Cow milk or milk replacer in the diet of Holstein calves: effects on complete blood count, biochemistry variables, and performance / Leite de vacaousucedâneo do leitenadieta de bezerrosholandeses: efeitos no hemogramacompleto, variáveis ​​bioquímicas e desempenho

This study aimed to evaluate whether feeding calves with replacers instead of cow's milk interferes with complete blood count, biochemistry variables, survival, and weight gain, and the cost-benefit of these feeds in the suckling phase. We used 16 calves of the Holstein breed with an average of 8±4 days and 39±6 kg of average body weight, randomly divided into two groups: Replacer Group (N=8), receiving four liters of replacer milk during the 60 experimental days; and the Milk Group (N=8), calves receiving four liters of cow's milk. We observed that animals fed with cow's milk had higher body weight and weight gain at all weightings compared to those who consumed the dairy replacer. There was no calve death during the study. The cost (R$) of the diet of the calves that consumed replacer was lower. However, if we consider the weight gain during the experiment, the cost to produce 1 kg of body weight was similar between the treatments, because the calves that consumed milk were weaned with an average of 19kg more body weight. In conclusion, the use of dairy replacers as a replacer for cow's milk caused calves to have an overall lower performance compared to those who received cow's milk during the suckling phase.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se a alimentação de bezerros com sucedâneoem substituição ao leite de vaca causa interferência no hemograma, variáveis bioquímicas, sobrevivência e ganho de peso e o custo-benefício desses alimentos na fase de aleitamento. Foram utilizados 16 bezerros da raça Holandesa com média de 8±4 dias e 39±6 kg de peso corporal médio, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo Sucedâneo (N=8), recebendo quatro litros de leite em pó durante os 60 dias de experimentos; e o Grupo Leite (N=8), bezerros recebendo quatro litros de leite de vaca. Observamos que os animais alimentados com leite de vaca apresentaram maior peso corporal e ganho de peso em todas as pesagens em relação aos que consumiram o sucedâneo lácteo. Não houve morte de bezerros durante o estudo. O custo (R$) da dieta dos bezerros que consumiram substituto foi menor. No entanto, se considerarmos o ganho de peso durante o experimento, o custo para produzir 1 kg de peso corporal foi semelhante entre os tratamentos, pois os bezerros que consumiram leite foram desmamados com média de 19kg a mais de peso corporal. Em conclusão, o uso de sucedâneos lácteos como substituto do leite de vaca fez com que os bezerros tivessem um desempenho geral inferior em comparação com aqueles que receberam leite de vaca durante a fase de aleitamento.(AU)

Effects of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on feed digestibility, intestinal mucosa, and biochemical and antioxidant parameters in broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde on metabolizable energy, feed digestibility, intestinal morphometric analysis, and antioxidant parameters in broilers. A completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replications of eight broilers (Cobb male) was used, and collections were carried out at 20 and 42 days of age. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200. Carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improved apparent metabolizable energy but did not change protein and ether extract digestibility. Supplementation increased intestinal villus height and villi:crypt ratio; in which 100 mg/kg produced the greatest villus height. Serum uric acid levels were lower in birds receiving supplementation. Improvement in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase was observed, while lower uric acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reactive oxygen species levels were observed. Microencapsulated carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde improve apparent metabolizable energy and can be administered in broiler feed without risk to the bird's health. These supplements may serve as alternative products to aid the performance of commercial poultry.

Is the addition of spray homeopathic in feed able to change dog behavior? / A adição de spray homeopático na ração é capaz de alterar o comportamento de cães?

This study aimed to determine if the homeopathic formulation based on Natrum muriaticum, Matricaria, Chamomilla, and Ignatia amara was effective for stress control in dogs in order to prevent and/or reduce the frequency of unwanted behaviors. Ten male beagle dogs were divided into two groups, with five animals per group. The control group was animals receiving 0.5 mL/day of placebo via spray in the feed for 30 consecutive days as a preventive. The treated group received 0.5 mL/day of tested drug spray in the feed for 30 consecutive days as a preventive. Behavioral tests were performed at two time points, before and after receiving the tested drug. We performed the following behavioral tests: a) persons known and unknown in the internal and external environment; b) interaction with toys; c) interaction with an unknown dog, d) test with a leash; and e) firecracker test. There was more engagement in digging and scaling the fence in the control group than in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The animals that received homeopathic medicine sat 2.54 times longer than the control (P = 0.0269). Dogs that received homeopathic showed 4.49 times more interest in general at D30 than at D1 (P = 0.0214). Animals in the treated group showed an 83% less chance of urinating than the control group in the tests involving displacements. We conclude that the preventive addition of homeopathic medicine containing Natrum muriaticum, Chamomilla, and Ignatia amara reduced undesirable behaviors related to anxiety and increased the incidence of interest behavior.(AU)

Este estudo visou determinar se a formulação homeopática baseada em Natrum muriaticum, Matricaria, Chamomilla, e Ignatia amara foi eficaz para o controle de stress em cães, a fim de prevenir e/ou reduzir a frequência de comportamentos indesejados. Dez cães beagle machos foram divididos em dois grupos, com cinco animais por grupo. O grupo controle recebeu 0,5 mL/dia de placebo via spray na ração durante 30 dias consecutivos, como preventivo. O grupo tratado recebeu 0,5 mL/dia de homeopático via spray na ração durante 30 dias consecutivos, como preventivo. Os testes comportamentais foram realiza-dos em dois momentos, antes e depois de receber o fármaco testado. Foram realizados os seguintes testes comportamentais: a) pessoas conhecidas e desconhecidas no ambiente interno e externo; b) interação com brinquedos; c) interação com um cão desconhecido, d) teste com a guia; e teste com fogos de artifício. Houve um aumento nos comportamentos cavar e escalar a grade no controle (P < 0,05). Os animais que receberam o homeopático sentaram-se 2,54 vezes mais do que o grupo con-trole (P = 0,0269). Os cães que receberam homeopático mostraram 4,49 vezes mais interesse em geral no D30 do que no D1 (P = 0,0214). Os animais do grupo tratado mostraram uma probabilidade 83% menor de urinar do que o grupo controle nos testes envolvendo deslocamento. Concluímos que a adição preventiva de medicamentos homeopáticos contendo Natrum muriaticum, Chamomilla, e Ignatia amara reduziu os comportamentos indesejáveis relacionados com a ansiedade e aumentou a incidência de comportamentos de interesse.(AU)

Behavior of domestic chickens: insights from a narrative review / Comportamento de galinhas domésticas: percepções de uma revisão narrativa

The intensification of poultry production systems has brought major changes in domestic fowls' physical and social environment. The management of these birds has received considerable attention in recent years due to new demands from consumers, especially those related to welfare. Behavior is the way that animals respond to the different stimuli they encounter in their environment. The behavioral expressions of poultry and the application of this knowledge in the care of the stock plays an important part in the maximization of the production efficiency of the poultry chain. Thus, defining ethical limits and guidelines for poultry production is essential to promote the development of new production practices, and by that ensure quality and productivity without putting bird welfare at risk. This review is based on scientific literature and highlights the main behavioral expressions of domestic chickens, including social, feeding, and reproductive expressions, in addition to stereotypes and strategies for social adaptation. Thus, it will promote to the reader and for the scientific community a better understanding about subjects that are not frequently discussed and by that help behavioral analyzes.

A intensificação do sistema de produção avícola trouxe profundas mudanças no ambiente físico e social das aves domésticas. O manejo dessas aves tem recebido considerável atenção nos últimos anos devido às novas demandas por parte dos consumidores, principalmente aquelas relacionadas ao bem-estar. O comportamento é a maneira como os animais respondem aos diferentes estímulos que encontram em seu ambiente. As expressões comportamentais das aves domésticas e a aplicação desse conhecimento no cuidado dos animais desempenha um papel importante na maximização da eficiência de produção da cadeia avícola. Assim, definir limites éticos e diretrizes para a produção avícola é fundamental para fomentar o desenvolvimento de novas práticas produtivas, e assim garantir qualidade e produtividade sem colocar em risco o bem-estar dos animais. Esta revisão destacará as principais expressões comportamentais das aves domésticas, dentre elas as expressões sociais, alimentares, reprodutivas, além de estereotipias, e identificará as estratégias de adaptação social. Assim, promovera ao leitor e a comunidade científica uma melhor compreensão de assuntos pouco discutidos para assim auxiliar em análises comportamentais.

Addition of a blend of exogenous enzymes to broiler chickens diets: impacts on performance and production costs / Adição de uma mistura de enzimas exógenas a dietas de frangos de corte: impactos no desempenho e custos de produção

Broiler diets are based on corn, soybean and wheat production; however, some protein ingredients have many antinutritional factors and low digestibility. The objective of this study was to add a blend of exogenous enzymes to the feed with low nutritional value for broilers to reduce production costs and improve digestibility while maintaining good zootechnical performance. The experimental design was completely randomized, including three treatments with five replications (n=15) each: a) positive control (PC), diet calculated for males with average performance; b) negative control + exogenous enzymes (NC+EE), minimum nutrient diet according to the requirements of the production phase, and the enzymatic blend was added; and c) negative control (NC), minimum levels of nutrients for each phase. At 21 days, the PC group showed greater weight gain and lower feed conversion than the NC (P<0.05). At 42 days, PC had lower feed intake than NC (P=0.040), while lower feed conversion was observed in groups PC and NC+EE than NC (P=0.001). The production efficiency index was higher in the PC treatment, but the NC+EE treatment was higher than the NC (P=0.001). Considering production costs and body weight, we found that NC+EE birds had greater profitability. Therefore, we conclude that the blend of exogenous enzymes added to a diet with minimal nutritional levels has practical application in the broiler production system.(AU)

As dietas de frangos de corte são baseadas na produção de milho, soja e trigo; no entanto, alguns ingredientes proteicos possuem muitos fatores antinutricionais e baixa digestibilidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi adicionar à ração uma mistura de enzimas exógenas com baixo valor nutricional para frangos de corte para reduzir os custos de produção e melhorar a digestibilidade, mantendo o bom desempenho zootécnico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, incluindo três tratamentos com cinco repetições (n=15) cada: a) controle positivo (PC), dieta calculada para machos com desempenho médio; b) controle negativo + enzimas exógenas (CN+EE), dieta mínima de nutrientes de acordo com as exigências da fase de produção, e foi adicionada a mistura enzimática; c) controle negativo (CN), teores mínimos de nutrientes para cada fase. Aos 21 dias, o grupo PC apresentou maior ganho de peso e menor conversão alimentar que o NC (P<0,05). Aos 42 dias, PC apresentou menor consumo de ração que NC (P=0,040), enquanto foi observada menor conversão alimentar nos grupos PC e NC+EE que NC (P=0,001). O índice de eficiência de produção foi maior no tratamento PC, mas o tratamento NC+EE foi maior que o NC (P=0,001). Considerando os custos de produção e peso corporal, verificamos que as aves NC+EE tiveram maior rentabilidade. Portanto, concluímos que a mistura de enzimas exógenas adicionada a uma dieta com níveis nutricionais mínimos tem aplicação prática no sistema de produção de frangos de corte.(AU)

Biscuit residue in the nutrition of laying hens: effects on animal health, performance and egg quality

Background: Corn and soybean meal are common ingredients used in poultry feed in order to supply the demand forenergy and protein, respectively. Also, these ingredients directly influence the final price of the diets, and consequently,the final cost of production. A major problem is associated to the oscillation of these grains in some months of the year.Therefore, there is a need to search for nutritionally and economically viable alternatives to mitigate this problem. The aimwas to evaluate whether the addition of biscuit residue could partially replace the use of corn in the feed of laying hens inorder to obtain economic viability without impairment on production, egg quality and animal health.Materials, Methods & Results: The experiment was completely randomized and each repetition was considered one experimental unity. One hundred Hy-line brown 48 week-old chickens were allocated in cages and divided into five groupswith four repetitions each, allocating five animals per cage. The group T0 was composed by animals that received thebasal diet, i.e. without biscuit residue. The other groups were composed by increasing levels of biscuit residue to substitutecorn i.e., group T7 (7% of biscuit residue), T14 (14% of biscuit residue), T21 (21% of biscuit residue) and T28 (28% ofbiscuit residue). Productive performance of the animals, egg quality, as well as analysis of blood parameters related tolipid metabolism, carbohydrates and proteins of birds were measured at the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and atthe end of each cycle (days 21, 42 and 63 of experiment). Among the performance variables, only feed conversion wasaltered by biscuit residue, i.e., the feed conversion was lower in the groups that received the residue when compared tothe control. The replacement of corn by biscuit residue did not affect laying rate (P > 0.05). Regarding egg quality, a less...

Biscuit residue in the nutrition of laying hens: effects on animal health, performance and egg quality

Background: Corn and soybean meal are common ingredients used in poultry feed in order to supply the demand forenergy and protein, respectively. Also, these ingredients directly influence the final price of the diets, and consequently,the final cost of production. A major problem is associated to the oscillation of these grains in some months of the year.Therefore, there is a need to search for nutritionally and economically viable alternatives to mitigate this problem. The aimwas to evaluate whether the addition of biscuit residue could partially replace the use of corn in the feed of laying hens inorder to obtain economic viability without impairment on production, egg quality and animal health.Materials, Methods & Results: The experiment was completely randomized and each repetition was considered one experimental unity. One hundred Hy-line brown 48 week-old chickens were allocated in cages and divided into five groupswith four repetitions each, allocating five animals per cage. The group T0 was composed by animals that received thebasal diet, i.e. without biscuit residue. The other groups were composed by increasing levels of biscuit residue to substitutecorn i.e., group T7 (7% of biscuit residue), T14 (14% of biscuit residue), T21 (21% of biscuit residue) and T28 (28% ofbiscuit residue). Productive performance of the animals, egg quality, as well as analysis of blood parameters related tolipid metabolism, carbohydrates and proteins of birds were measured at the beginning of the experiment (day 0) and atthe end of each cycle (days 21, 42 and 63 of experiment). Among the performance variables, only feed conversion wasaltered by biscuit residue, i.e., the feed conversion was lower in the groups that received the residue when compared tothe control. The replacement of corn by biscuit residue did not affect laying rate (P > 0.05). Regarding egg quality, a less...(AU)

Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil reduces infestation by Alphitobius diaperinus in poultry litter

Background: Even though insecticides are managed and the period of sanitary emptiness in poultry is respected, the elimination of Alphitobius diaperinus may not be successful. The use of essential oils of plant origin presents as a good alternative in the substitution of insecticides with synthetic molecules, since they are easy to obtain, with rapid degradation and without risk of residues for non-target organisms. The main objective of the present study was to examine whether Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil reduces Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) infestations under experimental conditions, without causing toxicity to broilers chicks exposed to treated litter.Materials, Methods & Results: The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications per treatment. The treatments were as follows: solvent control using the diluent Dimethyl Sulfoxide 5% (oil diluent); chemical control using 5 g/m² cypermethrin; one spray of C. zeylanicum 5% oil; and two sprays of C. zeylanicum 5% oil. Each experimental unit was infested with 150 lesser mealworm adults. At 15 days of the broiler chick’s life, blood was collected for biochemical analysis (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and uric acid), and liver fragments were isolated for histopathological analysis. Using TupeTrap devices, we counted lesser mealworm 40 days after treatment. The treatments did not alter biochemical variables, and did not cause histopathological lesions in liver. The treatments with C. zeylanicum 5% oil with one and two sprays efficiently reduced lesser mealworm infestation compared with solvent control. Cypermethrin treatment had no effect. Discussion: Many of the commercial products present low effectiveness in the control of A. diaperinus, since the target organisms develop resistance to the product.[...]

Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil reduces infestation by Alphitobius diaperinus in poultry litter

Background: Even though insecticides are managed and the period of sanitary emptiness in poultry is respected, the elimination of Alphitobius diaperinus may not be successful. The use of essential oils of plant origin presents as a good alternative in the substitution of insecticides with synthetic molecules, since they are easy to obtain, with rapid degradation and without risk of residues for non-target organisms. The main objective of the present study was to examine whether Cinnamomum zeylanicum oil reduces Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) infestations under experimental conditions, without causing toxicity to broilers chicks exposed to treated litter.Materials, Methods & Results: The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications per treatment. The treatments were as follows: solvent control using the diluent Dimethyl Sulfoxide 5% (oil diluent); chemical control using 5 g/m² cypermethrin; one spray of C. zeylanicum 5% oil; and two sprays of C. zeylanicum 5% oil. Each experimental unit was infested with 150 lesser mealworm adults. At 15 days of the broiler chicks life, blood was collected for biochemical analysis (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and uric acid), and liver fragments were isolated for histopathological analysis. Using TupeTrap devices, we counted lesser mealworm 40 days after treatment. The treatments did not alter biochemical variables, and did not cause histopathological lesions in liver. The treatments with C. zeylanicum 5% oil with one and two sprays efficiently reduced lesser mealworm infestation compared with solvent control. Cypermethrin treatment had no effect. Discussion: Many of the commercial products present low effectiveness in the control of A. diaperinus, since the target organisms develop resistance to the product.[...](AU)