جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « Ostrich » در نشریات گروه « علوم دام »

The term “Livestock Revolution” was coined to describe the projected increase in demand for animal products due to population growth, increased income, and urbanization in developing countries. In this context, a decision to rear well-adapted livestock species, like the ostrich, could be effective in meeting present and future demands for animal products in a sustainable manner. On the other hand, most of the ostrich production costs are associated with the feeding price similar to broiler chickens. Due to the high ability of ostrich regarding fiber consumption, it is expected that ostriches can benefit from cheaper native foods such as barberry leaves. Ostrich digestive system has a great ability to use fiber diets due to having a long rectum (about eight meters). Furthermore, the microbial population of the cecum and colon in ostrich is similar to the rumen. The total area of barberry cultivation in Iran was reported to be 16007 hectares in 2017 and more than 14700 hectares of that were placed in South Khorasan. The amount of foliage of each barberry shrub is between three to five kg dry mater which remains almost unused after fruit harvesting. Hence, large amounts of branches and leaves from barberry harvesting could be considered agricultural residues for usage in animal feeding, annually. This study aimed to study the effect of replacing dietary alfalfa with barberry leaf on growth performance and blood indices in ostrich. The effects of replacing dietary alfalfa with barberry leaf on ostrich growth performance and some blood parameters were investigated using 20 ostriches (two to seven months of age) in a completely randomized design with five treatments (four replicates each). Barberry leaves and alfalfa used in this study were prepared manually from South Khorasan farms. Then samples were separately pooled and grounded in a hammer mill and were transferred to the laboratory to determine the amount of crude energy, dry matter, crude fat, crude protein, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (all in three replications). The experimental diets were prepared by replacing alfalfa at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% with barberry leaf. Diets contain the same metabolizable energy and crude protein. Ostriches had free access to feed and water during the trial. Feed intake and body weight gain of each experimental unit were measured at 60, 120, and 210 days of age, and the feed conversation ratio (FCR) was calculated. At 90 and 210 days of age, blood samples were harvested from the wing vein of ostrich using tubes containing Li-heparin as an anticoagulant, then the blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, 15 min at room temperature, and stored at −20 ◦C temperature for later analysis. The plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), protein, and albumin as well as the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined by auto-analyzer spectrophotometry according to the procedures of the manufacturers. The results revealed that dry matter intake (DMI) was enhanced with increasing dietary levels of barberry leaf (P<0.05). These findings showed the favorable effects of barberry leaves on feed intake. One of the main reasons associated with the reduction of dry matter consumption following the inclusion of agricultural by-products is the high amount of phenolic compounds, especially the tannins of these products. Barberry leaves have a low concentration of phenolic compounds (especially tannins) compared to other by-products such as pistachio peel, pomegranate pulp, Elaeagnus angustifolia leaves, etc. Substitution of alfalfa hay with barberry leaf at 50% of the diet significantly increased daily weight gain compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the whole experimental period, FCR was lower in the diet containing 50% of barberry leaf than in the diet with 100% replacement of alfalfa with barberry leaf (P<0.05). Increasing the FCR in the diet by replacing more than 50% of barberry leaves can be related to the reduction of the digestibility of the diet due to a decrease in the particle size of barberry leaves as well as its nature after milling compared to alfalfa and the reduction of the supply of amino acid profile due to synergy of two sources of alfalfa and barberry leaves. The highest concentration of plasma glucose at 90 and 210 days of age (191.33 and 193.3, respectively) were observed in the control diet. Numerous studies have reported the hypoglycemic effects of barberry. Replacement of 50, 75, and 100% of alfalfa with barberry leaf decreased significantly the plasma activity of ALT as compared to the control group (P<0.05). Although there are no reports of the use of barberry leaves or its active ingredient (berberine) in ostrich, previous reports have shown that the use of barberry fruit extract reduced liver enzyme concentrations. Overall, the results of the current study showed that alfalfa hay could be replaced partially or completely with barberry leaves in the diet of ostriches without severe deleterious effects on performance. Replacement of 50% of alfalfa with barberry leaf would recommend for use in ostrich diets.

Introduction:

products such as sugar beet pulp and various types of brans are rich sources of fibers, each with different percentages of soluble and insoluble fibers. Ostrich (Struthio camelus) has a long rectum (about 8 meters) that occupies about 57 % of the length of its gastrointestinal tract, but in the broiler chicken the rectum is only about 3 % of gut tract. The microorganisms in the ostrich's large intestine can digest 38% of cellulose and 68% of hemicellulose. The dietary fiber is divided into two types of water-soluble and water-insoluble. The water-insoluble fibers are including cellulose, lignin and a part of hemicellulose. Due to the higher passage rate of the digestive tract, they are less fermentable than soluble fibers. Water-soluble fibers are mainly including pectin, gum, and mucilage. Soluble fibers reduce the contact of enzymes with digesta, due to increase viscosity, thereby reducing digestion and absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the fact that the effect of soluble and insoluble fibers in the digestive tract is different from each other and so far no research has been done on the effect of fiber source in ostriches. This study was aimed to determine the nutritional value and digestibility of nutrients of diets containing two fiber sources soluble and insoluble in ostrich chicks.     

Materials and Methods :

In order to evaluate the feasibility of using the higher levels of soluble and insoluble fibers in ostrich’s diet, this experiment was undertaken using 30 ostrich chicks in a completely randomize design with 5 treatments and 6 replicates in each treatments (one bird in each replicate) in three periods; prestarter (1- 2 months), starter (2- 4 months) and grower (4-6 months). The experimental treatments were as follows: 1-Control diet with standard fiber level, 2- Treatment contains 2% more soluble fiber than control (sugar beet pulp as the source of soluble fiber), 3- Treatment contains 4% more soluble fiber than control (Sugar beet pulp as a source of soluble fiber), 4- Treatment contains 2% more insoluble fiber than control (wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber) and 5- Treatment contains 4% more insoluble fiber than control (wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber). A total 30 ostrich chicks were reared at an average weight of 3082± 202.37 grams in cages. In order to determine the digestibility of nutrients, AME and AMEn, the total excreta were collected. Nutrients contents of feed and excreta were measured according to AOAC (1997) methods. The raw energy of feed and excreta was measured by the calorimeter bomb apparatus. Megazim kit was used to measure the total dietary fiber (AOAC Official Method 991.43). The amount of soluble fiber was calculated by subtracting the insoluble fiber from total dietary fiber. Data were analyzed using SAS software (2002) using mixed procedure for repeated measurements with a significance level of 0.05 by Tukey Cramer method.

Results and Discussion:

 Data showed that fiber source had no effect on nutrient digestibility. Ostrich rectum is longer than its small intestine (the rectum occupies 57% of the digestive tract and small intestine occupies 29% of the digestive tract) and a good place to ferment the plant fibers. Fiber digestive bacteria such as fibrobacter succinogenes and ruminococcus flavafaciens in ostrich's ceca and other fermenter bacteria in the ostrich's rectum enable it to have the proper ability to utilize fiber sources. Since the beginning of the experiment was from the age of one month, ostrich chicks had sufficient ability to use different fiber sources. The difference in the rate of digestive contents through the consumption of soluble or insoluble fiber sources had no significant effect on digestibility of nutrients. Soluble and insoluble fibers digestibility and ash digestibility increased with ageing (p < 0.0001). As birds age increase the bacterial activity increase in the rectum and ceca. There was no significant difference in AME in treatments that had more soluble fiber compared with the control group, but AME and AMEn increased significantly with increasing insoluble fiber compared to treatments that had more soluble fiber (p < 0.0001). Which is probably related to the effect of insoluble fiber in the small intestine. Insoluble fiber diets improve the efficiency of nutrients utilization due to increasing the villi height to crypt depth ratio, therefore increased AME and AMEn. The differences in AME and AMEn with consumption of insoluble fiber source in comparison with other treatments are related to the greater effect of different fiber sources on the small intestine. Insoluble fiber decreases the viscosity of digestive contents and increases the effect of digestive enzymes secreted from intestinal cells (such as alpha amylase) and improve the digestion of starch and other nutrients and increase the energy obtaining from the diet by the ostriches. AMEn significantly increased with aging that may due to the increase of the activity of older birds, increase the energy required for maintenance and activity and hence more consumption of energy by the bird. The microbial population of the cecum and colon of the ostrich (from 3 weeks onwards) is similar to the rumen, which has the ability to ferment the fiber and produce volatile fatty acids, which these volatile fatty acids provide part of the metabolizable energy.

Conclusion :

According to the results of this study, a suitable range for soluble and insoluble fibers in ostriches diets from one to two months old were suggested to be 7.5 to 11.5 percent and 16 to 20 percent, at the age of 2 to 4 months 7.6 to 11.6 percent and 20 to 24 percent and at the age of 4 to 6 months 8.25 to 12.25 percent and 25.5 to 29.5 percent, respectively.

The effects of enzyme and age of ostrich were evaluated on performance and nutrient digestibility in African ostrich chicks. There were two treatments as follows; common or control diet without enzyme (Treatment 1), control diet plus multi enzyme (0.5 gkg -1) (Treatment 2). The experiment conducted with 16 male ostrich chicks (8 birds per treatment) and completely randomized design was used in this experiment. Performance traits were initial weight, average daily gain and final body weight. The diets and feces composition such as dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was determined based on AOAC methods in 10 and 12 month age of ostrich. Acid insoluble ash (AIA) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were measured in feed and feces as internal marker. There was significant effect of enzyme was detected on performance traits, feed intake, dry matter intake parameters (P>0.05). With increasing age of ostrich from 10 to 12 month, digestibility of DM, CF, NDF and NFC were increased. Enzyme in diet could not significantly increased the digestibility of Crude fat (EE) and NFE (69.79 % vs. 74.31 % for CP and 67.25% vs. 71.55 % for NFE. Generally, the use of Enzyme (0.5 g/kg) in diet was particularly effective to improve performance traits and nutrient digestibility, especially DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF and NFC in growing ostrich chicks.

The purpose of this study was to compare the four mating strategies in ostrich flocks using simulation. Simulated traits included egg production (EggsPro), chicken production (ChicksPro), hatchability (Hatchability), live weight at the beginning of mating (LWB), and live weight at the end of mating (LWE). The selection of males was based on the breeding value of the LWB trait and the selection of females based on the breeding value of the ChicksPro trait. The first strategy was an optimal mating, the second strategy crossed individuals based on the highest genetic gain, regardless of the increase in inbreeding, the third strategy was the mating of individuals based on the lowest inbreeding, regardless of genetic progress, and the fourth strategy was the mating of individuals randomly, regardless of inbreeding and genetic gain. The results showed that if the goal in a breeding program is rapid progress without limitation on inbreeding, a mating strategy with the highest genetic gain is the best suited, and if there is no possibility of mapping this crosses, a random mating can be replaced. In closed populations with high inbreeding or populations that need to be genetically protected, and secondly important the breeder also wants to improve performance in the economic traits, a mating strategy with minimum inbreeding can be desirable, and if the goal of breeding is a continuous, sustained and significantly improvement in economic traits, which is required to prevent inbreeding, the optimal mating strategy could be the best option.

This experiment was conducted to determine the AME، AMEn، TME and TMEn of Alfalfa meal for male ostrich at 90 d of age. Experiment was done as a completely randomized design with 5 treatments of 4 replicate and 4 chicks each. Different levels of Alfalfa meal (0، 15، 30 and 40%) were replaced to the basal diet. AME and AMEn were determined via chromic oxid marker and total collection methods. The AME and AMEn of alfalfa meal was 2250±274، 2522±110، 2044±268 and 2366±107 kcal/kg at 40 % of replacement that calculated via chromic oxide marker and total collection excreta respectively. Measurement of TME and TMEn of Alfalfa meal in this experiment calculated by the different levels of feedstuff and were 3165 and 2877 kcal/kg respectively. The result of this experiment showed that using the ME data which calculated via adult leghorn cockerel to formulating the starter diet of ostrich is not suitable and determination of ME via ostrich to using it in the formulation of their diets is necessary.

Since the implementation and development of a productive activity would be recommendable and can be developed after identifying. its economic aspects، and because the accuracy of implementation of projects in different fields is extremely important، especially in animal husbandry، economic evaluation of production units in order to evaluate the performance of units is enjoy a special place. In this research effort were given to the examination of economic evaluation of ostrich fattening breeding units in Hamadan province، according to the present sitnations. units selected in this study using stratified sampling and data collected through interviews and questionnaires of ostrich farmers in Hamadan. Indices studied in this research were net present value، benefit to cost ratio and internal rate of return. The results showed that the net present value of ostrich fattening breeding units was positive and greater than zero، the benefit to cost ratio was greater than one internal rate of return was high. In other words، the construction of ostrich fattening breeding in Hamedan Province is economically beneficial.

This experiment was conducted to determine the AME، AMEn، TME and TMEn of beet pulp fed to male ostriches at their 90 d of age. Different levels of beet pulp (0، 15، 30 and 40%) were fed through replacements in the basal diet. For a determination of AME and AMEn using marker method، beet pulp was replaced in the basal diet at 40%. A number of 16 vs. 8 ostrich chicks were employed in each of the total collection vs. marker methods، respectively. A completely randomized design of 4 replicates was adopted. AME and AMEn were determined via chromic oxide marker and via total excreta collection methods. The AME and AMEn for beet pulp were recorded as 3199±238، 2902±95، 3125±214 and 2798±86 kcal/kg (at 40 % of replacement) as assessed through chromic oxide marker and total excrete collection، methods respectively. Assessment of TME and TMEn of beet pulp as based upon different levels of feedstuff were recorded 3215 and 3134 kcal/kg respectively. The results finally indicated that use of the ME data assessed via adult leghorn cockerel (in formulating the starter diet for ostrich) is not applicable، and values of ME in ration formulation regarding ostrich are to be determined