Research Note: Characterization of peasant family poultry farming in Southern Chile.

The poultry industry produces most of the meat and eggs for human consumption worldwide. However, family poultry farming still plays an important role in developing countries providing high quality animal products including eggs and poultry meat for family and local consumption. A field survey was taken to 145 family poultry farmers off the commune of Maullin, Los Lagos Region of Southern Chile, to describe their husbandry and breeding practices, and provide information for future development and conservation priorities. Egg production in these poultry systems of the Maullín commune is a family tradition, run mostly by women, provides an extra income from the sale of extra eggs and chicken meat during autumn and winter months. Flocks of 15 to 30 native, creole or indigenous hens, reach point of lay at 5 or 6 months old. Egg production with a mean rate of 40%, peaks during September. Brown eggs are the most frequent, followed by blue-greenish eggs derived from Mapuche fowl ancestry. A ratio of 10 to 20 females per rooster results in ca. 60% hatching rate from natural incubation. While males are kept for two seasons only, females are kept longer, some until old. Diet is based on locally available or self-produced grains, complemented by pasture browsing, scavenging, and kitchen waste. Sanitary management is low or none and technical knowledge derives from ancestral tradition. Investment in accommodation and feeding is low. Results provide information on these systems in non-tropical areas of developing countries where it is scarce, and highlights how these systems can respond to the challenges of future poultry production, considering both climate change and consumers demand for more wholesome, human and sustainable products.

Associative Effects between Forages and Concentrates on In Vitro Fermentation of Working Equine Diets.

BACKGROUND: Horses are hindgut fermenters, and it is therefore important to determine the postgastric nutritive value of their feedstuffs and diets. Moreover, it has been demonstrated in other animal species that the fermentation of diets results in different values than those expected from pure ingredients. Therefore, the general objective of this work is to evaluate the gas production (GP) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, as well as the associative effects, of mixtures of different forages and concentrated foods, which are representative of the traditional diets of high-performance horses. METHODS: An in vitro gas production experiment was conducted to assess the fermentation of two forages and three concentrates that are typical in horse diets. The combination of 70% of forage and 30% concentrates was also assessed to determine potential associative effects. RESULTS: Concentrates and grains produced higher GP and VFA than forages when evaluated alone. When experimental diets were incubated, GP parameters and VFA concentrations of forage-concentrate mixtures had unexpected differences from the values expected from the fermentation of pure ingredients, suggesting the occurrence of associative effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that there is a need to evaluate the fermentation of diets, rather than predicting from the values of pure ingredients.

Use of the Comprehensive Climate Index to estimate heat stress response of grazing dairy cows in a temperate climate region.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the summer thermal environment on physiological responses, behaviour, milk production and its composition on grazing dairy cows in a temperate climate region, according to the stage of lactation. Twenty-nine Holstein Friesian multiparous cows were randomly selected and divided into two groups, according to the days in milk, as mid-lactation (99 to 170 d in milk, n = 15) and late lactation (225 to 311 d in milk, n = 14). The comprehensive climate index (CCI) was used to classify the hour of each day as thermoneutral or heat stress, considering a threshold value of CCI of 20°C. Data were collected for 16 d (summer 2017) and analysed as a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with repeated measurements over time. Vaginal temperature increased with CCI ≥ 20°C. Respiration rates were dependent on the thermal condition, regardless of days in milk. There was an interaction between the time of day and the CCI category for activity and rumination. Grazing activity decreased by 17.6% but lying down, standing, and shaded animals increased by 1.6, 9.8, and 6.3% respectively when CCI ≥ 20°C. Over 80% of cows presented a panting score ≥1. However, milk production and composition (fat, protein, and lactose concentrations as well as somatic cell count) were not affected by the thermal condition, although there was a numerical (non-significant) decrease in afternoon milk protein concentration on days with CCI ≥ 20°C, while urea in milk increased. In conclusion, thermal condition challenged grazing dairy cows' behaviour and physiology independent of the stage of lactation but had little or no effect on milk production.

Consumer preferences and sensory characteristics of eggs from family farms.

The objective of this study was to evaluate consumer habits as well as the sensory perception and characteristics of farm eggs produced in Los Ríos, Chile. Data were collected from an online survey of 197 respondents and a sensory evaluation carried out by 30 untrained panelists of 4 types of eggs (brown-shell and blue-shell eggs acquired from family farms, free-range eggs acquired from large, industrial systems, and white-shell cage eggs from industrial, cage systems.) To evaluate differences and preferences, data were analyzed in a GLM. In addition, sensory evaluation was analyzed using principal component analysis. In accordance with the survey, 99% of the participants eat eggs (P < 0.001), 58% eat 1 to 3 eggs/wk, and 84% declared to consume eggs at home (<0.0001). Surveyed participants reported that price and size are the determining factors (31%) when purchasing eggs. Among the physical characteristic for consumers, yolk color was the most important attribute rather than white color, egg appearance, texture, flavor, or odor. In the consumer acceptability test, farm eggs (either brown or blue shell) received the most favorable sensory evaluation by the panel and were preferred to both free-range and white-shell cage eggs. Yolk color was the most influential parameter in making this difference. Brown farm eggs were predominately selected for greatest general satisfaction by participants in both the sensory evaluation (P = 0.008) and in the survey (40%; P = 0.026). There were no differences between farm eggs (brown and blue shell, P > 0.05) in the evaluated parameters. There was a consequence in the information given from surveyed consumers and the sensory panel with the yolk color.

Acceptability, Preferences, and Palatability of Diets Containing Summer and Winter Brassica Forage in Growing Pigs: A Pilot Study.

Brassica forage may be included in pigs' diet as a dietary fiber ingredient to reduce feeding costs, benefit gut health, immune system, reproductive traits, and welfare. However, they contain antinutritional factors which may affect feeding behavior. This study evaluated feeding behavior of growing pigs offered winter (kale and swede) and summer (turnip and forage rape) brassicas incorporated on their diets as dried ground meal. Two consecutive experiments with six growing castrated male pigs were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated the inclusion of turnip bulbs and forage rape, while experiment 2 studied inclusion of kale and swede bulbs. Brassica meal was included at 15% of the diet by replacing wheat middlings (control diet). In each experiment, pigs were offered experimental diets over six consecutive days for 10 min to test their acceptability (day 1-3) and preferences (day 4-6). No differences were found between diets that included brassicas and control diet in pigs' acceptability or palatability (p > 0.05). However, during preference tests of winter brassicas, swede presented a higher consumption than control and kale (p < 0.05). This suggest that brassicas may be incorporated in growing pigs' diets without negative effects in animals' oral perception during short term feeding tests. Nevertheless, the long-term effects need to be explored.

Characterization of Feeding, Sport Management, and Routine Care of the Chilean Corralero Horse during Rodeo Season.

The aim of this study was to characterize the routine care, training, feeding, and nutritional management of Chilean corralero horses that participated in the rodeos of the Chilean Rodeo Federation. Forty-nine horse farms between the Metropolitan (33°26'16″ south (S) 70°39'01″ west (W)) and Los Lagos Regions (41°28'18″ S 72°56'12″ W), were visited and a survey was conducted on the management and feeding of the Chilean horse. Of the horses which participated in at least one official rodeo in the 2014-2015 season, 275 horses were included in the study. The survey consisted of five questions about general data on the property and the respondent, four questions on the animal characteristics, five questions about where the horses were kept during the day, seven questions to characterize the amount of exercise done by the horse, and 18 questions about feeding practices; additionally, the amount of feed offered was weighed. All horses in this study were in training and kept in their stall for at least 12 h and remained tied or loose for the rest of the day. The intensity of daily exercise of the rodeo Chilean horse could be classified as moderate to heavy and consisted of being worked six days/week and participating in two rodeos/month. Ninety-eight percent of respondents had watering devices in the stables. The diet of the Chilean corralero horse during the training season is based on forages, mainly alfalfa hay, plus oats as an additional energy source. Protein supplements such as oil seed by-products are used less frequently. A wide variation was observed in the diets and quantities of feed offered, which suggests that the feeding management of these individuals is not formulated according to their requirements.

Integrated Management of Pig Residues and Copper Mine Tailings for Aided Phytostabilization.

There is high demand for identifying socio-environmentally sound ways to dispose of large quantities of offensive odor-generating organic residues produced by intensive livestock farming. The use of these residues as amendments at large-scale mine tailings storage facilities for in situ plant-based reclamation may be a useful alternative. We performed a greenhouse assay to evaluate effectiveness of pig slurries and the solid organic fraction of aerobic-aerated pig slurries, both treated and not treated for odor emission, as amendments for copper tailings. Different doses of slurries or the solid organic fraction of the slurries, untreated and treated with either ozone or a commercial product used to manage strong odors (Just a Drop), were incorporated into tailings and stabilized (15 d) under greenhouse conditions. L. (ryegrass) was used as bioindicator for Cu and Zn toxicity. Plant performance (shoot and root dry biomass, Cu and Zn content in leaves) and general physicochemical characteristics of substrates were evaluated. Our results showed that odor management of pig residues was possible with commercial products, and their incorporation into tailings rapidly and effectively reduced odor emission. The solid organic fraction of the slurries neutralized acidic tailings, and both pig residues increased organic matter and nutrient content in tailings while reducing extractable Cu. As a result, ryegrass productivity was significantly improved by incorporation of either slurries or their solid organic fraction into tailings in a dose-dependent form. Foliar Cu content in ryegrass was not affected but foliar Zn content increased; however, Zn remained within acceptable ranges. Both the pig slurries and their soil organic fractions proved to be valuable residues for tailings reclamation.

Effectiveness of pig sludge as organic amendment of different textural class mine tailings with different periods of amendment-contact time.

The present study assesses the effect of tailing texture (loamy sand (LT) and sandy loam (ST)), dose of pig sludge (0, 50, 100 and 200 t ha-1) and amendment-contact time (14, 28 and 42 days) on physicochemical quality of amended substrate using Lolium perenne var Nui as a bioindicator. The main properties of LT differed of ST in levels of total organic carbon (0.19 and 0.58%), in pH (4.6 and 8.5), total Cu (202 and 1647 mg kg-1) and Zn content (31 and 137 mg kg-1). Soil pore water of experimental substrates was characterized for pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and Cu2+ ion activity (pCu2+) while ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), infiltration rate and general physicochemical characteristics were measured in substrates. Shoot biomass (SB), root biomass (RB) and the RB:SB ratio was calculated for L. perenne. The results showed there to be a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between tailing texture, sludge dose and amendment-contact time for pCu2+, infiltration rate, SB, RB, and RB: SB ratio, but not for pH, EC, or NH4+-N. However, sludge dose and amendment-contact time significantly affected all variables. By increasing dosages of pig sludge, pore water pH increased, and this was associated with decreases in pCu2+ and the infiltration rate. High doses of pig sludge (100 and 200 t ha-1) impaired growth of L. perenne irrespective of tailing texture and amendment-contact time, likely because of the rise of EC (up to 14 mS cm-1). For both tailing textures, the highest biomass was obtained after incorporation of 50 t ha-1 of pig sludge, with increasing values as amendment-contact time rose. In conclusion, effective management of pig sludge for tailing reclamation should guarantee doses <50 t ha-1 and amendment-contact time >28 days, irrespective of tailing texture.

Evaluation of sources of variation on in vitro fermentation kinetics of feedstuffs in a gas production system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different sources of variation in gas production technique on the in vitro gas production kinetics of feedstuffs. Triplicates of commercial concentrate, grass silage, grass hay and grass pasture were incubated in three experiments: experiment 1 assessed two agitation methods; experiment 2 evaluated different rumen inocula (pooled or different donor cows for each incubation run); and experiment 3 used Goering-Van Soest or Mould buffers for media preparation. Gas production data were fitted into the Michaelis-Menten model and then subjected to analysis of variance. Gas production (GP) at 48 h and asymptote gas production (A) were lower when bottles were continuously under horizontal movement. Time to produce half and 75% of A, and A were affected by rumen inocula, while buffer type affected time to produce half and 25% of A and GP. No interactions between substrates and sources of variation were observed, suggesting that the effects of substrates on GP parameters were not modified. It is concluded that comparison of numerical data from in vitro experiments that follow different protocols must be done carefully. However, the ranking of different substrates is more robust and less affected by the sources of variation.

Effect of three different bariatric obesity surgery procedures on nutrient and energy digestibility using a swine experimental model.

Morbid obesity is a worldwide health concern that compromises life quality and health status of obese human subjects. Bariatric surgery for treating morbid obesity remains as one of the best alternatives to promote excess weight loss and to reduce co-morbidities. We have not found studies reporting nutrients and energy balance considering digestibility trials in humans following surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine protein, lipid, fiber, energy, calcium, and phosphorous digestibility in a swine model that underwent ileal transposition (IT), sleeve gastrectomy with ileal transposition (SGIT), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), and with sham operated animals (SHAM). Thirty-two pigs were randomly assigned to four laparoscopic procedures: IT (n = 8), RYGBP (n = 8), SGIT (n = 8), and Sham-operated pigs (n = 8). From day 0 postsurgery to 130, pigs were weighed monthly to determine live weight and weight gain was calculated for each month postsurgery until day 130. Food intake in a metabolic weight basis was calculated by measuring ad libitum food intake at day 130. Swine were fitted into metabolic crates to determine digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein, fat, fiber, ash, energy, calcium, and phosphorous from day 130. A one-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls were used to detect differences in weight, food intake, and digestibility coefficients. Digestibility values for dry matter, fiber, phosphorus, and energy showed no differences among groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were encountered among groups for fat, protein, ash, and calcium digestibilities. The RYGBP procedure, when applied to the pig model, significantly reduced calcium, fat, and ash digestibility, which did not occur with SGIT or IT procedure, when compared with Sham-operated animals.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with ileal transposition (SGIT): A new surgical procedure as effective as gastric bypass for weight control in a porcine model.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery has evolved into multiple forms in the last decades, combining food restriction and malabsorption. The aim of this study was to develop a new technique based on food restriction and early stimulation of the distal gut, thus maintaining the alimentary tract continuity. METHODS: Thirty-two Yorkshire pigs, weight 22.2 +/- 5.4 kg (mean +/- SD) were randomly assigned to four laparoscopic procedures: ileal transposition (IT, n = 8); sleeve gastrectomy with ileal transposition (SGIT, n = 8); Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP, n = 8); sham operation (SHAM, n = 8). Firing 45-mm linear staplers over a 60-F bougie, resecting the greater curvature and fundus, constituted a sleeve gastrectomy. Ileal transposition was performed by isolating a 100-cm ileal segment proximal to the ileocecal valve and by dividing the proximal jejunum 15 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz and performing re-anastomosis. Gastric bypass consisted of creating a proximal gastric pouch and a 300 cm alimentary limb. Sham operation was performed by bowel transections and re-anastomosis in the ileum and proximal jejunum together with gastrotomy and closure. Animals were evaluated weekly for weight increase and food intake. We performed a logistic regression analysis to compare weight progression curves, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni (Dunn) tests to detect differences in weight and food intake. RESULTS: We observed significant differences in mean weight after 18 weeks between SGIT (30.9 +/- 13.4 kg) and SHAM (72.5 +/- 10.7 kg) (p = 0.0002), and GBP (28.6 +/- 2.5 kg) and SHAM (p = 0.0001), and IT (56.1 +/- 13.4 kg) and SHAM (p = 0.0081). No differences were observed between RYGB and SGIT. We also observed significant differences in food intake (grams per day) in the third month between SGIT (1668 +/- 677 g) versus SHAM (3252 +/- 476 g) (p = 0.0006), and GBP (2011 +/- 565 g) versus SHAM (p = 0.039). No differences were observed in food intake between SGIT and GBP. CONCLUSION: SGIT proved to be as effective in the short term as GBP on weight progression with no bypass of the proximal gut.