The use of blends of cassava flour and extruded full-fat soybeans in diets for broiler chickens.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of blending different levels of a low-prussic acid cassava flour with extruded full-fat soybeans in diets for growing broiler chickens. The full-fat soybeans contribute oil which increases the energy content of the diet, aids in overcoming the dusty nature of cassava, and provide high-quality protein. One-third, two-thirds, and all of the maize was replaced by cassava in diets with none, 12.5 and 25% extruded full-fat soybeans. Diets were fed in pelleted form to broiler chickens for a 47-day feeding trial. Replacement of one-third of the maize with cassava had no adverse effects on body weight gains in this study with a reduction in weight at higher levels at the conclusion of the study. Feed utilization was reduced more severely than was anticipated. However, growth rate on the higher levels of cassava was reasonably good, indicating that producers might feed these diets for a slightly longer period of time and produce chickens more economically if cassava meal were available at a cost significantly less than that of maize.

Passive hemolysis test for antibody to Treponema hyodysenteriae.

Swine were infected orally with pure cultures of Treponema hyodysenteriae, and the humoral antibody response was measured by a passive hemolysis test (passive hemagglutination test with the use of complement). Antibody to T. hyodysenteriae was detected as early as 1 week and later on at 4 months after exposure. However, peak serum titers were obtained after challenge at 4 weeks postinfection. The usefulness of the test as a potential diagnostic tool for antibody to T. hyodysenteriae is discussed.