intake were recorded. All Samples were collected at 70 d of age. The results showed that dietary RSM up to 16% did not affect the BW, ADFI, ADG, and feed/gain ratio (F/G) during 35 to 49 d, 49 to 70 d, and 35 to 70 d periods (p > 0.05). At 70 d, no difference was observed in carcass yield or serum biochemical parameters among groups (p > 0.05). Dietary 12% and 16% RSM significantly increased the concentration of serum GH compared with 0%, 4%, 8% groups (p < 0.01), but serum TSH, T3 and T4 were unaffected (p > 0.05). The relative weights of heart, liver, spleen, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine were similar among groups (p > 0.05). However, the geese fed dietary 16% RSM had greater bursa of Fabricius than geese in the 8% group (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology was unaffected by treatments (p > 0.05). According to the findings, dietary RSM up to 16% can be used in geese diets without impact on production performance.

The effect of different dietary levels of sodium and chloride on performance, blood parameters and excreta quality in goslings at 29 to 70 days of age

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the appropriate levels of dietary sodium (Na⁺ ) and chloride (Cl^- ) for 29- to 70-day-old goslings and to investigate the effects of different levels of Na⁺ and Cl^- on the growth performance, water consumption, blood parameters and excreta quality of goslings to provide a reference for the healthy production of goslings. In Experiment 1, a total of 432 29-day-old male Jiangnan White goslings were randomly allotted to nine treatments according to a 3 × 3 factorial design, with six pens containing eight birds per treatment. The goslings were fed diets with three concentrations of Na⁺ (0.10%, 0.15% and 0.20%) and three concentrations of Cl^- (0.15%, 0.20% and 0.25%). The experimental period was 42 days. In Experiment 2, a total of 24 70-day-old Jiangnan White goslings were selected for four treatments (0.10% Na⁺  × 0.15% Cl^- ; 0.10% Na⁺  × 0.25% Cl^- ; 0.20% Na⁺  × 0.15% Cl^- and 0.20% Na⁺  × 0.25% Cl^- ) and housed separately in metabolic cages. The faeces were collected for 3 consecutive days. In Experiment 1, the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) ratio of goslings were unaffected by the treatments. However, low levels of Na⁺ and Cl^- significantly reduced the water consumption of goslings in the later growth period (p < 0.05). The average water consumption of goslings fed with 0.10% Na⁺  × 0.15% Cl^- was significantly lower than that of the goslings fed with 0.20% Na⁺  × 0.25% Cl^- (56 days, 1304.2 ml vs. 1471.7 ml; 63 days, 1452.8 ml vs. 1610.8 ml; 70 days, 1540.0 ml vs. 1775.4 ml; p < 0.05). The interaction between Na⁺ and Cl^- (Na⁺  × Cl^- ) had a significant impact on the blood haemoglobin (HGB) and haematocrit (HCT) levels in the goslings (p < 0.05). HGB increased linearly with increasing levels of Na⁺ . HGB and HCT first increased and then decreased with increasing levels of Cl^- . In Experiment 2, Na⁺ and Cl^- levels had significant effects on the excreta moisture content (p < 0.05). Goslings fed with 0.10% Na⁺  × 0.15% Cl^- had a low moisture content of 5.58% compared to the goslings fed with 0.20% Na⁺  × 0.25% Cl^- (87.51% vs. 93.09%; p < 0.05). The levels of dietary Na⁺ had a significant effect on the retention ratio of Na (p < 0.05), with the value for the 0.20% Na⁺ group being significantly higher than that for the 0.10% Na⁺ group (p < 0.05). In summary, different levels of Na⁺ and Cl^- did not affect the growth of goslings. To reduce the water consumption and moisture content of excreta, the Na⁺ and Cl^- levels in the diet can be as low as 0.10% and 0.15%, respectively.

A Preliminary Study of Chemically Preserved and High-Moisture Whole Maize (Zea mays L.) Usage in Pekin Duck Nutrition: Effect on Growth Performance and Selected Internal Organ Traits

Simple Summary

Harvested maize grains characterized by high moisture require the use of additional preservation processes to secure against the microbiota. The most commonly used practice is heat-drying, which is energy- and cost-consuming, as well as environmentally unfriendly. Thus, there is a need to omit these harmful techniques and evaluate the usage of wet maize in animal nutrition. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the chemically preserved, high-moisture whole maize grain addition in Pekin duck nutrition on their growth performance and selected internal organ and gastrointestinal tract measurements and digesta pH values. The results of the experiment clearly showed that there is a possibility to partially replace commonly used heat-dry maize with the preserved whole-grain form without an adverse effect on the birds’ performances and selected organ morphometrical parameters. However, due to surprising changes in the pH values in the gizzard and caeca, further investigations, including microbiota analyses, are recommended.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of chemically preserved, high-moisture whole maize grain addition in Pekin duck diets on their growth performance and selected internal organ and gastrointestinal tract measurements and digesta pH values. A total of 300 29-d-old male Pekin ducks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments using five replicate pens per group and 20 birds per pen. The following treatment groups were applied: CON—basal diet, 5HM—5% of high-moisture, chemically preserved whole maize (HM) inclusion, and 10HM—10% of HM addition. The experiment lasted 21 d. The implementation of 5HM or 10HM did not affect (p > 0.05) the growth performance parameters, selected internal organ weights, and the gastrointestinal tract segment weights and lengths. However, significant changes in terms of the gizzard (p = 0.005), ileum (p = 0.030), and caecal (p < 0.001) digesta pH were observed, especially in the case of the 10HM group, which exhibited the greatest increase in pH in the gizzard and caecal digesta and decrease in the ileal digesta pH. The implementation of whole wet maize may be used in waterfowl diets from 29 d of age. Additionally, chemical preservation can efficiently reduce the cost of maize preparation in duck nutrition.

Effects of Supplemental Feed with Different Levels of Dietary Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grazing Naturalized Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides)

Grazing Swan geese (Anser cygnoides) have good meat quality but grow slowly. This study aimed to study whether supplemental feeding could improve growth performance of grazing Swan geese and investigate a suitable dietary metabolizable energy (ME) level of supplemental diet for grazing Swan geese. Naturalized healthy male Swan geese (n = 144; 42 ± 2.0 days and 1.21 ± 0.17 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 groups and grazed on pasture alone (control, CON) or offered supplemental diets with ME of 9.5, 11.5, or 13.5 MJ/kg of DM after grazing. Growth performance and body-size measurements (including bone development) were lower (p < 0.05) in CON versus supplemented geese, as well as slaughter measurements on days 28 and 56. The DM intake linearly decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary ME from day 29 to 56. Slaughter, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated, and thigh muscle yield linearly (p < 0.01) decreased with increasing dietary ME on day 56. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) for breast and thigh muscle on days 28 and 56, and breast muscle shear force on day 56, were lower (p < 0.01) in supplemented versus CON geese. In conclusion, supplemental feeding improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of grazing Swan geese, and supplemental feed with ME of 9.5 MJ/kg of DM could be offered to improve growth and meat quality of grazing Swan geese.

Effect of hybrid rice varieties on growth and development of broilers and ducks

Three experiments (Exp. 1, n = 144 broilers [Ross × Ross]; Exp. 2, n = 118 mallard ducklings [Anas platyrhynchos]; and Exp. 3, n = 75 mature mallard ducks) were conducted to determine the effects of 3 levels of unmilled hybrid rice on growth performance and organ and gastrointestinal tract development. The dietary treatments were 1) corn-soybean meal (basal), 2) basal + 5% hybrid rice, and 3) basal + 10% hybrid rice for Exp. 1 to 3, respectively. One bird from each pen in Exp. 1 (n = 24) and all the birds in Exp. 2 (n = 118) and Exp. 3 (n = 75) were randomly selected and euthanized to determine linear measurements and organ and gastrointestinal tract weight. In Exp. 1 and 2, birds fed 10% rice experienced slower growth (P < 0.05) than birds fed the basal diet. In Exp. 3, the addition of rice did not affect growth performance. Rice addition did not affect organ length or weight (P > 0.05) in Exp. 1. However, birds fed 5% rice had significantly increased (P < 0.05) pancreas, ileum, and jejunum weights in Exp. 2, and 10% rice significantly increased (P < 0.05) liver weight in Exp. 3. The addition of 10% unmilled rice to broiler and duck diets may reduce growth performance.

Effects of dietary chitosan on growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent utilization and digestive enzyme activities of growing Huoyan geese

Dietary chitosan (CS) supplementation could improve the growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent digestibility and digestive enzyme activities in pigs, broiler chickens, rats and fish, whereas no data has been reported about the effect of CS on the growing Huoyan geese. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of CS on growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent utilization and digestive enzyme activities of growing Huoyan geese. Three hundred and twenty (28 days of age, gender balance) Huoyan geese were randomly divided into control, CS100, CS200 and CS400 groups (based on BW) with 20 geese per pen and 4 replicates pen per group, and the feeding experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that CS200 groups had higher average daily gain, final BW, apparent utilization of DM and CP, and lower feed/gain ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, CS100 and CS200 groups had higher villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio and lower crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The geese in CS100 and CS200 groups had higher villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio and lower crypt depth of ileum compared with those in control and CS400 groups (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, CS200 group has higher trypsin activities and lower lipase activities in duodenal, jejunal and ileal contents (P < 0.05). The results suggested that addition of 200 mg/kg CS had positive effects on growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent utilization and digestive enzyme activities of growing Huoyan geese.

Effects of cottonseed meal on slaughter performance, meat quality, and meat chemical composition in Jiangnan White goslings

Cottonseed meal (CSM), which is an unconventional protein material with abundant sources, high protein content, and a relatively cheap price, can be used in poultry diets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CSM on slaughter performance, meat quality and meat chemical composition in Jiangnan White goslings. A total of 300 healthy 28-day-old male goslings were randomly divided into 5 treatments, with 6 pens containing 10 geese each. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets were formulated such that 0% (a corn-soybean meal basal diet, control), 25% (CSM25), 50% (CSM50), 75% (CSM75), and 100% (CSM100) protein from soybean meal was replaced with CSM (corresponding to 0, 6.73, 13.46, 20.18, and 26.91% CSM in the feed, respectively). On day 70, 1 goose from each pen (6 geese per treatment) was randomly selected and killed to measure the slaughter performance, meat quality, and the meat amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) compositions. The results showed that dietary CSM did not affect the slaughter performance or meat quality of geese (P > 0.05). The fat content of breast muscle in the CSM100 group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). A concentration of 13.46% or more dietary CSM increased the threonine content but decreased the cysteine content, and 20.18% dietary CSM also decreased the valine content (P < 0.05). Dietary CSM concentration had no effect on the content of total saturated FAs (SFAs, P > 0.05), but 20.18 and 26.91% dietary CSM increased the content of total monounsaturated FAs and decreased the content of total polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) and PUFA/SFA in the breast muscle of geese (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary CSM did not affect the slaughter performance or meat quality of geese, but the replacement of soybean meal with CSM in whole or high proportion altered the composition of AAs and FAs in breast muscle.

Effects of cassava foliage on feed digestion, meat quality, and antioxidative status of geese

As the by-product of cassava, cassava foliage (CF) has been widely used in livestock feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CF on the feed digestion, meat quality, and antioxidative status of geese. A total of 108 male Hainan indigenous geese (28-days-old) with similar body weight were randomly and evenly divided into 3 groups, and the geese were fed for 42 D on either the control diet (CON) consisting of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran, or the experimental diet composed of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% (CF1) or 10% (CF2) CF. Dietary nutrient digestibility, physicochemical properties, amino acid and fatty acid composition of meat, and antioxidative status of geese were evaluated. The results showed that supplementation of CF in goose diets enhanced the feed digestion and affected the meat quality. In addition, supplementation of CF had beneficial effects on the regulation of amino acid and fatty acid profiles in muscle tissues. Moreover, such supplementation had no significant effect on antioxidative status. Taken together, goose diet containing 5% CF was recommended based on feed efficiency and meat quality.

The Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Defatted Rice Bran on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Relative Weights of the Viscera in Geese

Simple Summary

Geese production is becoming more specialized and widespread in China. Feed constitutes approximately 70% of the cost of poultry production. Defatted rice bran (DFRB) is currently used in poultry feed as a cheaper alternative option compared to corn and soybean meal. China is the largest rice producer in the world. When rice is processed into white rice, byproducts are produced. One of the most important byproducts is DFRB. It was found that a high level of DFRB had negative effects on the growth performance in geese (up to 20%).

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different dietary levels of defatted rice bran (DFRB) on growth performance, slaughter performance, and relative weights of the viscera in geese. A total of 300 28-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weights were randomly divided into five groups, with six replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. The geese were fed diets containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% DFRB for 42 days. Over the 29-d to 70-d trial period, no significant difference was observed in the average daily feed intake in geese (p > 0.05). However, 30% and 40% DFRB reduced body weights of geese at 70 d (p < 0.01) and average daily gain from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.05) were observed, and 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB increased feed-to-gain ratios from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.01). Birds in the 30% and 40% DFRB groups had reduced breast yields (p < 0.05), and birds in the 40% DFRB group had increased thigh yields (p < 0.05). Birds in the 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB groups had increased proventriculus weights (p < 0.01). The results suggested that a high level of DFRB affected growth performance, slaughter performance, and visceral development. Under the experimental conditions, we recommend that the dietary level of DFRB should not exceed 20% to avoid negative effects on geese.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Effects of cottonseed meal on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and serum biochemical parameters of geese

Cottonseed meal (CSM), an oil industry by-product, is an attractive alternative protein source in poultry diets. To investigate the effects of CSM on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and serum biochemical parameters of geese, a total of 300 healthy, 28-day-old, male Jiangnan geese were randomly divided into 5 treatments, with 6 pens of 10 geese each. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets were formulated to produce diets in which 0% (control), 25% (CSM25), 50% (CSM50), 75% (CSM75), and 100% (CSM100) of protein from soybean meal was replaced by CSM (corresponding to 0, 6.73, 13.46, 20.18, and 26.91% CSM in the feed, respectively). At 28, 42, and 70 d, BW and feed intake for each pen were measured. Blood, small intestine, and chyme samples were collected at 70 d. The results showed that dietary 13.46% CSM or more decreased BW at 42 d and ADG from 28 to 42 d but increased the feed/gain ratio (F/G) from 28 to 42 d (P < 0.05). From 42 to 70 d, geese in the CSM groups had higher ADFI and ADG than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Geese in the CSM75 and CSM100 groups had a higher ADG from 28 to 70 d and BW at 70 d and a lower F/G from 42 to 70 d than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary 6.73% CSM also improved ADFI from 28 to 70 d (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, geese in the CSM groups had decreased pepsin and lipase activities, and those in the CSM25, CSM50, and CSM75 groups had increased villus height in the jejunum at 70 d (P < 0.05). All groups had similar concentrations of total protein, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, and phosphorus in serum (P > 0.05). In conclusion, excessive use of CSM (>6.73%) decreased growth performance at an early age (28 to 42 d) in geese, whereas 6.73 to 26.91% CSM in feed improved growth performance from 28 to 70 d.

Effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese

We investigated the effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese. A total of 468 one-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates per group and 26 geese per replicate. The geese were then raised for 70 days on diets with a dietary fiber level of 2.5% (Group I), 6.1% (Group III), or 4.3% for d one to 28 and 6.1% for d 29 to 70 (Group II). The geese in Groups II and III had higher body weight, higher average daily gain, and lower ratio of feed to gain compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III had greater body-size measurements (half-diving length, body length, keel length, and shank circumference), heavier viscera (heart, gizzard, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum), greater slaughter yield (semi-eviscerated carcass yield, eviscerated carcass yield, and breast yield), lower serum levels of alanine transaminase, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen, and higher serum levels of glucose and high-density lipoprotein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III exhibited greater utilization of energy and crude protein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05). Taken together, the results suggest that the low-fiber diet had negative effects on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization. As herbivorous poultry, geese depend on dietary fiber for normal performance. Dietary fiber is thus an essential nutrient for geese.

Effects of dietary fiber levels on cecal microbiota composition in geese

Objective

This study shows the effects of dietary fiber levels on cecal microbiota composition in geese at day 70 according to pyrosequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

METHODS

A total of 468 1-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates per group and 26 geese per replicate. Geese were fed diets with fiber levels of 2.5% (low fiber level diet, Group I) and 6.1% (Group III) during days 1-70, respectively, or 4.3% for days 1-28 and 6.1% for days 29-70 (Group II).

RESULTS

Low fiber level diet decreased body weight, average daily gain during, increased lower feed conversation rate of geese during day 1 to 70 (p&lt;0.05). Low fiber level diet decreased the total operational taxonomic units, Chao1 index and Shannon index, whereas increased the Simpson index of cecal microbiota in geese at day 70. Low fiber level diet decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Paraprevotella in cecum of geese at day 70. The similarity of cecal microbiota between low fiber level diet group and other groups was smaller.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the low fiber level diet decreased diversity of microbiota, and relative abundance of some beneficial microbiota in cecum of geese at day 70, implying that the low fiber level diet has negative influence on performance by altering the diversity and population of cecal microbiota in geese.

The influence of whole-corn feeding method during the finishing stage on the performance of overfed mule ducks

The aim of this trial was to compare 2 feeding systems based on whole corn, a loose-mix and a free-choice feeding system, during the finishing stage on the performance of ducks. Five hundred sixteen day-old male mule ducks (Muscovy drake × Pekin duck) were divided into 3 groups that differed in the presentation of the diet they received between 58 and 88 d of age: a complete pelleted diet (Control (CON) group; AMEn 12.1 MJ/kg, CP 15.0%) containing 500 g of corn per kg; or whole corn (AMEn 13.9 MJ/kg, CP 7.3%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 10.3 MJ/kg, CP 22.7%) in equal quantities mixed in the same feeders (loose-mix feeding [LMF] group) or in 2 separate feeders (free-choice feeding [FCF] group). From 89 to 99 d, 72 birds/group were overfed with a mixture containing mainly corn and water and then slaughtered to determine the weight and commercial value of the fatty liver. Feed intake was measured daily. Body weight (BW) was measured at 58, 88, and 99 d of age. From 58 to 88 d, total feed intake of the FCF group was +7% and +9% (+558 g and +672 g) higher than in the groups CON and LMF, respectively (P = 0.005). At 88 d, the BW was higher in the CON group than in the FCF group (4,959 vs. 4,778 g, P < 0.001), the LMF group being intermediate (4,874 g). During the experimental stage, the feed conversion ratio was higher in the FCF group than in the 2 others (+32%, P = 0.024), but the energy intake was similar between the 3 groups (92.6 MJ/duck, P = 0.353).After overfeeding (99 d), the BW (6,593 g), weight (642 g), and commercial grading of fatty liver were similar (P > 0.05) in the 3 groups. The present results suggest that loose-mix feeding during the finishing stage using whole corn is a solution for reducing feed cost.

Effect of different fibre sources on performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of growing Greylag geese

1. The effects of different fibre sources on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development were studied in growing Greylag geese (Anser anser). 2. Four experimental diets were formulated with corn (maize) straw silage (CSS), steam-exploded corn (maize) straw, steam-exploded wheat straw, and steam-exploded rice straw as fibre sources. A total of 224 male Greylag geese at 28 d of age were randomly assigned to one of the 4 experimental diets. 3. The birds fed on the CSS diets had higher average daily feed intakes than those fed on the steam-exploded straws. However, the 4 treatments had similar average daily gain, which contributed to significant differences in feed conversion ratios. The different fibre sources had no significant effects on the carcass characteristics. 4. The CSS-fed birds had larger gizzards and lower relative length of the caeca than the other three groups. However, the relative weights and lengths of the other gut segments, the relative weights of major organs and the pH values of the gastrointestinal contents were similar between the 4 treatments. It was concluded that straw fibres with different physico-chemical properties exerted an effect on daily feed intake and gastrointestinal development, especially for the gizzard. The pretreatment of straw had a large effect on utilisation efficiency and animal performance. Steam explosion is a promising straw pretreatment for inclusion in diets for geese.

The influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of mule ducks

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of ducks. In total, 624 one-day-old male mule ducks (Cairina moschata × Anas platyrhynchos) were divided into 3 groups differing in the diet they received between 56 and 84 d of age: a commercial complete pelleted diet (control group; AMEn 12.1 MJ/kg, CP 15%), or corn whole seeds (AMEn 14.4 MJ/kg, CP 7.3%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 9.9 MJ/kg, CP 22.7%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with corn (CFC) group]; or triticale whole seeds (AMEn 13.0 MJ/kg, CP 10.5%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 11.2 MJ/kg, CP 19.5%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with triticale (CFT) group]. From 85 to 96 d, 96 birds/group were overfed with corn. Feed intake (complete pellets or cereal and protein-rich pellets) per pen was measured at 60, 62, 65, 69, 78, and 84 d of age. Body weight and body traits were measured at 56 to 84 d of age. Over the entire period, from 56 to 84 d, the feed intake of the CFC group was 7% lower than the control group, and 5% lower than that in the CFT group (P = 0.002). Whatever the diet tested, at 56 and 84 d of age, the BW (4,099 and 4,779 g, P = 0.42 and P = 0.35, respectively) and the carcass traits (P > 0.05) of ducks were similar in the 3 groups. During and after overfeeding, the performances of the ducks were also similar (P > 0.05). The present results suggest that CFC during the finishing period is a solution to reduce the cost of diet destined to ducks. Indeed, using locally grown grains could reduce the economic and environmental impacts of duck feeding, reducing the transportation and crushing processes.

Effects of substituting yellow corn for sorghum in geese diets on magret and foie gras quality

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the growing-finishing (G period), overfeeding (O period), or both periods on magret and foie gras quality in geese. In total, 260 ganders were divided into 4 groups (65 birds in each) differing in the cereal (yellow corn or sorghum) included in the diet given during the G and the O periods, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The groups differed in the nature of the cereal in the diet offered to birds between 44 and 104 d of age (G period: a diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (SS and SC groups) or a diet containing 500 g of yellow corn/kg (CS and CC groups). The groups differed also in the diet offered to birds between 105 and 120 d of age (O period): 967 g of yellow corn/kg (SC and CC groups) or 965 g of sorghum/kg (SS and CS groups). At the end of the O period, the birds were slaughtered after 10 h of fasting to measure foie gras and breast muscle weight, color, and chemical composition. The mortality in the SC group was higher (P < 0.05) than in the other 3 groups (14.29 vs. 3.58%, average of the 3 groups). After overfeeding, birds fed with sorghum had foie gras that were heavier 984 vs. 885 g, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and less yellow (18.03 vs. 23.97 for b*, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively, P < 0.001) than birds fed with corn. The substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the G and O periods (SS group) increased the weight of the foie gras, but altered its color to a paler yellow. In contrast, a substitution during the G period only (SC group) resulted in increased mortality during the O period.

Metabolizable energy and fiber digestibility of uncommon feedstuffs for geese

This experiment was conducted to study the digestibility of uncommon feedstuffs for geese. Thirty Taihu ganders were selected and divided into 5 groups (n = 6), and one group was allocated as the control. Taihu ganders in the 4 treated groups were force-fed with a weight of different uncommon feedstuffs after 24 h of fasting, and the control group was kept in fasting with no force feeding. All excretion of each gander was collected on a plate for 24 h after force feeding. There was a 12-d recovery period between treatments. In this study, we measured the ME and analyzed neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose of brewers grains, distillers grains, empty-grain rice, ryegrass powder, rice husk, corn stalk, rice straw, wheat straw, wheat husk, mushroom bran, and peanut vine. The TME values were 9.29, 8.67, 8.97, 5.89, 3.85, 3.10, 3.32, 3.02, 5.29, 2.48, and 3.15 MJ/kg, respectively. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber for the feedstuffs ranged from 6.14 to 45.0%, the digestibility of acid detergent fiber ranged from 4.52 to 32.6%, and the digestibility of hemicellulose ranged from 18.5 to 61.6%. The best TME quadratic prediction equation was TME = 12.2 - 0.232CF, where CF is crude fiber. These results suggest that geese were able to use uncommon feedstuffs with high digestibility, and there was a significant negative correlation between energy digestibility and CF content. The ME values tested in this experiment can provide a foundation for preparation and adjustment of feed formulation for reasonable use of uncommon feedstuffs for geese.

Influence of feeding sorghum on the growth, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of feed form on the performance, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese. Between 42 and 98 days of age, 360 geese (type Maxipalm(®)) were fed a diet containing 500 g sorghum/kg (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy 12.6 MJ/kg, 15.1 g/kg CP). Birds were divided into three groups differing in feed form: complete pellets (Control group, n = 120); a coarse-ground meal (CG group, n = 120); or a mixture containing protein-rich pellets and sorghum whole grains (M group, n = 120). Feed intake per pen (40 birds/pen) was measured weekly between 42 and 98 days of age, and individual live weight (LW) was measured every 2 weeks. At 84 and 98 days of age, 12 birds were slaughtered in each group to measure the gizzard development and body traits. Irrespective of the goose sex, LW at 98 days was lower for the CG group than for the Control group (5555 v. 5888 g, P < 0.05 for males and 5039 v. 5215 g, P < 0.05 for females). The feed intake over the entire period was 5.5% higher in the M group (P < 0.05) than in the Control and CG groups but the feed conversion ratio (6.91, P > 0.05) was similar in the three groups. The gizzard development (as % of LW) was higher in birds of the CG group than those of the Control and M groups at 84 days of age (+13.98% and +13.51%, respectively; P < 0.05) but was similar in all three groups at 98 days of age (4.01%, P > 0.05). The relative liver development was lower in the birds of the CG group than those of the other two groups at 84 and 98 days of age (-20%, P < 0.001 and -10%, P < 0.05, respectively). The other body traits were similar in the three groups at both 84 and 98 days of age. The present results suggest that a simplified diet presented in the form of a mixture of sorghum whole grains and protein-rich pellets did not reduce the performance of growing geese.