Tie-stalls are the most confining method of housing for dairy cows and remain commonly used to house cows in many countries. Finding methods to improve animal welfare through housing modifications and alternative management strategies are of increasing importance. Twelve tie-stall dairy farms in Ontario and Quebec, Canada were visited four times in a 12 month period. Visits were spread to observe the effects of pasture (visit 1), short-term effects of stall modifications (visit 2), effects of winter confinement (visit 3), and final measures after 1 year (visit 4). Lameness, injuries, cow cleanliness, lying and rising behaviors, and production parameters were assessed at each visit. Outdoor access had the largest effect: cows with access to pasture had a lower prevalence of various outcome measures throughout all four visits. Also, cows in modified stalls had a higher prevalence of dirty udders compared to cows in unmodified stalls, but only on farms that provided outdoor access. Although applying minor stall modifications to tie-stalls can help improve aspects of animal welfare, providing year-round outdoor access may represent a more effective method; the continued provision of time outside the stall helps maintain the positive impact of outdoor/pasture access on the welfare of tie-stall dairy cows.

La stabulation entravée est la méthode de logement des vaches laitières qui confine le plus les animaux, mais elle demeure communément utilisée pour leur logement dans de nombreux pays. Il devient ainsi de plus en plus important de trouver des méthodes pour améliorer le bien-être animal, par l’entremise de modifications au logement et/ou via des stratégies alternatives de gestion. Douze fermes laitières à stabulation entravée de l'Ontario et du Québec (Canada) ont été visitées 4 fois sur une période de 12 mois. Les visites ont été étalées afin d’observer les effets du pâturage (visite 1), les effets à court terme de modifications apportées aux stalles (visite 2), les effets du confinement hivernal (visite 3), et les résultats finaux après 1 an (visite 4). Boiterie, blessures, propreté des vaches, comportements de lever et de coucher, et paramètres de production ont été évalués à chaque visite. L'impact de l'accès à l'extérieur était le plus important, les vaches ayant accès au pâturage obtenaient de meilleurs résultats pour la plupart des indicateurs de bien-être évalués lors des 4 visites. Chez les fermes offrant un accès à l'extérieur, la prévalence de pis sales était plus élevée chez les vaches dans des stalles modifiées que chez les vaches dans des stalles non modifiées . Si appliquer des modifications mineures aux stalles en stabulation entravée pourrait aider à améliorer des aspects du bien-être animal, offrir un accès à l’extérieur toute l'année pourrait représenter une méthode plus efficace; continuer d’offrir du temps à l’extérieur des stalles aide à maintenir l’impact positif de l’accès à l’extérieur/aux pâturages sur le bien-être des vaches laitières en stabulation entravée.

Nutritive and functional values of fruit pomaces in poultry are unexplored. We determined apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and plasma metabolites in broiler chickens fed diets containing apple (APL), low-bush wild blueberry (LBP), cranberry (CRP), and grape (GRP) pomaces without or with multi-enzyme supplement (ENZ). A total of 360 one-day old Ross 708 male chicks were placed in 72 cages; 5 birds/cage were reared to day13 and transitioned to either cornstarch–soy protein isolate basal diet or basal with 30% of either pomace without or with ENZ. Excreta samples were collected from day17 to 20 and one bird/cage bled for plasma metabolites on day 21. Apple pomace showed a higher AME (P=0.008) than other pomaces; however, ENZ had no effect on AME. The AMEs were 3250, 2613, 2394, and 3008 kcal/kg DM for APL, LBP, CRP, and GRP, respectively. There was pomace and ENZ interaction on plasma alkaline phosphatase (P=0.04), and APL increased cholesterol levels (P<0.01). In conclusion, ENZ had no impact on energy increment in pomaces, but the AME values this study has established are nonetheless valuable for accurate poultry feed formulation. Plasma metabolites suggested pomace components are amenable to supplemental ENZ.

Les valeurs nutritives et fonctionnelles des marcs de fruits sont inexplorées chez les poulets. Nous avons déterminé l’énergie métabolisable apparente (AME — «apparent metabolizable energy») et les métabolites plasmatiques chez les poulets à griller ayant reçu des diètes contenant des marcs de pomme (APL — «apple»), de bleuets sauvages à buisson bas (LB — «low bush wild blueberry»), de canneberges (CRP — «cranberry») et de raisins (GRP — «grape») avec ou sans un supplément à multiples enzymes (ENZ). Un total de 360 poussins Ross 708 mâles âgés de un jour ont été placés en 72 cages, 5 par cage, et ont été élevés jusqu’au jour 13 puis transitionnés soit à une diète de base avec isolat de protéines d’amidon de maïs/soja, soit une diète de base avec 30 % de marc avec ou sans ENZ. Les échantillons de fèces ont été collectés des jours 17 à 20 et un poulet/cage saigné pour déterminer les métabolites plasmatiques au jour 21. Le marc APL a montré une AME plus élevée (P = 0,008) que les autres marcs, mais, les ENZ n’ont pas eu d’effet sur l’AME. L’AME était de 3250, 2613, 2394 et 3008 kcal/kg de matières sèches (DM — «dry matter») pour les marcs de APL, LBP, CRP, et GRP, respectivement. Il y avait une interaction entre marc et ENZ pour la phosphatase alcaline (P = 0,04) et l’APL a augmenté les niveaux de cholestérol (P < 0,01). En conclusion, l’ENZ n’a pas eu d’impact sur l’incrément d’énergie dans les marcs, mais les valeurs d’AME établies dans cette étude ont néanmoins une valeur pour la formulation précise des aliments à poulets. Les métabolites plasmatiques suggèrent que les composantes des marcs sont susceptibles aux suppléments d’ENZ. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Achyranthes japonica root extract (AJE) added to a low-protein diet on broiler growth performance, nutrient utilization, cecal microbiota, and meat quality parameters. A total of 450 Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were standard crude protein (SCP) diet, low crude protein (LCP) diet, and LCP diet supplemented with 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06% AJE. Here, the SCP and LCP diets were 21.50% and 21.07% CP during days 8–21 and 20.00% and 19.40% CP during days 22–35, respectively. The LCP diet tended to decrease total body weight gain (TBWG) compared with the SCP diet. Increasing levels of AJE inclusion linearly increased (P < 0.05) TBWG and the LCP diet supplemented with AJE also increased (P < 0.05) TBWG compared with the LCP diet, whereas feed intake and feed conversion ratio were unaffected. AJE supplementation to the LCP diet tended to increase energy digestibility compared with the LCP diet. Breast muscle weight tended to increase by a graded level of AJE supplementation. In conclusion, AJE supplementation represented a potential ability to maintain a similar growth performance when added to a low-protein diet by enhancing nitrogen digestibility and meat quality in broilers.

Cette étude a été effectuée afin d’examiner l’effet de l’extrait de racine d’Achyranthes japonica (AJE — «Achyranthes japonica root extract») ajouté à une diète à faible teneur en protéines sur la performance de croissance, l’utilisation des éléments nutritifs, le microbiote du cæcum, et les paramètres de qualité de viande chez les poulets à griller. Un total de 450 poulets à griller Ross-308 ont été assignés de façon aléatoire à l’un de cinq traitements alimentaires. Les traitements alimentaires étaient : diète standard de protéines brutes (SCP — «standard crude protein»), diète à faible teneur en protéines brutes (LCP — «low crude protein») sans suppléments, et diète LCP avec suppléments de 0,02, 0,04, et 0,06 % d’AJE. Ici, les diètes SCP et LCP étaient : jours 8 à 21 (21,50 % et 21,07 % de protéines brutes [CP — «crude protein»]) et jours 22 à 35 (20,00 % et 19,40 %), respectivement. La diète LCP sans suppléments tendait a diminuer le gain de poids corporel total (TBWG — «total body weight gain») par rapport à la diète SCP. Les niveaux croissants d’inclusion d’AJE ont augmenté (P < 0,05) de façon linéaire le TBWG et la diète LCP avec suppléments d’AJE a aussi augmenté (P < 0,05) le TBWG par rapport à la diète LCP sans suppléments, tandis qu’il n’y avait pas d’effet sur la consommation et le taux de conversion alimentaire (FCR — «feed conversion ratio»). Les suppléments d’AJE dans la diète LCP tendaient a augmenter la digestibilité d’énergie comparée à la diète LCP sans suppléments. Le poids du muscle de la poitrine tendait vers une augmentation selon les différents niveaux de suppléments d’AJE. En conclusion, les suppléments d’AJE représentent une capacité potentielle à maintenir une performance de croissance semblable lorsqu’ajoutés à une diète à faible teneur en protéines par amélioration de la digestibilité de l’azote et de la qualité de viande chez les poulets à griller. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

This study was conducted to determine the effects of high- versus low-dose (3000 vs. 300) zinc oxide (ZnO) in combination with or without a probiotic complex (0.1%) on weaned piglet production efficiency, nutrient absorption, fecal bacterial counts, noxious gas emissions, and fecal score. A 42-day experiment included 180 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace); 28 days old; 6.61 ± 1.29 kg] and four dietary treatments. An HZ (high ZnO) diet increased body weight at week 6, average daily gain at week 3, week 6, and overall period, and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) at week 3 compared with an LZ (low ZnO) diet. G:F tended to increase with the LZP (LZ with probiotic) diet compared with the HZP (HZ with probiotic) diet at week 1. Escherichia coli count decreased by HZ diet compared with the LZ diet. In addition, E. coli count decreased and Lactobacillus count increased with the HZP diet compared with the LZP diet. There was no effect of treatment on nutrient digestibility, noxious gas emission, and fecal score. No interactive effect was seen between ZnO and probiotic. Therefore, high-dose ZnO inclusion improved growth performance and probiotic addition improved fecal microbiota, but no synergistic effect was found from ZnO and probiotic complex interaction.

Alternative sources of protein will be required in both human and animal nutrition to support ingredient sustainability and nutrient demands of a growing world population. Extrusion is one technique utilized to process pulses and is reported to increase starch and protein digestibility but also has the potential to transform nutrients into non-nutritious compounds. This study sought to compare the effects of extrusion on nutrient composition in Amarillo peas, Dun peas, lentils, chickpeas, and faba beans, with soybean meal (control). Each pulse was extruded at 18% or 22% moisture and 110, 130, or 150 °C. Compared to whole samples, extrusion increased crude protein content of Amarillo and Dun peas, and lentils, and it decreased in soybean meal (P < 0.05). Compared with whole samples, extrusion increased methionine content in chickpeas and lentils (P < 0.05), with no effect in Amarillo or Dun peas, faba beans, and soybean meal. Cysteine content increased in extruded Amarillo peas compared with whole pulses, and decreased in soybean meal (P < 0.05). Results suggest that extrusion can positively affect protein and amino acid content of pulses, however, specific changes differ by pulse/legume type.

The digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in faba beans (FB) and field peas (FP) fed to growing pigs were estimated by the difference procedure in two experiments using the total collection method. Twenty-four barrows with mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.0 kg (SD = 1.13) and 20.4 kg (SD = 0.56) in the first (Exp. 1) and second experiments (Exp. 2), respectively, were assigned to three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. A reference diet was prepared using corn, soybean meal, and soybean oil as the energy-contributing ingredients. Organic FB and DS Admiral FP (FPD) in Exp. 1 and Hampton FP (FPH) and 4010 FP (FP4) in Exp. 2 were included at 30% in the reference diet. In Exp. 1, the determined DE and ME were 3772 and 3606 kcal·kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM) in FB and 3683 and 3589 kcal·kg⁻¹ DM in FPD, respectively. In Exp. 2, the respective DE and ME were 4164 and 4014 kcal·kg⁻¹ DM in FPH and 3574 and 3467 kcal·kg⁻¹ DM in FP4. In conclusion, the determined ME values for FB and FP were 77% to 90% of gross energy.

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential expression regularity of POSTN in ovarian tissue. In this study, the uterus, ovarian follicles, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and muscle tissues of Merino sheep (10) were collected and detected by Western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistofluorescence, and fluorescence staining, respectively. The expression of POSTN in various organizations was analyzed. The results showed that the POSTN in Merino sheep had close homology with Bos mutus and Bos taurus. The expression of POSTN was detected in the uterus, follicle, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and muscle tissue, among which the expression of POSTN was highest in ovarian tissue. In addition, the expression of POSTN gradually increased with the increase of follicle diameter, among which POSTN was highly expressed in the granulosa cells (GCs) of follicles. Meanwhile, POSTN were distributed throughout the nucleus and cytoplasm of GCs, suggesting that POSTN may be involved in the regulation of follicle development.

A total of 240 geese (28 days old; 120 ganders and 120 gooses) with an average initial body weight of 1068.19 ± 6.59 g were used to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary methionine (Met) levels on growth performance, blood hematology, organ indexes, and myofiber traits. The experimental period was 42 days. All birds were randomly assigned to four treatment groups based on the initial body weight. There were six replicate cages per treatment, and 10 geese per cage (5 ganders and 5 gooses). Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet containing 0.25% Met, and extra supplied 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% Met to form different dietary groups (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% Met, as-fed basis). The results of this study indicated that final body weight, body weight gain, and feed efficiency increased quadratically, relative weight of breast muscle and myofiber diameter increased cubically, serum total protein and uric acid concentrations, relative weight of liver and abdominal fat, and myofiber diameter increased linearly, whereas myofiber density decreased linearly, with the level of Met increased. The maximized growth performance and breast muscle parameters were observed in 0.75% Met-containing group.

Coccidiosis is an infectious parasitic disease. Increasing drug resistance and variable vaccine effectiveness have stimulated interests in developing alternate control strategies. Our research studied the effects of dietary supplementation of multienzyme (phytase, xylanase, β-glucanase, amylase, hemicellulase, and pectinase) in broiler chickens infected with coccidial pathogens by assessing (i) nutrient utilization, immunological response, and gut health-related indicators in small intestine; and (ii) intestinal microbiome modulations. One-day-old male Ross 708 chicks were assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising of 0 or 50 g·kg⁻¹ multienzyme and oral challenge with phosphate buffer saline or mixed Eimeria spp. oocysts (250000 E. acervulina, 50000 E. maxima, and 50000 E. tenella). Multienzyme reduced (P < 0.05) Eimeria-induced loss in feed efficiency and nutrient utilization, partially explained by reduced decrease of b^0,+ amino acid transporter in jejunum. Multienzyme suppressed (P < 0.05) the overexpression of interleukin-8 in duodenum and jejunum and ameliorated (P = 0.05) the decreased expression of antioxidant heme oxygenase 1 in ileum induced by Eimeria infection. Multienzyme facilitated (P < 0.01) the bloom of short-chain fatty acid-producing and fiber-degrading microbes. Multienzyme supplementation partly mitigated the adverse effects of Eimeria infection through multiple mechanisms: improving nutrient utilization, reducing local inflammation, and restoring microbial homeostasis.

Starch and fibre contribute to the energy components and add functionality to the end-product feed ingredients. An understanding of the impact of processing on carbohydrate content will support accurate formulation of feed. Six ingredients, grown or sourced in Canada, were used in this study. They included five pulses, Amarillo peas, Dun peas, chickpeas, lentils, and faba beans, and soybean meal (SBM) as a comparison. All ingredients were ground into fine or coarse products and then pelleted at one of three different temperatures. Grinding reduced the total starch (TS) content of Amarillo peas and chickpeas (P < 0.05), crude fibre (CF) in Dun peas (P < 0.05), and total dietary fibre (TDF) and insoluble fibre (IDF) in lentils (P < 0.05). Grinding only affected soluble fibre (SDF) in chickpeas. The effect of pelleting was variable for TDF across pulses. Pelleting did not affect the SDF content of pulses (P > 0.05). Finely processed SBM had higher (P < 0.05) TS, TDF, and IDF content than coarsely processed SBM. Results indicate that grinding and pelleting could affect the starch and fibre composition of some pulses.

Eight Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study to determine the effects of partially replacing canola meal (CM) with 5%, 7.5%, and 10% camelina expeller meal (CEM) on production and milk fatty acid profiles. Replacing CM with CEM did not affect feed intake and milk yield, but milk contents of fat and protein decreased linearly. Feeding increasing amounts of CEM linearly increased milk contents of C18:2n6, C18:3n3, cis-9, trans-11 CLA, trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and total CLA. CEM can be fed up to 10% of dietary DM without negatively affecting production and can increase milk contents of omega-3 fatty acids.