ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mineral and protein-energy (MPES), exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplements (ES), combination of MPES + ES, and straw without supplement (WS) on digestibility, fermentation kinetic parameters, cumulative gas production, methane, CO2 production, and volatile fatty acid concentration of rice straw of low and high nutritional value, estimated by in vitro techniques. The experimental design was randomized and factorial 2 × 4: two straws (low and high nutritional value) incubated with […]

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of roosters on welfare and egg production of laying hens reared in an alternative system. Two breeding systems were established: barn 1 – laying hens reared without roosters (4500 birds); and barn 2 – laying hens reared with roosters (4500 layers and 250 roosters). In the poultry facilities, microclimate, egg production, mortality rate, and bird behavior were evaluated. Microclimate analysis showed that the birds were subjected […]

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the effects of the inclusion of macauba cake, from biodiesel processing, on profile of rumen protozoa of Santa Ines lambs. Twenty-four lambs were randomized in block design supplemented with macauba cake at 0, 100, 200, and 300 g/kg of dry weight of the diet. Concentrations of small, medium, and large protozoa had quadratic relationships with inclusion of macauba cake, with maximum protozoa occurring at 100 g/kg. High genus diversity occurred in rumen […]

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine + cystine (Met+Cys) and vitamin B6 supplementation on the performance, blood variables, and gene expression of enzymes involved in methionine metabolism in female pigs between 75 and 100 kg. Fifty six female pigs were used (Talent × Topigs 20), averaging 75.06±1.68 kg in initial weight, allotted in a completely randomized block design arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, composed […]

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and carcass and meat characteristics of finishing pigs fed diets with different levels of glycerin, while maintaining the electrolyte balance. Forty barrows with an initial weight of 97.76±13.44 kg were distributed, in a randomized block design, into four treatments with five replicates. Treatments consisted of diets containing 0, 5, 10, and 15% glycerin. Inclusions of salt and sodium bicarbonate were adjusted to balance the sodium content and maintain the same […]

ABSTRACT A comparative slaughter trial was conducted to estimate the body composition and net requirements of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Co for growth of castrated Moxotó goat kids, with15.69±0.78 kg initial body weight (BW), grazing in the semiarid region of Brazil. The baseline group consisted of four randomly selected kids (15.37±0.30 kg BW). Thirty-two kids were randomly allocated into eight groups (considered as block), distributed among four levels of concentrate supplementation (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% BW). Animals in […]

ABSTRACT Effects of four feeding regimes on the development and feed intake, survival, productivity, and growth of Macrobrachium amazonicum larvae were investigated. Larvae were fed from stage II to IX, as follows: Artemia nauplii + inert diet during the entire larval cycle (AIn); Artemia nauplii for the entire larval cycle + inert diet from stage V onward (A/AIn); Artemia nauplii until stage IV + inert diet from stage IV onward (A/In); and only inert diet for the entire larval cycle […]

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine the effects of a carob (Ceratonia siliqua) byproduct (CB) supplement in diets for laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on performance and egg internal-external quality traits, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol content. A total of 225 female quail at 12 weeks of age were distributed into five treatment groups with three replications (15 birds in each replication). The following treatments were tested: 0% (control, no CB supplementation); 3% CB; 5% CB; 10% […]

ABSTRACT Forty Nelore cattle were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different antioxidants on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot cattle. Animals were fed Brachiaria brizantha hay and subjected to five treatments (control and four antioxidants: zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and selenium + vitamin E). After a 105-day feeding period, cattle were slaughtered. Tissue composition, as well as carcass proximate composition, color, tenderness, pH, and fatty acid profile were evaluated. Analysis of variance was carried out and […]

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine serum retinol and some mineral (zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper) levels in seven Mangalarga Marchador colts aged 329.48 days, reared on pasture in the city of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil, during the dry season. Equines were evaluated for four periods of 45 days during the total study period of five months. The foals had access to Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pasture, while water and mineral salt lick were provided […]